I was talking to a guitar teacher of mine about Charlie Hunter when I was in college. I was gushing about the technique to play his 7 and 8-string bass/guitar monstrosities and my teacher looked at me quizzically. “Hmm. I guess that explains it. I thought he was just a really sloppy player and couldn’t … Continue reading Sunday Music: “Over My Shoulder” By Charlie Hunter
Tag: jazz
Sunday Music: Mike Clark + Herbie = Funky Drummer Magic
Headhunters is a classic. But Thrust, IYKYK. Mike Clark’s drums to open the album on "Palm Grease" gets me every time. And then, his syncopations on "Actual Proof”? Amazing. Without even getting into the rest of the musicianship. Check these out: https://youtu.be/sRn7WlikdUA https://youtu.be/6x3QtLCAPp8
Sunday Music: Wynton Kelly’s “I Want A Little Girl”
It breaks my heart this isn’t broadly streaming, but at least it’s on YouTube. After being all fired up the past few months, I needed to relax a bit and Kelly’s trio work consistently puts me in one of my happiest places. “I Want A Little Girl” is standard, laid-back, bluesy-piano-pop at its finest. Recorded … Continue reading Sunday Music: Wynton Kelly’s “I Want A Little Girl”
Sunday Music: Dream A Little Dream Of Me
First I heard a version of it while watching the new season of The Boys. Then, it came back again watching the latest season of Stranger Things. Apparently, I’m not the only person obsessed with this song. My favorite cut - Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong (which was featured in Stranger Things). https://youtu.be/gxrws7omOHQ Ps. you … Continue reading Sunday Music: Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Sunday Music: ATCQ
I finally made a playlist with The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders on it so they play through back to back. I can put this on and drive, cook, putz around with my dogs, etc. and I don’t think it gets better than that. The samples. The sounds. The lyrics (oh, Phife. Really? Sighs. … Continue reading Sunday Music: ATCQ
Sunday Music: Dilla Time
Dilla changed music. But don’t listen to me, listen to Don Charnas. Start with this incredible interview he just did with Jesse Thorn on the Bullseye podcast, and then check out his new book, Dilla Time. And, if you’re like me, spend the next few days revisiting Donuts and his other stuff. I wrote about … Continue reading Sunday Music: Dilla Time
Sunday Music: More Kendrick Thoughts
I’m a few weeks into processing Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. Here’s what I’m thinking. Kendrick’s the closest thing we’ve got to a modern Miles Davis. He’s going to push boundaries. We shouldn’t be surprised by him, we should expect to be surprised. And that means not loving everything he does. What we should … Continue reading Sunday Music: More Kendrick Thoughts
Sunday Music: Jazz At Harvard with Wynton Marsalis
Did you know Wynton Marsalis’ Harvard lecture series, “Hidden in Plain View” is on YouTube? I didn't. Get some music. Get some philosophy. Get some of that Marsalis magic in your soul. I was lucky enough to see him give a masterclass circa 2004. Now, I’ve seen my share of music masterclasses and most of them … Continue reading Sunday Music: Jazz At Harvard with Wynton Marsalis
How A Lost Wallet Led To A Hit Song
The story behind the hit song “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” is better than the song itself. That’s not intended to be a hot take, but it is intended to remind us to look for silver linings, because when the world starts throwing funny twists and turns under our feet, following the path of our own … Continue reading How A Lost Wallet Led To A Hit Song
Sunday Music: Mele Kalikimaka
It's a sound of my childhood - not just the whole White Christmas album (the movie AND the Bing album), but this particular song. One part Bing's crooning, another part The Andrews Sisters harmonizing, and a dash of non-northeastern cold, bright and warm Hawaaiin magic. Happy holidays, thanks for being here with me. https://youtu.be/FezVApPddqU