It was a full weekend, full of the Superbowl and full of maddening computer and server glitches. The down periods were frequent and frustrating. The beast is running for the moment, so we'll post recent correspondence. I'm hoping for a return to complete online health after the digital doctor makes … [Read more...]

There must be a whiff of country in the winter air. Doug, One more for the books—that works—Gatemouth Brown and Roy Clark, Makin' Music. It's listed as a country album, but it's really Louis Jordan with a twang. The tunes include "Take the A Train" and "Caldonia," and the band includes Airto … [Read more...]

Might the moral of the "Odd Couple" series be that in jazz there are no odd couples—that the very nature of jazz allows for nearly infinite combination? —Terry Teachout Yes. This is TT's birthday, a momentous one, as you'll see if you go here. … [Read more...]

Doug, I got hip to Paul Desmond from a line in a Michael Franks' tune, "Rainy Night in Tokyo" - "Paul Desmond on the stereo..." I went through my fathers' jazz collection and found 3 albums. I've been hooked ever since. Good luck with your book. MIchael Thanks. … [Read more...]

Blogger John Salmon of Magritte's Apple writes a followup to the recent review of a Dave Brubeck concert: I did a little review of Dave's Mass the other day. Randy Jones and Bobby Militello are veterans of the Maynard Ferguson band, one of jazz's great farm teams. When Bobby was on MF's band he … [Read more...]

Thanks in DOUGS PICKS for recommending the superb album "'Round Midnight" by Alan Broadbent. Broadbent doesn't overwhelm with technique for its own sake, but his measured and tasteful playing remain with you. However, if its "chops" you want, listen to the blistering performance on "The Man I … [Read more...]

My piece in this morning's Wall Street Journal is about the brain connection between music and sports. As someone who writes about and plays music, I would be the last to disagree with William Congreve that music hath charms. But silence has charms, too, and it’s getting hard to find. When … [Read more...]

Entries continue to arrive in the unlikely-pairings sweepstakes. As we head into the weekend, here’s the latest batch. Doug, Here are a few "Odd Couplings": Gary Burton & Stephane Grappelli - Paris Encounter - Atlantic Barry Harris with Don Cherry, Steve Lacy, Charlie Rouse, & Roswell Rudd - … [Read more...]

I'm grateful to your readers for their many excellent and interesting suggestions. And best of all, I can't help but marvel at the friendly and civil nature of the responses. So much of the web, and blogs in particular, is marred by snarkiness run amok. What a pleasant surprise it is to find a … [Read more...]

Bob Coughlin, a longtime Dave Brubeck aficionado, attended a concert by the Brubeck quartet the other night, took notes, and posted his review on the Brubeck e-mail listserve. I thought it deserved wider dissemination. The quartet has the same musicians it has had for years—Brubeck, alto … [Read more...]

Ladies and gentlemen, in the exhibit to your right you will find a new assortment of Doug's Picks. I know, I know; it's about time. I've been busy. You'll be busy too, but deliriously happy, if you adopt the recommendations. Good listening, viewing and reading to you, and happy February. … [Read more...]

Eric Felten’s call for suggestions of odd or unexpected pairings brought enough responses that we’ll run them in two installments. My first thought was simply to list the names of the musicians and their performances, but the comments accompanying your messages were as interesting as the … [Read more...]

Click on the highlighted words to link to the recordings. My hometown friend Bob Godfrey offered three nominations: Thelonious Monk and Pee Wee Russell Count Basie and Teresa Brewer Count Basie and Oscar Peterson Basie and Peterson recorded Satch Meets Josh in 1974 and followed it up over the years … [Read more...]

A last-minute contribution from a Rifftides reader who identifies himself only as John. Worked: Don Pullen and the Chief Cliff Singers. (Sacred Common Ground, a collaboration between the pianist's avant garde African Brazilian Connection and a Native American vocal group. DR) Didn't (at least for … [Read more...]

I would gladly give all my symphonies, had I been able to invent the locomotive. —Anton Dvo"ák “Happy Go Lucky Local”...told the story of a train in the South, not one of those luxurious, streamlined trains that take tourists to Miami, but a little train with an upright engine that was never … [Read more...]

Very good site! Poishi … [Read more...]

This week, Jackie Cain, the surviving member of the vocal duo Jackie and Roy, sang with some of their arrangements from nearly half a century ago. Ms. Cain’s angelic voice, an instrument of purity and tonal accuracy rarely equaled in any area of music, has seldom been heard since Roy Kral, her … [Read more...]

Eric Felten—trombonist, singer, bandleader and occasional Wall Street Journal contributor—is asking for Rifftiders’ suggestions, to wit: The other day I heard a cut that I had heard a time or two before, "Shine On Harvest Moon," with that remarkably odd combination of Jimmy Rushing and the … [Read more...]

I saw a sign, beautifully hand-lettered, in front of a garden apartment not far from my house. WELCOME: FRIENDS BUTTERFLIES LADYBUGS BEES A good thought on a frigid January day. … [Read more...]