Blown mind

A little while ago, I had my mind blown. I had recently purchased a Miles Davis CD, and noticed that it was recorded at the CBS 30th St. Studios. Now, I know a lot of stuff gets recorded here in NYC, but since I happen to work on 30th St, I figured I'd look it up and see where this studio was located. Turns out, it is about half a block from where I work. I walk past it all the time! Here's what it looks like today:

Yeah, it's been torn down and turned in to apartments, but here's what it looked like while it was still in existence:
Basically, from what I've read, this was one of the premiere studios in the city, but mostly used for Jazz and Classical (though later on, others greats like Bob Dylan recorded here). Here's a sampling of some of the albums that were recorded (all of these I own):













As you can see, lots of Miles Davis. Pretty cool to think that I work a few yards away from where all these great albums were recorded.

The skinny on those Beatles Boxes

Anyone willing to bet on how much the new Beatles remasters box set is going to go for in the US? Here's a few numbers to get you started:

• The UK Beatles store has it listed at £199, or roughly $327, at current prime rates, which averages to ~$23/album. Ouch.
  
• Pre-ordering the individual albums from Amazon puts the grand total at $213.86 before whatever taxes you'll be charged are added in.
• If the US price were identical to the UK price, you'd have to discount the box set ~35% to make it the same price as the albums individually. However, the box set includes a DVD and who knows what else, so there will be some kind of premium involved.
• The mono box set rings up at £210, or $345. Youch!
• The UK list prices and the US list prices match up fairly well, with the single albums being about $1 more in the US, and the double albums being about $3 cheaper. Grand total ~$6 more expensive in the US at current exchange rates.

OK, I've done the legwork for you. Go ahead and make your wagers. I'm guessing it will list for $275-$300, and Amazon will have it for ~$250.

#302 - Beatles Musings

- Of the 3 versions of "Let It Be" that I've currently got in my collection:

• The album version is the one where I wish they'd open the solo section up a little more for George.
• The single version is the one I grew up hearing.
• The naked version is by far the best version.

- "Here Comes the Sun" and "Good Day Sunshine" will always be associated with my hometown Oldies station playing one or both of them on sunny days. For a kid that grew up in Seattle, that's an association with a really good feeling.

- "When I'm Sixty-Four" made me want to learn the clarinet, so I guess you could say The Beatles were one of my early musical influences.

#300

I've been buying music again and I'd love to tell you more about it. But, looking over what I've bought, I realize that long conversations about it would be pretty much ground already covered, except for maybe two things. First, I've really liked the new Animal Collective album, Merriweather Post Pavilion. It's a bit what I'd imagine Brooklyn would be like if it woke up one morning and decided to become Africa. Check it out, if you're in to that kind of thing. And second, the new War Child compilation Heroes is pretty decent. Basically, a bunch of stars (David Bowie, Iggy Pop, et al) chose artists to cover one of their songs and if you buy it the money goes to war affected children. Needy kids nonetheless, I wouldn't go as far as to buy the whole thing ("Search and Destroy," sadly not that good). Here's what I would recommend though:

• "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat"/Beck
• "Heroes"/TV On the Radio
• "Straight to Hell"/Lily Allen
• "Transmission"/Hot Chip
• "Do the Strand"/Scissor Sisters

The Scissor Sisters track is the standout of the bunch, at least for now. I could see it getting some playtime at a house party or two.

Oh, and this is post #300. I originally thought about doing something bigger than this, but why bother?

Time on Hands

I may not have a Valentine, but I've sure got one of the most organized iTunes libraries you'll ever see, and that warms my heart almost as much.

Pimping the Woo

In case you didn't know this (and you probably didn't), I have way more music on my computer than my hard drive will allow. How did I do this? Well... first I cannibalized my old laptop for it's hard drive, then I bought an external enclosure for it... following me? Basically, I carry around this little had drive with me wherever I go, and for being a little drive it sure is a big pain in the tookus. It does give me access to about 20GB of music without gobbling up that much space on my hard drive, but if I ever plug my iPod in to my computer without first plugging in my hard drive... look out. Error after error after error. So, it's a mixed blessing.

