Cary Kilner
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Cary Kilner's Picks: Volume 33
Lyle Mays — Chorinho You will appreciate this remarkable piece from the long-term pianist with the Pat Metheny band and who, unfortunately, recently passed at 66 yrs of age. Here we have outstanding counterpoint, harmony, melody, rhythm — all the attributes of great music going back centuries. I recommend putting on earphones or play it very loud on your in-house stereo, because as I hear it on small auxiliary computer speakers it is not so profound as I found it when I recently discovered it in the closed car on a random cassette tape. What impresses me most, besides the obvious precision of the structure and performance, is the moving harmony and frequent changes in key center. Note how the lines weave about and lead the diatonic harmony to new transitory locations. Also listen for various themes that weave in and out — and "weave" is certainly the precise term needed to describe this tune construction. Try to hear when the "head" ends and his improvisational line(s) begin. It's hard to discern that transition from the machine gun-like 32nd-note lines that permeate the structure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WATr7Rb7a8 Here is an expanded live version with a trio, although I like his solo performance better. Especially check out the beautiful unison out-chorus with the sax around 10:30, as well as the laudatory comments on the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZekplN5BxA The first studio link sounds like a Dyno-My modified Fender Rhodes piano was used, but it could be a synthesized keyboard. The conventional Fender Rhodes became the mobility war-horse for jazz piano players, even as it was being used for pop, rock, disco, funk, and fusion. It replaced the Hohner electric piano that had become a mainstay of the '60's rock bands. In Boston I bought a used Dyna-My modified Rhodes to replace my old beat up and clunky Rhodes. I don't recall anything about the instrument other than that it had been modified by a company in San Francisco from which it had originally been available. It had the action and hammers extensively modified to make a much cleaner and crisper sound and touch. Although it had some electronic modifications, it was not on the level of the those in this product I found described online: http://www.fenderrhodes.com/history/dyno.html The electronics consisted of a much simpler EQ and not all of these bells and whistles, so it must have been a different instrument with close to the same name. I welcome any info anyone has on this, and so sorry that I did not keep the instrument. But what a beautiful sound Lyle gets on it! The Yellowjackets and the WDR Big Band — Downtown Here is a wonderful performance by the Yellowjackets with the WDR big band live in the studio so you can watch it being played. Great energy and a great electric bass solo. If you like this, go online and find the whole WDR BB recording session with more excellent tunes. You will also find several older performances of this with the Yellowjackets alone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pYbjIilegk Les McCann & Joe Pass — Maichen For the sake of nostalgia, here is a magnificent recording of Joe Pass with Les McCann that I had as a kid. Note how the drummer stays on brushes throughout, and Joe Pass is outstanding as usual. I always liked Les for his authentic bluesy quality, and preferred his style to that of Ramsey Lewis or Ray Bryant, two similar pianists from that era. Note how Joe reharmonizes the line at the end — very pretty. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc687x_6fXY&list=RDAMVMNc687x_6fXY Joe Pass — How High the Moon He rips it up solo on acoustic in this classic standard tune from the bebop era. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u8BLxU1RfU John Deversa — #45 I know nothing about this artist, but he has Gonzalo Rubalcaba on piano, who plays wonderfully and whom I've been meaning to present in the column. Notice how they change up the tempo and make interesting quasi-sections within the tune and performance, with Jahn on muted trumpet throughout. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRRsltoDMYc Pat Metheny — The Past is Us Gorgeous — enough said! In the style of his work with Lyle Mays, but with a new pianist whom I do not know. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C9vEC0chAo&list=RD6C9vEC0chAo&start_radio=1 |
