Paul McCartney: "McCartney" (1970/2011 re-issue) CD Review

In 1970 when the Beatles were breaking up and Let It Be was about to be released, Paul McCartney released his first solo album, titled simply McCartney. And this is really a solo album. He plays all the instruments and does the vocals. Linda provides harmonies. And that's it.

McCartney has always been one of my favorite Paul McCartney albums - maybe my favorite, though there are times when I can't get enough of Band On The Run. Sure, the first song is a throwaway tune - a little love song to his wife - but it's sweet and it's over in less than a minute. And almost everything that follows is excellent.

This special edition of the album contains a second disc of bonus material, including two versions of "Maybe I'm Amazed." This is the second release in the the Paul McCartney Archive Collection (the first being last year's issue of Band On The Run).

"That Would Be Something"

"That Would Be Something" is such a damn cool song, one of the best from this album (and really, one of the best in McCartney's post-Beatles career). The lyrics are just, "That would be something/That really would be something/That would be something/To meet you in the falling rain, momma/Meet you in the falling rain." Simple, but effective.

The Grateful Dead covered this one a few times toward the end of their career. (I was lucky enough to be present at the concert when they first played it; that show was later released as Dick's Picks Volume Seventeen.)

"Every Night"

"Every Night" would have fit in with the Beatles later material. You could easily imagine this on the White Album or Abbey Road. It's a sweet love song with lines like, "Every morning brings a new day/And every night that day is through/But tonight I just want to stay in/And be with you... and be with you." A live version of this song from 1979 is included on the second disc.

"Junk"

"Junk" is another tune that sounds like it would fit perfectly on the White Album. And in fact it was recorded in 1968 for inclusion on that album. It didn't make the cut (though that album is a double LP). However, later that version was included on Anthology 3. This song is really pretty. Here is a bit of the lyrics: "'Buy, buy,' says the sign in the shop window/Why, why? says the junk in the yard."

"Singalong Junk" is an instrumental version of "Junk." The "Singalong" in the title implies that the listener should sing to the track. Does that make this an early karaoke track?

"Momma Miss America"

"Momma Miss America" is one of my favorite tunes from this album. It's a fantastic instrumental with a catchy groove. I'm surprised that Quentin Tarantino hasn't used this one in a film yet. Seriously, I think he'd be beside himself with excitement listening to this track. I've actually spent hours listening to this one over and over, back when it was originally released on CD. Hours well spent, honestly.

"Teddy Boy"

"Teddy Boy" is another song that was recorded for possible inclusion on a Beatles album - this one for Let It Be. It was later included on Anthology 3. The chorus is "Momma don't worry now/Teddy Boy's here/Taking good care of you/Momma don't worry your Teddy Boy's here/Teddy's gonna see you through."

"Maybe I'm Amazed"

I've always preferred this version of "Maybe I'm Amazed" to the full-band version released in 1976 on Wings Over America and in 1977 as a single. It's less polished. It has this great raw power and energy, particularly in his vocals. "Maybe I'm Amazed" is a fantastic song, one of the best Paul McCartney ever wrote. It starts, "Baby I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time/And maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you." Perfect. The most famous song from this release, "Maybe I'm Amazed" became a staple of McCartney's live performances. This original version fades out at the end.

Two other versions of "Maybe I'm Amazed" are included on the second disc. The first is from One Hand Clapping (a 1974 film directed by David Litchfield), with Paul on keyboard. The second is a concert performance from 1979. In the live version, Paul's voice sounds a bit strained and tired (almost like Rod Stewart at moments), but that element actually really works for this song.

"Kreen-Akrore"

The album concludes with "Kreen-Akrore." I always forget about this song. This meandering track (in which Paul seems to be learning how to play drums) never did anything for me, and is my least favorite from this album. It's an instrumental, sort of - there are vocals, but no lyrics.

(By the way, Kreen-Akrore was the name for an indigenous people in Amazon. They're now called the Panara.)

Second Disc

The second disc contains just over twenty-five minutes of music, and so it could have actually fit onto the first disc. But I'm glad they separated these bonus tracks from the originally released album.

The first song is a strange little number titled "Suicide." This song fades in, and features Paul on vocals and piano. It definitely has a strong sense of him goofing around, trying to feel his way through the song. It's a treat to listen to what seems essentially to be a rehearsal.

There are three songs from a concert in Glasgow from 1979: "Every Night," "Hot As Sun" and "Maybe I'm Amazed." "Hot As Sun" is a fun instrumental. On the original album it is paired with another instrumental track titled "Glasses." The live version features a horn section that is wonderful.

"Don't Cry Baby" is basically an instrumental version of "Oo You." At the beginning, Paul is telling a crying baby: "Don't cry, little baby/Don't cry/Daddy's going to play you a lullabye." He then counts off, and the song goes into the instrumental. And in some ways I actually prefer this instrumental version. It's seriously cool.

The final track is a demo of "Women Kind," which has Paul on vocals and piano. This song has almost a cabaret feel. The lyrics begin, "Women kind/They have a terrible time/From the age of ten/They're chased by men/Oh, what a crime." It even includes references to bra-burning. Paul does a silly voice partway through the tune, which is amusing. But this is certainly not among his best material. And he even makes fart noises at the end.