My buddy Woo has come up with a better solution, especially if you happen to have one of those iPhone thingies. Basically, he's written a bit of software called ooTunes that will let you access your entire music collection anywhere you can get an internet connection. Pretty cool, huh? I wouldn't have to pack around that silly hard drive anymore. And if that weren't enough, those of you cool enough to own an iPhone can use it on that as well. Did I mention that it will also play streamed radio on your iPhone (including Pandora, last.fm, etc.)?

Yes, of course I'm trying to sell you on the idea (so is he, by the way, for $19.99). I'm doing it for 2 great reasons: 1) Woo is a friend of mine, and 2) Woo is a friend of mine who wrote a great piece of software. Check it out. Seriously. If you have a computer at home and want to listen to your music at work, this is the way to go. Woo's a super nice guy, so if you've got any questions, I'm sure he'd be happy to help.

D's Hall of Fame Albums

The other day, a friend of mine extracted my guitar from it's dust encrusted case. Happily, it hasn't gone back in since.
One of the first guitarists that I attempted to emulate was Eric Clapton, which has turned out to be no easy task. Owning only an acoustic guitar, I've spent hours poring over the tab of his Unplugged album, and twice as many listening to it. Almost like a first love, there have been moments of sheer joy (like when I realized I could play Signe), moments of utter heartbreak (like when I realized how utterly difficult Lonely Stranger is), and moments of compromise (which led to my non-Dobro version of Running on Faith).
My musical taste has expanded since I was in middle school, but I'm still amazed at how much of an influence this album has had on it. Which got me thinking... why not share what albums have had the biggest influence on me over the years? Why not call it a hall of fame? And the idea was born.
So far this is the hall's first inductee, but by no means is it the most important. So, stay tuned for the occasional induction ceremony. Hopefully it will be enlightening.

#300

Yesterday marked a milestone for me, I purchased my 300th album - Someday My Prince Will Come by Miles Davis. I know you're all waiting with baited breath to know more about my collection (right?), so here are a few stats:

• 43% of my collection is Jazz
• 2% is Beatles
• I inherited 1 Aquabats CD (only of note since I saw someone dressed in full Aquabats attire last week on 23rd)
• Best Album Title: quite possibly The Rumproller
• Most Represented Artist: Miles Davis with 17 albums (Birth of the Cool, Bags' Groove, Workin', Steamin', Relaxin', Cookin', 'Round About Midnight, Kind of Blue, Milestones, Miles Ahead, Porgy and Bess, Sketches of Spain, Someday My Prince Will Come, E.S.P., Miles Smiles, In a Silent Way, and Bitches Brew in case you were wondering. I know, you weren't).
• Most Embarrassing CD that I'll Admit to Owning: Journey's Greatest Hits
• Best CD I Forgot I Owned: Weezer's blue album

Well folks, the tales of wonderment and awe don't end there, but I think I will. Any bets on when I make it to 400?

Late breaking addition!

Happy V-Day to all you lovers out there. I know what I'm going to be doing tonight... wishing I was stranded on a creepy island with Kate. Sigh... oh well.

But for those of you who actually have someone to enjoy the evening with, here's a late breaking addition to my list of a few posts ago:

"Manhattan" performed by Blossom Dearie



I make no promises about the efficacy of this song, but it couldn't hurt. Especially if you live in Manhattan. If you live in Brooklyn, I have no doubt that you'll be getting all the loving you need. Brooklyn's good like that.

Making use of old news

I've been listening to ABBA for the last few days. I hate to admit it, but there's something about those Swedes. I guess it's my one guilty pleasure...

But it got me thinking about a comment made by John McCain several months ago, back when everyone thought he was out of the race, perhaps thrown about to show how out of it he was. He was asked about what was on his iPod (he has an iPod?). His answer, from the Austin American-Statesman:

Dare I say ABBA. Everybody says, ‘Ehhh, ABBA.’ Why is that? ABBA was the largest selling (recording act ever). Nobody likes them but they sold more records than anybody in the history of the world, including the Beatles. But everybody hates them. (But) you’re a no-class guy if you like ABBA. Why does everybody go see ‘Mamma Mia?’ Hypocrisy! Rank hypocrisy! I’m not embarassed to say I like ABBA, ‘Dancing Queen.’”

