Husband, dad, dog walker, cyclist, outdoors enthusiast, occasional reluctant driver, Alexandrian, federal employee, vinyl record collector, jazz fan, scruffy young man.
Ok, now it’s time to get myself psyched up for the BWCA trip. (No, I don’t subscribe, a while back I ordered a few back issues that seemed interesting to me. I *do* subscribe to Backcountry Journal, Trout, and Virginia Wildlife though.)
#NowSpinning: The Original Rhythm of Gipsy Rhumba in Spain 1965-74 (2014)
Another Soul Jazz compilation. I just finished listening to the two Santa Esmeralda LPs I found in San Juan (didn’t bother posting) and I wanted to keep up the flamenco-Latin-pop thing. These are less pop, but still.
#NowSpinnng: Texas-Mexican Border Music, Vol. 5: The String Bands, End of a Tradition (1976)
Una historia de la musica de la frontera.
An old Arhoolie compilation on their Folklyric imprint.
It’s these folks, whom I mostly don’t know (one of them is Angel Peña, a fairly important Puerto Rican artist and moreso producer) but who are very good.
Clockwise from top left: Venezuelan salsa from the 60s, a conguera from Laredo who released several good jazz albums in the 80s (this one 83), Los Lobos, one of Monk’s greatest, and two disco classics that are technically LPs but might as well be maxi singles. (More in alt) #VinylCommunity#JazzSky
I can’t say FOR SURE that this was a “full self driving” SNAFU but I think it’s very likely. The car had no impact damage so it was not pushed there. I suspect the car saw that gap in the curb for the crosswalk and decided it could cut off the corner. But surprise: more curb!
Let’s say it was a blue tailed ground lizard, because they’re cool. Size was right. (It was probably a gecko or skink but who cares).
coolanimalschool.com/wp-content/u...
I can tell I’m in an authentic joint. Yes, because it’s full of locals but moreso because the only things on this plate are an overcooked cube steak with a little onions and gravy and a massive serving of trifongo. (It’s very good.)
#NowSpinning: Paul Simon (1972)
Anybody else find it weird that he’s wearing a parka on the cover but the album immediately starts with a reggae groove?
#NowSpinning: “Soul Jazz Presents New Orleans Funk — New Orleans: The Original Sound of Funk 1960-75” (2000)
Soul Jazz are one of the two great creators of compilations. (The other is Smithsonian Folkways and their now subsidiary Arhoolie)
#JazzSky#NowSpinning: Toshiko Akiyoshi, “Finesse” (1978)
A little progressive piano trio jazz before bed. Akiyoshi on piano, Jake Hanna on drums, Monty Budwig on bass.
#NowSpinning: Traffic, “The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys” (1971)
The title track is an all-timer. The rest of the album is good but does not reach those heights.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#NowSpinning: Stray Cats, “Built for Speed” (1982)
Their first American album, which was half from their first English release, and half from their second. This is their strongest album by far, and except for the lack of “(She’s) Sexy + 17”, it would effectively be a greatest hits.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#JazzSky#NowSpinning: Tommy Flanagan, John Coltrane, Kenny Burrell, Idrees Suleiman, “The Cats” (1959)
Straight-ahead hard bop. Nothing groundbreaking, but great personnel and a worthwhile album. Recorded in 1957.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#JazzSky#NowSpinning: Jimmy Smith, “Got My Mojo Workin’” (1966)
Jimmy does a lot of vocalizing on this one. Some people find it distracting. I think it really works. At any rate, he’s got a good supporting cast (Kenny Burrell and more) and Oliver Nelson arranged.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (good but not essential)
