What are you listening to today?

[Plonk]

I heard this on the radio on the way to work this morning

Found a clip on YouTube. Here you can see her circular breathing with the greatest of ease and fluidity. She has an amazing command of her instrument.

Amy Dickson playing Philip Glass' violin concerto no.1 transcribed for soprano sax:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdUWPA_AX6o&feature=fvw

Chris

Wow. WOW. :shock: I'm stunned. That is amazing. I have never heard the sax played like that before! I think the sax part was a bit too quiet though - couldn't always hear it. But even so - wow.

[Chris J]

If you want to take more of a classical detour in the sax world, this is worth turning up and kicking back to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8Yqd4ryZvI

The cadenza at about 3:50 is spectacular!

Chris

[Plonk]

Oh yeah that's great! Nice link!

[Gandalfe]

Been listening to this myself. Check out movements I & II for more fun.

[pete]

Back on topic: The Beatles (aka "The White Album").

Ha - their best

The acoustic songs, including Blackbird, Julia and Rocky Raccoon are fantastic

Chris

I think I prefer Abbey Road: "Come Together", "Oh! Darling", "She's So Heavy", etc. One of the things about The Beatles is that they did so much that there's a lot to choose from.

I hear there's a USB stick for sale that has the entire discography on it, in lossless audio format. That'd be a nice gift, but I think it was $250.

Ah. Found it: http://www.amazon.com/Beatles-USB/dp/B002VH7P4O
.... and a little Abbey Road on the way home from work, today.

[Gandalfe]

I'm luvin' that bended soprano note at the beginning. Good stuff this.

http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=0ce2af0de912c0a75dd6f9f1810ff639&w=130&h=130&url=http%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FvuyUqSYnCwE%2F2.jpg


Rhapsody in Blue - G. Gershwin. Aurelia Saxophone Quartet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuyUqSYnCwE)
www.youtube.com
Aurelia Saxophone Quartet www.aureliasaxofoonkwartet.nl Rhapsody in Blue - G Gershwin. Aurelia Saxophone Quartet

[pete]

I had my iPhone set to "Shuffle", accidentally. The first tune that cranked up was Ray Charles' "Georgia on my Mind" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thls_tMuFkc) (I rather like this version I've linked to, but the one I have is more big-band-y and equally as good).

Oddly, this then segued into the Beatles' "Happiness is a Warm Gun" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWQ-Y3bKraY).

[pete]

An eclectic mix. I started with Debussy's "The Sunken Cathedral" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TITo-0DS_RA&hd=1) and ended with Billie Holiday's 1939 version of "Strange Fruit" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KLl-vrH6Sc) (yes, it was this version that I have the recording of -- and this video is suitable for all ages). Also had the Canadian Brass version of "Amazing Grace" (http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=_Rlj3X_Gx_Q) thrown in there.

[WoodwindDoubler]

board recording of Legally Blonde :o)

[Gandalfe]

Microsoft Jazz Band playing Basie's "Shiny Stockings".

[Gandalfe]

My mix of 'Basie Straight Ahead' and 'Basie and Beyond' in prep for the MJB concert at Big Daddy's (http://bigdaddysplace.com/) this week. Hey, you're invited.

[pete]

Saxophonist Amy Dickson - Philip Glass' Violin Concerto No 1.
@ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdUWPA_AX6o&feature=player_embedded

You can hardly tell she's doin' that circular breathing thang.

Wow. WOW. :shock: I'm stunned. That is amazing. I have never heard the sax played like that before! I think the sax part was a bit too quiet though - couldn't always hear it. But even so - wow.
By the way, if you haven't heard this, you need to. I put it on and switched to a different window: when she started playing, I almost didn't recognize it as a soprano sax. Her playing is extremely nice and low key enough to blend.

Also note that there are a few more movements of that Concerto! They're up on Youtube.

[pete]

"Coconut Grove" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bncb8hvpslg) by The Lovin' Spoonful.

... As a side note, there are quite a few artists that I like only one or two songs from. I'm pretty sure that this is the only The Lovin' Spoonful song I like....

Segue into Nick Drake. I originally starting listening to his music because of the VW commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lSKUL_n6c0) a few years back ("Pink Moon"). I was somewhat surprised to hear him on the current AT&T commercial (http://www.youtube.com/v/QddkHo1X5qY) ("From the Morning").

All Nick Drake songs have a very distinct sound. Pretty easy to identify.

Quote from Commercial Appeal (http://stereogum.com/369262/att-discovers-nick-drake/franchises/commercial-appeal/): "AT&T recently begun airing commercials featuring Nick Drake’s 'From The Morning' to advertise their nationwide cellular coverage. It’s iffy for two reasons: Drake’s song, from Pink Moon, is cut for length, of course, but also to match the commercial’s editing. Secondly, if you have AT&T, you know what their coverage is like: Enigmatic, tortured, and tragic."

(I think I've mentioned that I bought a 3-month-old iPhone 3gs 32gb from a coworker. I paid all of $150. He hated AT&T that much; it's a $600 toy. I use it as an MP3 player.)

Quote from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Drake): "Drake suffered from depression and insomnia throughout his life, and these topics were often reflected in his lyrics. Upon completion of his third album, 1972's Pink Moon, he withdrew from both live performance and recording, retreating to his parents' home in rural Warwickshire. On 25 November 1974, Drake died from an overdose of amitriptyline, a prescribed antidepressant; he was 26 years old."

Interestingly, Drake was also a saxophone player and wrote a few songs, like "At the Chime of a City Clock" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AD93z_lOlw&hd=1), which featured some sax playing (not him, tho).

[tictactux]

Last Friday my order of two Sqwonk CDs arrived. Kewl stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/user/sqwonkvideo
http://www.youtube.com/user/jeanderle

[pete]

A cover of Three Dog Night's "One" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooupzNgybEo&hd=1), by Filter.

It rocks. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0t9a1sh75c) The video's pretty kewl, too.

BTB, I'm sure that most of y'all that are on YouTube for any length of time have noticed that they have 720p and 1080p videos. What you may not have known is that most of these "HD" videos have better fidelity audio. Or, at least, can have :D.

[Gandalfe]

The Lovin' Spoonful's "Daydream" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDDB0cRZ7NU) off their 'best of' CD. Schmaltzy, I know. BTW, how'd schmaltzy get in my spell checker? 8-)

[Gandalfe]

Go Mingus go! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__OSyznVDOY

[clarinetist25]

mozart clarinet concerto

[pete]

A little Pink Floyd. Memorable is "Comfortably Numb" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJZYG5qwHHI&hd=1) (I have a varied playlist from a couple albums).

I seem to remember that Pink Floyd is in the top 10 of musical acts -- right now.

I like one of the comments on YouTube regarding this song: "This is the only known performance to bring Chuck Norris to tears." I dunno about that, but Chuck Norris is the only thing that won't blend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9V-goCaua0).

Ya gotta love Internet memes.

[Gandalfe]

Roland Rashad Kirk... again. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0JJmwq7KXQ

There are some closeups of the special keying on the instruments to allow one hand playing.

[Gandalfe]

Gordon Goodwin's "Hit the Ground Running (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtSjPUkDVT8)"

As my friend Charlie sez, "The sickest alto sax altissimo gliss I've ever heard at 2:40 in and then another at 3:20 or so."

