Music To Puff By

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As often as practical, reviews of significant music, recent as well as vintage, jazz as well as other good music, will be offered for your consideration. Also see our list of "Essential Artists" and Links to On-Line Music/Video/Book Stores. Both Music and Pipe Smoking Soothe The Savage Breast (or Is It Beast?) Each relaxes us in different ways yet, together, they are an unbeatable combination in which every sense is involved. It is hoped that the visitor to this part of the site will come away with a few ideas that will enhance both his listening and smoking pleasure.

Selection One

Our first selection is At Home with Donald Shirley. This recording, the first by Shirley in several years, is a real triumph. From his rendition of "’Round Midnight" (Shirley brings out qualities in the piece I didn’t know were there), to "Divertimento for Duke" (an extended homage to Ellington) to "O'Freedom," (a very moving performance of the spiritual by the composer of Swing Low Sweet Chariot") this is great music offered by perhaps the greatest keyboard artist of the age. Though not stricktly jazz (in fact, Shirley steadfastly refuses to allow himself to be categorized), all these pieces will appeal to jazz lovers, as well as to those who simply love beautiful music. "Divertimento," which might have been just a very nice medley, is a symphony of themes intricately and imaginatively linked by wonderful transitions that were never forced, but natural and organic. "O'Freedom," is emotionally charged and evocative. It has always been a favorite Shirley piece, yet it manages to be both old and new at the same time: hauntingly familiar, but fresh and crisp. It is like reuniting with a dear old friend to find them changed for the better, yet still possessed of the qualities that first made them a friend. Other selections include, "Where or When," "Blue Skies," and a bravura rendering of "Flight of The Bumblebee," and several others. The music in the original composition, "LIberation Day," referring to freedom for South Africa, is uplifting, inspiring, and sublime. Donald Shirley has lost nothing in the intervening years. The greatness of years past remains intact, and undiminished. In my view, if the world at large could hear this music, there would be a universal sigh, to realize such beauty is still possible in a sometimes ugly world for, in the space of approximately 75 minutes, Shirley’s music has the power to sweep away that ugliness and allow the listener to glimpse an ideal world

Donald Shirley's music (there are several CDs "converted" from older recordings, in addition to At Home) are available on the internet, but they may be purchased directly from his website, as well, allowing the artist a greater return for his efforts. That internet address is www.donshirley.tripod.com.

Selection Two

Andre Previn and Friends Series ("After Hours," "Old Friends," "Showboat," "My Fair Lady," "We Got Rhythm--Gershwin Songbook," "Pal Joey," "We Got It Good--Ellington" and more). Joined by such luminaries as Joe Pass, David Finck, Shelley Mann, Red Mitchell, Mundell Lowe, Grady Tate, Leroy Vinnegar, and the unsurpassed Ray Brown, Previn provides music that is always intelligent, always beautiful, and always conducive to enthusiastic toe-tapping. A true master of his instrument--but not always accepted by the larger jazz community--Previn has always been a jack of all trades and a master of all, whether as symphony conductor, film score composer, or jazz ensemble leader. The musical cooperation between Previn and his "friends" is a wonder to behold, and the result of that collaboration, and Previn's unerring sense of swing, make for solid listening pleasure.

Selection Three

The Dave Brubeck Quartet: "The Crossing." New compositions from 1998, 1999, and 2000. These tunes, created when Dave was 78, 79, and 80, show that a composer/performer, though well into "old age" can still have fresh ideas and can flawlessly execute those ideas. There are nine pieces here, and not a bad or boring one in the bunch. All My Love (written for his wife of 60 years), Bessie, and Hold Fast to dreams, are wonderful lyrical pieces that illustrate that Dave has not run out of melodic ideas; they are simply beautiful. Por Que No (Jobin couldn't have composed a better "latin" piece), Chasin' Yourself, and Randy Jones (a playful salute to Dave's current drummer) are up-tempo pieces full of originality and sparkling with excitement and wit. This CD is a case study in seeming musical contradiction: everything is new and non-deriviative, yet has the unmistakable Brubeck touch.

Selection Four

This time, we take a look at a great jazz video: Ruby Braff Trio in Concert (Brecon Jazz Festival 1991, Storyville Rcords, 47 minutes). Ruby Braff--trumpet; Howard Alden--guitar; Frank Tate--bass. This is one of the best jazz videos out there. The video processing and sound quality are excellent, and the performance itself is fantastic. Braff, Alden, and Tate work together flawlessly, with no one hogging the show. Truly, these re three masters at work. Not particularly well-known, Tate is a marvelous musician, and a supreme melodist (which, considering the limitations of the acoustic bass, is saying something). Alden continues to demonstrate why he is one of the best jazz guitarists today. Braff is in top form, not only playing beautifully, but leading the group perfectly, and even bantering with the enthralled audience with grace and good humor. The tunes are familiar, but the fresh, take-nothing-for-granted approach to each is wonderful. If you don't like this one, then you don't like having fun.

