Little Johnny C is the latest Jazz CD put out by the highly talented Johnny Coles who once again has delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I’m confident Johnny Coles fans, and Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one.

It's a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I'm more than happy to announce that’s exactly what I must say about this one. There simply is NOT a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all.

Jazz music fans will recognize some of the well known guests that have been assembled to play along with Coles on several of the tracks. Artists like Bob Cranshaw and Walter Perkins just to name a couple.

If you’re a Johnny Coles fan this is a CD your collection flat cannot be without. In fact, this is one of those CDs that you don’t even have to be a fan of Coles, or even Jazz to know is good. This is just good music. Period.

While this entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 4 - My Secret Passion, track 5 - Heavy Legs, and track 6 - So Sweet My Little Girl.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is rack 1 - Little Johnny C. What a nice track!

Little Johnny C Release Notes:

Johnny Coles originally released Little Johnny C on February 15, 2005 on the Blue Note Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Little Johnny C 2. Hobo Joe 3. Jano 4. My Secret Passion 5. Heavy Legs 6. So Sweet My Little Girl

Personnel: Johnny Coles (trumpet); Leo Wright (flute, alto saxophone); Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone); Duke Pearson (piano); Bob Cranshaw (double bass); Pete La Roca, Walter Perkins (drums).

Recording information: Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey (7/18/1963); Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey (8/9/1963).



By: Clyde Lee Dennis
























About the Author:

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band is the latest release from Country Superstar Lyle Lovett, and I can only think of one word to describe this CD… AWESOME!

Refreshingly, this was one of those CDs I was able to just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

These days it’s a very rare CD on which every single song is good or better than the one before it. This CD is certainly one of those rare CDs.

Listen to this CD and I believe you’ll find there's not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired, the production is simply outstanding, and Lyle Lovett is clearly in top form. So much so that if you're even mildly into Country music you'll enjoy this album.

While the entire album is really very good the truly standout tunes are track 6 - What Do You Do / The Glory Of Love, track 7 - I Married Her Just Because She Looks Like You, and track 1 - The Blues Walk.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 12 - Once Is Enough. Good stuff!

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band Release Notes:

Lyle Lovett originally released Lyle Lovett and His Large Band on October 25, 1990 on the MCA Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. The Blues Walk 2. Here I Am 3. Cryin' Shame 4. Good Intentions 5. I Know You Know 6. What Do You Do / The Glory Of Love 7. I Married Her Just Because She Looks Like You 8. Stand By Your Man 9. Which Way Does That Old Pony Run 10. Nobody Knows Me 11. If You Were To Wake Up 12. Once Is Enough

Personnel: Lyle Lovett (vocals, acoustic guitar); Billy Williams, DesChamps Hood (acoustic guitar); Ray Herndon (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Mark O'Connor (mandola, fiddle); John Hagen (cello); Steve Marsh (alto & tenor saxophones); Andy Laster (baritone saxophone); Matt Rollings (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Leland Sklar, Richard Bennett (bass); Paul Leim (drums); Francine Reed, Harry Stinson, Rodney Crowell, Walter Hyatt, David Ball (background vocals).



By: Clyde Lee Dennis
























About the Author:

Clarinet is suitable for classical, jazz and blues. One of the most difficult things for the beginning clarinettist is getting the embouchure correct. They need to have special music sheets that contain clarinet notes.

It is straight in shape and resembles a clarinet, though curved models, resembling miniature alto saxophones, is also available. Today, clarinet sheet music is played in various styles of music - namely classical, jazz and gospel. Flute, piccolo, clarinet, oboe, horn, mouth organ, saxophone, and bassoon are some of the winds instruments, while the French horn, tuba, trumpet, and trombone are brass instruments.

One problem I encountered for instance is the fact that I have very small hands and found it difficult to reach some of the alternate fingering keys on my clarinet - so I had them sawed off and re-soldered on in a different direction so I could reach them.

