Outstanding Village Voice podcast/column on "Jazz for People Who Think They Hate Jazz," by LD Beghtol for our FNJ series.
It is a short set of songs programmed to engage those who are jazz damaged. Forget interminably long solos or boring improv — this is a lovely set of jazz greats, with a heavy emphasis on beautiful melody and gorgeous musicality.
The terrific thing about LD Beghtol’s podcast is he plays the full songs — not just a 30 second snipettes. Sit back and enjoy:
Here’s the playlist:
Chico Hamilton
"The Morning After,"
Complete Pacific Jazz
The Original: Complete Studio Recordings
(Galaxy, 1998)
~~~Art Pepper
"Over the Rainbow,"
Complete Galaxy Recordings
(Mosaic, 1989)
~~~Ahmad Jamal Trio
"Surrey with the Fringe on Top"
Cross Country Tour: 1958-1961
(Chess, 1998)
~~~Count Basie & His Orchestra
"Taxi War Dance"
The Essential Count Basie, Vol. 1
(legacy, 1987)
~~~Lester Young
"Lester Swings"
The Complete 1936-1951 Small Group Sessions
(Blue Moon Jazz, 2005)
~~~Dave Brubeck Quartet
"When You Wish upon a Star"
Dave Digs Disney
(Columbia, 1957)~~~
Frankie Trumbauer & His Orchestra with Bix & Lang
Singin’ the Blues,"
Volume 1: Tram! Frank Trumbauer’s Legacy To American Jazz 1923-1929
(Mosaic)
~~~Bunny Berigan
I Can’t Get Started
The Complete Brunswick, Parlophone and Vocalion Sessions
(Mosaic, 2003)
~~~Bill Perkins
"Song of the Islands,"
The Bill Perkins Octet on Stage
(Blue Note, 1956)
~~~
Note the newest category: Friday Night Jazz
Source:
Playing Jazz for People Who Think They Hate Jazz
LD Beghtol
Village Voice, April 12th, 2007 12:48 PM
http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0715,beghtol,76294,22.html
Barry,
This is the first time I have listened to Jazz since NC State in the early 60’s and I remember now why I liked it then. One of my favorites was an album lying around the fraternity house by Miles Davis. A blusey sound track recording of a French murder mystery that I have not heard since and haven’t a clue how to locate. Does this ring a bell and might you know the title? I would love to own a copy if it is available as a CD.
Ascenseur pour l’echafaud, Miles Davis
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000004785/thebigpictu09-20
There may be other versions of this floating around…
Thanx dude. The CD is now in my wish list.
interesting
That’s an odd coincidence. On Saturday night I watched Sweet Smell of Success, a 1957 picture starring Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis, on TVO. The Chico Hamilton Quintet makes a cameo appearance in the movie and plays a few tunes. And now they’re showing up on Friday Night Jazz. That’s a lot of Chico for one weekend… Not that I’m complaining. I just find it odd to see so much of them in such a short period of time.