Guess The Trumpet Player

Hello Readers, it’s time for the twelfth installment of “Guess The Trumpet Player.” And it’s time for something completely different. I just recently discovered this trumpet player and I think he’s a really special talent. The music might not be your cup of tea, but give it a few minutes so you can hear this guy do his thing. Just remarkable control of the instrument. Turn up your volume because this really should be listened to at a nice and loud volume (hope your system has good bass). Hope you like this track.

Click the link (it’s safe), click play, listen, guess the trumpet player. The first person to leave the correct name of this trumpet player in the comments section of this post wins a CD – your choice of Outside Pants Vol. 1 – Old School Players or Outside Pants Vol. 2 – Ron Miles Mix or Outside Pants Vol. 3 – Brownie Mix or Outside Pants Vol.4 – Dave Douglas Mix. The contest ends with Monday’s post.

Here’s the song: http://www.box.net/shared/mj8zo5f0jf

Well, Are You Experienced?

Album Spotlight: Lester Bowie’s Brass Fantasy “I Only Have Eyes For You”

Before I even start to discuss this album, I have to mention the recorded sound of this album. The year was 1985. The label was ECM. Do you know where I’m going with this? The 80’s weren’t exactly the pinnacle of natural sounding recordings. The technology in recordings studios was getting better and better and most studios, engineers, and producers were going exclusively digital as opposed to analog. The result back then was a pretty sterile sounding product that may have sounded hip at the time, but years later, that stuff sounds severely dated. I don’t need to go into examples of 80’s pop and rock and jazz records to prove my point, right? Now add ECM into the picture. I have lots and lots of ECM records. I like ECM records and the musicians on them. I haven’t heard too many ECM records I didn’t enjoy. That said, there is an ECM “sound.” Often times that sound is “created” with lots of electronically-generated reverb (as opposed to the natural reverb in say, a 500 year old French church). When ECM first began, some of those early records are just dripping in reverb. It’s over the top, really. Then in the late seventies they settled down a bit. Then came the 80’s where just about everybody was guilty of gross over-production. That’s just how it was, I guess. A sign of the times. So why am I mentioning these negative things when I’m about to go off on how much I like this record? Because I have two versions of this album. A vinyl and an mp3 (256 kbps) version. Guess which one sounds way better? Yup, the vinyl. No comparison. Even though both versions feature the same digital recording, the analog product sounds so much better. It takes a little of the unappealing (to my ears, at least – and this is my blog after all, so I’m allowed to have opinions) digital shine off of the recording and makes the recording more listenable. So, if you are going to get this album – and you should because it’s a great one - get it on vinyl. Don’t have a record player? Well, you should get one!! :) They aren’t that expensive and records sound better and are just plain cooler than CDs.

Alright, so now that I’ve made that caveat, I can now extol the virtues of the Lester Bowie Brass Fantasy “I Only Have Eyes For You” album. It was Lester’s first record with his new group, Brass Fantasy, and for my money, this lineup is my favorite. And of all the subsequent Brass Fantasy albums, this first one is my favorite. The basic (and I know it’s not cool to reduce a great concept down to something so basic) premise for the group seems to have been: take some pop tunes and make arrangements for a brass band of improvisers with the lead role going to the great singer of songs, Lester Bowie. So if that’s the schtick with this band, then maybe why I like this first album so much is the fact that this first album only features one pop tune cover; the other five tracks are originals, two of which are Lester compositions. The cover feature here is obviously the title track which dates back to the early 30’s, but the version everyone today knows is the most popular: the 1959 version of “I Only Have Eyes For You” by the Flamingoes. The Flamingoes were a classic doowop group and they had their share of hits, but their version of this tune is one of the classic recordings of all time. It’s just magical. Here, listen. Awesome, right? Now, check out the Brass Fantasy version. It’s longer than the Flamingoes version but it stays pretty faithful to that 1959 arrangement, even down to those amazing “doo bop shoo bops.” I can hear Lester playing the words and I love how he sings that diminished feel coming out of the bridge each time the bands repeats. So many great sounds of Lester’s ridiculously huge arsenal of amazing trumpet sounds come out in this recording. He’s really a vocalist stuck with a trumpet. And dig Vincent Chancey’s French horn. Perfect.

What a great start to an amazing record. Another gem on this record is “Think” by trumpeter Bruce Purce (never heard of him before or after this record! Have you??). Malachi Thompson’s “Lament” is also pretty special. Lester’s two compositions on this record “Coming Home Jamaica” and “When the Spirit Returns” are also pretty sweet (some classic Lester on these) and indicative of the kinds of tunes he wrote and often played with later versions of the Art Ensemble of Chicago. And then there’s the great tuba monster Bob Stewart who is always the rock of Brass Fantasy albums. His tune “Nonet” is probably the most “avant” on this album. It’s amazing. Wonderful arrangement and spectacular group playing and improvisation. All in all, it’s a really special album from a performance standpoint and fro a compositional standpoint. Although some of the future Brass Fantasy records resort to kinda dialed-in, almost cheesy arrangements of pop tunes, the band never compromises here. There is some adventuresome and powerful playing and writing on this first album.

