Should have said "Michele," sorry.
― dow, Thursday, 17 June 2021 22:17 (two years ago) link
Speaking again of xpost "Song For My Father"---this was posted just now on So, does anyone know what "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number" is about?
I did find this:
In his 2006 autobiography, Let's Get to the Nitty Gritty, Silver recalled events leading up to the iconic 1964 recording following a visit to Brazil as a guest of pianist Sergio Mendes during the week-long Carnival festivities.
"Believe me, Carnival provided much excitement," he wrote. "After returning home to New York from my visit with Sergio and (drummer) Dom Um, I was haunted by the bossa nova rhythm I had heard in Brazil. So I said to myself, 'I'm going to try to write a song using that rhythmic concept.' I sat down at the piano for a few hours and came up with a new song using the bossa nova rhythm. However, the melody didn't sound Brazilian to me; it sounded more like some of the old Cape Verdean melodies my dad had played. Dad had always wanted me to take some of the old Cape Verdean songs and do jazz interpretations of them. This didn't appeal to me, but when I realized I had written a new song with a Brazilian rhythmic concept and a Cape Verdean melodic concept, I immediately thought about dedicating the song to Dad. So I titled it 'Song for My Father'."
https://www.wrti.org/arts-desk/2021-06-18/the-story-behind-horace-silvers-song-for-my-father
― birdistheword, Monday, October 4, 2021
― dow, Monday, 4 October 2021 16:27 (two years ago) link
(Because of the "SFMF" lift on "Rikki")
― dow, Monday, 4 October 2021 16:28 (two years ago) link
To be fair:Fagen told All About Jazz in 2011: “There was never a conscious thought about picking up Horace Silver’s intro… as for the piano line, I think I had heard it on an old Sergio Mendes album. Maybe that where Horace heard it, too (laughs).”
― dow, Monday, 4 October 2021 16:30 (two years ago) link
xxxpost Speaking of Dee Dee B. and words added to instrumentals: dunno when Horace Sliver wrote lyrics of "Song For My Father"---maybe when he wrote the melody, but I didn't hear it sung 'til Andy Bey; my fave version is Bridgewater's, but worth hearing by whomever:
I wrote a song for my father in hopes it would give him a thrill after seeing Brazil.My father’s music came through me but never got to me untilI went down to Brazil---In Rio all day long, I heard my father’s song...His father was Portuguese-Cape Verdean, born on a CV island.
― dow, Tuesday, July 28, 2020
(Also performances etc. posted upthread)
― dow, Monday, 4 October 2021 16:39 (two years ago) link
Andy Bey just turned 82. Not sure if he is performing anymore these days, but still a lot of recordings to listen to.
― Fine, Fine, Superfine Career Opportunities (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 30 October 2021 05:15 (two years ago) link
Sheila Jordan, "Bird's Song" (based on "Relaxin' at Camarillo"):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1JuKM8lOj4
― dow, Sunday, 2 January 2022 22:02 (two years ago) link
Oh, man, my heart skipped a beat when Shelia's name just showed there. I went to see her recently and talked to her a a brief moment but of course kept my mask on and was afraid to breathe on her.
― (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Razor (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 2 January 2022 22:08 (two years ago) link
She did that “Bird’s Song” recording at the age of 89. She’s 93 now.
― Josefa, Sunday, 2 January 2022 22:13 (two years ago) link
Wow, I thought the age was finally beginning to show in her voice, but I still like it.Xpost Sorry,James! Yeah, that's gonna happen w the actuarial tables kicking in all over the place these days.