More from McCain. If elected, “the background music would be ABBA in the elevators all over the White House.”

And even more.

“‘Take a Chance on Me.’ Maybe that’s what we should have as our (campaign) theme song. That would be good.”

Is this why so many Republicans are mad at him?

Trust me on this one...

According to the heart-shaped Reese's that I ate yesterday, Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I'm no hater. Any holiday that encourages good food, romantic music and alone time with that special someone gets a pass in my book. This year I've decided to contribute to the common good, and though fine food and special someone's aren't my strong points, I do know a thing or two about romantic music. Here's the list (iTunes links provided for your previewing pleasure, where available):

• "My Lament" by the Maria Schneider Orchestra


• "When I Fall in Love" performed by the Miles Davis Quintet
  
  


• "Moody's Mood For Love" sung by Eddie Jefferson
  
  


• "It Never Entered My Mind" performed by the Miles Davis Quintet
  
  


• "In a Sentimental Mood" performed by John Coltrane and Duke Ellington
  
  


• "You Are Too Beautiful" perf. by John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman
  
  


• "Someone to Watch Over Me" perf. by Ben Webster
  
  


• "My Funny Valentine" perf. live by Sarah Vaughan
  
  


• "Blue In Green" perf. by the Miles Davis Sextet
  
  


• "I'm Old Fashioned" perf. by John Coltrane
  
  


• "When I Fall In Love" from the soundtrack of Good Night, and Good Luck
  
  


• "When I Look in Your Eyes" perf. by Diana Krall
  
  


• "My Foolish Heart" perf. by the Bill Evans Trio
  
  


• "A Child Is Born" by Thad Jones
  
  


• "Li'l Darlin'" perf. by The Count Basie Orchestra
  
  

The genre should come as no surprise, as I do consider Jazz to be the most romantic of the musics. But whether you agree with me or not on that point, hopefully you will agree that whether paired with a romantic meal at home or a bit of after-dinner canoodling, this set should fit the bill perfectly.

Really Massive Irish Rockers

Just got back from U2 3D. If anyone can take you on a mindbending multi-dimensional rockstraveganza, it's Bono. In fact, there were moments that I was worried that the man was going to fall off the screen and in to my lap. I don't know if I could handle that. He even used his multidimensionality to try to wipe away each audience member's tear during "Sunday Bloody Sunday." Thanks Bono.

OK, all joking aside, it was a pretty awesome movie/concert/experience. I'm not a huge U2 fan, but I like them enough to sit through 1.5 hrs of concert. The 3D effects were done tastefully and worked to great effect. Sure, Bono's pretentiousness seemed bigger in 3D, but so did The Edge's awesomeness which provided a nice counterbalance. I get the feeling that he's the one that helps Bono keep it real. The best numbers on the film are: (Musically) "Where the Streets Have No Name," which is saying something since I'm tired of hearing the recorded version, and (Visually) "The Fly," where they managed to take the stuff shown on the billboards behind the band and make them work on the screen. So, basically what I'm saying is that if you even kind of like U2, it'd be worth your while to get yourself a ticket. Just don't cry during "One" like the guy in the corner of the screen was doing. How embarrassing.

Richie Havens @ Church

Does anyone else find it slightly ironic and kind of cool that the man who played the opening set at Woodstock is playing at the Lincoln Center Building tonight?

Genre

Amazon sure considers some weird things to be genres. I noticed this while entering my latest CD purchase (the White Album) into Delicious Library. Take a look:
I might not be an expert on the subject, but I'm pretty sure that Britain is a country, not a genre. Ooh... cheap shot, but not the worst that I could make. Take a look for yourself.

The red circles by Vieve and Libby mean they've had my stuff for too long.