Have I sold you on this record yet? If you like brass instruments, if you like trumpet, if you like Lester Bowie, if you like The Flamingoes, if you like jazz, if you like good music, then you really should consider adding this album to your collection. A CD version is great, but if you can get it on vinyl you should. 

Guess The Trumpet Player Winner

Thanks to all who listened to Thursday’s track and to those who ventured a guess. A bunch of you guessed the correct trumpet player, but the winner of the eleventh installment of the Outside Pants Guess The Trumpet Player contest is…….friend and Brooklyn-based alto man, Dave Caputo. And the correct answer is…….the late, great Lester Bowie. Nice work getting your correct answer in quickly, Dave – you had plenty of competition this week! Your prize is your choice of Outside Pants Vol. 1 – Old School Players or Outside Pants Vol. 2 – Ron Miles Mix or Outside Pants Vol. 3 – Brownie Mix or Outside Pants Vol.4 – Dave Douglas Mix.

I’m not going to get into anything lengthy about this track or about Lester because I’ll do that in a post tomorrow; but, I will tell you that the title of the tune is “Coming Home Jamaica” and it starts Side B of Lester Bowie’s 1985 ECM Brass Fantasy album, “I Only Have Eyes For You.” I think Lester spent a lot of time in Jamaica, thus the Brass Fantasy version of reggae, complete with Lester riffing over the top of the band with his special lyrical and sonic touch. More on this record and Lester tomorrow. Love Lester Bowie.

Guess The Trumpet Player

Hello Readers, it’s time for the eleventh installment of “Guess The Trumpet Player.” Here is a great track for you from a great record from one of the great trumpet players. This player is one of my all-time favorites. There’s so much to choose from with this guy but I just picked something that always puts me in a good mood when I hear it. Hope you enjoy.

Click the link (it’s safe), click play, listen, guess the trumpet player. The first person to leave the correct name of this trumpet player in the comments section of this post wins a CD – your choice of Outside Pants Vol. 1 – Old School Players or Outside Pants Vol. 2 – Ron Miles Mix or Outside Pants Vol. 3 – Brownie Mix or Outside Pants Vol.4 – Dave Douglas Mix. The contest ends with Monday’s post.

Here’s the song: http://www.box.net/shared/sajhtkzqhq

Music Listening/Watching

Jack Mackintosh and Harton Band
Whoa! Who the heck was this guy??? Jack Mackintosh was a monster!!

Listening Contest Winner

My apologies for the slim blogging last week. Gigs, rehearsals, and family stuff kept me off of Outside Pants all week. I think I should be back to an almost normal schedule this week though. So…

The winner of the tenth installment of the Outside Pants Guess The Trumpet Player contest is…….amazing Philly trumpeter/EVI master John Swana. And the correct answer is…….Chet Baker. Nice work, John! Your prize is your choice of Outside Pants Vol. 1 – Old School Players or Outside Pants Vol. 2 – Ron Miles Mix or Outside Pants Vol. 3 – Brownie Mix or Outside Pants Vol.4 – Dave Douglas Mix.

This round of the contest was kinda tricky, I think. When I think of Chet Baker I think of his beautiful and relaxed trumpet sound, maybe his rather androgynous voice, and generally an overall romantic feel – nothing too complex but always tasteful and melodic. I love these things about Chet’s music. There’s a reason why his records have always sold well. Got a romantic dinner planned for your lady/man? Maybe put on some Chet Baker to put everyone in the mood. Chet’s often the illustration of the antithesis of the high/loud/fast school of jazz trumpet playing. I think there are only a few recordings of Chet eeking out a high D. Are there any recordings of him playing real loud? Not that I know of. But he certainly could play fast.

