Don Emanuel, David Evans and other Rifftides readers have encouraged me to continue posting photographs made during bicycle expeditions. Okay. Maybe they are a welcome diversion.
I tore myself away for a 15-miler this afternoon and paused at the top of a long, steep hill because my legs told me to. This may be nothing more than your standard b-flat calendar shot, but taking it was an excuse to rest. I like the clouds and that house high up on the left.
When I got back, as I opened the gate these characters were scurrying along the grass. By the time I got the camera out of the bike bag, they had squeezed through the fence into the neighbor’s yard. I was barely able to catch them as they made for the safety of bushes. Mr. and Mrs. Quail took up residence with us a couple of years ago. We assume that they have a covey of chicks about ready to join in the foraging expeditions.
What you can’t see in these pictures is the wind, which has been powerful and relentless for weeks. Maybe pedaling uphill into 25-mile-an-hour breezes builds character. I would rather that my character remain unimproved.
The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
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Jim Eigo on Happy Fatha’s Day
Had the good fortune to see Fatha Hines in 1973 at the New School in NYC. There's a nice live recording of this concert too.Dick Unsworth on Happy Fatha’s Day
Haven't heard "Fatha" Hines and bassist Pedersen for ages. Thanks for the treat.Terence Smith on Happy Fatha’s Day
Earl Hines made every day Fatha's Day every time he played. Thanks to Doug Ramsey for this inspired choice of an inspired "Memories of You." ...Brew on Happy Fatha’s Day
Thanks for posting this gem. The Earl's rhythmic punch is always stunning. He could easily switch between smoothness and roughness like no one else. Like...W. Royal Stokes on Happy Fatha’s Day
Here’s Fatha’s show stopper, Doug. His left hand takes over the melody while his right sustains a 3-and-a-half-minute tremolo! I saw him do this tune...