MetaChat - Jazz on Radio Mecha.

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Back home from a visit with friends in Memphis, Tennessee, I'm happy to welcome you to another 2 hours of jazz on Radio Mecha. As I have before, I'll be posting some links, comments and credits as the set plays, which I hope are of interest to those listening, as well as to those who come to this thread later. An index of past programs is also available here.

In this program, our Thursday Spotlight Tune is "What Is This Thing Called Love?" by Cole Porter, and we have six, yes 6 quite different versions of it, recorded over more than 50 years, to consider in the first part of the program. I've also included a "classical" tune from the Modern Jazz Quartet's "Last Concert" album, and some interesting music from guitar and vocal duo Tuck & Patti, but augmented in a studio re-mix. Overall, I think we've got a relaxing and interesting 2 hours of music ahead for the mid-week work weary, so sit back with something cool to drink and let the music refresh your spirit!

The tune that I open these sets with, "The Greeting" is from a later McCoy Tyner album, called Things Ain't What They Used To Be.

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:00

#2 What Is This Thing Called Love?

Our first version of our Thursday Spotlight Tune, written in 1929 by Cole Porter, is from a recording made on October 24, 1941 by Sidney Bechet and His New Orleans Feetwarmers [Bechet (clarinet and soprano sax), Vic Dickenson (trombone), Henry Goodwin (trumpet), Don Donaldson (piano), Ernest Williamson (bass) and Sid Catlett (drums)]. This recording was first released in 1979 on a Time-Warner "Giants of Jazz" compilation, and I have it via the 1991 BMG/Bluebird compilation CD "The Legendary Sidney Bechet."

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:02

#3 What Is This Thing Called Love?

The second version of our Thursday Spotlight Tune is a short vocal arrangement from Sarah Vaughan, who does a nice job with the lyric. From the CD compilation "Sarah Vaughan : Compact Jazz."

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:06

#4 Star Dust

Coleman Hawkins with Michel Warlop and His Orchestra , [Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax), Stephane Grappelli (piano), Django Reinhardt (guitar), Eugene d'Hellemmes (bass), and Maurice Chailloux (drums)] with a March 1, 1935 recording from Paris of the Hoagy Carmichael classic. Via the compilation CD "Django Reinhardt: all star sessions."

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:08

#5 What Is This Thing Called Love?

Art Tatum with Lionel Hampton on vibraphone and Buddy Rich on drums, with another rendition of our Spotlight Tune, from a 1955 recording, via the compilation CD "Tatum Group Masterpieces Vol. 3."

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:11

#6 What Is This Thing Called Love?

Charlie Parker with His Quintet and Strings, from a September 26, 1952 recording of a performance at the Rockland Palace in NYC. With Walter Bishop (piano), Mundell Lowe (guitar), Teddy Kotick (bass), Max Roach (drums), and a string section, doing the fourth rendition of our Spotlight Tune. Via the 2 CD box set "Yardbird Suite."

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:18

#7 Jumpin' Punkins [alternate take]

From the 2003 3 CD box set "Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band" here are Duke Ellington and His Orchestra with the Mercer Ellington tune, recorded in Hollywood, February 15, 1941. The solosists (in order), for those interested, are Duke Ellington (piano), Barney Bigard (clarinet), Ellington, Harry Carney (alto sax), Sonny Greer (drums), and Ellington.

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:21

evenin' paulsc :)

posted by phoenixc 14 June | 18:23

#8 What Is This Thing Called Love? [Previously Unreleased]

Following up the Ellington band, here's another rendition of our Spotlight Tune by Ellington alumnus and tenor saxophonist extraordinaire Ben Webster and baritone sax great Gerry Mulligan from the 1990 CD re-issue of their 1959 album.

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:24

Hi there, phoenixc! Got somethin' cool to drink?

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:25

Haha! No, I hit the wall around 3pm and haven't been able to recover from it. It's a struggle to stay awake so I think it will be a very early night for me. Please have one for me, won't you?

posted by phoenixc 14 June | 18:30

#9 What Is This Thing Called Love? [So in Love Medley]

For the final version of our Spotlight Tune, here is Dionne Warwick from her 1990 CD "Dionne Warwick Sings Cole Porter" with a version of the tune in a medley with Porter's "So In Love."

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:32

"... Please have one for me, won't you?"

Don't mind if I do ;-) Might even have two, since I'm not drivin'!