With growing computer software programs, clarinet music is now available on the Internet and can be downloaded and played. King Oliver's sound was a much smaller band with the instruments going off on their own direction as soloists; one trumpet, one clarinet, and one trombone. Well, she said, she had been toying with a story of a woman who played the clarinet, joined a jazz band and fell in love with the trumpet player.

There appears to be four groups of instruments; Strings, with violins, violas, cellos and double basses Wood-winds, with flutes, clarinets and bassoons Brass, with French horns and trumpets And Percussion.

I don't see many fiddles or clarinets sold in stores, except music shops. I had trained as a classical clarinet player and it was during my undergrad that I started to have all sorts of problems from playing too much and with poor posture.

One of the important things when putting a clarinet together is not to force any part into another, and that the side lever is up when the lower and upper parts are put together, otherwise bent keys could be the result.

When performing in the show group, I usually had my Saxes (alto and tenor) and clarinet on stands behind me so it was possible to do the show routines out front with nothing in the way and when it was my turn to play the horns, I'd swing around and grab one to play a solo, etc. Both Presley and Goodman played a very important role in bringing the most popular music of their time to the masses; Goodman was a hard working band leader and one of the best clarinettists of his day and Elvis had a great voice and stage presence but neither was a musical innovator.



By: Uchenna Ani-Okoye
























About the Author:

I can describe the latest release from Jazz sensation Gabriela Anders for you with just one word… Outstanding!

Refreshingly, this was one of those CDs I was able to just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

These days it’s a very rare CD on which every single song is good or better than the one before it. This CD is certainly one of those rare CDs.

Overall Wanting is a solid release. Quite possibly Gabriela Anders's best to date. Really spectacular from beginning to end. If you're even mildly into Jazz music you'll enjoy this album.

While this entire album is really very good some of my favorites are track 2 - The Girl From Ipanema, track 5 - You Know What It’s Like, and track 12 - Basileira

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 - Fire Of Love. What a nice track!

Wanting Release Notes:

Gabriela Anders originally released Wanting on August 25, 1998 on the Warner Bros. Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Fire Of Love 2. Girl From Ipanema, The 3. Wanting 4. Forever - (with Eric Benet) 5. You Know What It's Like 6. Seven Days 7. Just An Hour 8. Fantasia 9. I'll Be Loving You 10. Forgetting Is So Long 11. Feels So Good 12. Basileira

Personnel: Gabriela Anders, Eric Benet (vocals); Boney James (soprano saxophone); Kirk Whalum, Larry Williams (tenor saxophone); Jerry Hey, Oscar Brashear, Rick Braun (trumpet); Bill Reichenbach (trombone); Frank Marocco (accordion); Gregg Karukas, George Duke, Alain Mallet, Leon Bisquera, Tim Hientz, Allan Samms, Werner "Vana" Gierig (keyboards); Paul Jackson Jr., Nils, Jeff Lockhart, Duke Levine, Claudio Raggazzi, Amadeo Pace (guitar); Larry Kimpel, Baron Browne, Byron Miller, Alex Alvear (bass); Li'l John, Abe Laboriel Jr., Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Carlos Vega, Simone Pace (drums); Kevin Richard, Luis Conte (percussion); Eugene Ruffolo, Bridgette Bryant (background vocals).

Producers: George Duke, Paul Brown, Alain Mallet.



By: Clyde Lee Dennis
























About the Author:

Roger Smith has released him most recent CD entitled Just Enough.

It's a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I'm more than happy to announce that’s exactly what I must say about this one. There simply isn’t a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all, with each song standing tall on it's own.

Roger Smith possesses the characteristic of being able to win you over with him talent alone. The kind of artist I really enjoy listening to.

Overall Just Enough is excellent from beginning to end. One of those CDs that after a few listens the songs are just etched into your memory. A must have for the Jazz fan. Really spectacular from beginning to end.

While the entire CD is really very good some of my favorites are track 4 - I’ll Always Love You, track 11 - Just Another Day, and track 13 - Friday

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 - Rough Cut. It’s a great track!