Not vocalese, but Susannah McCorkle was one of the most word-wise of jazz singers---also a prize-winning short story writer, but wouldn't do original lyrics, said she didn't have it---did do wonderful English lyrics for Brazilian ballads---no idea how accurate as translations, but they sound great---here's a 17 -minute excerpt of a vintage comma wine-fine Xmas set---singing and comments on some songs---rerun Dec. 24, 2021 (following John Waters on his favorite Christmas songs, so look for that segment too:
TERRY GROSS, HOST:
This is FRESH AIR. We're celebrating Christmas Eve with excerpts of shows from our archive. Next, we go all the way back to 1988 for a great concert of Christmas songs performed by the late Susannah McCorkle. 1988 was also the year she was described as the outstanding female jazz singer of her generation by jazz critic Francis Davis. Full disclosure - he's my husband. Susannah was also a writer and translator, and her love of language was apparent in her interpretation of lyrics. Joining Susannah for this concert in our studio was pianist Lee Musiker and bass player Dean Johnson.https://www.npr.org/2021/12/24/1066327058/jazz-singer-susannah-mccorkle-performs-a-holiday-concert-for-fresh-air
― dow, Sunday, 2 January 2022 22:15 (two years ago) link
Not jazz, but out to lunch for sure--John Waters plays some of his Christmas favorites:https://www.npr.org/2021/12/24/1066805815/filmmaker-john-waters-puts-his-own-spin-on-christmas
― dow, Sunday, 2 January 2022 22:17 (two years ago) link
O Susannah! Used to love to turn jazz vocal noobs on to her when I worked in the CD store:We Remember Singer Susannah McCorkleMay 25, 2001 12:00 AM ETHeard on Fresh Airwith excerpts from her Fresh Air interviews and concerts. She died last weekend after jumping to her death. She was 55. She had 17 albums to her credit and a repertoire of more than 3000 songs. Besides being a literate interpreter of American popular song, she was also a prose writer who published fiction in Mademoiselle, Cosmopolitan and The O. Henry Book of Short Stories. We also talk with Susannah McCorkle's ex-husband and former manager Dan Dinicola.(REBROADCASTS from 7/17/87, 12/23/88, 4/12/91, 7/3/96).https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1123480
― dow, Sunday, 2 January 2022 22:22 (two years ago) link
Jazz Critics poll 2021 Vocal jazz list
Vocals
Veronica Swift, This Bitter Earth (Mack Avenue) 17(tie) Gretchen Parlato Flor (Edition) 9(tie) Sara Serpa, Intimate Strangers (Biophilia) 9(tie) Jen Shyu & Jade Tongue, Zero Grasses: Ritual for the Losses (Pi) 9(tie) Jazzmeia Horn and Her Noble Force Dear Love (Empress Legacy) 7(tie) Esperanza Spalding, Songwrights Apothecary Lab (Concord) 7(tie). Mary LaRose, Out Here (Little (i) Music(tie) Kate McGarry + Keith Ganz Ensemble, What to Wear in the Dark (Resilience) 6(tie) Theo Bleckmann and the Westerlies, This Land (Westerlies Music) 4 (tie) Samara Joy, Samara Joy (Whirlwind) (tie) Roseanna Vitro Sing a Song of Bird (Skyline) 4
― curmudgeon, Monday, 3 January 2022 04:31 (two years ago) link
So Veronica Swift is breaking out finally?
― (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Razor (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 3 January 2022 04:36 (two years ago) link
I guess so. Out of touch with current jazz vocalists me is just hearing of her
― curmudgeon, Monday, 3 January 2022 16:26 (two years ago) link
II didn't even know she put out a full album yet.
― (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Razor (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 3 January 2022 16:50 (two years ago) link
I don't think I ever knowingly heard Susannah McCorkle's voice before today. Man, she really was great.
― Three Rings for the Elven Bishop (Dan Peterson), Monday, 3 January 2022 19:51 (two years ago) link
Yeah, this is one of my faves by her:
Sabia AllMusic Review by Scott YanowSusannah McCorkle spoke Italian, Spanish, German, and Portuguese in addition to English; she had worked as an interpreter before she devoted herself to singing. On her second Concord CD, McCorkle sang ten Brazilian songs plus "Estate," switching between English, Portuguese, and Italian. There is no communication problem as far as conveying her feelings and the high quality of the melodies, so this is a more accessible release than one might think. The vocalist's backup group includes pianist Lee Musiker, Scott Hamilton on tenor, and guitarist Emily Remler.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4c8rcJ4rVw
― dow, Sunday, 9 January 2022 23:50 (two years ago) link
Veronica Swift, This Bitter Earth (Mack Avenue)-- Jazz critic poll winner
Veronica Swift's opening rendition of the title track has a different and contemporary arrangement to it, but the rest sounds more traditional and even studied to me
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 11 January 2022 05:19 (two years ago) link
Listening to this now. First track is really interesting. Have been on the fence about her singing for the past two years. She's obvious got a Big Voice and this album of diverse material may be suited to her but we will see.