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:34

#10 Valse

From the CD reissue of the 1966 album "Bill Evans Trio with Symphony Orchestra" here is a tune by Evans, based on a theme by J.S. Bach.

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:35

Cheers! :)

posted by phoenixc 14 June | 18:35

Tuned in just in time to catch 'So In Love', one of my favourite slushy tunes. Thanks!

posted by chrismear 14 June | 18:37

This is just what I need. I'm jetlagged, exhausted but wide awake, dammit. This is the kind of music that should be listened to in a dimly-lit room, lying on a couch or a bed, with a loved one, with love-making and sleep on the agenda.

posted by essexjan 14 June | 18:38

After a shower in a new bathroom, too, eh, ej?

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:40

#11 Cousin Mary [Alternate Take]

An alternate take of a tune by John Coltrane from the CD reissue of his 1960 album "Giant Steps."

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:41

And welcome, chrismear!

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:42

The shower's big enough for two ...

Sigh ... just me and Bob again tonight (Battery Operated Boyfriend).

posted by essexjan 14 June | 18:46

#12 Fisherman, Strawberry and Devil Crab

Miles Davis in a collaboration with Gil Evans with a tune from the CD reissue of their 1958 album "Porgy and Bess," featuring a number of jazz style treatments of tunes from the Gershwin opera.

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:47

Well, if you don't fall asleep, ej, there may be something of special interest comin' up, although LoudCity rules prohibit specific mention :-) But, if you do, you probably need the rest. To say nothing of Bob's need for rest ;-)

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:50

#13 My One And Only Love

Art Tatum (piano), Ben Webster (tenor sax), Red Callender (drums), and Bill Douglass (bass) with a lovely arrangement of the 1952 tune by Guy Wood and Robert Mellin, from a recording made in September of 1956, a couple of months before Tatum's death. From the compilation CD "Tatum Group Masterpieces Vol. 8."

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:51

I'm past sleep right now. But I'm not in the office until Tuesday, so I have a few days to get back to normal.

posted by essexjan 14 June | 18:51

Thanks for the jazz (and for the excellent insight/personal story in my "Responsibility" thread - I agree that "corporate personhood" needs to be abolished but if it were, the economy would go 'Jenga'... but the same can be said of most of the things that NEED to be reformed today... sigh). I'm kind of sorry I missed all the "What Is This Thing Called Love", but, frankly, you wouldn't want to hear MY answer to that musical question. Well, if music be the food of love... LET'S EAT!

posted by wendell 14 June | 18:56

#14 Adagio from the "Concerto de Aranjuez"

From the CD re-issue of their 1974 album "The Last Concert", here is The Modern Jazz Quartet [John Lewis (piano), Milt Jackson (vibraphone), Connie Kay (drums) and Percy Heath (bass)] with a theme by Spanish composer Joaquin Rodorigo made famous to jazz fans by the collaboration of Miles Davis and Gil Evans on their 1960 album "Sketches of Spain."

posted by paulsc 14 June | 18:57

Good evening, Wendell! You raised an interesting point in your essay, and one I wish more people would discuss and consider when looking for employment, or going into business ventures. I enjoyed your recounting of Phone Hell, and since I knew some people on the payee ends of those conversations, I'm just glad someone was doing the Right Thing, at least by listening.

Subsequently to the story I told, I worked in another venture where our CFO was in the FSLIC about the time of the 80s S&L scandals, and his recounting of tales did not include even the minor purgatory of Phone Hell for many of those who were the worst bandits. Some people stole millions in Federally insured debt, and were mostly aggreived not to be able to steal more!

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:04

I heard some great jazz in NY, at this place. We stumbled upon it for dinner, they had a lovely outdoor dining space in the rear with a pergola, wonderful food (including my favourite Italian dessert, espresso affogato) and live jazz. Perfect.

posted by essexjan 14 June | 19:05

#15 Tour's End

From an October 10, 1957 recording in Los Angeles for the album "Getz & Oscar Peterson Trio," here are Stan Getz (tenor sax), Oscar Peterson (piano), Herb Ellis (guitar) and Ray Brown (bass) doing a tune by Getz. Via the 2 disc CD box set "The Artistry of Stan Getz, Vol. 1."

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:08

essexjan, one thing we could use more of around here, really, is recommendations and reviews of live jazz!