Just Enough Release Notes:

Roger Smith originally released Just Enough on April 6, 2004 on the Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Rough Cut 2. Just Enough 3. Vega 4. I'll Always Love You 5. Workin' It 6. Sunset Dreams 7. Hali' Imile 8. Friday 9. Tunisina 10. Perfect Circle 11. Just Another Day 12. Roger's Groove 13. Friday - (remix)

Personnel: Roger Smith (piano, electric piano, organ, programming); Phillip Ingram, Lynne Fiddmont, Rachael Santos, Carol Toca, The Temptations (vocals); Cornelious Daniels (various instruments, programming); Peter White, Derek Allen; Arthur Marbury (various instruments); Dino Soldo (soprano saxophone); Norbert Statchel (tenor saxophone); Dave Koz (saxophone); Adolpho Acosta (trumpet); Thom Rotella, Kevin Chokan, Ray Raymond (guitar); Mike Tores (percussion).

Producers include: Peter White, Roger Smith, Derek Allen, Cornelious Daniels, Arthur Marbury.

Recorded at Hollywood Sound, Hollywood, California and O'Henry Studios, Burbank, California.



By: Clyde Lee Dennis
























About the Author:

Not sure what’s happening with me on this one, but it seems like the more I listen to it, the better Just Enough gets. Just Enough stated simply is one of Roger Smith’s best CDs to date.

Just Enough will grab your attention right out of the gate with Rough Cut and doesn't let go until the very last note of the very last song Friday, which is another great track by the way.

One of the refreshingly nice things about this CD is the way all of the participating artists seem to be really enjoying themselves. Combine that with the overall presentation and you’ve got one of Roger Smith’s most impressive releases ever.

Just Enough is a first rate CD, delivering a little something for everyone. I give it my highest recommendation. It’s quite simply great listening. A must buy if you're even mildly into Jazz music.

While the entire album is outstanding some of my favorites are track 4 - I’ll Always Love You, track 11 - Just Another Day, and track 13 - Friday

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 - Rough Cut. Great track!

Just Enough Release Notes:

Roger Smith originally released Just Enough on April 6, 2004 on the Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Rough Cut 2. Just Enough 3. Vega 4. I'll Always Love You 5. Workin' It 6. Sunset Dreams 7. Hali' Imile 8. Friday 9. Tunisina 10. Perfect Circle 11. Just Another Day 12. Roger's Groove 13. Friday - (remix)

Personnel: Roger Smith (piano, electric piano, organ, programming); Phillip Ingram, Lynne Fiddmont, Rachael Santos, Carol Toca, The Temptations (vocals); Cornelious Daniels (various instruments, programming); Peter White, Derek Allen; Arthur Marbury (various instruments); Dino Soldo (soprano saxophone); Norbert Statchel (tenor saxophone); Dave Koz (saxophone); Adolpho Acosta (trumpet); Thom Rotella, Kevin Chokan, Ray Raymond (guitar); Mike Tores (percussion).

Producers include: Peter White, Roger Smith, Derek Allen, Cornelious Daniels, Arthur Marbury.

Recorded at Hollywood Sound, Hollywood, California and O'Henry Studios, Burbank, California.



By: Clyde Lee Dennis
























About the Author:

There is a wide selection of musical instruments shopping enthusiasts find when they start researching all of the instruments their child is interested in. One selection in musical instruments shopping might be for a tuba, and other selections could include violins, drums, flutes, and clarinets.

It will depend on what the band master says as to what selection in musical instruments shopping they will need to do. He might say that your child is better suited to clarinets and flutes, and might provide you with many stores in the local area where you can make a selection in musical instruments shopping that the whole family will be happy with.

After you identify the one instrument that your child will play in their band class, then he will also be able to tell you what music needs to be purchased for your child to attend their first year of band. The final selection in musical instruments shopping might take some time, because there are so many instruments to choose from.

If the child is interested in playing the saxophone, then they will have to decide whether it will be a tenor saxophone, or a bass alto saxophone. If the clarinet peaks your child's interest, then the size of the instrument will not matter. For beginners, there is only one size that the school prefers and parents will not have to make any other selection in musical instruments shopping.