5 CD purchases before this one (from most recent):

1. The Reminder by Feist
2. Oscar Peterson Trio + One by The Oscar Peterson Trio
3. Revolver by The Beatles
4. Bitches Brew by Miles Davis
5. E.S.P. also by Miles Davis
   

Non-quasi-classical soundtrack awesomeness

I recently created a playlist with that name, and it contains, among other things, the version of "Hey Jude" played at the beginning of The Royal Tenenbaums. Can I just say that that song makes me really happy? Especially the part with the trumpet when they start singing the nah nah nah's.

The Last Brag

OK folks, tonight I had the great pleasure of listening to The Brawner Brothers at my apartment complex. So who are they? Well, the flyer advertised them as B.B. King's backup band, which I think might have been a bit of creative advertising. What I learned when I got there was that the Brawner Bros. are a soul/funk/blues group based here in the city. So, I didn't get quite what I was expecting, but what I got was pretty good. OK, enough talk, on to the pictures.
Here's just a little idea of what the setup was like. Pretty small, out on the river.
Here's the band. I'm kicking myself now for not having sat closer.
If I had to be one guy in the band, I'd be the bass player. He looks like he has a lot of fun. Also note the lady with the bluesy hat. I bet she has stories to tell!

So, if you were to ask me what group the Brawner Brothers reminds me of (not that you were), I would have to say Tower of Power. I saw Tower of Power in Salt Lake a few years ago with old friends Janelle and Cynthia at the SLC Jazz Fest. Ahh... those were the days.

Anyway, I'm getting a feeling that I'm not really helping you figure out what this music is like, so I'll try something that we've never done here at the OP, and that's video. Enjoy!


Sorry about the bald headed guy. If I'd only have sat closer... Wasn't that guitar solo awesome? It was way better than my movie taking skills, at any rate. Now, check out my personal favorite song of the night, "Compared to What":



Pretty good, don't you think?

When was the last time you heard...?

• Here Comes the Sun¹ by The Beatles
• Do You Wanna Dance? by The Beach Boys²
• Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy
• Under The Bridge by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
• You Can't Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones
• People Get Ready by Eva Cassidy³
• Downtown by Petula Clark
• I Heard it Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye
• Bye Bye Blackbird by Joe Cocker
• Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken by Camera Obscura⁴
• Let It Be by The Beatles
• Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
• No Woman, No Cry by Bob Marley and The Wailers
• Crepuscolo Sul Mare by Piero Umiliani⁵
• New York State of Mind by Billy Joel
• God Only Knows by The Beach Boys
• At Last by Etta James⁶
• Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
• Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) by Steam
• America by Neil Diamond⁷
• American Girl by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
• (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay by Otis Redding⁸
  
• Champagne Supernova by Oasis
• Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell⁹

Notes
1 - This song always makes me feel better. I think some of it has to do with how rare the sun is to us Seattleites.
2 - The more and more I listen to this song, the more I realize that it is genius. Just listen to the way the timpani are used.
3 - Eva Cassidy is one of those that died too young. If you don't know her, I'd recommend checking her out.
4 - This is another band to check out. I feel kind of girly listening to them sometimes, but I'm ok with that.
5 - Originally recorded for the 1969 Italian film La Legge dei Gangsters, I first heard it in Ocean's 12. So, in other words, you've probably heard it too.
6 - This is the romantic in me speaking.
7 - Probably the most patriotic song, EVER.
8 - Doesn't this just make you feel 5 levels lower on the stress meter?
9 - Seriously. One of the greatest songs ever. If I were only half as cool as Marvin Gaye...

A night at the Standard

I'd like to dedicate this one to all those hep cats and kittens out there.

Last Saturday was a great night in jazz and I got to be there for it. Hmm... where do I start...

How about with a roll call?