[Gandalfe]

'Abby Road' and with the advent of the Beatles Rock Band my granddaughter recognizes most of the songs. 17 songs on this bad boy; you don't see that very much now-a-daze.

[rleitch]

Rusty Bryant: Legends of Acid Jazz Volume One.

[pete]

'Abby Road' and with the advent of the Beatles Rock Band my granddaughter recognizes most of the songs. 17 songs on this bad boy; you don't see that very much now-a-daze.
The thing that impresses me is that, not only does my 15-year-old know what songs the Beatles sang, she likes a lot of 'em. Her favorites are "Yellow Submarine" and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". I'm not sure which selection I should worry more about.

I've also caught her bopping along to Goodman's "Sing, Sing, Sing", so I guess I shouldn't be that concerned.

[saxhound]

Someone sent me this link to the Gomalon Brass Quintet. Amazing stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot0pZlqwSwU&feature=related

[Gandalfe]

Immediately shot that link off to our Brass X folks. We never can hear the French Horn--not so in this recording!

[Chris J]

I was at a concert last week, and they played a ballad I think written by Gerry Mulligan that I had not heard before.

I have just listened to a version on youtube. Do have a listen, too. A real "wind down" piece.

Night Lights - Gerry Mulligan Sextet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu3qzzCCfCE

Chris

[Gandalfe]

Tasty, I will be sharing this with friends on FB. 8-)

[pete]

One of these days, I'll do some construction on this section. Anyone got some spare time I can take?

Anyhow, I'm listening to some songs from Macross: Frontier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macross_Frontier):

"Aimo ~ Tori no Hito" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAXyxJmy-W4&hd=1)
(Ending theme from the episode called) "Diamond Crevasse" (live version) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnA6VeDIP5c&hd=1)

The composer's playing the piano. I'd like to get this DVD ....

[Chris J]

Pete - where and how would you start!

Have been thinking abut the Mulligan ballad. I'll transcribe it when I have some spare time and see how it sounds on sop sax and clarinet. There is a clarinet version on youtube.

If I was more musical I would try and write some parts underneath it, but 'tis beyond me, sadly.

How is your New Year's resolution going, Gandalfe? Do I remember it involved writing parts for a small group?

Chris

[Gandalfe]

Regarding my new year's music arranging goals, I have done some tweaking on some sax quartets, written some solos out, and I'm getting better using Sibelius. I might have to be happy with that for this year. Last year, you might remember I created some bass sax parts for a sax choir.

[Notes_Norton]

On the stereo now:
http://www.hbdirect.com/coverm/70/212570.jpg

[Gandalfe]

Dave Grusin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX5OM51fDyQ

Nice sax interlude in this piece and Gloria sounds wonderful.

[Notes_Norton]

Stan Getz - Focus

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41VfsqyIY5L._SL160_AA160_.jpg

and

Khachaturian: Symphony No 2 / Excerpts from Gayaneh

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21JXSBXTNYL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[Chris J]

...Have been thinking abut the Mulligan ballad. I'll transcribe it when I have some spare time and see how it sounds on sop sax and clarinet. There is a clarinet version on youtube....

I was interested to hear the rest of the album so bought Night Lights, the album, by Gerry Mulligan. It is not a disappointment! Beautiful mellow ballads.

And on the sleeve notes there are some interesting facts. In the YouTube clip mentioned before (and below), Gerry Mulligan is playing the piano. It is the first track of the album and recorded in 1963.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu3qzzCCfCE

The last track of the album is another version of Night Lights. This one was recorded in 1965. It features Gerry Mulligan - playing the clarinet. This version is the first of the 2 tracks in the YouTube link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LbwcIt6wkU

The clarinet version is the one I have had a bash at transcribing. Assuming I can hoist a pdf onto this post, it should be attached if anybody has any inclination to play along!

Enjoy

Chris
BTW - I don't claim to be the best taker down of notation by any means. I have gone crosseyed enough doing this, so any errors, do let me know. I am confident there will be, just lost the will to track them down...


And would someone let me know if this breaks any copyright laws?

444

[pete]

Copyright? I think a transcription from ear wouldn't bee too much of an issue, but I'm not a lawyer and I don't play one on TV.

[Notes_Norton]

Today, Tchaikovsky #3, 4, 5 and 6 conducted by Kurt Masur / Leipzig Gewandhausorchester

[Chris J]

Latest version

is changing all the time, but getting closer445!...

I seem to hear it differently every time I look at it

[pete]

Classics from the Past Masters:

"Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCdpj6JhPJY)
"Sie Liebt Dich" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip5TvEbRkO0&hd=1)

A call out to the German-speaking Canadians in our midst ....

I believe that some of the translation is a little off.

[Chris J]

Wynton Marsalis has a free download - O Christmas Tree

http://wmei.bandcamp.com/album/o-christmas-tree

Very New Orleans!

And the download worked as it was meant to - I bought the album because it was good seasonal fun...

Chris

[pete]

I've been listening to a piece by Ally Kerr (http://allykerr.com) called "The Sore Feet Song," (http://www.google.com/url?url=http://s0.ilike.com/play%23Ally%2BKerr:The%2BSore%2BFeet%2BSong:2940155:s45326123.11672775.11451224.0.2.19%252Cstd_872a7e8e2e90495684c803dd7167b490&rct=j&sa=X&ei=D7UNTYmaBpCqsAOiqInUCg&ved=0CDAQ0wQwAw&q=sore+feet+song+lyrics&usg=AFQjCNEyhzu6reLcDVug6ehns_Zfc68ABg) from the album Calling Out to You (http://www.myspace.com/17071332/music/albums/11672775) (2005). It's the opening credits song from an anime called Mushi-Shi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushishi).

Check out my mini-review! (http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3510)

[Gandalfe]

"Goodbye Kathy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzqWPKHpdjA)" ~ Dave Grusin with some un-named tasty tenor sax player.

"The First Noel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gz9N9npyS8)" ~ Boney James

"Smooth Jazz Christmas Overture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-6_c39YRJY)" ~ Dave Kos and friends

[pete]

"Goodbye Kathy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzqWPKHpdjA)" ~ Dave Grusin with some un-named tasty tenor sax player.
Gandalfe = Cannibal.

[Notes_Norton]

Haven't listened to anything but myself lately, busy gigging month!!!!!!!!!

Today I'm listening to Atterberg's Symphonies 3 & 4

Notes

[SteveSklar]

David Sanborn - As We Speak ..... which was the first Album of a jazz sax player i ever bought .. then got a CD some time later, now on my iPod.

[Gandalfe]

My fav jazz station in Seattle died an unnatural and brutal death. Now we just have the NPR station for jazz that seems to have a ratio of 50% talking, 20% ads, and 30% music. So I have been listening to iJazzGlobal.com (http://www.ijazzglobal.com) and of course, Pandora (http://www.pandora.com). iJazz list of last three songs I've listened to:

Artist Title Album Time Played
Chuck LoebThe Music InsideThe Music Inside1/12/2011 3:54:01 PM
Greg AdamsWhats It's Gonna Be?East Bay Soul1/12/2011 3:49:47 PM
Diana KrallThe Look of LoveThe Look of Love1/12/2011 3:44:57 PM

[oregrif]

Greyboy Allstars - GRB Live
Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band - Season of Changes
Charles Lloyd - Mirror

[SteveSklar]

George Michaels FAITH
followed by
Gershwin, best of and 3 anthology cds mix

played some grover washington and sanborn earlier but needed something to put me asleep

in college i wrote a paper of rhapsody in blue for my class where you learn of composer styles


Typing on this ipod is a pain at 330 am

[pete]

Oh, so he's rockin' out to late 1980's tunes.