The selection in musical instruments shopping can be better identified through the use of Internet search engines. Parents simply have to enter the type of musical instruments that their child is interested in, and browse through the many selections to fine tune their choices down to one or two.

All of the selections in musical instruments shopping parents know will be good quality, because any damaged instrument will not play correctly. Some instruments require other accessories in order to play. The clarinet requires cleaning cloths, and cork wax to be applied regularly during ownership. The clarinet will also require a various assortment of reeds to be purchased and inserted before the clarinet will function properly.

Parents take all of the considerations very seriously when making a selection in musical instruments shopping sites might not even talk about. If the site does not care enough to have a question and answers page, then they clearly do not want you to know all about the musical instrument you are interested in purchasing from them.

There are all kinds of scenario's to be considered in your selection in musical instruments shopping efforts. Know which instruments are most widely used in the yearly band programs, because choosing one of those will give you a better chance to trade them in at the end of the year.

In the next year's band class, your child may choose an entirely different band instrument. Parents discourage this because their children will be a year behind, and they will have to start again in their selection in musical instruments that they only find through lengthy shopping endeavors.



By: Linda Polansky
























About the Author:

ecember 08, 2006

Musical sound reminding the listener of contemplation, an experience...

This is a more unusual poem, hopefully worthwhile. I wrote it more than five years ago, in 2000. It speaks of the melding of music in the cathedral and the experience of contemplative prayer. There is an opening up, an ascending in hearing the music, just as there is in contemplative prayer.

My way into contemplative prayer is by centering prayer. I do so in quiet, no music. So why this poem about music and prayer? As I say, the experience is similar in regards to a feeling of God's presence.

I bought the CD of the music played by the group. It is "Officium" with Jan Garbarek, The Hilliard Ensemble. Check out Amazon.com to buy or look at the album. Amazon says of the CD:

"What is this music?" Fundamentally, it's an exploration of what happens when an improvisatory instrumental voice (saxophone) is placed into the world of early vocal music, which has elements of both improvisation and formal structure. In reality, it's an adventure in which the four male voices of the Hilliard Ensemble travel the 14th- and 15th-century territory of Morales and Dufay, visit the 12th century of Perotin, and roam even earlier ages of plainchant, accompanied by the always sensitive and tasteful, often astonishing, saxophone improvisations of jazz master Jan Garbarek. Sometimes, these new melodies simply accompany; sometimes they transform the common--a routine minor chord, for instance--into a sublime, indescribable moment. The answer to the above question is easy, but it's different for each listener. --David Vernier

 

Waiting engagement in contemplation: to Be/Ascend...(2000)

by Peter Menkin



The existential aloneness, yearning

enters as a musical cry, like a procession

the music flows through the building.

I join this human allowance in the finitude.



In retrospect, memory brings days enjoyed,

like the heart seeking. Beautiful sound.

The hearing of the listening ear

enjoins the great spirits [heavenly praise] who gather

in bringing more clearly a presence:



everlasting peace in a depth of I am, stays.



What elicited this to mind was sound.

This more than exercise as a movement

in music is recollected from the Cathedral,

where the players invoked a sense of Christ,

done by the Hilliard Ensemble--



music that speaks spare words:

A saxaphonist met a vocal quartet.

Listen to this unusual sound.

What they play brings consideration... in the morning,

in the loneliness, at night.

How the music waits upon us for engagement



self emptying love given to respond. Allow

your love to come enjoining us to know:

"A blown husk that is finished

but the light sings eternal

a pale flare over marshes

where the salt hay whispers to tide's change."

I am.



 

Audio reading of the poem by the poet is here:



http://www.archive.org/details/WaitingEngagementInContemplationByPeterMenkin

 



By: Peter Menkin
























About the Author:

Super talented Rock artist Bonnie Raitt has released her latest CD on the Capitol / EMI Records recording label, entitled Fundamental.

Bonnie Raitt has been a super star in the Rock genre for quite some time now and Fundamental is an excellent illustration as to why.

