Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Two additions to the Yoity Tot CD List

Just in time for Christmas (well, not really), here are two CD's I highly recommend. I love them both so much, I'm going ahead and adding them to the Yoity Tot CD list. Tony Bennett's "Jazz" makes it on the strength of his interpretations of many great jazz standards. I especially love his takes on Ellington's Don't Get Around Much Anymore and Solitude. Also, the recording is chock full of other jazz superstars, like Herbie Hancock, Count Basie, Stan Getz, Art Blakey, and many more.

The latest recording by Gordon Goodwin and his Big Phat Band is the other going on the list and in the top spot. Honestly, I haven't heard the entire recording yet because I can't get past Senor Mouse, but this rousing, full-out, big band stuff just gets in my blood and sends shivers down my spine. My love for jazz just deepens whenever I hear jazz done right, and George and BPB do it right. That's all I can say. It's a freakin' great recording.

Personal note of (some) interest (maybe): It's a little funny that I discovered Gordon Goodwin the day before my birthday and his band's latest recording is titled "Act Your Age". I turned 45 today, so I'm officially "pushing 50". That means if I act my age, realizing my dream of someday conducting in front of a big band will be really, really hard to achieve. So to hell with that. I've decided to pursue that dream nonetheless. I'll save "my dream" entry for another day...

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Let there be music

A while back, my computer went on the fritz, and after two days of tinkering, I finally got it back up and running. When I did, however, my speakers were making an awful racket. Thinking something with my sound card got messed up, I just unplugged the speakers and went without sound for about three months. Then I got to thinking that because I could still hear some sound instead of nothing, along with the crackling noise coming from the speakers, maybe the sound card was fine and the speakers needed replacement.

Long story short, this turned out to be the case. I replaced the USB powered speakers with independently controlled speakers with their own power supply, so now, when I work on my computer (or blog, or play poker online, or workout near the computer, or whatever), I can listen to jazz. Just in the last week, I'd say I've listened to three hours of music a day, and now that I'm off for the next two weeks, I expect that to go up even more. Having been able to devote so much time to listening, I'm going to be able to write a lot of the reviews (on Amazon.com) of music I purchased over the last two months. Being able to listen to music actually increased my productivity!

So, my advice is keep those speakers and sound card working, and keep the music spinning. It's worth it.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Top 10 (Plus Bonus) Christmas Songs for a Recession

10) O, Bernanke (O, Bernanke, when will you print more money?)

9) I'm Gettin' Nuttin' For Christmas (not even a 'g' to spell right)

8) Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire (actually, pecans from the neighbor's lawn over a cardboard box fire in a 55-gallon drum in the Wal-Mart parking lot)

7) Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer (what else could go wrong?)

6) Have Yourself a 401(K) Implosion

5) I'll Be Home for Christmas ('cause I can't afford to go anywhere else, or, 'cause mom and dad are there and I can stay as long as I want, rent free)

BONUS) There's No Place Like Home For the Holidays (same reasons as #5)

4) Dodge the Malls (and Eat at Denny's)

3) Good King Wenceslaus (no, I really like that one)

2) All I Want for Christmas is a Bailout Package

1) Do You Fear What I Fear? (fill in with your favorite economic phobia)

Monday, December 8, 2008

Going around in circles (of fifths)

I did not have a piano lesson the week of Thanksgiving, and due to my instructor having a rehearsal, did not have one last week, either. Before the hiatus began, he instructed (what piano instructors do) me to work on three-note chord voicings going around the circle of fifths. This is a practical exercise for any jazz musician, one that can never be done too much. In my zealousness to learn our jazz ensemble's music and perform it adequately, I had not been practicing anything in the circle of fifths. Sad part is, practicing chord voicings based on the CO5 would probably have done me the most good.

So, after asking me to play three-note voicings around the circle, and being essentially unable to do so without a lot of mistakes and stoppages to think, that's what I've been practicing for the last three weeks. I've also worked some on four note chord voicings using the 9th and 6th notes, which in some respects is easier, but is difficult to get sounding right. I even learned to play Miles Davis' "Tune Up" using the four-note voicings.

It hasn't been enough. I need to do more of it. I need to work through the boredom.

If you are a jazz musician and you haven't worked through some skill on your instrument using the CO5, I humbly suggest you do so today, or at least, at your next opportunity. No need to thank me. The continual improvement of jazz music everywhere is enough thanks for me.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Christmas music I recommend

Thanksgiving is gone and Christmas is around the corner. While stringing your lights and decking your halls, here's some suggestions for what to listen to:

The Christmas Songbook by Helen Merrill

Verve Presents: The Very Best of Christmas Jazz

Of course, while checking these out you can use some links to go to my other reviews and find a jazz recording or two you might like, just to spice up the Christmas mood.

And for heaven's sake, don't forget to go shopping. Our economy needs a boost!