I’m having the best time listening to all these great records, some of which I haven’t heard in forever…
Cocteau Twins – “The Pink Opaque” – Ok, that was interesting. I think I remember saying, after the first time I heard this, “Ok, that was interesting. I’m glad I had a chance to hear that, but I don’t think I need to hear that again.” This being the second time, I’m saying the same thing. I’m super glad that this music exists and there’s lots of great stuff there, it’s just really not my cup of tea. It’s as if Enya and The Cure had a love child. I actually do like The Cure, mostly, but man, wow…love child.
Al Cohn – “The Progressive Al Cohn” – Ahhh. Much better. I mean, I’m not interested in making the Cocteau Twins out to be bad at all, it’s just not my thing. In fact, this isn’t even quite my thing, but it’s so great, I can’t help loving it. This recording has great performances by Al Cohn (who I think it totally underrated), George Wallington (also underrated, amazing composer/pianist), Tommy Potter, some early Horace Silver, great Curly Russell bass playing (note to self: transcribe), and Max Roach. super great record. “That’s What You Think” is a classic.
King Cole Trio – Trio Days – This is Vol. 8 of a Capitol Jazz Series that I love. Each volume of this series is amazing, and Vol. 8 here is no exception. These recordings are from 1949, way before Nat “King” Cole became a pop singer. His piano playing is amazing, I mean, seriously amazing. He uses the whole tone scale on “The Man I Love,” and it sounds incredible. The Trio plays a lovely arrangement of Rachmaninov’s Prelude in C Sharp Minor, pre-dating the Third Stream universe by several years. This is a great record, pure and simple. The version of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” is so awesome! It’s this cute 2-feel, a bit fast for a ballad, not quite medium tempo, but then on the bridge, it slows down to ballad tempo. Nat’s playing makes me wonder if George Shearing and Bill Evans had spent much time listening.
Nat King Cole – The Sunset Allstars, Anatomy of a Jam Session – Swingin’. Some alternate takes and gems. Charlie Shavers, Cole, John Simmons and Buddy Rich are absolutely shredding. Tenor saxophonist Herbie Haymber is also really great, but I’m unfamiliar with his playing, so I’m just learning his sound. He died in 1949, in a car accident. I know I’m a sucker for a sappy ballad, so with that…the versions of “I’ll Never Be the Same” are really great. Love that 2-beat, medium ballad tempo. You know that great version of this tun on the Stan Getz record, “The Peacocks” – sung by Jimmy Rowles?