Day: April 13, 2016

Music Discovery: Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Ron Carter, and Camel

Seven Spanish Angels

Heard this song performed on “The Voice” TV show and looked for the original.  It’s by Ray Charles and Willie Nelson.  Is there any more soulful singer than Ray Charles?  Maybe Levon Helm or an Otis Redding ballad?

 
Ahmad’s Blues
A great MilesDavis Workin.jpgpiece by Ahmad Jamal and included on Miles Davis’ 1959 release “Workin’ with the Miles Davis Quintet”.
I really enjoyed the brushed cymbals by Philly Joe Jones and the cello by Paul Chambers.  Red Garland is the star on piano.  I don’t believe Miles plays on the track at all.
Chapter XI
Another discovery from the Sirius XM Real Jazz channel during my long commute.  This is from the 1978 Ron Carter album Peg Leg.  He plays piccolo bass on 3 of the 6 tracks on this album.  I saw Ron Carter at the Blue Note in New York a couple of years ago with Bill Frisell and he was clearly the go to player in the band although Frisell was the headliner.  He will turn 80 next year and has played on over 1100 recordings – apparently 2nd most in history.  He’s well known as part of the Miles Davis quartet (with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter) in the early 60s.
The Snow Goose
I heard the Camel song “Chord Changes” on Sirius XM Deep Tracks and it reminded me of how much I enjoyed their 1975 album “The Snow Goose”.  Haven’t heard it in over 20 years.  It was recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra and the arrangements are very strong.  Apparently based on a novella by Paul Gallico.  The album was performed with the LSO at the Royal Albert Hall to great acclaim and is regarded as one of the best “symphonic rock” pieces.  (Did I mention that I played at the Royal Albert Hall in 1979, 80 and 81?)  There are also several great live versions of this on Youtube.  One on “The Old Grey Whistle Test”, a BBC late night music show from the 70s and 80s,  which remains my favorite TV music show.