― The Door into Summerisle (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 12 January 2022 18:05 (two years ago) link
There is another newer singer who I became aware of a tiny bit later who think I prefer slightly, of Armenian origin and her name is...
― The Door into Summerisle (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 12 January 2022 18:08 (two years ago) link
Lucy Yeghiazaryan.
And she recently married one of her musical collaborators who is also really good and that is....
― The Door into Summerisle (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 12 January 2022 18:10 (two years ago) link
Grant Stewart
― The Door into Summerisle (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 12 January 2022 18:11 (two years ago) link
Will check---speaking of studied, or anyway bourgie, but mainly they're really into it!New York Voices: "Sing! Sing! Sing!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf6wxhtEJz8
― dow, Wednesday, 12 January 2022 18:12 (two years ago) link
What other New York Voices vocalise is good?
― dow, Wednesday, 12 January 2022 18:13 (two years ago) link
I dunno but I sort of got used to them because they would always show up on Michael Bourne's show before he retired recently.
― The Door into Summerisle (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 12 January 2022 18:23 (two years ago) link
Some good vocalizing at Smalls the other day showed up recently in my feed. Perhaps I will post the link.
― Never Mind the ILX, Here's the Blecch Pistols (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 31 March 2022 18:58 (two years ago) link
http://twitter.com/i/timeline
― dow, Tuesday, 30 August 2022 23:41 (one year ago) link
try again
I've enjoyed KP's vocalese since getting most of the best on Fantasy twofer The Source in early 70s, but think the below was mostly instrumental? TP lifted the stuck in gorilla bit from a Robert Bloch story (RB's mental revenge on real life poisoner of neighbor kid) https://t.co/sSDcko7fgO— Don Allred (@0wlred) August 28, 2022
― dow, Tuesday, 30 August 2022 23:42 (one year ago) link
real life drug poisoner of neighbor kid, in Topanga or Laurel Canyon I think---scary story.
― dow, Tuesday, 30 August 2022 23:43 (one year ago) link
Thanks dow - I actually just discovered her music. (I bought a large shipment of Penguin-recommended jazz CD's for peanuts and her Johnny Mercer album was one of them.)
I looked her up on Wikipedia after enjoying the album and saw what happened with her. Tremendously sad. The address where she lived (and took her life) is actually close to where I used to work back in the early 2010s, and I walked past that location many times while I was there.
― birdistheword, Tuesday, 14 March 2023 20:59 (one year ago) link
Glad you dig her, bird----check xpost Sabia too!Haven't heard the Mercer, but reminds me that she was sometimes tagged as retro, which she found creepy--the people that wanted her to "wear long white gloves" and so on---also the possible political implications, like the "conservative" connotations of early Jazz in Suits, also what happened with her Cali peers the Carpenters, praised by Nixon for all things pure(actually it now seems like they were just into the West Coast hot house sunshine pop sensibility, a la Curt Boettcher and so on). She was a child of Berkeley, but *musically* not much in thee swim of things out there, or not in terms of what she wanted to perform (although she did do Paul Simon's "Train In The Distance," for instance).
― dow, Thursday, 16 March 2023 20:15 (one year ago) link
Getting back to or toward vocalese: local station has been playing Carmen McRae's take on "Ruby My Dear," re-titled "Dear Ruby."
― dow, Friday, 17 March 2023 18:31 (one year ago) link
Feel like Carmen McCrae gives Jon Hendricks a serious run for his money in the Monk vocalese department.