This week’s track is Chet burning on “Milestones” from 1958 (Incidentally, that's Kenny Clarke on drums. And remember, Miles Davis' album "Milestones" had just come out months before this recording was made - Chet was hip to the new modal way of playing). And he is burning on this. And his sound is way brighter than normal. Was he playing his own horn/mouthpiece on this recording? Or was his equipment in hock at the pawn store and this is borrowed equipment? Who knows, but Chettie does sound a bit different than usual here. It’s a good reminder that when Chet was in good shape (keeping up with his practicing and not totally strung out) he could really cook. Another example of Chet really playing well BTW is when he did those mid-60’s records (some with George Coleman) right after he got out of an Italian prison. When Chet was in jail those few years that’s when he claimed to have done the most regular practicing of his whole life – a few hours a day (not that much considering he didn’t have anything else to do!). The great trumpeter Jack Sheldon once complained that he had to practice 12 hours a day to do what came naturally and effortlessly to Chet. Sounded like Jack admired Chet for this but also probably resented him for it too. Let’s also not forget that Chet played with Bird for a hot minute. And supposedly Bird picked Chet. There’s some controversy about this, but it is certain that Bird kept Chet on the gig for the duration of the gig. He certainly could have gotten plenty of other LA trumpeters if he had wanted. Ever heard the live recordings from these gigs? I have. Chet sounds pretty good, but probably a little intimidated. Wouldn’t you be intimidated standing next to Bird??

Another interesting thing (at least to me) about this recording is that it is yet another example of Chet taking from the repertoire of Miles Davis. Though he obviously played a wide range of tunes over his career, Chet certainly performed and recorded a lot of tunes previously associated with Miles. All the way to the bitter end Chet would play All Blues or Solar or Walkin’ or any number of ballads that Miles had already made famous. And even Chet’s style – particularly the stuff from the 50’s is a direct imitation/assimilation of Miles’ style of playing from that period. Chet made a lot of money over his career (he lost it all too) playing Miles’ music. Of course, Miles made more. And invested more. But I would imagine that this really pissed Miles off. From what I can tell, Miles was pretty vain. I’m sure he must have been at least a little salty that Chet was winning critics and fan polls when Miles wasn’t. This must have been especially exacerbating when Miles was in one of his down periods.  I wonder what the two really thought of each other. Would Chet admit to copping some of his style from Miles? If he was in a situation where he didn’t need to prove his machismo, would Miles admit that Chet could play? Who knows. Who really cares. Regardless of speculation, it’s definitely time to spin some more Chet Baker.

Guess The Trumpet Player

Hello Readers, it’s been a really busy week for me – sorry for the lack of posts. But I do have enough time to post the tenth installment of “Guess The Trumpet Player.” Here is a great track for you.

Click the link (it’s safe), click play, listen, guess the trumpet player. The first person to leave the correct name of this trumpet player in the comments section of this post wins a CD – your choice of Outside Pants Vol. 1 – Old School Players or Outside Pants Vol. 2 – Ron Miles Mix or Outside Pants Vol. 3 – Brownie Mix or Outside Pants Vol. 4 – Dave Douglas Mix. The contest ends with Monday’s post.

Here’s the song: http://www.box.net/shared/dn4m7a939u

KD

Why are there not more videos of Kenny Dorham on YouTube??? At least we have this one.

Guess The Trumpet Player Winner

Today is my birthday so this post will be short and sweet. The winner of the ninth installment of the Outside Pants Guess The Trumpet Player contest is…….excellent Philly trumpet player Josh Lawrence (check out Josh’s website). And the correct answer is…….Dave Douglas. Nice work, Josh!  Your prize is your choice of Outside Pants Vol. 1 – Old School Players or Outside Pants Vol. 2 – Ron Miles Mix or Outside Pants Vol. 3 – Brownie Mix or Outside Pants Vol.4 – Dave Douglas Mix.

The three tunes were “Play It Momma” (Mary Lou Williams) from Dave’s 2000 RCA release Soul on Soul; “Observer” from Dave’s brand new triple record set Spark of Being (this one is from the Expand CD) on Dave’s own Greenleaf Music label; and the last one is called “The Great Schism” which comes from Dave’s RCA album Freak In. I just picked these three tunes randomly; Dave’s oeuvre is so vast that it’s impossible to pick a few tunes that accurately represent the variety of his recorded output. I just enjoyed these tunes when I was listening so I picked these ones for the contest.

I first saw Dave Douglas with his Tiny Bell Trio at the Pie Gallery on South Street about 12 or 13 years ago at the suggestion of my friend, former Philly-but-now-New York guitarist Jon Madof. After some gigs with Jon, he told me that I needed to check out this NYC trumpet player who Jon was sure I would really like. A month or two later, Dave was in Philly performing behind his new Winter and Winter label “Songs For Wandering Souls” album (it’s a ridiculously good record BTW). I was blown away. Dave played the hell out the trumpet that day. After the show I remarked to my girlfriend (who is now my wife) “This guy is the most complete trumpet player I’ve ever seen.” I don’t really have much to say other than that. Dave is the complete package – trumpet player, musician, composer, band leader, label owner/manager, blogger, trumpet festival creator, promoter of other musicians. He excels at everything he does. I asked him once “With everything that you are doing, Dave, when do you sleep.” He replied “On the train.”

Today is also Einstein’s birthday. Happy Day of Relativity.