I love jazz history. Plus, you know, June is Black Music Month.Now, thanks to Concord Records, we can hear jazz history straight from the mouth of record producer Orrin Keepnews, whose Riverside label in the 1950s showcased the likes of Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery and Cannonball Adderley.
And the magnificent Thelonious Monk.
Embedded below is an 11½-minute video in which Mr. Keepnews recalls the making of a modern-jazz masterpiece – Monk’s 1956 LP “Brilliant Corners.” (The sessions included Sonny Rollins, Max Roach and Clark Terry.)
The composition “Brilliant Corners” was so structurally complex, the musicians could never play it correctly from start to finish. The final track is stitched together from various takes. (Click here to hear “Brilliant Corners” on my Vox blog.)
Orrin Keepnews says cutting that track was his “most debilitating experience in a recording studio.”
If you’re a jazz fan, you’ll like this:
7 comments:
I tried to play Brilliant Corners when I was in high school. It was very difficult when you get to the double time part.
It's just a little off-topic, but I saw Return to Forever last night, and was reminded of the complexities and virtuosity of Lenny White, Al DiMeola, Stanley Clarke, and Chick Corea. If you want ethereal, uniquely beautiful jazz fusion, no one does it better than RTF. When their reunion tour comes to your city, don't miss it!
^ Thanks for that, fullnelson. Where'd you see 'em?
That clip justified this month's cable bill....For personal reasons, I couldn't have gotten through this on Father's Day.
fullnelson,
A guy in my soul music forum wrote a hellified review of their LA show, which was opened by Jabbar. I'm gonna spend the next month calling in favors until I get decent seats for their August show here.
I saw Return to Forever in St. Louis, MO at the Fox Theater. If I recall their schedule, their next show is in Chicago, then points east from there.
Here are some notes and quotes from the Gibson Amphitheater 6/13/08 show. http://faac.us/adf/messages/2/174727.html?1213796398
I think they're also in NY in August.
des-
Thanks so much for the link to the RTF reviews and photos!
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