People playing jazz need audiences to make a living, and word of mouth is, by far, the best way of supporting people you find and like. So, thanks for sharing. If I were going to be in NYC soon, I'd make a point of looking up the joint, on your recommendation. Let's hope a few of the NYC bunnies can do so, in the stead of out of towners!

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:12

#16 So Many Stars

From his 1989 CD "Solo Guitar" here is Earl Klugh doing a tune by Brazilian samba notables Sergio Mendes and Alan & Marilyn Bergman.

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:13

#17 Still Tossin' and Turnin' (remix)

Although Charles "Tuck" Andress and wife Patricia "Patti" Cathcart Andress work predominantly as a duo, in 1995 they did record a studio album with collaborations from other studio musicians and friends. Here with a tune by Patricia Cathcart Andress - C. Kenoly - K. Wedlow - T. Bilal - L.G. Finley. As they describe the album:

"T&P [Tuck and Patti] talk about Learning How To Fly. 'The first in our "Let's Go Fishing" series. We're doing one for criminals called "Learning How To Flee." And, of course, our New Age release, "Learning How To Flow." For frequent flyers, there will be "Learning How To Flu." '

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:16

#18 Weaselocity

Guitarist Joe Pass with a tune of his own from his "Virtuoso" series, this time on acoustic guitar from the CD re-issue of his album "Virtuoso #4."

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:22

Thank you, paulsc!

posted by essexjan 14 June | 19:22

Regrettably, my company did not have the FSLIC (RIPieces) to back us up; instead we had the California Department of Insurance with its first elected Commissioner (a bi-product of a recent car insurance crisis and the voters' initiative that was supposed to fix it - I think the Commish knew less about Annuities than I did when I went to work there).

I also knew a guy who had worked in the Data Processing department (back when they called it that) at what-had-been the-biggest-insurance-company-to-go-broke before mine did, a dozen years earlier. He actually did stay on until the bitter end (I think he turned out the lights in the computer room) and received so much bonus money for sticking it out, he could retire at 40. The first thing he and his wife did was volunteer for The Peace Corps. At the time I didn't understand why...

Hey... Is "Weaselocity" a musical tribute to all those corporate types?

posted by wendell 14 June | 19:23

All good things come to those who wait, ej :-) And you're a patient woman.

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:24

Paulsc! Do you do this professionally? If not, you should. I can just hear the cool Jazz DJ's voice reading off those little informational tidbits you write. Buy a microphone!

That said, I am LOVING Weaselocity.

posted by CitrusFreak12 14 June | 19:27

"... #Hey... Is "Weaselocity" a musical tribute to all those corporate types?"

Errr, not 'xactly, Wendell. More like a promise, delayed, but finally kept....

But, hey, if a shoe fits, I'm not above killing two birds with one split metaphor!

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:27

#19 Grant Wood

Darol Anger (violin), Mike Marshall (guitar and mandolin), Barbara Higbie (piano), Michael Manring (bass) and other members of Montreux with a tune by Anger from their 1987 CD "Sign Language."

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:29

"Paulsc! Do you do this professionally? ..."

Well, once upon a time, I did, kind of. I was an engineer for several commercial stations, and a partner in a Class B FM station in, of all places, Pulaski, TN. I had the engineering license, and my partners had the dream. I'd drive down from Nashville on Saturday evenings, have dinner with them, go up to the station, do any maintenance requests they had, review and sign the logs, and about 6 in the morning on Sundays, I'd send the overnight kid home, and play Miles Davis to the cows in the barns around Pulaski, TN. 'Cause nobody was listening to us then, for a couple of hours, in that God fearing town.

So, here, I've got, finally, a much bigger audience!

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:33

#20 You're Looking at Me

Diana Krall from her 1996 CD "All For You," with a tune by Bobby Troup.

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:34

#21 Amethyst Secrets

From his 1989 CD "Rhythm Deep," here is power percussionist Omar Hakim with a tune of his own, featuring Michael Bearden (piano), Najee Rasheed (soprano sax), and Victor Bailey (bass), and others.

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:40

#22 September Fifteenth

Last Tuesday, I played another cut from the CD re-issue of the 1981 Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays album "As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls," but here is another very pretty tune by the duo, dedicated to pianist Bill Evans, set in a purely acoustic combination of guitar and piano.

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:45

#23 Am I Too Late?