This is Jane. We lived in the same apartment complex (aptly named Brownstone) right before moving to NYC. Coincidence? Perhaps. Moving on...
Next we have me. You may be noticing that the photos look a bit blurry. I'm pretty sure that it has something to do with the extremely hip vibes that were floating through the room, left over from the previous set. So, what I'm saying is, don't blame the photographer, blame the musicians.
So, here's the man himself, Mr. Joey DeFrancesco. Mr. DeFrancesco plays the jazz organ (more specifically, the Hammond B-3), and he does it extremely well. You can't see it, but there is not bass player in this group (just drums, organ, guitar and sax). There is no need because on top of playing with both hands, and controlling the volume with one foot, he is playing the bass line with his other!
By now, you can see that the hip vibes leftover from the first set had joined up with the newly created hip vibes and began seriously messing with my camera. The big blur on the right is a sax player named George Coleman. He's 72, which is old, and has played with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles and B.B. King, to name a few. So, a you can guess, he was pretty good.

More evidence that the hipness in the room was overwhelming. I guess at this point I should mention that when I say hip, I'm not talking about that weak stuff they brew up in Williamsburg and peddle on the L train, I'm talking about the real stuff. If you don't know what I'm talking about, drop in on your local jazz club.


Finally, I thought I'd put up a picture of this guy. Sorry, I don't remember his name. He was good. I could perhaps beat him at Guitar Hero, but somehow I just don't think he'd care. All in all, it was a great night, and a good way to get out of the house.

P.S. - I hear that during the final set, the hipness vibes got so strong that people's cameras began exploding.

Word.

What you are about to see is not a fake. This is real. Please watch on.

I found out about this when B-Money himself came to my door selling his CD and told me about it. I figured that this could be my little addition to your popular musical consciousness. You can thank me later.

15 albums worth listening to

OK, so I know that Jazz isn't the most popular form of music among the under-50 set, but I'm mostly fine with that. The only time that it gets to me is when I discover some new album (to me, anyway) and I want to share it with someone else, only to get a look like, "you're kidding me, right?" Yeah, I realize that it's not the most accessible music out there, but anyone that is willing to take the time to listen will find that there's a lot more musical "meat" in Jazz than in most other forms of music. I realize that there is a lot of it that doesn't have words, and there is a lot of it that can sound like random notes, but there isn't much that I can do for you if either of those things is a concern (other than tell you to be patient and keep listening). I also realize that one of the toughest things about Jazz is that, with so much music out there, it can be hard to know where to start. That is something that I can help with, and to that end, I've made a little list of CDs that anyone interested in Jazz should check out. They are in no particular order, and I won't bore you with much description of them. So, without further ado, here are 15 albums that are worth listening to:

1. Kind of Blue by Miles Davis - probably the one on the list that I would most recommend
2. Blue Train by John Coltrane - one of my first purchases and still one of my faves
3. A Love Supreme by John Coltrane - a recording so good, that there is a church built around it (no kidding!)
4. April in Paris by Count Basie - A great album to listen to if you are feeling intimidated by Jazz. Very easy on the ears.
5. Birth of the Cool by Miles Davis - shades aren't necessary, but they help
6. Blues and the Abstract Truth by Oliver Nelson - Weird name, good Jazz
7. Getz/Gilberto by Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto - Sure, it's the album that gave us "The Girl from Ipanema" but that doesn't have to be a bad thing
8. In a Silent Way by Miles Davis - Miles was at the forefront of so many changes in Jazz. Here's an early mix of Jazz and Rock. So good.
9. Maiden Voyage by Herbie Hancock - Nautically themed jazz, whatever that means
10. Miles Ahead by Miles Davis - This time with an orchestra behind him
11. Out of the Cool by The Gil Evans Orchestra - The title makes more sense when you know a bit of Jazz history, which I'm not going to go into right now
12. Speak No Evil by Wayne Shorter - great hard bop, 'nuff said
13. Waltz for Debby by Bill Evans - if you want to hear three people playing as one, this is the album
14. Workin' by Miles Davis - Really guys, are you getting the picture? Miles Davis is the coolest (and he didn't even have to pee his pants to get there)
15. Brilliant Corners by Thelonious Monk - Really, any one of his albums could fit here, this just happens to be the one I picked.

So, there it is folks. I happen to own all of these albums, and if anyone should be interested, I'm more than happy to lend them out. Really, give 'em a shot.