CD Track List

Disc 1

1. The Lovely Linda
2. That Would Be Something
3. Valentine Day
4. Every Night
5. Hot As Sun/Glasses
6. Junk
7. Man We Was Lonely
8. Oo You
9. Momma Miss America
10. Teddy Boy
11. Singalong Junk
12. Maybe I'm Amazed
13. Kreen-Akrore
    

Disc 2

1. Suicide (Out-take)
2. Maybe I'm Amazed (from One Hand Clapping)
3. Every Night (Live At Glasgow, 1979)
4. Hot As Sun (Live At Glasgow, 1979)
5. Maybe I'm Amazed (Live At Glasgow, 1979)
6. Don't Cry Baby (Out-take)
7. Women Kind (Demo)
   

The booklet includes lots of great photos and the lyrics to the songs from the first disc, but for this Archive Collection release I was hoping for some extensive liner notes, and there are none. For example, I would have loved some information about the bonus tracks.

This special two-disc edition of McCartney was released on June 14, 2011. There is also a three-disc edition available, the third disc being a DVD which includes some concert footage and two songs from MTV Unplugged. That version also includes a 128-page book, which has the information I sought in the booklet for the two-disc version. The two-disc version is also available on vinyl.

Released on that same day is the Paul McCartney Archive Collection edition of McCartney II. Released last year in this series was Band On The Run. Future planned releases include Ram, Wings At The Speed Of Sound, Wings Over America, and Venus And Mars. I'm really looking forward to all of those. I'm one of those people who would like to own every song that every member of The Beatles ever recorded. And I know I'm not alone in this.

Tony Bennett: "The Best Of The Improv Recordings" (2011) CD Review

Tony Bennett has a great voice, and a great sense of romance. Those elements have kept fans coming back to his music for decades.

Improv is the name of the label that Tony Bennett and Bill Hassett created in the 1970s. This was after Columbia had treated Bennett poorly. Bennett had been eager to leave that label for years. But he finished out his contract with Columbia and then set about creating Improv. The problem with creating an independent label is distribution. Columbia wanted to act as distributor for Improv, but Hassett turned the label down. Improv lasted only a couple of years, but during that short time Tony Bennett made some of the best recordings of his career. This disc contains sixteen of those tracks.

Nearly half of the tracks are Rodgers and Hart songs. Tony Bennett put out two entire albums of such tunes: Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs (1973) and Tony Bennett Sings...More Great Rodgers & Hart (1973).

"This Can't Be Love"

The album opens with a Rodgers and Hart tune, "This Can't Be Love," which was originally written for The Boys From Syracuse (which was based on William Shakespeare's The Comedy Of Errors). And it's a great tune. It's easy to see why Tony Bennett recorded two entire albums of this material. And it's the band that really makes these tracks wonderful, particularly Ruby Braff on cornet on this tune. They have a great jazzy groove going on in this rendition. The band is Ruby Braff on cornet, George Barnes on guitar, Wayne Wright on guitar and John Giuffrida on bass.

Here is a taste of the lyrics: "This can't be love/I get no dizzy spell/My head is not in the sky."

"Isn't It Romantic?"

"Isn't It Romantic?" - another song written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart - features some great work on guitar, and a nice rhythm provided by John Giuffrida on bass. This song was introduced in the 1932 film Love Me Tonight. This beautiful version by Tony Bennett is from Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

"Blue Moon"

Okay, I have to admit I had no idea that Rodgers and Hart had written "Blue Moon." Nor did I know that the song was written in 1934. How many covers have you heard of this song over the years? Everyone from Sha Na Na to the Cowboy Junkies have recorded it. From Elvis Presley to Mel Torme.

Tony Bennett's version is seriously cool, and it has the first verse, which is often left out. In case you haven't heard it, here it is: "Once upon a time before I took up smiling I hated the moonlight/Shadows of the night that poets find beguiling seemed flat as the noon light/With no one to stay up for I went to sleep at ten/Life was a bitter cup for the saddest of all men."

"Thou Swell"

"Thou Swell" is a fun tune written by Rodgers and Hart. This one is from Tony Bennett Sings...More Great Rodgers & Hart, which features the same band as on the first record of Rodgers and Hart tunes. That is, Tony Bennett on vocals, Ruby Braff on cornet, George Barnes on guitar, Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Giuffrida on bass.

"You Don't Know What Love Is"

"You Don't Know What Love Is" is a bluesy number that features Bill Evans on piano. It's from an album titled Together Again, which was released in 1977. Four tracks from that record are included on this release.

Bill Evans has a really nice solo on "You Must Believe In Spring." And for those who can't get enough of Bill Evans, two other CDs were re-issued through Concord Music Group last month: Bill Evans Trio: Explorations and Cannonball Adderly With Bill Evans: Know What I Mean? (both of which have several bonus tracks).

"The Lady Is A Tramp"

"The Lady Is A Tramp" is a cool tune written by Rodgers and Hart, and driven by John Guiffrida's wonderful bass line. Tony Bennett has fun with this one. And there is some excellent work by Ruby Braff on cornet and George Barnes on guitar.

For those who might never have heard a version of this song (is there anyone who hasn't?), here is a bit of the lyrics: "She likes the theatre, but never comes late/She never bothers with people she hates/That's why the lady is a tramp."

"As Time Goes By"

"As Time Goes By" is one of the greatest songs ever written. I never get tired of this one. It's been covered by many artists over the years including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and Willie Nelson. It was famously used in what is possibly the best film ever made, Casablanca. There was even an excellent British television program named after this song - starring the amazing pair of Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer.

Tony Bennett's version is perfect, just perfect. This is from his 1975 release Life Is Beautiful. His band on this one was Torrie Zito on piano, John Giuffrida on bass and Chuck Higgins on drums. The orchestra was arranged and conducted by Torrie Zito.

And for the one person on the planet who isn't already familiar (and in love) with this song, here are some of the most famous lyrics ever penned: "You must remember this/A kiss is still a kiss/A sigh is just a sigh/The fundamental things apply/As time goes by." "As Time Goes By" was written by Herman Hupfeld.

Live Tracks

This collection concludes with two live tracks from Tony Bennett/The McPartlands And Friends Make Magnificent Music (1977). The first is "While We're Young," a song written by Alec Wilder, Bill Engvick and Morty Palitz. Marian McPartland plays piano on this track.

The second is very short but energetic rendition of "I Left My Heat In San Francisco" written by George Cory and Douglass Cross. This is a song that Tony Bennett has performed often in concert, and he really belts it out in this version. The band for this track is Tony Bennett on vocals, Marian McPartland on piano, Jimmy McPartland on cornet, Vic Dickenson on trombone, Spider Martin on saxophone, Buddy Tate on saxophone, Herb Hall on clarinet, Charlie Byrd on guitar, Brian Torff on bass and George Reed on drums.

CD Track List

1. This Can't Be Love
2. Make Someone Happy
3. Isn't It Romantic?
4. Life Is Beautiful
5. Blue Moon
6. Thou Swell
7. You Don't Know What Love Is
8. My Romance
9. The Lady Is A Tramp
10. You Must Believe In Spring
11. Reflections
12. I Could Write A Book
13. Maybe September
14. As Time Goes By
15. While We're Young
16. I Left My Heart In San Francisco
    

The Best Of The Improv Recordings is scheduled to be released July 12, 2011 through Concord Music Group. All of the tracks on this album are also available on a 4-CD box set titled The Complete Improv Recordings.

Thelonious Monk: "Thelonious Alone In San Francisco" (1959/2011 re-issue) CD Review

Recorded in October of 1959, Thelonious Alone In San Francisco was Thelonious Monk's second solo album (his first being Thelonious Himself, from 1957). There is something almost casual about these recordings. It's like he's playing in your parlor, maybe taking a few requests, or perhaps just playing whatever occurs to him. There is nothing ostentatious or showy about his playing. He's not trying to prove anything here. After all, by this point it was already acknowledged that he was an excellent musician. Having performed with The Coleman Hawkins Quartet and Miles Davis, and having released approximately a dozen albums of his own, Thelonious was already well known.

And though Thelonious Monk has played with some incredible musicians, you won't miss any of them when listening to this recording. This album feels intimate in a way that a lot of jazz doesn't. If you're not already familiar with Monk's music, this is a wonderful way to get to know this amazing musician's material. And if you are familiar with his work, you're going to really enjoy the renditions included here. Several of these tracks are definitely on the mellower side, adding to this album's intimate feel. This special re-issue includes a bonus track - an alternate take of "There's Danger In Your Eyes, Cherie."

"Blue Monk"

This album starts off with "Blue Monk," one of his coolest, most well known compositions. It was included on Monk's 1954 release Thelonious Monk Trio. Live versions were included on his 1958 record Thelonious In Action and on Thelonious Monk Quartet With John Coltrane At Carnegie Hall (2005). Another version was also included as a bonus track on The Thelonious Monk Orchestra At Town Hall (1959). From the very first notes, this song will be familiar to even the most casual of jazz fans.

"Ruby, My Dear"

"Ruby, My Dear" is one of Monk's prettiest tunes. A version of "Ruby, My Dear" was included on Monk's Music (1957), which was re-issued earlier this year through Concord Music Group. (That version features Coleman Hawkins on tenor saxophone.) It was also included on Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane (1957). The version included on Alone In San Francisco has a more immediate feel, and even a brighter tone at times.

Covers

Thelonious Monk includes four cover songs on Thelonious Alone In San Francisco.

The first is "Everything Happens To Me," a wonderful tune written by Matt Dennis and Tom Adair. A song Thelonious Monk played often in concert, and one he clearly has love for, this version is simultaneously beautiful and playful. It was also included on his 1965 release Solo Monk. The first recorded version of this song was by The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. It's also been covered by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole, among others.

Other covers on this release include "You Took The Words Right Out Of My Heart," written by Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger, and "Remember," written by Irving Berlin. "Remember" has also been covered by Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

"There's Danger In Your Eyes, Cherie" was written by Jack Meskell, Pete Wendling and Harry Richman. An alternate take of this song is included as a bonus track.

"Bluehawk"

"Bluehawk" is a catchy, fun number. The joy in his playing is contagious. And maybe that is partly because this song was new at the time of this recording, and he had a lot of exploring still to do within its framework. This is the first album to feature this song.

"Reflections"

The original album concluded with "Reflections," a song that was included on Sonny Rollins' 1957 record, Sonny Rollins, Vol. 2 (Thelonious Monk plays on that record, which includes a second Monk composition - "Misterioso"). This is another of his most beloved compositions, and the version here is a pure delight to listen to. There are moments on this track when Thelonious seems ready to burst into a higher energy realm, like he's ready for the band to rejoin him.

CD Track List

1. Blue Monk
2. Ruby, My Dear
3. Round Lights
4. Everything Happens To Me
5. You Took The Words Right Out Of My Heart
6. Bluehawk
7. Pannonica
8. Remember
9. There's Danger In Your Eyes, Cherie (Take 2)
10. Reflections
11. There's Danger In Your Eyes, Cherie (Take 1)

Thelonious Alone In San Francisco was released on June 14, 2011 through Concord Music Group as part of their Original Jazz Classics Remasters Series. Five other CDs in that series were also released on that date: Chet Baker: In New York, Ornette Coleman: Something Else!!!!, Cannonball Adderly with Bill Evans: Know What I Mean?, Bill Evans Trio: Explorations, and Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass: Easy Living.

Thelonious Monk died in 1982.

The Greencards At The Mint 7-5-11 Concert Review

Last night The Greencards became one of my favorite bands. I reviewed their most recent CD, The Brick Album, and really enjoyed it, so I had fairly high expectations going in. But their live show blew me away. Seriously, check out the rest of their tour schedule, and if they're coming to your area, make sure you see them. Cancel weddings, funerals, whatever else you might have going on, and go see them. This goes doubly for folks who are fans of bands like Yonder Mountain String Band - you guys will love The Greencards.

There was an extended soundcheck due to some issues with the mandolin. Clearly these guys wanted to get everything sounding just exactly right. Still, they started their set at 9:46 p.m. (the venue's web site listed their start time as 10:00 p.m.). They kicked off their set with a great energetic version of "Rivertown" from their 2009 release, Fascination. From there, they went into "Faded," a wonderful tune from The Brick Album (2011). "Faded" led directly into "Spicy Dry Noodles," an instrumental tune featuring guitarist Carl Miner.

In addition to being phenomenal musicians, these guys have a great rapport with their audience. In introducing "Make It Out West," Kym talked about Sam Bush's guest appearance on the album's version - New Grass Revival admittedly being a big influence on this band. "Make It Out West" was also inspired by Ron Blair, a member of Tom Petty's band who was a bikini store owner for a while before rejoining the Heartbreakers. It's the opening track of their newest album. They followed that with what is becoming my favorite track from that CD, "Girl In The Telescope." I love Carol's vocals on that one.

During "Weather And Water," the sound problem they'd hoped they'd fixed during the soundcheck re-occurred, the mandolin popping. But that was really the only sound issue during the entire set.

"Roll On Buddy, Roll On" was one of the few covers of the night. The Greencards' version included a cool jam. After that, they talked about The Brick Album, explaining how it was funded by fans who bought "bricks" bearing their names. Kym joked about how the band is really its own boss, and so they had had a meeting with themselves, and had asked themselves for a raise, but told themselves they really can't afford that right now.

Toward the end of the set, Tyler and Carl left the stage, and Kym and Carol did a seriously sweet cover of Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me." The audience sang along, and it was a wonderful moment. Then Kym and Carol stepped off stage, and Tyler and Carl did an instrumental tune titled "Scuttle Buttin'" a Stevie Ray Vaughan song. This song contained a "Day Tripper" tease.

The set ended with an incredible rendition of "You Pulled Me Out" from their 2003 release Movin' On. There was a really nice long extended jam in the middle of the song with each band member taking a turn at lead. This jam included "Ghostbusters" and "Billie Jean" teases.

The encores were "River Of Sand" (from 2007's Viridian) and a fun instrumental titled "Marty's Kitchen." The show ended at 11:30 p.m.

Set List

1. Rivertown
2. Faded >
   
3. Spicy Dry Noodles
   
4. Make It Out West
5. Girl In The Telescope
6. Weather And Water
7. Tale Of Kangario
8. Fascination
9. mandolin solo >
   
10. Roll On Buddy, Roll On
    
11. The Avenue
12. What You Are
13. Chinquapin Hunting
    
14. I Want You To Want Me
15. Scuttle Buttin'
    
16. You Pulled Me Out
    

Encore:

1. River Of Sand
2. Marty's Kitchen
   

The Greencards are Kym Warner on mandolin and vocals, Carol Young on bass and vocals, Carl Miner on guitar and backing vocals, and Tyler Andal on fiddle and backing vocals.

The Mint is a nice venue, but they definitely need more light on stage. Basically Kym was the only band member who was well lit the entire show. The others had to step to the very front of the stage (or step over to Kym) to be in the light. (Of the photos I've included in this review, only one wasn't with the flash. Guess which one.)

One thing that impressed me about The Mint was the fact that the show started on time. Acually, the first opener - Sierra Lynn Danger - went on two minutes before her scheduled 8 p.m. start. I really dug her set. She's part Ani Difranco, part Liz Phair, part Wavy Gravy. In her animal print leggings, Alice Cooper t-shirt, and nose ring, she leads you to expect a defiantly confident performer. But surprisingly she seemed emotionally on the edge. With a quaver in her voice, she seemed about to burst into tears or laugh maniacally at any moment. And partly because of that I was completely caught up in her set. I couldn't take my eyes off her. Besides that, she created intriguing song structures. There wasn't a single verse-chorus-verse-chorus song.

The second opener, Alice Wallace, was also really good. She had a full band, and labeled her music "folky bluesy country." She played a song about Los Angeles called "Strange Town," which certainly everyone in the crowd could relate to. The most fun song of her set was "Tell Me Something," though "Baby I Do" was also very cool. She ended her set with a yodeling song.

The Mint has several tables, and if you want to be seated, you need to order food or at least two drinks. It's totally worth it - the drinks are not over-priced, and the staff was incredibly friendly. For those who don't want to eat, there are stools at the bar in the back. Of course, this band made me want to dance, and there really isn't a dance floor at this venue. There is also some really interesting artwork on the walls. (And there is a record store next door that is open until 2 a.m.)

The Mint is located at 6010 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.

Chick Corea: "The Definitive Chick Corea On Stretch And Concord" (2011) CD Review

There is really no one else in the music world quite like Chick Corea. And listening to this wonderful collection of his work gives you a clear picture of his range, his intelligence, his innovations.

Chick Corea first got attention playing with Miles Davis in the late 1960s, and can be heard on such albums as In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew. But he very quickly became a band leader. He released albums on Blue Note, ECM and Polydor in the 1970s.

The Definitive Chick Corea On Stretch And Concord focuses on his output from 1980 to the present. This collection features mostly original material, but also some interesting covers. There is one previously unreleased track.

There are quite a number of live tracks in this collection, which is wonderful because sometimes poeple think of the precision of studio recordings with relation to his material and gloss over the passion in his playing. The live tracks really show what he can accomplish - combining a stellar technique with unbridled enthusiasm.

He also surrounds himself with some of the most talented and spirited musicians on the planet, including Joe Henderson, Dave Weckl, Bela Fleck, who are featured in this collection.

"Tap Step"

The first disc opens with "Tap Step," a fun, odd little number with a good groove. Jazz meets electronica in this 1980 tune, and then it goes into a wild jamming section. Some of the current electronic jam bands seem to have taken part (or all) of their inspiration from this very tune.

"Quartet No. 1"

"Quartet No. 1" is such a great track. It begins with a strange, slow rhythm by Steve Gadd on drums - a groove that quickly becomes wilder as the track goes on - and some insane playing by Michael Brecker on saxophone. Beautiful chaos. And then there's a break, and suddenly we're into this pretty piano interlude. It's over that that Eddie Gomez has his best moments on bass. "Quartet No. 1" is from Chick Corea's 1981 release Three Quartets.

"Folk Song" is the collection's first live track. It's from 1981's Live In Montreux, and it features great work by Joe Henderson on saxophone and Roy Haynes on drums.

"Duende" is a pretty and moving song that feels like the score for a really good dramatic film - something with an air of mystery.

The CD then suddenly jumps from 1982 to 1997 (Though Chick Corea did release a significant number of recordings during the intervening years, those records were on other labels.) Tracks 5, 6, 7 are from three different albums all released in 1997.

"Armando's Rhumba"

"Armando's Rhumba" is one of Chick Corea's most famous songs, and with good reason. This version is a wonderful duet - Chick on piano, Gary Burton on vibraphone. No other musicians appear on this track. This song was named after Chick's father. It has a great spirit, but also a genuine warmth.

"Spain"

The first disc includes a live solo version of "Spain," another of Chick Corea's most famous compositions. This is all Chick here - just him on piano. And so Chick pours his heart into it, and the results are wonderful.

"Spain" was originally included on Chick Corea's 1972 release Light As A Feather. The version included here was originally released on Solo Piano: Originals - Part 1 (1999).

"It Could Happen To You"

The only cover on the first disc is "It Could Happen To You," written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. This version is from Chick Corea's 1999 release Solo Piano: Standards - Part 2. Chick Corea does some really interesting things with this song, making this probably the most intriguing version I've ever heard, particularly in terms of pace and rhythm. He gives the song new voice.

Miles Davis included a version of this song on his Relaxin' With The Miles Davis Quintet.

"Fingerprints"

The first disc ends with "Fingerprints," an incredible song that moves and pulses with great energy and vivacity. There is amazing work on bass by Avishai Cohen. some very impressive stuff by Jeff Ballard on drums too. It's astounding that there are only three musicians on this track. This is one of my favorite tracks.

"Blue Monk"

Most of the second disc is live material. The opening track is a live version of Thelonious Monk's "Blue Monk." An odd duet, this version is Chick Chorea on piano and Bobby McFerrin on vocals, McFerrin doing some ridiculous scat-type stuff. Partway through he says, "This is important. This is important stuff," getting a laugh from the audience.

This was recorded at Chick Corea's 60th birthday celebration in 2001 and was included on Rendezvous In New York (2003).

(As a side note, a version of "Blue Monk" can be heard on Thelonious Monk's Thelonious Alone In San Francisco, which was re-issued on June 14, 2011.)

"Bessie's Blues"

From that same recording comes a great cover of John Coltrane's "Bessie's Blues." This track features the incomparable Dave Weckl on drums. (He's been one of my favorite drummers since I saw him at the 1987 Modern Drummer Festival.)

Weckl also plays drums on "Johnny's Landing" (from 2004's To The Stars) - a very different type of song with a seriously fantastic groove.

"Fool On The Hill"

Chick Corea does an interesting take on the Beatles song "Fool On The Hill." This is a live track, a piano duet with Chick Corea and Hiromi. It's not until a minute in that the song begins to sound familiar. But that first minute is amazing, and they return to that section later.

"The Fool On The Hill" was originally included on The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour (1967). Chick Corea's version is from his 2009 release, Duet.

"Senorita"

"Senorita" features Bela Fleck on banjo. Who would think to pair Chick Corea with Bela Fleck? But it totally works. This is one of the CD's best tracks. It's from Chick Corea's 2007 release, The Enchantment.

"La Fiesta"

This collection concludes with a previously unreleased track - an excellent live version of "La Fiesta." This was recorded during Chick Corea's 2009/2010 tour, and features Stanley Clarke on bass and Lenny White on drums.

CD Track List

Disc 1

1. Tap Step
2. Quartet No. 1
3. Folk Song
4. Duende
5. Windows
6. Armando's Rhumba
7. Bud Powell
8. Dreamless
9. Wigwam
10. Spain
11. It Could Happen To You
12. Fingerprints
    

Disc 2

1. Blue Monk
2. Bessie's Blues
3. Johnny's Landing
4. North Africa
5. Fool On The Hill
6. Senorita
7. Crystal Silence
8. The Disguise
9. La Fiesta
   

Musicians

Musicians who appear on this recording include Chick Corea on piano, keyboard, synthesizer and marimba; Hiromi on piano; Gary Burton on vibraphone; Al Vizzutti on trumpet; Wallace Roney on trumpet; Joe Henderson on saxophone; Eric Marienthal on saxophone; Joe Farrell on tenor saxophone; Michael Brecker on tenor saxophone; Lee Konitz on alto saxophone; Kenny Garrett on alto saxophone; Steve Wilson on soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, flute, clarinet; Steve Davis on trombone; Bunny Brunel on fretless bass; Eddie Gomez on bass; Gary Peacock on bass; Bob Magnusson on bass; Dave Holland on bass; Christian McBride on bass and acoustic bass; John Patitucci on bass; Carles Benavent on bass; Stanley Clarke on bass; Avishai Cohen on acoustic bass; Pat Metheny on guitar; Frank Gambale on guitar; John McLaughlin on guitar; Tom Brechtlein on drums; Steve Gadd on drums; Roy Haynes on drums; Adam Cruz on drums; Jeff Ballard on drums; Dave Weckl on drums; Vinnie Colaiuta on drums; Lenny White on drums; Pernell Saturnino on percussion; Airto Moreira on shaker and bell; Rubem Dantas on pandero; Carol Shive on violin; Greg Gottlieb on cello; Bob Sheppard on bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, flute; Jorge Pardo on flute; Bela Fleck on banjo; Bobby McFerrin on vocals;

The Definitive Chick Corea On Stetch And Concord was released on June 7, 2011 through Concord Music Group.

July 2011 Concert Calendar

Here is a list of concerts by bands that I've reviewed (and some bands that i haven't yet written about, but really like). If you can, try to check out at least a few of these shows. I will be adding listings throughout the month, so please check back again later.

July 1, 2011 (Friday)
7 Walkers - Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz, CA
Anita And The Yanks - Novel Cafe, Pasadena, CA
David Bromberg Quartet - Westcott Theater, 524 Westcott St, Syracuse, NY
Cake - Terra Vibe Park, Rockwave Festival, Athens, Greece
Dropkick Murphys - Fox Theater, Pomona, CA
The Evangenitals - Villains Tavern, 1356 Palmetto Street, Los Angeles, CA - 10:00 p.m.
Free show
Glengarry Bhoys - Kincardine Scottish Games, Kincardine, ONT
The Monkees - Minneapolis, MN
Yonder Mountain String Band - High Sierra Music Festival, Quincy, CA,

July 2, 2011 (Saturday)
7 Walkers - Marin County Fair, San Rafael, CA
David Bromberg Quartet - Great Blue Heron Festival, Wait Corners Rd., Sherman, NY
Glengarry Bhoys - Kincardine Scottish Games, Kincardine, ONT
The Greencards - Harold's Corral, Cave Creek, AZ - 8:00 p.m.
Diana Jones - New Bedford Summerfest, New Bedford, MA
The Monkees - Minneapolis, MN
Ellis Paul - New Bedford Summerfest, New Bedford, MA - 3:45 p.m.
Tickets: $21.00

