As promised, a new video segment from Jimmy Raney/Cal Collins videotape on the tune, Autumn Leaves. Although Jimmy looks slightly uncomfortable in spots (shifting his seat, flexing his arm, etc) he’s still one of the most fluid jazz guitarists who ever walked the planet. Tyrone and Bruce are getting a good groove here and Jimmy is just flying over the top Enjoy! Or click here to watch the video on youtube
For those of you who know me, corresponded with me or read my blog or my forum, Dad’s birthday this year was my projected target date for the release of Jimmy Raney’s unfinished book. Alas it’s still not done. It’s painful to have to say that. Project management on self-produced work is a bitch. I can tell you it’s getting close though and I’ve been putting in late nights to 2am after my day job and even teaching myself guitar. Sometimes, the reality is that the only time you can get work done is when you think you are going to run out of time. So at least 2 weeks…
Today, August 20th is Jimmy Raney’s birthday. Dad would’ve been 84. Let us celebrate the legacy of his genius once again by listening as much as possible to this underappreciated genius – and anyone else for that matter – deserving of attention that the general listening public doesn’t seem to give enough to. Maybe even WBGO will play a cut or two, who knows (hopefully before Brian Delp’s 3am slot)… Yesterday, I took a stoll through the park with my dog, BJ while tuned in to the local jazz station WKCR (89.9 FM) listening to serial music without knowing who or what it was. And I thought, wow, is that…
For those of you wanting to see my latest non-music ramblings visit here
I made the mistake of buying on the cheap (a motherboard for HP Slimline) from this online buying site from China. Avoid them like the plague. read more…
This will be a short one. I was exposed to the Robert Casadesus Complete Ravel Piano Works originally by my father, who had the record collection on vinyl. The record is magical and I’m happy to say is available on Rhapsody. IMO there is no one to this day that can capture the feeling of his rendition of Pavane pour une infante défunte NO ONE. The piece ofcourse is one of Ravel’s most famous (making it that much harder). It carries the unique and difficult task of a pulsating background in regimented time but still the feeling and romance in melody typical of (lets say) Chopin. And ofcourse that marvelous…
For those of you that have an interest in the subject, click here.
Will all due respect to some of the players on my father’s albums I’ve just given a re-listen to one of his most overtly swinging lesser known albums on which he was a sideman: Dave Pike Plays the Jazz Version of “Oliver” The rhythm section consists of: Walter Perkins on drums (yeah baby!)George Tucker on bass (double yeah)Tommy Flanagan on piano! *Note. Photo above is different session with Dave & Jimmy around the same time (1963). George Duvivier is pictured. I believe that session is Limbo Carnival. That one just sets your foot tapping and Dad gets positively groovy (for him – he was pretty laid back) on the all…
Felix Lemerle (son of the late Jimmy Gourley’s bassist, Dominique Lemerle) has referred me to a new blog page about Ronnie that incorporates some of the prior archive website data along with some never before seen photos. I’m hoping the amount of info will increase over time as more facts become known about this lost legendary bebop guitarist. Ronnie Singer page
Hold on to your hats folks. This is the Song Is You 2 Chorus Jimmy Raney Solo referred to in previous post. Time to rethink what you knew about Jimmy Raney Getz period playing. There was (or since??)no other player on earth besides Jimmy that could create a bebop solo with this amount of chops, articulation and clarity at this tempo in 1952. BTW the key is Ab not the usual C. Also note the tempo stays absolutely locked to the metronome for 1 chorus and 8 bars. Pretty astonishing. It moves slightly during a particular bar but the tempo is still pretty locked to the speed 314 bpm. Interestingly…
