A friend of mine purchased a Wii not too long ago. He and his wife play Wii Boxing head-to-head. He always wins.

Set I: Chalkdust Torture, Fee, Wolfman's Brother, Guyute, My Sweet One, 46 Days, The Lizards, The Wedge, Strange Design, Tube, First Tube
Set II: Sand, Suzy Greenberg, Limb By Limb, The Horse> Silent in the Morning, Sugar Shack¹, Character Zero, Tweezer
Encore: Joy¹, Bouncing Around the Room, Run Like An Antelope, Tweezer Reprise

I had a real good time. Actually, it was better than that – I had a great time. Was this the best show by The Phish that I’ve seen? No. But this is the most fun I can remember having seeing The Phish, after an individual show, in a long time. Or to put it another way… After the music was over I was left wobbly legged, and alternately grunting and swearing because proper communication – and proper English – were not adequate. Yeah, it was that much fun for me.

And now the gory details.

Set 1   For years I’ve said to people at shows that I would love to see the band fire off a dozen songs, maybe nothing longer than 7 minutes long. You’re in, you’re out, on to the next song. That’s what this first set was like. Everything was fairly tight, nothing really jammed out. Sure, I was a little nit-picky that I didn’t get at least one long song. But it didn’t hit me until after the end of the set that I got what I wanted. Highlights, more for song selection, included “Guyute,” “Lizards,” and “Strange Design.”

Set 2   Where to begin… I really liked the way this started off “Sand” à “SITM.” Sure, the songs were good. But as a DJ, to me, the songs all fit together well. If I were to play a set of The Phish on my show it might go like that. Not that I love those songs, but they have a similar sound. Nice. And just as I got what I always wanted in the first set, Set 2 was how I like my Set 2’s: a good bit of jamming and the occasional short tune to catch your breath. Highlights, more for execution, included “Sand” and “Tweezer.” [And I don’t even like “Tweezer.”] More on those later.

Encore   A 4 song encore, ‘nuff said. Not. I will use another DJing story to better explain myself. When I’m rocking the mic I always try to end my show with a song that I really like. That way, no matter how many times I may have messed up or had dead-air, I will leave with a good taste in my mouth. Not to take anything away from this encore, but they ended on as high a note as you can end. “Antelope” then “Reprise” unfathomable in an Encore. Just nuts.

More nerdy notes   The band really was like a band, and not just Trey wanking. This was especially evident during "Sand" and "Tweezer".  In "Tweezer" after the composed parts were done and it was time to improvise, the band hit a little bit of a riff/groove.  Normally, after a couple of minutes of this riff/groove Trey would take off into the stratosphere and do his thing.  I expected it.  I knew it was going to happen. But it never did.  The band stayed together and Trey pushed a little, but it wasn't like normal. Trey never really took over.  Quite refreshing.  I noticed some of this in Hampton, and was pleasantly surprised to see it again. Maybe the band is playing better as a unit. Maybe Trey finally has ego in check. Maybe the band is not fully comfortable playing together again. Whatever the reason, I really dug it.

Final nerdy notes   Ese understandably bowed out at the last minute, and Herby filled in in the clutch. Always good to hang out with H-Dog. The lot scene was nice. Met some cool new folks. Also met up with the whole Dirty Hippie Clan. I had a phenomenal cheeser – rosemary-garlic-olive oil. Having a seat at Camden for the first time was pretty cool. And the view from the seat was truly impressive and I’m not talking about seeing the band either. Parking and riving to/from the gig was pretty smooth too.

What can I say… I really had a great time.

It has been almost 3 months and I’m done with another stack. Between my own listening and CD reviews, that’s 18 CD’s. And a good variety too: Free Jazz, Jazz-Rock, Avant-Garde Jazz, Post Bop Jazz, Afro-Beat, Hip-Hop, Industrial, Folk, Caribbean, and Spoken-Word/Comedy. All of it is pretty good, and I would recommend all but a few. So, here is what I’ve been listening to for the last few months, with the most recent on top, followed by cd reviews at the end.

Nine Inch Nails – Ghosts I-IV (2 CD)

Michael Orell – (2 song CD)

Jaco Pastorious – Word Of Mouth

Lord Buckely – Jet Ride (courtesy Listener Mike)

Fela Kuti – Red Hot & Riot (courtesy Listener Mike)

Lord Buckely – Bad Rapping of the Marquis de Sade (courtesy Listener Mike)

Lord Buckely – His Royal Hipness (courtesy Listener Mike)

Exuma - II (courtesy Listener Mike)

Exuma - I (courtesy Listener Mike)

Lord Buckely – Raw Wild Truth (courtesy Listener Mike)

Pat Metheney/Ornette Coleman – Song X

Miles Davis – Broadcast Sessions 1958-1959

John Stowell – Solitary Tales (cd review)

Sun Ra – Featuring Pharaoh Sanders & Black Harold (cd review)

Miles Davis – Kind of Blue w/ extra bonus material (cd review)

Isotope – Golden Section (cd review)

Jeff Johnson – Tall Stranger (cd review)

Flow Trio – Rejuvenation (cd review)

John Stowell – Solitary Tales

Sun Ra – Featuring Pharoah Sanders & Black Harold

Great release of a New Year’s Eve concert from 1964 featuring two giants in the world of Avant-Garde Jazz. And in 1964, Sun Ra and Pharoah really were in the Avant-Garde. [If the music sounds “out there” now, imagine how it sounded then.] This album is pretty free all around. There is lots of improvisation, and extended soloing in all varieties - from solo piano, to full-on ensemble blowing, to everything in between. The playing, as expected, is great. Also, many of the songs run into one another. Sun Ra… Pharoah... 1964… How could this not be perfect for WPRB? 

Alright, I’m finishing books again. Good stuff, nothing great. Most importantly… after an extended, self-imposed exile, I am reading about music again. Here is what I’ve been reading since 2009 began

David Walley – No Commercial Potential; The Saga Of Frank Zappa, B+, Very good complete bio of Zappa. The author takes an even-handed look at FZ and it was nice to hear someone being critical. Good stuff. But Zappa is/was such an ass, that by the end of the book I had my fill of the man.

Carson McCullers – The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter, A-, Quality fiction that my old man recommended to me years ago.

Ted Gioia – The History Of Jazz, B+, This book could have been awesome, but it was not to be. Unfortunately, and not surprisingly, there was an immense lack of depth concerning music after 1965. This book was so well written and fascinating. It helped me to look at things in a different perspective. This was certainly one of the best single-volume histories of Jazz.

Miles Davis – Kind of Blue

Isotope (group) – Golden Section (album)

This is instrumental Jazz-Rock at its best. These are previously unreleased, and mostly live recordings from 1974-1975. The music is heavily influenced by The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report and Return To Forever. The band is extremely talented and works well as a group - with Boyle, Hooper, and Scott getting plenty of time in the spotlight. This is great music that works equally well on a Jazz or Rock show. Play!

Jeff Johnson – Tall Stranger

Jeff Johnson has released very good album of slightly “out there” Jazz. With a sax/drum/bass trio there is not too much room to hide. The music is fairly mellow and sparse and on this album there are very few extraneous notes. The songs are mostly down, and only occasionally pick up tempo. Johnson, though not the most virtuosic, is a very good player with ample chops and is someone who can lead a group. The songs are of almost equal quality – dark, sparse, fairly mellow and slightly free – and there is very little difference between a Ö and a Ö++. Overall, this is good stuff – right up WPRB’s alley. Play!

Flow Trio - Rejuvenation

 

The Flow Trio has released a very good album of highly improvisational, Avant-Garde Jazz. The music is reminiscent of Albert Ayler and later John Coltrane. (This makes sense since tenor player Belogenis was a member of Prima Materia.) Generally the music is energetic and propulsive, and as a whole is pretty free. The musicians are very impressive and have plenty of room to solo as well. The music is timeless, and could just as easily have been recorded in 1965 as it was today. Great stuff. Perfect for WPRB, this will be heard nowhere else. Let it rip, and play!

Barely 3 months and I’m done with another stack. Including reviews there are 17 cd’s. Lots of Jazz as usual, but plenty of other things like Pop, World and even Rockabilly. Most of it is pretty good, and the stuff that isn’t that good… well, most of it is pretty good. So, here is what I’m listening to with the most recent on top, followed by cd reviews on the bottom.

Viperax (1 song live promo)

Patsy Raye - “Beatnik's Wish”

Rockabilly Roadhouse Radio Show Sampler 2

Frank Sinatra – 16 Most Requested Songs

Gipsy Kings – Compas

Steve Hudson – Shine (cd review and personal collection)

Seal- Seal

Harvie S with Kenny Barron – Now Was The Time (cd review and personal collection)

Grosse Pointe Blank (soundtrack)

John Coltrane – Giant Steps

Ben Allison – Riding The Nuclear Tiger (previously reviewed)

Miles Davis – Miles Smiles

Mario Pavone – Ancestors (cd review)

Richard Leo Johnson & Greg Bendian – Who Knew Charlie Shoe (cd review, previously owned)

John Coltrane – Love Supreme (cd review, previously owned)

Joshua Redman – Compass (cd review)

Jan Garbarek/Bobo Stenson Quartet – Witchi-Tai-To (cd review)

Jan Garbarek – Bobo Stenson Quartet – Witchi-Tai-To

This classic ECM release from 1974 finds saxophonist Jan Garbarek and pianist Bobo Stenson playing absolutely terrific European Jazz. The music is wonderfully melodic and expertly played. Garbarek plays with a white-hot, clean tone. And Stenson plays melodic, rhythmic, pulsing jazz. Both leaders get plenty of room to solo and the two lead equally well. The rest of the rhythm section is also impressive. Great players, playing great music, make for a great album. Play!