July 3, 2011 (Sunday)
Bullied By Strings - Memories Bar, 4358 North Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL - 10:45 p.m.
David Bromberg Quartet - Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas St. W , Toronto, Ontario
Cake - Efes One Love Festival, Istanbul, Turkey
Judy Collins - The Stan Rogers Folk Festival, In Canso, NS Canada
Glengarry Bhoys - Kincardine Scottish Games, Kincardine, ONT
Diana Jones - New Bedford Summerfest, New Bedford, MA
Patrolled By Radar - Cinema Bar, Culver City, CA - 8:00 p.m.
Ellis Paul - New Bedford Summerfest, New Bedford, MA - 4:45 p.m.
Tickets: $21.00
Yonder Mountain String Band - The Family Reunion Festival, Harmony Park, Geneva, MN

July 4, 2011 (Monday)
Black Party Politics - Belmont Pier, Long Beach CA

July 5, 2011 (Tuesday)
7 Walkers - Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA
Cake - Zurich, Switzerland
The Greencards - The Mint, Los Angeles, CA - 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10.00/$12 day of show
The Monkees - Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO

July 6, 2011 (Wednesday)
7 Walkers - Harlow's, Sacramento, CA
Black Party Politics - Club Moscow, Hollywood CA
Cake - Magnolia, Milan, Italy
The Greencards - Anthology,San Diego, CA - 7:30 p.m.
Yonder Mountain String Band - Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Bayfield, WI

July 7, 2011 (Thursday)
7 Walkers - Humboldt Brews, Arcata, CA
Marshall Chapman - Zoom, Park City, UT - 6:00 p.m.
Yonder Mountain String Band - Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI

July 8, 2011 (Friday)
Cake - Essigfabrik, Cologne, Germany
Marshall Chapman - Eccles Theater, Sundance, UT - 8:00 p.m.
Gaelic Storm - Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI
The Greencards - Freight and Salvage, Berkeley, CA - 8:00 p.m.
The Monkees - Pantages Theater, Tacoma, WA
Ellis Paul - Club Passim, Cambridge, MA - 7:00 p.m.
Special Fan Request show; Tickets: $30.00
Ellis Paul - Club Passim, Cambridge, MA - 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30.00
Yonder Mountain String Band - Simon Estes Amphitheater, Des Moines, IA

July 9, 2011 (Saturday)
Cake - Les Ardentes Festival, Liege, Belguim
Gaelic Storm - Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside, OH
The Greencards - Sedge Thomson's West Coast Live, San Francisco, CA - 10:00 a.m.
The Greencards - Harlow's Night Club, Sacramento, CA - 7:00 p.m.
Diana Jones - Rosendale Cafe, Rosendale, NY
Kelly's Lot - Cold Spring Tavern, 5995 Stagecoach Rd Santa Barbara, CA
The Monkees - Sleep Country Amphitheater, Ridgefield, WA
Ellis Paul - Club Passim, Cambridge, MA - 3:30 p.m.
Family Show; Tickets: $10.00
Ellis Paul - Club Passim, Cambridge, MA - 7:00 p.m.
Special Fan Request show; Tickets: $30.00
Ellis Paul - Club Passim, Cambridge, MA - 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30.00
Yonder Mountain String Band - DMB Caravan Chicago, Chicago, IL

July 10, 2011 (Sunday)
7 Walkers - Oregon Country Fair, Eugene, OR
Anita And The Yanks - Muldoons, Newport Beach, CA
Susan Cowsill - Norman, OK
Gaelic Storm - Irish American Heritage Center, Chicago, IL
I See Hawks In L.A. - Peter Strauss Ranch, Topanga, CA - 3:00 p.m.
I See Hawks In L.A. - Echoplex, Los Angeles, CA - 7:00 p.m.
The Monkees - The Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA
Ellis Paul - Club Passim, Cambridge, MA - 11:00 a.m.
Special songwriting workshop; Tickets: $45.00
Yonder Mountain String Band - Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, MI

July 11, 2011 (Monday)
Susan Cowsill - Blue Door, Oklahoma City, OK
The Greencards - Don Quixote's, Felton, CA

July 12, 2011 (Tuesday)
Yonder Mountain String Band - Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY

July 13, 2011 (Wednesday)
Diana Jones - Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY
The Monkees - Majestic Fox Theater, Bakersfield, CA
Patrolled By Radar - Beta TV (NBC online), Hollywood, CA - 1:00 p.m.
Widespread Panic - The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA
Yonder Mountain String Band - Saranac Brewery, Utica, NY

July 14, 2011 (Thursday)
The Monkees - Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, CA
Ellis Paul - Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, Okemah, OK - 8:30 p.m.
Widespread Panic - The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA
Yonder Mountain String Band - Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe, PA

July 15, 2011 (Friday)
Anita And The Yanks - Paddy O's, Torrance, CA
David Bromberg Quartet - Great South Bay Music Festival, Patchogue, NY
Fur Dixon & Steve Werner - McCabe's, 3101 Pico, Santa Monica, CA
Tickets: $15
The Greencards - California Worldfest, Grass Valley, CA
The Monkees - Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, CA
The Nields - Women & Their Music at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Hartford, CT
Ellis Paul - Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, Okemah, OK - 12:00 p.m.
Family show
Ellis Paul - The Blue Door, Oklahoma City, OK - 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20.00
Yonder Mountain String Band - Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Oak Hill, NY