Bonnie Raitt possesses the characteristic of being able to win you over with her talent alone. The kind of artist I really enjoy listening to.

Listen to this CD and I believe you’ll find there's not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired, the production is simply outstanding, and Bonnie Raitt is clearly in top form. So much so that if you're even mildly into Rock music you'll enjoy this album.

While the entire album is really very good some of my favorites are track 2 - Cure For Love, track 6 - Blue For No Reason, and track 11 - One Belief Away

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 - The Fundamental Things. Wow!

Fundamental Release Notes:

Bonnie Raitt originally released Fundamental on April 7, 1998 on the Capitol / EMI Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. The Fundamental Things 2. Cure For Love 3. Round & Round 4. Spit Of Love 5. Lover's Will 6. Blue For No Reason 7. Meet Me Halfway 8. I'm On Your Side 9. Fearless Love 10. I Need Love 11. One Belief Away

Personnel: Bonnie Raitt (vocals, acoustic & slide guitars, keyboards); David Hidalgo (guitar, bass, background vocals); Steve Donnelly (guitar, background vocals); Marty Grebb (tenor & baritone saxophones); Joe Sublett (tenor saxophone); Jimmy Roberts (saxophone); Darrell Leonard, Richard Braun (trumpet); Nick Lane (trombone, euphonium); Mitchell Froom (Moog synthesizer, keyboards, accordion); Terry Adams (keyboards, background vocals); Scott Thurston (keyboards); Joey Spampinato (bass, background vocals); James "Hutch" Hutchinson (bass); Pete Thomas (drums, percussion); Tony Braunagel (tambourine); Dillon O'Brian, Renee Geyer, Jeff Young, Mark Shark, Sir Harry Bowens, Terrance Forsythe (background vocals).

Producers: Mitchell Froom, Bonnie Raitt, Tchad Blake.

Recorded at Sunset Sound Factory, Hollywood, California.



By: Clyde Lee Dennis
























About the Author:

Super talented Jazz artist Stanley Clarke has released him most recent CD on the Epic recording label, entitled I Wanna Play For You.

It's a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I'm more than happy to announce that’s exactly what I must say about this one. There simply isn’t a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all, with each song standing tall on it's own.

The nice thing about a CD like this is when the talent is this rich even if Jazz isn’t your favorite genre you still can’t help but appreciate the greatness of the artist.

If you’re a Stanley Clarke fan, or just a fan of Jazz music this is a CD your collection simply should not be without.

While this entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 2 - Just A Feeling, track 3 - The Streets Of Philadelphia, and track 9 - Jamaican Boy.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 - I Wanna Play For You. What a nice track!

I Wanna Play For You Release Notes:

Stanley Clarke originally released I Wanna Play For You on May 10, 1994 on the Epic label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. I Wanna Play For You 2. Just A Feeling 3. Streets Of Philadelphia, The 4. Together Again 5. Blues For Mingus 6. Strange Weather 7. Quiet Afternoon - (live) 8. Rock 'N' Roll Jelly - (live) 9. Jamaican Boy 10. My Greatest Hits - (live) 11. School Days - (live) 12. Hot Fun-Closing - (live)

Personnel includes: Stanley Clarke (vocals, various instruments, guitar, Oberheim synthesizer, acoustic, electric & piccolo basses); Gwen Owens, Cathy Carson, Juanita Curiel (vocals); Al Williams (soprano & baritone saxophones); Bob Malach (tenor saxophone); Tom Scott (lyricon); James Tinsley, Al Harrison (trumpet); Freddie Hubbard (flugelhorn); Michael Garson (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Oberheim synthesizer); Bayete Todd Cochran (piano, organ, Oberheim & ARP 2600 synthesizers); Ronnie Foster (piano); George Duke (Yamaha electric piano); Phil Jost (organ); Lee Ritenour, Raymond Gomez, Jeff Beck (electric guitar); Darryl Brown (drums, cymbals); Harvey Mason, Steve Gadd (drums); Dee Dee Bridgewater (background vocals).



By: Clyde Lee Dennis
























About the Author: