A Jazz Mix from My iPod becomes my morning soundtrack!
This morning I decided that the soundtrack for my morning commute to Paulsboro to babysit my grandson Oliver was going to be a random mix of jazz tracks from my iPod! Here’s the mix…..
- “Watch What Happens” – Wes Montgomery – A Day in the Life This album along with the two others Road Song and Down Here on the Ground, that Wes recorded on A&M records were my introduction to the incredible guitar of Wes Montgomery! While they may not be his hottest jazz recordings, I have since heard many of those, they did showcase his talents playing many songs that I knew!!
- “Willow We for Me” – Ben Webster – Jazz ‘Round Midnight – Okay, so one of my favorite Wes albums was Wilow We for Me and on this track saxophonist Ben Webster does a good job with the tune.
- “Mellow Soul” – Tony Monaco – Fiery Blues – Tony is one of those jazz musicians I discovered by checking the birthdays at All About Jazz. When I check the birthdays I always check out the Hammond B3 players and Tony is a great organist!!
- “Sippiin’ at Bells” Chet Baker – Straight from the Heart-The Great Last Concert, Vol 2 – Chet Baker’s trumpet is one of the few that I can sometimes recognize. I haven’t listen to this final concert from Baker but after listening to this track I think I have to revisit the album!
- “Portrait” – Avishai Cohen – Triveni III – speaking of trumpets… this album is a great one! I really haven’t listened to it that much recently but back when I discovered it I did!! I need to return to it!!
- “I Surrender, Dear” – Thelonious Monk – Brilliant Corners – I should have recognized Monk’s piano but alas I didn’t so I had to look and see whose great piano I was listening to!!
- “Sam Sack” – Milt Jackson and Wes Montgomery – Bags Meets Wes – I confess since I have many vibraphonist’s albums on my iPod I did have to sneak a peek to see what song this was too. I heard the vibes but no guitar when I looked!
- “Closing Credits” – Jason Marasalis Vibes Quartet – A World of Mallets – speaking of vibes here’s a realy good album from the youngest member of the Marsalis family. Jason started out as a drummer but has since switched to vibes. The songs on this album are all pretty unique and well also good!!
So there is my morning soundtrack it started my day just right!! Earlier this morning I did check to jazz birthdays and the two that caught my attention were trumpeter Donald Byrd and blues harmonica player Junior Wells. Maybe I’ll have to create a Spotify playlist featuring the music of both of those guys to become the soundtrack of the drive home tonight!!
So here’s “Sam Sack” from Bags and Wes…….You can watch producer Orrin Keepnews talk about producing the album here