July 16, 2011 (Saturday)
Black Party Politics - Marina Green, Long Beach CA - afternoon
Black Party Politics - The Bootleg, Los Angeles CA
David Bromberg Quartet - The Stone Pony, 918 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
Gaelic Storm - Cain Park, Cleveland, OH
Diana Jones - Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Vancouver, BC
The Monkees - Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Ellis Paul - Longview Museum Of Fine Arts, Longview, TX - 11:00 a.m.
Family show; Tickets: $10.00
Ellis Paul - Longview Museum Of Fine Arts, Longview, TX - 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25.00
Yonder Mountain String Band - All Good Music Festival, Masontown, WV

July 17, 2011 (Sunday)
Diana Jones - Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Vancouver, BC
Ellis Paul - Black Potato Music Festival, Clinton, NJ - 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $17.00
Martin Sexton - Jonathan Edwards Winery, North Stonington, CT

July 18, 2011 (Monday)

July 19, 2011 (Tuesday)
Kelly's Lot - Big Mama's Ribs,1453 Lake Ave Pasadena, CA

July 20, 2011 (Wednesday)
The Submarines - Stubb's, Austin, TX

July 21, 2011 (Thursday)
Antioquia - The Camel, Richmond, VA - 9:00 p.m.
Black Party Politics - Hard Rock Cafe, Hollywood, CA
Free show
The Monkees - Marcus Amphitheater, Milwaukee, WI
The Submarines - Granada Theatre, Dallas, TX

July 22, 2011 (Friday)
Anita And The Yanks - Novel Cafe, Pasadena, CA
Antioquia - The Juggling Gypsy, Wilmington, NC - 9:00 p.m.
Micky Dolenz - Tanner Park, Copiague, NY
Glengarry Bhoys - Cleveland Irish Festival, Cleveland, OH
I See Hawks In L.A. - Evangeline's, Colfax, CA
The Submarines - Warehouse Live, Houston, TX
Yonder Mountain String Band - Northwest String Summit, North Plains, OR

July 23, 2011 (Saturday)
Antioquia - One Stop, Asheville, NC - 9:00 p.m.
Glengarry Bhoys - Cleveland Irish Festival, Cleveland, OH
Ellis Paul - Turners Hill House Concert, Turners Hill UK - 7:00 p.m.
The Submarines - House Of Blues, New Orleans, LA
Yonder Mountain String Band - Northwest String Summit, North Plains, OR

July 24, 2011 (Sunday)
Glengarry Bhoys - Cleveland Irish Festival, Cleveland, OH
The Greencards - Bartlett Arboretum, Belle Plaine, KS - 4:00 p.m.
Ellis Paul - Twickenham Folk Club, Twickenham Middx. UK - 8:00 p.m.
The Submarines - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
Yonder Mountain String Band - Northwest String Summit, North Plains, OR

July 25, 2011 (Monday)
The Submarines - Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC

July 26, 2011 (Tuesday)
Glengarry Bhoys - Cape Cod Irish Summer Fest, Cape Cod, MA

July 27, 2011 (Wednesday)
The Submarines - 9:30 Club, Washington, DC

July 28, 2011 (Thursday)
Antioquia - FloydFest: Breaking Ground, Willis, VA - 1:00 p.m.
Gaelic Storm - The Vogue, Indianapolis, IN
The Greencards - CHIRP Ballard Park, Ridgefield, CT - 7:00 p.m.
Free show
The Submarines - The Paradise, Boston, MA

July 29, 2011 (Friday)
Antioquia - Floydfest, Floyd, VA - 12:30 p.m.
Gaelic Storm - Dayton Celtic Festival, Dayton, OH
Ellis Paul - Naked Soul, New York, NY - 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25.00
The Submarines - Music Hall Of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY

July 30, 2011 (Saturday)
Black Party Politics - The Boogie Den, Los Angeles, CA
Gaelic Storm - Dayton Celtic Festival, Dayton, OH
Glengarry Bhoys - St. Patrick's Festival, Syracuse, NY
The Greencards - City Winery, New York City, NY - 8:00 p.m.
Ellis Paul - Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI
Tickets: $69.00
The Submarines - Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
Yonder Mountain String Band - FloydFest, Floyd, VA

July 31, 2011 (Sunday)
Gaelic Storm - Dayton Celtic Festival, Dayton, OH
The Greencards - World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA - 8:00 p.m.
The Grownup Noise - The Rock Shop, Brooklyn, NY

July 2011 Update

Howdy, everybody. I figure at the beginning of each month, I'll include a link to the blog that lists all of my articles, arranged by subject, so that they're easy to find. That link is this:

List Of All My Music Articles

It's been my intention with this blog to write about CDs and bands that I like. Sure, there might be an exception now and again. But I have no desire to tear apart some new band that's out there struggling to find a fan base. What I want to do is let people know about new bands they might not have heard of yet, and to remind them of some bands they might have forgotten. And to keep people up-to-date with all the great new releases, as well as concert listings.

Onward...