Re: Gershwin, you might want to go over to YouTube and check out the Gershwin piano roll recordings. I bought the CD set several years back. Recommended.

[Gandalfe]

After Princess (http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/member.php?u=1335) revived the Bass Oboe thread (http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3358), I found this lovely piece: Tango OBOE D AMORE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9Jcv7YuTw0&feature=related).

This after listening to Maynard, Cruising for a Bruising (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t-XAbtszdI). Oh what a morning! 8-)

[SteveSklar]

I love Maynard Ferguson .. was listening to some this morning

was just listening to the Pink Panther theme in a pink panther movie - the steve martin one. Back in high school i bought the charts to Pink Panther theme and McArthur park for our jazz band from jwpepper their HQ is a couple miles from here (still after all these years). i still have the scores around somewhere.

[pete]

Sorry. I've not liked Maynard Ferguson ever since I went to one of his concerts and he attempted to play soprano sax.

[PrincessJ]

Today it's a pops classical medley, featuring Offenbach, Beethoven, Strauss, and a little bit of Pachelbel.
In between, some of my originals.

[SteveSklar]

One of the first jazz cassettes i bought was Maynard Ferguson and specifically his Carnival tape. I wore that tape out playing it over and over again on my stereo and walkman.

On it was his version of Birdland. This came in handy as in my 1st year at UM we played this version in jazz band and I transcribed this as my solo - my first transcribing attempt. It was fun to play. I believe we also played this version of Baker Street but the solo was written out which made it alot easier back then.

Also the MF Carnival song got me interested in the soprano sax.

So now instead of a cassette tape, I have it on my iPod (my first paid iTunes download).
Hope I don't wear out the ipod any time soon. :)

[pete]

Well, keep it charged :).

I was listening to more of the Amy Dickinson soprano stuff, mentioned earlier in this thread. I like the tone. A lot.

[WoodwindDoubler]

- Harry Gregson-Williams' score for the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.

- John Williams - The Greatest Hits: 1969-1999

(MMMMMMM Film Scores)

[PrincessJ]

Film Scores. <3 <3 <3
I've been listening to the happy wanderer all day. Gets my mood way up. I swear the soprano sax sounds like a cartoon meow. I swear swear swear. Either that or I'm becoming a crazy cat lady from owning three of the little furbabies for so long.

[Chris J]

to a CD I got in Australia. Great relaxed sound.

Graeme Lyall with the Joe Chindamo trio. The album is called "Love Blues and other Fiction"

No Youtube link, but a couple of examples if you use Spotify...

Chindamo/Lyall – Letter To Fiona (http://open.spotify.com/local/Chindamo%2fLyall/Lyall+-+Love+Blues+And+Other+Fiction/Letter+To+Fiona/349)

Chindamo/Lyall – As Long As It Takes (http://open.spotify.com/local/Chindamo%2fLyall/Lyall+-+Love+Blues+And+Other+Fiction/As+Long+As+It+Takes/185)

Chris
Edit Hmm - Spotify links not working, suspect it may be pointing to my hard drive copy rather than Spotify one. Will work on it...

[SteveSklar]

piano concerto music

i'm judging for a piano competition on Sunday so i might as well familiarize myself of what a piano sounds like ... hmm ... hey you can play harmonic AND melodic chords at the same time !! lol

[PrincessJ]

Good luck with that, Steve. Remember, the biggest difference between a normal upright and a 11' concert grand, is the 11' grand makes a louder boom when dropped from a cliff.

I'm listening to some original piano stuff as a matter of fact. Nothing like improvisational piano on a slow day. Pouring all my little thoughts and emotions on to the keys... hey look, a clarinet! *turns off music and begins practice*

[Gandalfe]

Starting to program for the MJB's next two gigs. How much Basie will the guys let me get away with. 8-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfLkdFpgDv8

PJ, you have time to practice? ;)

[Rosemary]

Jack Brymer Mozart clarinet quintet. Was in need of comfort music.

[pete]

Good luck with that, Steve. Remember, the biggest difference between a normal upright and a 11' concert grand, is the 11' grand makes a louder boom when dropped from a cliff.
Depends on how much C4 you stuff in the upright.

[SteveSklar]

the judging should be fun. Some serious stuff and then some kids playing the fun stuff in the afternoon.

Looks like I'm the primary judge for all the top-notch Concerto players as I get the recital room with 2 grands in it .. and no, I can't keep one of them afterwards.

This is better than judging string competitions ... everyone plays tonally correct in a piano competition.

the different competition organizations have me down for piano, woodwinds, strings and brass judging ability - what fun :)

[SteveSklar]

Jack Brymer Mozart clarinet quintet. Was in need of comfort music.

i bought his Clarinet book back in 1978ish
when i first read it, it made no sense. Nowadays, I understand it .. i think :)

[Rosemary]

There goes R'ymin Simon, Paul simon. Perhaps my favourite Album by my favourite performer.

[pete]

I rather like some of Paul Simon's stuff. I remember having to dissect "Sounds of Silence" for an English Lit/Poetry class many moons ago.

And "Garfunkeled" is a great verb.

[WoodwindDoubler]

speaking of Simon and Garfunkle ... I have a written out reverby/spacy sax solo - kenny-G-ish over a weird version of Bridge over troubled water that is in one of the shows on board. LOLz

Listening wise ... a few albums I've purchased in the last week ........

1) Thomas Newman - American Beauty

2) Michael Giacchino - Up

3) Gerald Albright - New Beginnings

[Rosemary]

I particuarly like Take me to the Mardi Gras on R'ymin Simon.

Now listening to Phantom of the opera, "Wishing you were somehow here again" always makes me want to cry and "all I ask of you" is IMHO the greatest love duet ever.

[SteveSklar]

not listening to anything. I have a headache !!

but earlier this morning i was listening to Tchaikovsky

i wonder if the two are related ....

[PrincessJ]

You know, Steve, I wonder why it is, that every time, about an hour after listening to Tchaikovsky, I too develop a mild but noticeable headache.
Also happens after any kind of violin solo (especially in the upper registers [disclaimer - I know nothing about strings]).
I hate headaches as they prevent me from playing or listening, but thanks a lot to the indecisive weather as of late they're simply inevitable. I've had to avoid the altissimo at all costs for the past week or so (If I must, I break out the ear plugs and the tuna. Better than any electronic tuner I've ever used. Just requires a 90 gallon fish tank).

(FL is not all it's cracked up to be...)

[SteveSklar]

do you know why musicians use a tuna ?

because it has alot of scales


thank you, thank you very much. I thought that up all by myself :p

[Gandalfe]

(FL is not all it's cracked up to be...)It's a nice place to visit. 8-)

[pete]

do you know why musicians use a tuna ?

because it has alot of scales

thank you, thank you very much. I thought that up all by myself :p
This reminds me that A Prairie Home Companion (National Public Radio) had their annual joke show a couple weeks ago. They did do a few musical jokes. I'll edit one for woodwind content:

Q. What do you call a bass saxophone player with a girl on his arm?
A. A guy with a tattoo.

[PrincessJ]

It's a nice place to visit. 8-)

Well obviously.
But if you spend more than a couple weeks here in July or August, you'll melt in to a puddle and so will your saxophone.

[pete]

We've got a few Floridians here. Maybe I should survey the group some day.

I created that "Mini-Reviews" section awhile back and I have so much stuff I'd like to put in there. I listened to some average to very good clarinet playing, today. Peter Schickele. Lots of stuff.

[Chris J]

I have an 10 minute drive to work, this morning for company I had:
Dave Brubeck – Tangerine - Live (http://open.spotify.com/track/0jt81kkCxmsnL8FJefiE9T) for those with spotify

and for those without, here is Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu1Wx6niQBA

Eased me into the morning very nicely...

Chris

[Gandalfe]

My two fav Basie (esque) CDs to which I have most of the sheet music: Basie & Beyond (http://www.amazon.com/Basie-Beyond-Quincy-Jones/dp/B00004YNDT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297284722&sr=1-1) (2000) and Basie Straight Ahead (http://www.amazon.com/Straight-Ahead-Count-Basie/dp/B000006R85/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297284792&sr=1-1) (1967). I've been listening the the second one since Jr. High School where I was introduced to and performed songs from it.

[SteveSklar]

Been listening to Beethoven, Symphonie's # 3,4 ,5 ,2, 8 ,9 and whatever else is on my iPod from Roger Norrington conducting the London Symphony

[Gandalfe]

Henryk Gorécki (1933) is a polish composer of contemporary classical music. Górecki's most popular piece is his "Third Symphony", also known as the "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs". The work is slow and contemplative, and each of the three movements are composed for orchestra and solo soprano.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvXjo9x0xtg

[sideC]

George Shearing memorial broadcast today on www.wkcr.org. George passed earlier this week.

Julian

[Old Dick]

I've been getting through the current snowfall by listening to Bartok's String Quartets - getting my sox blown off once again by the 4th - and idly wondering if they could ever be transcribed for and played by a sax quartet. It would undoubtedly involve some advanced playing techniques - like maybe substituting super fast slap tonguing for pizzicato, etc.

I've heard some absolutely amazing renditions of classical works by modern sax groups - most recently to the Quintessence Sax Quintet (e.g. Beethoven's 5th, the allegro con brio (1st) movement - on their &quot;Best of 10 Years Live&quot; album). And there must be a goodly number of people on this forum who have had experience playing in, writing & transcribing for such groups.

[SteveSklar]

listening to french horn stuff like
Mozart Horn Concerto #1 in D

[saxhound]

Speaking of brass and such, a buddy turned me on to the Mnozil Brass last night:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5bfkhyGfQI&feature=related

[SteveSklar]

Mussorgsky and Pictures at an Exhibition.
One of my favorite pieces as we played this when i was a freshman or sophomore in high school wind ensemble several moons ago. Ok, maybe the moon wasn't formed yet but anyways ...

This particular recording is done with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra with some conductor dude called Leonard Slatkin who is a fav conductor of one of our CE's :p

Also, Holst Planets and some miscellaneous Haydn Symphony's

[Gandalfe]

Speaking of brass and such, a buddy turned me on to the Mnozil Brass last night:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5bfkhyGfQI&feature=related
Use this to great effect yesterday against a trombone playing buddy. Thanks!

I am drawn to this video (http://www.youtube.com/user/QuintSaxtet#p/u/17/QlKiM0Q3Kq4), like a moth is to a flame! 8-)

[pete]

Use this to great effect yesterday against a trombone playing buddy. Thanks!

I am drawn to this video (http://www.youtube.com/user/QuintSaxtet#p/u/17/QlKiM0Q3Kq4), like a moth is to a flame! 8-)
I've got a new favorite group to listen to.

You don't see many sax groups with two sopranos.

[Gandalfe]

I've got a new favorite group to listen to.

You don't see many sax groups with two sopranos.And I didn't know that William Hurt (body heat) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_hurt) played soprano sax too! ;)

[pete]

David Gilmour (Pink Floyd). Acoustic version of "Shine on You Crazy Diamond." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgBnRATmR-Y&hd=1)

Extra points for correctly identifying the make/model of the tenor sax :P.

[PrincessJ]

The sound of Gleep cleaning his fur, that slobby cat. :geezer1:
Now to drown that out, how about "The Blue Danube". That cheerful overly-played tune should help lighten the mood a bit.

[Brian]

Still listening to the various recordings by The Seatbelts (Yoko Kanno's band from Cowboy Bebop).

Listening to this right now :D ELM is a wonderful acoustic piece, and green bird is one of the most beautiful chorus pieces :*

[Gandalfe]

Hauntingly good, Cyrille Aimée performs Monk's "I Mean You" Live at Smalls Jazz Club in NYC with band Spike Wilner (Piano) Joel Fraham (Saxophone) Phillip Kuehn (Bass) Joey Saylor (Drums).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hhb2bgh5r8&feature=autoshare

[pete]

Maurice Ravel, "Pavane for a Dead Princess" ("Pavane pour une infante défunte"). Linky to hi-def, Dolby sound video. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRyPfsuyvyQ) Conducted by Seiji Ozawa.

Take 6 minutes and 52 seconds out of your life and listen to this. It's gorgeous.

[Groovekiller]

Slim Gaillard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKdrnTTDTqo&feature=related

[The Jazzer]

I'm listening to the ''SWR Big Band'' with the title ''Blue Samuel'':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocTt71Mb5cg

[Gandalfe]

I am actually enjoying Beyonce on ABC New's fourth of July extravaganza (the morning edition). Besides the scantily dressed dancers, dancing hair of the ladies (no really), and choreography, the band is sooo tight. The rare solos (on guitar alas) are very well executed.

[PrincessJ]

It's been techno and dubstep, coming in droves. But not that poppy-modern krud that the kids are in to.

Artistic electronic music that takes effort and creativity to make, and gets me in the groove at work!
Butterfly Crash - Minus Zero, is an incredible example of well composed and meticulously arranged/mixed dubstep, but keep in mind the sound is not everyone's cup of tea. When you have a job like mine that has a tendency to drive you dangerously near to collapsing out cold on your desk, this stuff going through the headphones will usually do the trick.
He also has a sample of a track called "microcosm" on youtube somewhere, which is very different but again is extremely sophisticated electronically.
This guy puts countless hours in to arranging, mixing, and creating these lovely sounds. Once again, it's not for everyone. But it's for me. ;)

[pete]

YouTube Symphony Orchestra 2011: http://www.youtube.com/symphony

[JackL]

I've spent most of the afternoon messing around with arrangements for a few originals in MuseScore and listening to a series of Jazz Now! Seattle podcasts. Dave Anderson's Trio Real and the Dave Dolengewicz Trio (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiToW-Mj3Bw) have got my attention as people I should follow up on ASAP. *

Other than that, I'm checking out a bunch of the YouTube links that you folks have posted here.

Wow, what a thread.

* Oddly enough, although I listen to a lot of jazz, do quite a bit of improvising, and had excellent teachers who came from the jazz side of things, I can't really claim to be a jazz player myself. More like somewhere in the vast grey area between cowgoth and progressive surf-folk.

[pete]

"Car 24" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTr86m2FctE) by Yoko Kanno & The Seatbelts from Cowboy Bebop OST 1.

It's got a little something for everyone: it's a big band. Got some jazz flute and the bari/bass sax line has been replaced by a very good bass clarinet. As I've said before, all you have to do is combine some flute and bass clarinet, and I'm all over it!

[pete]

So, it's already been demonstrated that I'm a bit odd. While, I don't like this music genre, as a whole, this number is very well done. And the costumes are amusing.

"Comic Strip" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eCT4FH9HFc) by The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger (Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp-Muhl).

Oh. As an interesting tidbit, I went to The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/thegoastt?sk=info) and looked through their "friends" list. Yoko Ono friend'ed them. That just seemed ... so normal, like if my mom friend'ed me. Of course, I'd have to have a Facebook page ....

[pete]

New favorite band of the moment: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour. If you've watched a bit of sports TV recently, you'll recognize them from the Heineken commercial. The tune is "Golden Age" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5h-LAvQDCQ). From the album Fruit (http://www.myspace.com/theasteroidsgalaxytour/music/albums/fruit-13980055).

I had initially thought the song was by The Squirrel Nut Zippers (http://snzippers.com). Hey, they're worth listening to, too!

[Gandalfe]

Johan de Meij's "Gollum (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjKgj2AuQSE)" from his Lord of the Rings Symphony. It features a soprano sax solo that the principal saxophonist for the Woodinville Community Band will be covering.

We sight read it for the first time last week as part of our first of two summer reading sessions. Molly the soloist is using one of my sopranos and had practiced the piece for a month before the session. She blew us away. It should be a great spring concert.

[pete]

Johan de Meij's "Gollum (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjKgj2AuQSE)" from his Lord of the Rings Symphony. It features a soprano sax solo that the principal saxophonist for the Woodinville Community Band will be covering.

We sight read it for the first time last week as part of our first of two summer reading sessions. Molly the soloist is using one of my sopranos and had practiced the piece for a month before the session. She blew us away. It should be a great spring concert.
There's a song in LOTR called, I think, "Peri's Song," that I think is extremely well done. Moreover, it's sung by the actor.

I also have an acquaintance in New Zealand who was one of the elf extras.

I look forward to seeing The Hobbit.

[Gandalfe]

I was gonna save this for Freaky Friday, but it is too tasty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIVxmgwaimI

Nice change of pace and the clarinet plays well against the piano.

[pete]

I'm fairly behind on this thread. I listen to too much. However, evar since Gandalfe got me hooked on that sextet, I've been checking out his links.

[Groovekiller]

I'm listening to myself, with a great big band over 20 years ago. Boy, was I skinny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOzTnBvFLlY

[pete]

And had really, really long hair.

[Gandalfe]

In this video there was sure a lot of space between you and the next guy Randy! ;)

[Gandalfe]

Happy birthday Art Pepper (reminded by Pete's calendar hanging in my office) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T12IgEjjKyk&feature=fvst.

[catty]

Mingus, and Sonny Rollins

[catty]

London Jazz Composer's Orchestra - Double Trouble

[catty]

...and LJCO's - Harmos

Some pretty wild horn playing on these, and also some pretty moving pieces. Especially well into or even toward the end here, there's a somber movement with much interplay of ww, and sounding like some double reeds in there, although it could be just overtones from the ss section.

[pete]

A new little band I found while listening to Pandora, Gomez (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5voqGVDPg4&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=AVGxdCwVVULXcbvYKKyq00T35aanyMgJ1N). The band incorporates a big-band-ish ensemble for some of their numbers, sort of like bands that have featured the Tower of Power horns.

[PrincessJ]

A song Mr. Handsome and I wrote and sang on together, it's in Hungarian language, and is about the "life" and character of an instrument treated as more of a friend than an object. It's a Bb clarinet duet using little 2.5 reeds on a plastic mouthpiece (in attempt to get the smoothest "oboe" style tone a clarinet can produce, it worked very well), the song features no real drums, just drum rings to stabilize the rhythem and a one-chord acoustic guitar strum to tie it all in to the bass clarinet in the background.

It has a bit of a Klezmer-ish feel to it, particularly the solo in the middle.
I must say I'm quite proud of my work this time around.

[Chris J]

Apologies if this is not available in your various countries, but...

For the last few weeks I have been listening to podcasts downloaded from BBC Radio 3. They are the complete back issues of the series "Jazz Library". Each episode features a musician, their work is discussed and the show's "essential recording" of the artist is suggested. Usually more than one recording!

As I am really enjoying listening to these, I thought I would share in case others might like them too.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/jazzlibam/all
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/jazzlibnz/all

If it is available to you, it is possible to download one from the A-M list and one from the N-Z list, and then in iTunes, more easily download many at a time

Chris

[pete]

... or use Tor ...

[Chris J]

Further to Jazz Libraries above, I have just listened to the one with Tony Coe, and have bought an album because of it!

So, I am just listening to Jake the Snake Sings the Blues by Tony Coe (available on Spotify - album is Before the Dawn). He plays his clarinet on this one - it is an 1830s (he says, so one of the earliest) Boehm C clarinet made of boxwood by Buffet!

Chris

[pete]

I got a free Spotify account because i registered with them a bit before their US debut. I'm unimpressed. They don't have tracks from, say, The Beatles, and their 1960's music selection is rather poor. Pandora has all that, but it's random. If I want a specific song, I can probably get it on Youtube, with the exception of some orchestral stuff I like. YouTube/Pandora also has some of the esoteric Japanese stuff I listen to.

I have been told that Spotify has some good jazz stuff. I dunno. I'm not that into jazz.

[spooky]

I'm not that into jazz.

Thanks, you saved my day. I had a nightmare about being called in to play keyboards for a jazz ensemble in some guy's mansion... what a scary thought. I can't play jazz piano for the life of me let alone enjoy it.

Today I've been listening to various tarogato artists looking for tone inspiration, no solid pieces or anything fancy for me thus far.

[pete]

For a good deal of my saxophone playing life, I've had to respond to two questions:

* Oh, so you play the sax. What kind of jazz music do you like?
* Oh, so you play the sax. Like Kenny G, right?

First, there is some jazz I do like, particularly the Dave Brubeck Quartet, but it's not my main focus and it never was. While I do enjoy playing big band jazz, just because of the group dynamic, I'd rather play classical.

(As far as listening to music, you can see from my posts that it's eclectic. However, I prefer sax quartets, if I have to listen to sax playing.)

Second, Kenny G plays soprano sax and sometimes tenor. I play baritone sax. I've only got about 5 times the brass in my horn. And please don't compare me to Kenny G: "Songbird" on bari just doesn't sound that great and he makes a lot more money than I did.

[spooky]

I don't mind Kenny G at times, as long as it's being played softly through the sound systems of casual diners. For "listening regularly", well absolutely no, no, no.

I was an abducted member of the jazz community for far too long, and I had my fill and my overflow, after a while, to a life long, raspy-bass-reed-addicted folk musician, it starts to "sink the boat" a little. There just aren't enough elements in most jazz to keep my attention. It's not the arrangement that bothers me, it's what's done with it.

On the other hand, swing is more down my road. I enjoy performing and listening to all kinds of swing in various arrangements, it's my "morning coffee" genre.

[pete]

There just aren't enough elements in most jazz to keep my attention. It's not the arrangement that bothers me, it's what's done with it.
I rather like that. It sums up my feelings about jazz nicely, too.

[Gandalfe]

When the smooth jazz station in Seattle turned into an alternative rock and rap station. So I have been listening to straight up and vintage jazz on the only remaining jazz station on PBS. I really like it and was laughing with Suzy at some of the naughtier vintage stuff.

I also like the Miles, Coltrane, and Parker stuff, much of which I have played along the way. When I was doing the four-horn stuff, we played so much and I remember wrestling with the solos. Then I hear how the pros do it and it makes me want to shed more.

[MartinMods]

...Some Live, Sal Nistico quartet, from the Unterfahrt Jazz Club, Munich, recorded from the audience by Al Porcino.

[Gandalfe]

The dawg snore. Interesting sound. Sal Nistico, wow that's a blast from the past.

[pete]

Some really good music from Bird (http://www.youtube.com/user/andrewbirdmusic?ob=5). I think this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPbsZDk02M8) is phenomenal.

[spooky]

When the smooth jazz station in Seattle turned into an alternative rock and rap station. So I have been listening to straight up and vintage jazz on the only remaining jazz station on PBS.


Vintage jazz used to be forced on me as a kid. I used to like it, and still if I must listen to jazz, I'd prefer the vintage elements. I don't like the heavily vocal jazz though, I find some of the lyrics and singing styles to be off-putting, however as you stated, they can be rather funny.

Pete, I like that Bird stuff actually. Nice choice. Used to listen to him just for the whistling alone.

[SteveSklar]

I like alot of instrumental, but also shy away from vocals.

right now I'm listening to Pete's favorite ... Kenny G

[pete]

Pete, I like that Bird stuff actually. Nice choice. Used to listen to him just for the whistling alone.
While I did find out that he's been in the World Whistling Championships and he's (allegedly) very well known for his whistling chops, I don't particularly like whistling. From anyone.

That being said, I'm really liking his stuff, whistling and all. I'm going to wear out "Imitosis" pretty soon!

I mentioned, above, that I've got a CD from The Squirrel Nut Zippers (http://snzippers.com/). Bird is an honorary member. It's on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Bird), so it must be true.

I've also noted that I listen to Pandora when I'm not targeting a single artist or album. To tell you how good they are, I have a mix "tape" of some songs I really like on my car's MP3 player. Pandora started playing the same songs in the same order. Freaky, yes. Darn good software. I think that the trick is that you have to input just the names of the songs you like from a particular artist (if Pandora has those songs in their database), not just the artist's name. I've found at least three artists I rather like via Pandora and a couple that have at least one song I like.

[PrincessJ]

While I did find out that he's been in the World Whistling Championships and he's (allegedly) very well known for his whistling chops, I don't particularly like whistling. From anyone.



Oi! Well you would hate me then. I have a tendency to whistle while I work on a regular basis, it drives everyone crazy, well hey, at least I have good intonation, so someone has to give me credit for my talents! (wishful thinking :-?)

On the other hand, there are whistling championships? Oh dear me what has this world come to. (although secretly thinking of trying out...)

[pete]

Oi! Well you would hate me then.
In the words of the Delgados, "All you need is hate."

I can't say I hate any form of music. I just dislike whistling. A lot. Gives me a headache.

[PrincessJ]

Believe me pete, if you spent about three hours in my house, you may start to eat your words. ;)
Unless of course you brought a large bottle of ibuprofen and/or ear plugs.

[SteveSklar]

while cycling I have been noted to whistle music alot

so far the kids haven't been able to whistle .. but they are trying. :)

listened to a bit of Elton John and Hall & Oates today .... okay, not jazz or anything but alot of piano in Elton's stuff

[Gandalfe]

I have a play track on my Windows Media Player that I titled "Don't Harsh My Mellow (http://biskey7.wordpress.com/2011/07/09/playtrack-dont-harsh-my-mellow/)" with a bunch of songs from my life sound track. I play it when I want some variety from the various jazz play tracks I use.

[pete]

Believe me pete, if you spent about three hours in my house, you may start to eat your words. ;)

Unless of course you brought a large bottle of ibuprofen and/or ear plugs.
I've mentioned elsewhere that I have cluster headaches (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluster_headache) and occipital neuralgia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occipital_neuralgia) (i.e. nerve bad slightly above and back of my right ear). I have things a bit stronger than ibuprofen -- although ibuprofen did eat a nice hole in my stomach. I have two levels: my happy pills and my super happy pills. I used to have my super duper happy pills, but they had the unfortunate side effect of making my head feel like it was spinning at a rather irresponsible rate of speed.

==============

Today is Saturday and I work Saturdays. Alone. That meant that I was able to listen to several YouTube playlists of Andrew Bird. He's rather prolific ....

Next weekend, I think, will be Pink Floyd. I noticed that YouTube has the entire "Pulse" live album DVD from 2004ish. Three hours long, I think.

Disadvantage, tho: at home, I have very nice over-ear JVC headphones (HA-RX700; I've sung their praises before. They're extremely good copies of Audio-Technica) and (formerly) high-end harman/kardon speakers. At work, I have 20 year old Creative speakers. Ewwww. Might be better if I had a woofer. Or some bass. Any bass.

[PrincessJ]

although ibuprofen did eat a nice hole in my stomach.


Moderation, must I stress. I've been trying to get my husband to back off of his 3-pill-per-sitting habit with advil... luckily he doesn't have a naturally over-acidic stomach like I do.

I'm one of the lucky few who suffer from chronic migraine issues and can still enjoy a nice loud whistle. (I'm not human anymore I suppose)

But it's great you mention Pink Floyd. I used to love their music, I'd live on "shine on you crazy diamond" during those mellow, rainy weekends. As far as work music, I actually do prefer the good old miscellaneous-classical dosage in 500mg per hour. Or a little looping computery-futuristic techno for the more science-related tasks... I designed a few catchy little beats for that purpose and that purpose alone. They're deadly when listened to in other circumstances. I'll post a link to one of them one of these days.

[pete]

Moderation, must I stress.
The short version of the story is that four-ish years ago, I had strep, which turned into bronchitis, which turned into double pneumonia, which led to a partially collapsed lung and seven broken ribs. For the last of those, I was prescribed megadoses of ibuprofen, which led to an ulcer and subsequent repair. I do hear that naproxen sodium can be worse. With acetominophen, I just have to worry about liver damage.

I'm one of the lucky few who suffer from chronic migraine issues and can still enjoy a nice loud whistle. (I'm not human anymore I suppose)
What is this "human" thing I keep hearing about? :D

With both migraine and cluster headaches, the things that can both bring them on and make things worse can be different for different people. For instance, I have major problems with weather changes, any diet soda and "piercing" sounds make my headaches worse. However, light doesn't bother me and regular levels of noise don't bother me, even when I have a headache.

(And I can also tell the difference between headache, cluster headache and the occipital neuralgia headache.)

But it's great you mention Pink Floyd. I used to love their music, I'd live on "shine on you crazy diamond" during those mellow, rainy weekends. As far as work music, I actually do prefer the good old miscellaneous-classical dosage in 500mg per hour. Or a little looping computery-futuristic techno for the more science-related tasks... I designed a few catchy little beats for that purpose and that purpose alone. They're deadly when listened to in other circumstances. I'll post a link to one of them one of these days.
I got more interested in 60s-era bands after I was no longer subjected to them by my parental units (Pink Floyd was founded in 1965). 'Course, Floyd is the #1 concert tour, money-wise, every year, so there's a lot of popularity, there. As a matter of fact, Roger Waters is doing The Wall out here in Phoenix in December, IIRC. Pity it's not David Gilmour.

Joke about techno: Why by a techno album? Download a sample from iTunes and just loop it 50 times. :P

As far as classical is concerned, my favorites are the Romantics (Debussy, etc.) and some 20th century stuff, especially Peter Schickele and David Milhaud -- who, arguably, could be considered 20th century romantic.

[PrincessJ]

I'm impressed, pete, as you seem to be well proud of your history of ailments!
Sorry to hear about what happened to you four-ish years ago, what a pain to go through. While we're on topic I have to avoid ibuprofen at all costs given that I get an ulcer every time I eat a piece of fried chicken (well, not literally, but I believe I've conveyed my message clearly with that statement).

Light happens to be my migraine trigger. You can put me in a centrifuge and I'll be fine. Whistle, I'll be fine. Hit me with a truck, I'll be... fine...
Hey wait a second, you say piercing sounds set them off for you? Well than how do you get along playing a saxophone?

Just kidding, just kidding. It may be the headache now present speaking, and if you don't mind I'd ask us all to ignore it. ;)

Anyways.

I always liked the 60s era music, I was more subjected to the parental force of listening to operas. Later in life several of them grew on me, but that's a different story... I was introduced to pink floyd by an old friend of whom I no longer speak with, when I was quite young. Some of their stuff is a bit, may I say to be polite, dull, but a great percentage is rather pleasant to listen to.

I never got in to the more "popular" classical composers (Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and every other composer every kindergartner knows of) but I do have a slight inclination towards romantic era music, and on the far other side of orchestral music, few but outstanding works for films have grabbed my attention over the years. What I don't like are those blatant, repetitive, relatively structureless orchestral scores in cheap, common movies... and believe it or not I can not stand to listen to Mozart! I appreciate his artistic wonders in composition however for listening, he is not my top choice at all.

[pete]

Hey wait a second, you say piercing sounds set them off for you? Well than how do you get along playing a saxophone?
Bari player :P.

Actually, I more-or-less retired from playing about 15 years ago, to concentrate on singing. After my little episode a few years back, I tried to get back into singing full(ish) time. I found that I could, to an extent, but various other body parts were starting to rebel, too (knees, mostly). I also lost a few notes on both my high and low ends (insert your own jokes) and more than a bit of lung power, so two-ish years ago I gave up my singing gigs.

I do enjoy singing in the car, though. I don't care what the passengers think :P.

===========

A couple years back, I was practicing to sing a solo from Handel's Messiah. I generally try to buy a CD of what I'm gonna sing so I can get an idea of what I'm supposed to sound like. Interestingly, I had never listened to all of the Messiah. I found it to be incredibly advanced for the era -- and a lot of other composers, even "modern" ones, have liberally borrowed from it or, at least, some of the techniques used in it.

[PrincessJ]

I see. :)

I used to sing studio style, and gave it up for quite a while until I recorded a track that was supposed to be doctored to a male voice for an experiment, and decided, heck, I sound just fine. I never used to sound decent on recording or in person, but it was a good day.

I still don't really like to sing on recordings or for bands, though, because as a very sorry fact my voice is more fit to jazz than anything else. I'm actually quite fantastic at scatting as well.

I've always wanted to sing more classical styles but I really don't have the chops at all. I've had vocal coaches refuse to teach me opera style...

[pete]

I am drawn to this video (http://www.youtube.com/user/QuintSaxtet#p/u/17/QlKiM0Q3Kq4), like a moth is to a flame! 8-)
They've got a new video: Quintessence Saxophone Quintet performs the Cantata, 2. Energico "Unter einem Himmel" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYdsaNi3EGY&feature=digest_fri). I think they might be missing an umlaut or two, tho :).

[PrincessJ]

Today, a vast medley of Pete Fountain.

Oh by the way, pete, I think there are various more suited forums across the web to discuss medical issues and or knowledge. Web md is one, which I used to frequent before I got over hypochondria and during my worst times of health-related despair. Glad you're feeling somewhat better, and on the bright side, I didn't forget to take any pills today!

Back to topic I finally fixed my tarogato mouthpiece and am about to voyage on to the journey of self-recorded folk pieces, tarogato style. I may release a few of my more Irish sounding stuff that I did with hubs soon here...

[pete]

Back to topic I finally fixed my tarogato mouthpiece and am about to voyage on to the journey of self-recorded folk pieces, tarogato style. I may release a few of my more Irish sounding stuff that I did with hubs soon here...
That would be interesting. I think it would blend quite nicely. I used to listen to a lot of Irish and Celtic-styled music and I can hear (in my head) how that would sound with taragato.

[SteveSklar]

Christmas (songs) with the Chipmunks :)

[tictactux]

Christmas (songs) with the Chipmunks :)

Arrgh...

I'm reviewing some pieces of our last concert, eg. Oregon (http://mvhw.hochstrasser.org/files/06-Oregon.mp3).

[MartinMods]

Geoff Stradling's new LA bigband:

http://typhoon.biz/wp-content/uploads/mnj/strad_demo.mp3

...almost tight, saxes :-)

[SteveSklar]

I've got 5,611 music songs on my iPod.
40 big band (not right, way too low)
63 blues
696 jazz

but my genres are mostly blank ...

[Gandalfe]

Still, still, still (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dJ6H0DEV08) by Mannheim Steamroller (http://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Aire-Christmas-Mannheim-Steamroller/dp/B0000005MV/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1324671736&sr=8-2). I know, pretty sappy. :)

[Gandalfe]

A light snow drifts in this cool Sunday morning, practically paralizing Seattle traffic. I am making my way through the various Internet places I haunt and the background is the Yusef Lateef Quartet doing Yesterdays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4Wqd-b0FRM

[sideC]

Wow...that Yusef was really nice. Must have been a tv show, live but no audience response. All those guys are still alive and still playing to some extent.

Just listening to radio so far today, WBGO, a local jazz station out of Newark, NJ. Last night I was into some Horace Silver.....'Moon Rays' with Clifford Jordan, Art Farmer, Louis Hayes and Teddy Kotick. Just a beautiful thing, and a great arrangement. Then it was 'Love Vibrations,' a sort of obscure Horace composition that I like to play with my little trio from time to time. A very lyrical melody that seems to work well on the alto. Horace had Andy Bey sing after Randy Brecker and George Coleman stated the melody. Bob Cranshaw and Mickey Roker round out that band. I always feel better after listening to, or playing, this tune.

And, as soon as I get off this computer, which will be soon, I'll be listening to myself...... practicing!

Julian

[PrincessJ]

Before I release my folka-polka fun song, I figured I'd share an eccentric project my husband and I are working on. It may come as a bit of a shock so those of you who are opposed to an artistically played clarinet running through massive effects processing to imitate a guitar solo with lots of whammy.
I hate guitar solos and that is why this exists.
Back in the '90s the Norwegian black metal scene dominated my (and his) life so we figured do a tribute.
I promise a breath of fresh air after this one with some "nice" clarinetting.

The tarogato I'm holding in the vid is only for show. It's really a clarinet being played.
Skip to 2:35 for the woodwinding.

(For the shots with the sickle I had my hair tucked uncomfortably in a black wig, with a top hat jammed over it, you can almost see the pain, and hubs is the hooded thing twirling the sickle)

Ps. The sickle is made of tinfoil and cardboard. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/v/W4z22w2rB68

[SteveSklar]

speaking of polka early in the morning .....

Best of Boots Randolph

[Gandalfe]

The sounds of the office; keyboards clicking, coworker slurping coffee, hvac system's roar... It's quite the cacophony of sounds arranged in 7/4 time.

[saxhound]

The sounds of the office; keyboards clicking, coworker slurping coffee, hvac system's roar... It's quite the cacophony of sounds arranged in 7/4 time.

Did you say 7/4? Maybe this will help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI9caeoZ_kM&feature=related

[PrincessJ]

My husband is a nut sometimes, he swears he wrote a song in 7/5. :)

[saxhound]

More odd time signature stuff. I love Don Ellis. This one is in 33/4 and 36/4 (I think).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUYtWvavvYg

[Gandalfe]

My husband is a nut sometimes, he swears he wrote a song in 7/5. :) On purpose? ;)

[Gandalfe]

Alla Mente by Richardo Capellino (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAAsNAf-upw)

[PrincessJ]

On purpose? ;)

LOL, he says so. But I have my suspicions... either that or he really is just a crazy mathematician with a lot of time on his hands... guitarists for ya. I hate playing those six stringed death traps, I still have what feels like carpal tunnel from last weeks recording. I avoid them at all costs... what's worse? A bass. A %$^#$% electric 5 string bass. Owww... ouch... owwwwwwwww.

*picks up clarinet, and soothes self with something that's actually nice to play*

[pete]

Priscilla Anh (http://priscillaahn.com). She's got a very pure soprano voice that is mostly devoid of vibrato. I started listening because she sang with Andrew Bird on a cover of Cass McComb's "Meet Me Here at Dawn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn9jMjHqiyo)." (IMO, the cover -- which is what I linked to -- is better than the original (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vz7BYF9-Oc).)

============

I've mentioned on a couple occasions that I've been liking the British band, Gomez. I went to their website (http://www.gomeztheband.com/) the other day and I found that they did something really, really brave: all of their tracks from all of their albums are there for listening, with the added bonus of FLAC live recordings (http://www.gomeztheband.com/liveseries/) (for the non-audiophile/non-techie, you can think of FLAC as a "really high resolution recording") and some of their videos. Why this is brave is because ... well, you don't have to pay to listen and a lot of people would be happy with the free stuff.

In my case, I actually did what I was supposed to do: I listened to a couple tracks, bought an album I liked and didn't know existed (through Amazon, though: they were sold out on the Gomez website) and have just told all of you that you should buy stuff from them. I'm also probably going to buy one of the FLAC live recordings in the near future.

I didn't, however, get to see them when they were playing a gig out here last week. Hey, it was a work night. I'm old.

[Gandalfe]

There sure are a lot of very good sax players in Seattle. Check out this video on YouTube of the Seattle Sax Choir with Brockman, Easton, and Woltz to name but a few:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lUvV3PC3o8

[Gandalfe]

Jumpin' Gemini (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr6vJBCmR7M) performed by a local Seattle group.

[CHasR]

as a bagpiper, the only thing that gets me through St Patrick's season anymore; is heavy doses of Wagner. bring dem Valkyries on!

[dubrosa22]

David Krakauer - Live in Krakow (Label Bleu Records)

Great performances of modern and traditional klezmer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNdaMbUyJAw

[pete]

The National Saxophone Choir plays Bohemian Rapsodie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66YCUAQ-FEI&feature=related).

I didn't count. I think there are over a dozen saxophone, ranging from Bb sopranissimo (i.e. the Soprillo) to Eb contrabass.

[jbtsax]

One of the music world's best kept secrets is a fantastic tenor player who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah named David Halliday. I had the opportunity to hear him live at a Jazz Brunch sponsored by Equality Utah a few weeks ago and was blown away by the virtuosity and creativity of his playing.

You can hear him playing "I Love Paris" at this link: http://www.myspace.com/davidhalliday

[pete]

And now, something a little different.

I've mentioned a few times that I rather enjoy anime -- that's essentially a catch-all term for "Japanese animation." Anyhow, one of the more famous anime shows ever made is called "Cowboy Bebop," directed by Shinichiro Watanabe. (More than a few episodes now reside on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cowboy+bebop&oq=cowboy+bebop).) As the name suggests, there's an awful lot of bebop, jazz and a few other styles of music that are mixed into that show, most of which are composed and performed by the legendary (really) Yoko Kanno. (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=yoko+kanno+and+the+seatbelts) I've mentioned her music many times on this forum, as I think some of her stuff is fantastic. Hey, the both the series and soundtrack are considered in the top 20 of all time. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy_Bebop)

Anyhow, both Shinichiro Watanabe and Yoko Kanno have teamed up to work on a new show that came out ... this week. It's called Sakamichi no Apollon, which is generally being translated as "Kids on the Slope." (http://www.noitamina-apollon.com/index_en.html) General blurbage:

The beginning of summer, 1966.

Because of his father’s job situation, freshman high school student Kaoru Nishimi moves by himself from Yokosuka to Kyushu to live with relatives. Until then, Kaoru was an honor roll student who tended to keep to himself, but meeting notorious bad boy Sentaro Kawabuchi starts to change him. Through his devil-may-care classmate, Kaoru learns the attractions of jazz and finds the first person he can call a “friend”. He also discovers how much fun it is to play music with a pal.

The first episode has a few snippets of jazz here and there -- and some Debussy -- but I predict that there are going to be several albums that are going to come out of this series. Hey, the first episode is entitled "Moanin'," which is from an Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers album (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKXsnDvILmI).

I happen to be a subscriber to Crunchyroll (http://www.crunchyroll.com/), which is a (legal) anime simulcast service. They're carrying the series (http://www.crunchyroll.com/kids-on-the-slope). They have a 14-day free trial, if you want to check the show out. The series is subtitled in English.

[CHasR]

today?
DisCanto !

www.DisCanto.net

[pete]

The 15 minute video of Andrew Bird's March 15, 2012 concert and 75 minutes of audio (http://www.npr.org/event/music/148530166/andrew-bird-live-in-concert-sxsw-2012), recorded by NPR (National Public Radio). Much recommended.