― Think Fast, Mr. Mojo Risin’ (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 18 March 2023 11:27 (one year ago) link
It's from McRae Sings Monk, originally released in 1990. with Hendricks contributing lyrics only; his voice was pretty worn down by then. Wiki sez, of apparently the most recent reissue:
All music composed by Thelonious Monk, lyricists indicated.Due to copyright restrictions the song titles of these standards were modified (with the exception of "'Round Midnight"). Monk's original titles are indicated after the track titles."Get It Straight" ("Straight, No Chaser") (Sally Swisher) – 3:58"Dear Ruby" ("Ruby, My Dear") (Swisher) – 6:01"It's Over Now" ("Well, You Needn't") (Mike Ferro) – 5:28"Monkery's the Blues" ("Blue Monk") (Abbey Lincoln) – 4:56"You Know Who" ("I Mean You") (Coleman Hawkins, Jon Hendricks) – 3:31"Little Butterfly" ("Pannonica") (Hendricks) – 5:15"Listen to Monk" ("Rhythm-a-Ning") (Hendricks) – 3:05"How I Wish" ("Ask Me Now") (Hendricks) – 4:56"Man, That Was a Dream" ("Monk's Dream") (Hendricks) – 2:55"'Round Midnight" (Monk, Cootie Williams, Bernie Hanighen) – 6:32"Still We Dream" ("Ugly Beauty") (Ferro) – 3:27"Suddenly" ("In Walked Bud") (Hendricks) – 3:41"Looking Back" ("Reflections") (Hendricks) – 5:35Tracks on original CD release, but omitted on LP and MC"Suddenly" – 3:13"Get It Straight" – 3:26Previously unreleased, alternate takes added since 2001 reissue"'Round Midnight" (Alternate Version) – 7:11"Listen to Monk" (Alternate Take) – 2:59"Man, That Was a Dream" (Alternate Take) – 3:23PersonnelCarmen McRae - vocalsClifford Jordan - soprano saxophone, tenor saxophoneEric Gunnison - pianoGeorge Mraz - double bassAl Foster - drumsLive at Great American Music Hall on January 30 & February 1, 1988 (tracks 1 & 12)Charlie Rouse - tenor saxophoneLarry Willis - pianoGeorge Mraz - double bassAl Foster - drums
"Get It Straight" ("Straight, No Chaser") (Sally Swisher) – 3:58"Dear Ruby" ("Ruby, My Dear") (Swisher) – 6:01"It's Over Now" ("Well, You Needn't") (Mike Ferro) – 5:28"Monkery's the Blues" ("Blue Monk") (Abbey Lincoln) – 4:56"You Know Who" ("I Mean You") (Coleman Hawkins, Jon Hendricks) – 3:31"Little Butterfly" ("Pannonica") (Hendricks) – 5:15"Listen to Monk" ("Rhythm-a-Ning") (Hendricks) – 3:05"How I Wish" ("Ask Me Now") (Hendricks) – 4:56"Man, That Was a Dream" ("Monk's Dream") (Hendricks) – 2:55"'Round Midnight" (Monk, Cootie Williams, Bernie Hanighen) – 6:32"Still We Dream" ("Ugly Beauty") (Ferro) – 3:27"Suddenly" ("In Walked Bud") (Hendricks) – 3:41"Looking Back" ("Reflections") (Hendricks) – 5:35Tracks on original CD release, but omitted on LP and MC
"Suddenly" – 3:13"Get It Straight" – 3:26Previously unreleased, alternate takes added since 2001 reissue
"'Round Midnight" (Alternate Version) – 7:11"Listen to Monk" (Alternate Take) – 2:59"Man, That Was a Dream" (Alternate Take) – 3:23PersonnelCarmen McRae - vocalsClifford Jordan - soprano saxophone, tenor saxophoneEric Gunnison - pianoGeorge Mraz - double bassAl Foster - drumsLive at Great American Music Hall on January 30 & February 1, 1988 (tracks 1 & 12)Charlie Rouse - tenor saxophoneLarry Willis - pianoGeorge Mraz - double bassAl Foster - drums
― dow, Sunday, 19 March 2023 00:21 (one year ago) link
Ahem, I feel like taking issue with Jon’s voice being “worn down” at that point.
― Think Fast, Mr. Mojo Risin’ (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 19 March 2023 00:36 (one year ago) link
Judging by the way he sounded on the radio, especially live (late 80s-early 90s): kinda sandy and not very loud. Maybe I just heard the wrong stuff.
― dow, Sunday, 19 March 2023 01:02 (one year ago) link