Joshua Redman - Compass

Sax Bass Drum, or Sax Bass Bass Drum, or even Sax Bass Bass Drum Drum. Subtle differences on a subtle album. Joshua Redman’s latest release includes two bass players and two drummers in various combinations. This album is not over the top. This unique record deserves repeated listening so one can hear all of the subtle changes and nuances within each song. All of the musicians are great and play well regardless of the setting. The music is pretty straight ahead, though there are times when Mr. Redman hints at the outer-reaches. Though the album and its songs may not blow your mind on its first impression, it still very good music. Play!

John Coltrane – A Love Supreme 

A Love Supreme. A Love Su Preme. Alove Sup Reme. Uh Luuhv Suupreem. What are you doing reading a review of this album? Why would a DJ at WPRB need to read a review for this seminal Jazz work?  How is it that a DJ at this station does not know about one of the greatest albums, regardless of genre, ever made? How do you not know about this brilliant achievement? This 1964 recording is the perfect statement of expression that combines music and spirituality, you didn’t know this? The musicians were at the pinnacle of their musical ability and play as if it was life or death, you didn’t know this either? If you didn’t know this, please put the album back in the stacks – obviously you either know nothing about music or have bad taste.

Steve Hudson - Shine 

Flemington, NJ pianist Steve Hudson has released another terrific album. It is filled with great compositions, unique voicings and phenomenal playing. Sometimes the songs are so good, one forgets how great the playing is as well. Highlights include track #3 with the impressive rhythm section work, #5 with the gorgeous melody, and #1 with the solid groove. This is great music, from a great local artist. Play!

Richard Leo Johnson & Gregg Bendian – Who Knew Charlie Shoe?

This stunning 2007 release of instrumental guitar/percussion duets is a healthy mixture of Country, Rock and Blues. Richard Leo Johnson is impressive as he plays a variety of antique/vintage guitars. And Greg Bendian is truly exceptional as he plays percussion on a whole range of untraditional “instruments”: pots, pans, tubs, jugs, etc. The melodies are simple but haunting and beautiful. The liner notes are very helpful, and tell a fictional story that has to be read to be believed. This is wonderful, eclectic music right up WPRB’s alley that would fit in well on either a Rock or Jazz show. Play!

Mario Pavone - Ancestors

Mario Pavone’s latest release is a wonderful mixture of challenging rhythms and intense soloing. The music is generally grounded rhythmically, while the soloists sometimes reach the nether-regions. And though the music is led by the talented bassist, the bassist is not in the front on this recording. The album is dedicated to Dewey Redman and Andrew Hill and one can clearly hear strong connections to both with the impeccable pianist Peter Madsen and powerful tenors of Greene and Malaby. Powerful, propulsive, graceful and energetic, this is great music perfect for WPRB. Play!

2008 was a very good year for music. I listened to approximately 64 CD’s this year [and that’s not counting multiple disc sets] – that’s more than one a week if you’re playing the home game – which included CD's reviewed  for the station. I also caught plenty of live music. Most of the music I experienced was very good, and there are only a handful of occasions when there was actual bad music. But I’ll dwell on the good stuff.


10 Favorites CD’s of 2008 that were new to me (in alphabetical order)

As Human – Kilo (2008)

Larry Barbee – Cushetunk (2006)

Miles Davis – Complete On The Corner Sessions (2007)

The Four Bags – The Four Bags (2000)

Laszlo Gardony – Dig Deep (2008)
Richard Leo Johnson and Greg Bendian – Who Knew Charlie Shoe? (2007)
Rudresh Mahanthappa - Kinsmen (2008)
Microscopic Septet – Lobster Leaps In (2008)
Bobby Previte – Set The Alarm For Monday (2008)
Solar – Suns Of Cosmic Consciousness (2005)

10 Favorite songs of 2008 that were new to me (in alphabetical order)

As Human – “Fall Backwards” (2008)
Larry Barbee – “Sunrise” (2008)
Bitches Brew – “Go To Jazz” (2008)
Flemming and John – “Ugly Girl” (1999)
Rudresh Mahanthappa – “Convergence (Kinsmen)” (2008)
Jason Moran – “Arizona Landscape” (2006)
Solar – “Reincarnation 1968” (2005)
Terry Silverlight – “Do it” (2008)
Esperanza Spalding – “I Adore You” (2007)
Rob Wasserman – “Nu Ballad” (2000)


10 Favorite live gigs of 2008 (in no particular order)

Mal Stein, Robert Levin and others @ The Cupping Room in NYC (multiple occasions)
Bitches Brew @ John & Peter’s in New Hope, PA (multiple occasions)
Roswell Rudd Quartet @ The Arts Council in Princeton, NJ
Oregon @ Birdland in NYC
Return To Forever @ The Mann in Philadelphia, PA
Oliver Lake Trio @ Pettoranello Gardens in Princeton, NJ
The Claudia Quintet @ The Cornelia St. Café in NYC
Terry Silverlight @ The Cutting Rom in NYC
Patrick De Caumette @ Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia, PA
Ratdog @ The Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