Monthly Archives: December 2012
Do y’all remember country music? I’m talking about REAL country music. The kind some of us (older folks) listened to back in the 50s, 60s, 70s, even the 80s… the kind of country music we watched as it changed from what it was then, to what it is now. Recently, I listened to a new CD by Tim Culpepper. The music is unquestionably country.I’m excited about this kid. His music is everything country music is supposed to be, and he sings great, too. I hope he wasn’t born 40 years too late for his music to find a place within the genre’ it was intended.
Artist: Art Pepper
Genre: Jazz
Title: Sankei Hall—Osaka, Japan: Unreleased Art Pepper, Vol. VII
Record Company: Widow’s Taste
Laurie Pepper, the saxophonist’s widow (hence, the name of the label), continues issuing previously unreleased material by her husband. Because Art Pepper’s career is well documented on record, one might wonder if additional releases are warranted. Yes, they are, primarily because Pepper was a major figure. He must have played some forgettable music along the way, but Widow’s Taste has so far released only music than enhances his considerable legacy.
This new two-CD set documents a 1980 concert that the audience obviously enjoyed. Backed by pianist George Cables, bassist Tony Dumas, and drummer Carl Burnett, Pepper plays magnificently throughout, whether the tempo is blistering (“Straight Life”), deliberate (“Over the Rainbow”), or medium (“Landscape”). Always lyrical, his playing occasionally reflects the oft-noted influence of John Coltrane, especially on up-temp pieces. This is true on “Cherokee,” for example: he distorts notes and plays notes at the upper limit of the alto saxophone, thereby adding intensity to his already impassioned music.
This release disappoints only because “Straight Life” ends abruptly, without resolution, probably because of an inadequate supply of tape at the concert. Laurie Pepper explains that she had to decide whether to include this incomplete performance on this CD. I believe she decided correctly.
A few extra-musical issues deserve comment. Pepper introduces “Ophelia” by saying that it constitutes his attempt to describe women. Does he mean that it is a programmatic composition? Whether he succeeds in musically describing women strikes me as irrelevant. It’s a lovely performance. Laurie Pepper proclaims that “George Cables’s character shines through every note he plays.” I do not know Cables, but, from hearing him play, I have no sense of his character. Perhaps this is my fault. Finally, Laurie Pepper seems to settle scores with Milcho Leviev, Art Pepper’s previous pianist, and Tony Dumas. While frankness is often admirable, her comments seem inappropriate in the context of this statement she makes about her husband: “He emphasized the importance of being courteous and compassionate.”
These are quibbles. What matters is Art Pepper’s music, which is masterful.
Benjamin Franklin V
 Shankar in 1988. Ravi Shankar, (7 April 1920 – 11 December 2012) the world renowned sitarist, passed away from natural causes. Shankar is best known as the man who brought Indian music to the foreground in the West by being the sitar teacher of former Beatles member George Harrison. Ravi Shankar played throughout the world including his famous set at Woodstock in 1969. He was 92. Read more at Wikipedia
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 Jenni Rivera Dolores Janney Rivera (July 2, 1969 – December 9, 2012), better known as Jenni Rivera, was an American singer-songwriter, actress, television producer, and entrepreneur of Mexican heritage, known for her work within the banda and norteña music genres. She began recording in 1992, and her recordings often have themes of social issues, infidelity, and relationships. Her tenth studio album, Jenni (2008), became her first number-one album in the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart in the United States. In 2010, she appeared in and produced the reality TV show Jenni Rivera Presents: Chiquis & Raq-C. She also appeared in and produced I Love Jenni starting in 2011 and Chiquis ‘n Control in 2012. Her acting debut was in the film Filly Brown, scheduled to be released in 2013. Rivera, along with six others, died in a plane crash near Iturbide, Nuevo León, México, on December 9, 2012… Read more at Wikipedia
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 Dave Brubeck, October 8, 1954 David Warren “Dave” Brubeck (December 6, 1920 – December 5, 2012) was an American jazz pianist and composer, considered to be one of the foremost exponents of progressive jazz. He wrote a number of jazz standards, including “In Your Own Sweet Way” and “The Duke”. Brubeck’s style ranged from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother’s attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills. His music is known for employing unusual time signatures, and superimposing contrasting rhythms, meters, and tonalities… Read more at Wikipedia
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 Andy Williams in 1969 Howard Andrew “Andy” Williams (December 3, 1927 – September 25, 2012) was an American popular music singer. He recorded seventeen Gold and three Platinum-certified albums. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a TV variety show, from 1962 to 1971, as well as numerous television specials. Most recently, he performed at his Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri, which was named after the Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini song “Moon River”, with which he is closely identified… Read more at Wikipedia
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 Bob Welch (left) and recording engineer Jimmy Robinson at the Record Plant in Sausalito, California. Robert Lawrence “Bob” Welch (August 31, 1945 – June 7, 2012) was an American musician. A former member of Fleetwood Mac, Welch had a successful solo career in the late 1970s. His singles included “Hot Love, Cold World”, “Ebony Eyes”, “Precious Love”, and his signature “Sentimental Lady”… Read more at Wikipedia
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 Dunn playing in 2007 Donald “Duck” Dunn (November 24, 1941 – May 13, 2012) was an American bass guitarist, session musician, record producer, and songwriter. Dunn was notable for his 1960s recordings with Booker T. & the M.G.’s and as a session bassist for Stax Records, which specialized in blues and gospel-infused southern soul which became known as Memphis Soul. At Stax, Dunn played on thousands of records including hits by Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, William Bell, Eddie Floyd, Johnnie Taylor, Albert King, and many others. Dunn also performed on recordings with The Blues Brothers, Muddy Waters, Freddie King, Isaac Hayes, Levon Helm, Neil Young, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Wilson Pickett, Guy Sebastian, Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, Roy Buchanan, Steely Dan, Tinsley Ellis and Arthur Conley… Read more at Wikipedia
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 Dick Clark in 1961 Dick Clark (born Richard Augustus Wagstaff Clark, Jr.; November 30, 1929 – April 18, 2012) was an American radio personality and television personality, as well as a cultural icon who remains best known for hosting American television’s longest-running variety show, American Bandstand, from 1957 to 1987. He also hosted the game show Pyramid and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, which transmitted Times Square’s New Year’s Eve celebrations worldwide. He is also best known for his trademark sign-off, “For now, Dick Clark. So long!”, accompanied with a military salute… Read more at Wikipedia
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