From her 1991 CD "Forbidden Colors," which I also played a tune from last time, here again is Brazilian Tania Maria, now a transplanted New Yorker, with a tune she co-wrote with New York jazz "air voice" Rob Crocker.

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:52

Most 'professional radio' for the history of radio requires the qualifier "sort of". And I say that as a former Guy-Who-Did-the-Dr.-Demento-Style-Show on my college radio station, late-night talk show phone screener, Producer/Sidekick for a Low-Rated L.A. Radio Semi-Legend, Operations Director for an automated 98% pre-packaged FM station, 6AM Farm Report Anchor, weekend Adult Contemporary DJ, DJ joke service writer/publisher, Saturday Morning News Block Anchor and collaborator to a Sunday Satire show the station passed off to the FCC as "News Content". In that order.

posted by wendell 14 June | 19:53

Do you know a singer named Carmen Lundy?

posted by essexjan 14 June | 19:54

"Most 'professional radio' for the history of radio requires the qualifier "sort of". ..."

Testify, brother!

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:55

"Do you know a singer named Carmen Lundy?"
posted by essexjan 14 June

I don't, essexjan, but I'm guessin' I should, huh?

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:57

#24 I Will Say Goodbye

Once again, The Bill Evans Trio, with Eddie Gomez on bass and Eliot Zigmund on drums, takes us out with the title track from the 1977 album of the same name. To recap, in this set, we heard:

1. McCoy Tyner - The Greeting (2:27)
2. Sidney Bechet - What Is This Thing Called Love? / Sidney Bechet & His New Orleans Feetwarmers (3:32)
3. Sarah Vaughan - What Is This Thing Called Love? (2:11)
4. Django Reinhardt - Star Dust (3:11)
5. Art Tatum - What Is This Thing Called Love (7:06)
6. Charlie Parker - What Is This Thing Called Love? (2:26)
7. Duke Ellington - Jumpin' Punkins [alternate take] (3:42)
8. Gerry Mulligan - What Is This Thing Called Love? [Previously Unreleased] (7:28)
9. Dionne Warwick - What Is This Thing Called Love? [So in Love Medley] (3:19)
10. Bill Evans - Valse (5:52)
11. John Coltrane - Cousin Mary [Alternate Take] (5:48)
12. Miles Davis - Fisherman, Strawberry and Devil Crab (4:06)
13. Art Tatum - My One And Only Love (6:15)
14. The Modern Jazz Quartet - Adagio from the "Concerto de Aranjuez" (10:50)
15. Stan Getz - Tour's End (4:57)
16. Earl Klugh - So Many Stars (3:16)
17. Tuck & Patti - Still Tossin and Turnin (remix) (5:34)
18. Joe Pass - Weaselocity (6:55)
19. Montreux - Grant Wood (5:32)
20. Diana Krall - You're Looking at Me (5:33)
21. Omar Hakim - Amethyst Secrets (4:45)
22. Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays - September Fifteenth (7:45)
23. Tania Maria - Am I Too Late (3:29)
24. Bill Evans Trio - I Will Say Goodbye (3:30)

"Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water bath is to the body."
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

posted by paulsc 14 June | 19:57

I don't, essexjan, but I'm guessin' I should, huh?

Yes, I'd say so. I'll see what I can find of hers.

posted by essexjan 14 June | 19:58

Samples here.

posted by essexjan 14 June | 19:59

That was wonderful paul. Thanks for that.

posted by CitrusFreak12 14 June | 20:01

great set paul...i fell asleep to your set (which should be taken as a compliment i assure you)...when i woke up, no music. :(

posted by Schyler523 14 June | 20:26

"...i fell asleep to your set (which should be taken as a compliment i assure you)..."

I've never felt slighted by helping to "knit up the raveled sleeve of care" for anyone. In fact, I put all the tunes I rip through ReplayGain to provide volume control hinting for Winamp and the LoudCity servers that bring you Radio Mecha, so as to avoid abrupt volume changes. And the material I play here is generally originally ripped by me at Variable Bit Rate .mp3 standards, using the Exact Audio Copy - LAME program combination, to preserve as much of the music as possible (although you hear it at lower 64kps/22k stereo standards in the LoudCity stream). Making things sound good enough to be the soundtrack of someone's dreams is kind of a charming ambition, in my book.

Good rest, and good dreams, to all who need them, including you, Schyler523. And tell your friends, so I can put them all to sleep, too :-)

posted by paulsc 14 June | 21:13

14 June 2007