Selection Five

Sonny Criss, alto sax, "The Complete Imperial Sessons," 2 CDs. Shows the master altoist at the height of his powers in a variety of small group sessions. Criss could play with the speed of a Charley Parker, and the accuracy of a Paul Desmond; a supreme melodist, his solos are always imaginitive and beautiful.

Selection Six

Jim Hall, jazz guitar: "Jim Hall, A Life in Progress," from Rhapsody Video. This is another video program, full of concert material, interviews, and music history. Jim Hall has played with the best, from the many Paul Desmond sessions, right up to the 21st Century. A supreme accompanyist, he is also a fine soloist, often called the guitarist's guitarist. The portions where John Lewis (MJQ) "visits" during the filming are wonderful.

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Jazz Artists, An Essential Collection (my personal favorites--not intended to be comprehensive)

Piano: Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, Bud Powell, Hampton Hawes, Phineas Newborn, Michel Petrucciani, Bill Evans, Gene Harris, Ahmad Jamal*, Andre Previn*, Ramsey Lewis*, Cyrus Chestnut*, Toshiko Akiyoshi,* Bill Charlap,* Marian McPartland.* I also enjoy Keiko Matsui, though I'm not sure how to categorize her. Her stuff "seems" jazzy, but . . ."

Trumpet: Clifford Brown, Fats Navaro, Dizzy Gillespie, Harry Edison, Bobby Hackett, Chet Baker, Roy Eldridge, Art Farmer, Shorty Rogers, Ruby Braff*, Arturo Sandoval*, Roy Hargrove*, Wynton Marsalis*

Tenor: Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Dexter Gordon, Bud Freeman, Ben Webster, Wardell Grey, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Gene Ammons, Scott Hamilton*, Harry Allan*

Alto: Benny Carter, Paul Desmond, Sonny Criss, Sadao Watanabe,* Paquito D'Rivera*

Baritone: Gerry Mulligan, Harry Carney, Joe Temperly*

Clarinet: Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Buddy deFranco*, Ken Peplowski*, Kenny Davern*

Vibes: Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson, Red Norvo, Cal Tjader, Gary Burton*

Guitar: Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall*, Carlos Barbosa-Lima*, Kenny Burrell*, Howard Alden*, Charlie Byrd*

Drums: Gene Krupa, Louis Bellson*, Joe Jones, Joe Morello*, Connie Kay

[*active]

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Links to Great On-Line Music Stores

E JAZZ LINES

The ultimate in jazz-only sites, with CDs, Video, Sheet Music, and Books. Ably run by two brothers who pride themselves on great service, before and after the sale. Never a risk when buying here.

ALL DIRECT

Offering Books, Videos, and CDs, often at the best price to be found, All Direct has a very large inventory of jazz and other genres. If your looking for the latest best-seller or newest DVD or video, this is the place.

DJANGOS NEW AND USED

Another site with both CDs and Videos, offering jazz and several other kinds of music. Djangos has a good selection of used items, all fully inspected and guaranteed. New selections added frequently.

JAZZ STEPS

Jazz Steps is the place to go for that hard-to-find Jazz CD, although E Jazz Lines does well in that regard, too, and willingly does "searches." JazzSteps has that "out-of-print" CD you've been searching for.

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Shopping for music, particularly jazz, is enhanced and made easier by using "Yahoo Shopping." There may be times when you'll decide to go directly to the seller (as with the links above) but do get your INFORMATION at "Yahoo Shopping" first. For album cover art, track and personnel lists and recording dates (which some sellers don't offer) you'll find Yahoo essential.

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And just to balance out the listing, here's a WARNING for you. Don't buy anything from Doubletime Jazz. The service is extremely poor and they are generally unresponsive to inquiries. They "hook" you with low prices and tell you everything is in stock, but almost everything is backordered and it can take a whole month to get your order. "Unit" pricing of $9.95 for CDs that might cost two dollars more elsewhere is good, but the same CDs can sometimes be found for two dollars less.

NOTE: I recently acquired my first MAC (a little iBook)and have been having fun with it. However, I chanced to visit my own website and found the letters on this music page to be extremely large. When I went back to my Dell and checked, every thing seemed normal. If anyone reads this and has an idea what's going on, I'd appreciate hearing from him/her.

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