Kirk's Work, Rahsaan Roland Kirk's third long-player, teams him up with organist "Brother" Jack McDuff for Kirk's most soulful post-bop set to date. His unorthodox performance style incorporates the polyphonies of a tenor sax, flute, manzello, and stritch. (The latter instrument is Kirk's own modification of a second-generation B-flat soprano sax.) This contributes to the unique sonic textures and overtones Kirk creates when playing two -- and often three -- of those lead instruments simultaneously. The loose and soulful nature of McDuff's Hammond organ lends itself to the swinging R&B vibe pervasive throughout the album. Completing the quartet is Joe Benjamin (bass) and Art Taylor (drums), both veteran jazzmen in their own right. They lend their expertise as well as innate sense of rhythm to the up-tempo "revival meetin'" rendition of Sammy Kahn's "Makin' Whoopee" as well as the ominous swing of the title track. This is also an ideal showcase for Benjamin and Taylor's running counterpoint that glides throughout -- supporting soloists Kirk and McDuff. Of the four original Kirk compositions, "Doin' the Sixty-Eight" is arguably the strongest. The percussive rhythms weave a hypnotic Latin groove over which Kirk and McDuff both snake some highly cerebral solos. The stellar interpretation of "Skater's Waltz" combines a well-known traditional melody with some of the most aggressive interaction from the quartet. The tune is put through its paces and the tenor sax/Hammond organ leads bounce around like a game of sonic ping pong. The more aggressive performance style that Kirk would later incorporate definitely shows signs of development on Kirk's Work. While certainly not the best in his catalog, it is a touchstone album that captures the early soulful Rahsaan Roland Kirk.
What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XIII)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 01 January 2017
2017 has arrived today, so time to start this thread afresh.
Last year's thread can be found here;
Tidal. Joni Mitchell - Blue
Tidal. Kacy Hill - Like A Woman
Now Playing......
Silje Nergaard - Chain of Days
Played this album a while ago and giving it another spin on a lazy, hazy Friday evening.....
Gulda/Vienna Phil: Beethoven Piano Concerto No.1 : '53 rec.
Gulda here is mere 22 playing as well as conducting VPO. Lucid and fluid the orchestra has the same quality as Gulda's piano style. Beautiful yet lively cadenza yet he never let it too precious. Intimate and personal slow movement. Every note is delivered with care. Love the scaling left hand that gives narrative foundation. Love his funky Rondo sounds fresh. Essentially he retains this special playful quality on later set with Stein. HIs orchestration, when compared to Stein, is skeletal and compact. Smaller in scale but as his piano playing; rhythmic.
Richard Egarr - Handel: Organ Concertos Op.4
Allmusic.com:
Handel's six Concertos for organ and orchestra, Op. 4, need look no further than this 2006 Harmonia Mundi recording featuring English organist Richard Egarr and the Academy of Ancient Music. Though there have certainly been other fine recordings of these popular works in the past, this one need not bow before any of them. Initially trained as a harpsichordist, Egarr proves a superb soloist who gives the music all the excitement it deserves without overburdening it with superficial virtuosity. Even better, he understands the meaning of the music, and in these performances, the works' majesty and frivolity, as well as their melancholy and jollity, are all present in exactly the right proportions. Supported by the pert and professional Academy of Ancient Music and recorded in warm, clear digital sound by Harmonia Mundi, this disc is both a fine introduction to the music and a fine addition to any Handelcollection.
(2015)
In anticipation of their next EP or LP release.
Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Kirk's work
If you like hard bop jazz with Organ and Sax, than this is a very good one.
Allmusic.com:
I started the day with the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 FM, then switched to Record Review on BBC Radio 3 FM until I had the urge for something of my own choice. This album has been played frequently since it was mentioned on this forum. How did I let this pass me by?!
Lee Konitz & Michel Petrucciani
During his short live Michel Petrucciani has made some great recordings. This is one of them imo. Together with Lee Konitz.
Allmusic:
This 1982 meeting between the veteran alto saxophonist Lee Konitz and the young pianist (19 at the time of the session) Michel Petrucciani is a success on all counts. Konitz's fragile alto is complemented by Petrucciani's lush backing in "I Hear a Rhapsody," while their abstract approach to "'Round Midnight" and "Lover Man" are both very refreshing. Konitz is unaccompanied for his wandering "Ode," while the pianist is featured alone on his complex portrait "To Erlinda," which is dedicated to his first wife. Petrucciani and Konitz wrote the brief closer, the lively blues "Lovelee," during which they initially play apart from one another before joining forces to close with a flourish. This was only Petrucciani's third recording, yet he plays far beyond his years; this recommended CD will be difficult to find due to the demise of the Owl label.
Daniel Cavanagh, Monochrome, Tidal.
Anathema’s lead guitarist and songwriters solo album gets a big thumbs up from me. Haunting and emotional, well worth a listen.
I was looking for the Santana / McLaughlin album to follow on from the above, but got sidetracked and chose this instead, which I haven't played for at least ten years. John McLaughlin 'Time Remembered'
Jeroen20 posted:Lee Konitz & Michel Petrucciani
During his short live Michel Petrucciani has made some great recordings. This is one of them imo. Together with Lee Konitz.
Allmusic:
This 1982 meeting between the veteran alto saxophonist Lee Konitz and the young pianist (19 at the time of the session) Michel Petrucciani is a success on all counts. Konitz's fragile alto is complemented by Petrucciani's lush backing in "I Hear a Rhapsody," while their abstract approach to "'Round Midnight" and "Lover Man" are both very refreshing. Konitz is unaccompanied for his wandering "Ode," while the pianist is featured alone on his complex portrait "To Erlinda," which is dedicated to his first wife. Petrucciani and Konitz wrote the brief closer, the lively blues "Lovelee," during which they initially play apart from one another before joining forces to close with a flourish. This was only Petrucciani's third recording, yet he plays far beyond his years; this recommended CD will be difficult to find due to the demise of the Owl label.
That looks good, so I've just bought it from Qobuz.
Clive B posted:I was looking for the Santana / McLaughlin album to follow on from the above, but got sidetracked and chose this instead, which I haven't played for at least ten years. John McLaughlin 'Time Remembered'
One of his best…
Lively hard bop, from Qobuz.
My favourite Stones album, on vinyl from that phabulous Rolling Stones in Mono box set (actually this isn't true mono, it's a fold down, but it's still great-sounding):
More from John McLaughlin, but here with the later Mahavishnu Orchestra. This album features the full version of Lotus Feet, which fades tantalisingly on the Shakti album.
As does this feature a full length version of the wonderful 'Lotus Feet', but totally different instrumentation here, including electric guitar from the Mahavishnu. This is a very special album indeed.
More mono Mick & Co from the box set, this time a double vinyl LP of non-album singles:
Finally to finish the morning, more Shakti.
Currently playing the track 'Shringar' which is like a collage of melodies and beautiful, gentle guitar licks which flow over you. I can just feel the heat and imagine the large open spaces of India. Wonderful music making.
Kevin-W posted:My favourite Stones album, on vinyl from that phabulous Rolling Stones in Mono box set (actually this isn't true mono, it's a fold down, but it's still great-sounding):
Gimme Shelter.........the one and only! I was just thinkin' to give all the rest away! 
Probably a bit too early for Mazurkas:
