Grant Green – Idle Moments

Grant Green – “Idle Moments” from the album “Idle Moments”

Grant was born on 6 June 1935 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was playing with local groups in and around St. Louis when he was 13 years old. Lou Donaldson discovered Grant playing in one of these bars and, after touring with Donaldson, arrived in New York circa 1959–60.

Grant was then introduced to Alfred Lion of Blue Note Records by Lou. Lion was so impressed with him that rather than testing Grant as a sideman, as was the usual Blue Note practice, he arranged for him to record as a group leader first.

Between 1961 and 1965 he made more appearances on Blue Note LPs, as leader or sideman, than anyone else.

He died of a heart attack in New York City on 31 January 1979 aged just 43.

Idle Moments

1) Idle Moments; 2) Jean De Fleur; 3) Django; 4) Nomad

Grant Green - Idle Moments

Personnel;
Grant Green – guitar
Joe Henderson – tenor saxophone
Duke Pearson – piano
Bobby Hutcherson – vibraphone
Bob Cranshaw – double bass
Al Harewood – drums

David Axelrod – Holy Thursday


David Axelrod – “Holy Thursday” from the album “Song of Innocence”

David was born on 17 April 1933 in Los Angeles, California. He initially started out as a boxer, but then found work in the film and television industry. He joined Capitol Records in 1963 as a producer and A&R man.

After successfully producing Lou Rawls and Julian “Cannonball” Adderley Capitol allowed him to produce solo albums, the first two of which, “Song of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience”, were homages to the mystical poetry and paintings of William Blake. He is considered a visionary and the father of fusion.

“Song Of Innocence”

1) Urizen; 2) Holy Thursday; 3) The Smile; 4) A Dream; 5) Song of Innocence; 6) Merlin’s Prophecy; 7) The Mental Traveler

David Axelrod - Holy Thursday

Performers – Al Casey, Allen Di Rienzo, Alvin Dinkin, Anne Goodman, Arnold Belnick, Arthur Maebe, Benjamin Barrett, Bobby Bruce, Carol Kaye, Douglas Davis, Earl Palmer, Freddie Hill, Gareth Nuttycombe, Gary Coleman, Gene Estes, Harold Schneier, Harry Bluestone, Harry Hyams, Henry Roth, Henry Sigismonti, Howard Roberts, Jack Shulman, Leonard Malarsky, Lew McCreary, Marshall Sosson, Myron Sandler, Nathan Ross, Ollie Mitchel, Pete Wyant, Raphael Kramer, Richard Leith, Sid Sharp, Tibor Zelig, Tony Terran, Vincent de Rosa, Bill Hinshaw

Nick Cave – Brompton Oratory

Nick Cave – “Brompton Oratory” from the album “The Boatman’s Call”

Born Nicholas Edward Cave on 22 September 1957 in Warracknabeal, Victoria, Australia. His father was a teacher at the local school and his mother was the librarian at the school.
He joined the Cathedral choir of Wangaratta’s Holy Trinity Cathedral aged 9 and was expelled from Wangaratta High School aged 13.

His father was killed in a car accident when Nick was 19 and he would later recall that his father “died at a point in my life when I was most confused”, and “the loss of my father created in my life a vacuum, a space in which my words began to float and collect and find their purpose”

He studied Fine Art at the Caulfield Institute of Technology, but dropped out in 1977 to pursue music.

“The Boatman’s Call”

1) Into My Arms; 2) Lime Tree Arbour; 3) People Ain’t No Good; 4) Brompton Oratory; 5) There Is a Kingdom; 6) (Are You) The One That I’ve Been Waiting For?; 7) Where Do We Go Now but Nowhere?; 8) West Country Girl; 9) Black Hair; 10) Idiot Prayer; 11) Far from Me; 12) Green Eyes

Nick Cave - Brompton Oratory

Nick Cave – vocals, piano, organ, keyboards (casio), vibes, keyboard
Mick Harvey – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, organ, vibes, bass organ, backing vocals, xylophone
Blixa Bargeld – electric guitar, piano treatment, backing vocals
Thomas Wydler – drums, maracas, backing vocals
Conway Savage – piano, backing vocals
Martyn P. Casey – bass, backing vocals
Jim Sclavunos – drums, melodica, bells, percussion, organ, bongos, tambourine
Warren Ellis – violin, accordion, piano, looped violin

The Penguins – Earth Angel

The Penguins – “Earth Angel” from the album “Doo Wop – The R&B Vocal Group Sound – 1950 to 1960”

They named themselves after Willie The Penguin, the cartoon logo of Kool cigarettes, one of the early mentholated brands. The lead vocalist on Earth Angel, Cleveland “Cleve” Duncan, said “We wanted to be cool and what was cooler than an Arctic bird?”

It was actually the b-side to “Hey Señorita”, but after a DJ played both sides listeners started phoning in to request “Earth Angel”. It shot to number 1 on the national R&B charts and stayed there for three weeks. It’s estimated to have sold 5 million copies world-wide.

“Doo Wop – The R&B Vocal Group Sound – 1950 to 1960”

Disc 1

1) Double Crossing Blues – Johnny Otis Quintette With The Robins & Little Esther; 2) I Will Wait – The Four Buddies; 3) Sixty-Minute Man – The Dominoes; 4) Don’t You Know I Love You – The Clovers; 5) The Glory Of Love – The Five Keys; 6) Fool Fool Fool – The Clovers; 7) Have Mercy Baby – The Dominoes; 8) One Mint Julep – The Clovers; 9) Baby Don’t Do It – The 5 Royales; 10) Ting-A-Ling – The Clovers; 11) I Wanna Know – The Du Droppers; 12) Help Me Somebody – The 5 Royales; 13) Good Lovin’ – The Clovers; 14) Crying In The Chapel – The Orioles; 15) Nadine – The Coronets; 16) Money Honey – Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters; 17) Rags To Riches – Billy Ward & The Dominoes; 18) I Didn’t Want To Do It – The Spiders; 19) Such A Night – Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters; 20) Lovey Dovey – The Clovers; 21) Gee – The Crows; 22) Work With Me Annie – The Royals; 23) Middle Of The Night – The Clovers; 24) Goodnite Sweetheart, Goodnite – The Spaniels; 25) Honey Love – Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters; 26) Sh-Boom – The Chords; 27) Sexy Ways – Hank Ballard & The Midnighters; 28) Hearts Of Stone – The Charms; 29) Sincerely – The Moonglows

The Penguins - Earth Angel

Disc 2

1) Earth Angel – The Penguins; 2) Ling Ting Tong – The Five Keys; 3) The Door Is Still Open – The Cardinals; 4) Story Untold – The Nutmegs; 5) Soldier Boy – The Four Fellows; 6) Only You (And You Alone) – The Platters; 7) Why Don’t You Write Me – The Jacks; 8) At My Front Door – The El Dorados; 9) Adorable – The Drifters; 10) When You Dance – The Turbans; 11) The Great Pretender – The Platters; 12) Speedoo – The Cadillacs; 13) Devil Or Angel – The Clovers; 14) Why Do Fools Fall In Love – Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers; 15) Eddie My Love – The Teen Queens; 16) (You’ve Got) The Magic Touch – The Platters; 17) Ivory Tower – Otis Williams & His Charms; 18) Please, Please, Please – James Brown & The Famous Flames; 19) I Want You To Be My Girl – Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers; 20) My Prayer – The Platters; 21) Stranded In The Jungle – The Cadets; 22) In The Still Of The Nite – The Five Satins; 23) Heaven On Earth – The Platters; 24) Oh What A Nite – The Dells; 25) A Thousand Miles Away – The Heartbeats; 26) Come Go With Me – The Del-Vikings; 27) I’m Sorry – The Platters; 28) Over The Mountain, Across The Sea – Johnnie & Joe; 29) Searchin’ – The Coasters

Disc 3

1) Young Blood – The Coasters; 2) Star Dust – Billy Ward & The Dominoes; 3) Mr Lee – The Bobbettes; 4) Happy Happy Birthday Baby – The Tune Weavers; 5) Silhouettes – The Rays; 6) Little Bitty Pretty One – Thurston Harris; 7) Buzz Buzz Buzz – Hollywood Flames; 8) Get A Job – The Silhouettes; 9) Maybe – The Chantels; 10) Don’t You Just Know It – Huey “Piano” Smith & The Clowns; 11) Book Of Love – The Monotones; 12) Twilight Time – The Platters; 13) Yakety Yak – The Coasters; 14) For Your Precious Love – Jerry Butler & The Impressions; 15) One Summer Night – The Danleers; 16) Western Movies – The Olympics; 17) Rock-In Robin – Bobby Day; 18) Tears On My Pillow – Little Anthony & The Imperials; 19) Try Me – James Brown & The Famous Flames; 20) Smoke Gets In Your Eyes – The Platters; 21) Charlie Brown – The Coasters; 22) So Fine – The Fiestas; 23) You’re So Fine – The Falcons; 24) There Goes My Baby – The Drifters; 25) I Only Have Eyes For You – The Flamingos; 26) Sea Of Love – Phil Phillips With The Twilights; 27) Poison Ivy – The Coasters; 28) Dance With Me – The Drifters; 29) Stay – Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs; 30) Save The Last Dance For Me – The Drifters; 31) Shop Around – The Miracles

Lowell Fulson – Reconsider Baby

Lowell Fulson – “Reconsider Baby” from the album “A Complete Introduction To Chess”

Lowell was born on 31 March 1921 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He moved to Ada, Oklahoma when he was 18 joining Texas Alexander for a few months. He then moved to California forming  band that soon included a young Ray Charles and Stanley Turrentine.
He was drafted in 1943 and was in the United States Navy until 1945. He eventually joined Chess Records in 1954 and was with them until 1962.

He died on 7 March 1999.

Disc 1

1) Rocket 88 – Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats; 2) Maybellene – Chuck Berry; 3) Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley; 4) How Many More Years – Howlin’ Wolf; 5) Reconsider Baby – Lowell Fulson; 6)  Juke – Little Walter; 7) Don’t Start Me To Talkin’ – Sonny Boy Williamson; 8) I Can’t Be Satisfied – Muddy Waters; 9) Leave My Wife Alone – John Lee Hooker; 10) I’m A Man – Bo Diddley; 11) My Babe – Little Walter; 12) Dust My Broom – Elmore James; 13) Third Degree – Eddie Boyd; 14) Moanin’ At Midnight – Howlin’ Wolf; 15) (I’m Your) Hoochie Coochie Man – Muddy Waters; 16) Sincerely – The Moonglows; 17) When The Lights Go Out – Jimmy Witherspoon; 18) Sugar Mama – John Lee Hooker; 19) Booted – Rosco Gordon; 20) Seventh Son – Willie Mabon; 21) Mannish Boy – Muddy Waters; 22) Crazy For My Baby – Willie Dixon; 23) Jock-A-Mo – Sugar Boy Crawford; 24) Last Night – Little Walter; 25) Ain’t Got No Home – Clarence “Frogman” Henry; 26) This Pain In My Heart – Willie Dixon

Lowell Fulsom  - Reconsider Baby

Disc 2

1) Rock And Roll Music – Chuck Berry; 2) You Can’t Judge A Book By It’s Cover – Bo Diddley; 3) Nothin’ Shakin’ (But The Leaves On The Trees) – Eddie Fontaine; 4) The Walk – Jimmy McCracklin; 5) Smokestack Lightnin’ – Howlin’ Wolf; 6) Forty Days And Forty Nights – Muddy Waters; 7) Something’s Got A Hold On Me – Etta James; 8) See You Later, Alligator – Bobby Charles; 9) Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry; 10) Suzie Q – Dale Hawkins; 11) Walking By Myself – Jimmy Rogers; 12) I Just Want To Make Love To You – Etta James; 13) Nine Below Zero – Sonny Boy Williamson; 14) The Red Rooster – Howlin’ Wolf; 15) Talk To Me Baby – Elmore James; 16) Peanut Butter – The Marathons; 17) Let Me In – The Sensations; 18) The Watusi – The Vibrations; 19) (I Don’t Know Why) But I Do – Clarence “Frogman” Henry; 20) At Last – Etta James; 21) Smokey Places – The Corsairs; 22) Rinky Dink – Dave “Baby” Cortez; 23) Ten Commandments Of Love – Harvey & The Moonglows; 24) Cadillac Jack – Andre Williams; 25) You Always Hurt The One You Love – Clarence “Frogman” Henry; 26) Don’t Mess Up A Good Thing – Fontella Bass

Disc 3

1) Rescue Me – Fontella Bass; 2) Soulful Dress – Sugar Pie DeSanto; 3) One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer – John Lee Hooker; 4) Promised Land – Chuck Berry; 5) Three Hundred Pounds Of Joy – Howlin’ Wolf; 6) We’re Gonna Make It – Little Milton; 7) No Particular Place To Go – Chuck Berry; 8) Hi-Heel Sneakers – Tommy Tucker; 9) Wade In The Water – Ramsey Lewis Trio; 10) Landslide – Tony Clarke; 11) Look At Me Now – Terry Callier; 12) Mama Didn’t Lie – Jan Bradley; 13) Sally, Go ‘Round The Roses – The Jaynetts; 14) Selfish One – Jackie Ross; 15) Summertime – Billy Stewart; 16) The Entertainer – Tony Clarke; 17) Sitting In The Park – Billy Stewart ; 18) Temptation ‘Bout To Get Me – The Knight Brothers; 19) Voice Your Choice – The Radiants; 20) Searching For My Love – Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces; 21) In The Basement – Etta James & Sugar Pie De Santo; 22) The “In” Crowd – Ramsey Lewis Trio; 23) I Had A Talk With My Man Last Night – Mitty Collier; 24) I Do Love You – Billy Stewart; 25) You Left The Water Running – Maurice & Mac; 26) Oh, What A Night – The Dells

Disc 4

1) Tell Mama – Etta James; 2) Wang Dang Doodle – Koko Taylor; 3) Evil – Howlin’ Wolf; 4) I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun – Rotary Connection; 5) Tom Cat – Muddy Waters; 6) California Soul – Marlena Shaw; 7) Hold On – The Radiants; 8) Sweeter Than The Day Before – The Valentinos; 9) A Love Reputation – Denise LaSalle; 10) Afro Harping – Dorothy Ashby; 11) Woman Of The Ghetto – Marlena Shaw; 12) Good To Me – Irma Thomas; 13) I’d Rather Go Blind – Etta James; 14) Dirty Man – Laura Lee; 15) Ordinary Joe – Terry Callier; 16) Burning Spear – The Soulful Strings; 17) Let Me Wrap My Arms Around You – Solomon Burke; 18) To Be A Lover – Gene Chandler; 19) Here Comes The Judge – Pigmeat Markham; 20) Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation – The Dells; 21) You And Your Baby Blues – Solomon Burke; 22) My Ding-A-Ling – Chuck Berry

Thelonious Monk – ‘Round Midnight

Thelonious Monk – “‘Round Midnight” from the album “‘Round Midnight: The Complete Blue Note Singles”

Born Thelonious Sphere Monk on 10 October 1917 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, but his family moved to Manhattan, New York City in 1922.  By the time he was six he was playing piano.

He was mainly self-taught, although a brief spell at Juilliard School of Music gave him some theoretical training. A majority of his style was developed while he was the house pianist at Minton’s Playhouse on 118th Street between 1941 and 1948.

‘Round Midnight: The Complete Blue Note Singles

Disc 1

1) Thelonious; 2) Suburban Eyes; 3) ‘Round Midnight; 4) Well You Needn’t; 5) Evonce; 6) Off Minor; 7) In Walked Bud; 8) Epistrophy; 9) Ruby My Dear; 10) Evidence; 11) Humph; 12) Misterioso; 13) All The Things You Are; 14) I Should Care; 15) I Mean You; 16) Monk’s Mood; 17) Who Knows?; 18) Nice Work (If You Can Get It); 19) April In Paris; 20) Four In One; 21) Straight No Chaser; 22) Criss Cross; 23) Eronel; 24) Ask Me Now; 25) Willow Weep For Me

Thelonious Monk - 'Round Midnight

Disc 2

1) Skippy; 2) Let’s Cool One; 3) Hornin’ In; 4) Carolina Moon; 5) Evonce (alternate take); 6) Suburban Eyes (alternate take); 7) Nice Work (If You Can Get It) (alternate take); 8) Ruby My Dear (alternate take); 9) Well You Needn’t (alternate take); 10) April In Paris (alternate take); 11) Introspection (alternate take); 12) Who Knows? (alternate take); 13) I Should Care (alternate take); 14) Misterioso (alternate take); 15) Four In One (alternate take); 16) Criss Cross (alternate take); 17) Ask Me Now (alternate take); 18) Skippy (alternate take); 19) Hornin’ In (alternate take); 20) Sixteen (take 1); 21) Sixteen (take 2); 22) I’ll Follow You

Jimmy Nelson – I Sat and Cried

Jimmy Nelson – “I Sat and Cried” from the album “Theme Time Radio Hour”

Jimmy Nelson was born on 7 April 1919 in Philadelphia. On finishing high school he rode the rails eventually ending up in Oakland, California where he met Joe Turner, who taught him about singing, performance and the music business. He died on 29 July 2007 aged 88.

Theme Time Radio Hour

Disc 1

1) Turn Your Radio On – Grandpa Jones; 2) Papa’s On The Housetop – Leroy Carr And Scrapper Blackwell; 3) Shortnin’ Bread – Paul Chaplain & His Emeralds; 4) Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes; 5) Gun Fever (Blam Blam Fever) – The Valentines; 6) Pistol Packin’ Mama – Al Dexter & His Troopers; 7) Pistol Packin’ Mama – The Hurricanes; 8) Homework – Otis Rush; 9) He Will Break Your Heart – Jerry Butler; 10) Take It Away Lucky – Eddie Noack; 11) Buddy, Stay Off The Wine – Betty Hall Jones; 12) Tears A Go-Go – Charlie Rich; 13) Rich Woman – Li’l Millet & His Creoles; 14) Laughin’ & Jokin’ – Ernie Chaffin; 15) Me And My Chauffeur Blues – Memphis Minnie; 16) If I Lose – The Stanley Brothers; 17) I Sat And Cried – Jimmy Nelson; 18) Beatnik’s Wish – Patsy Raye & The Beatniks; 19) Devil In His Heart – The Donays; 20) Let’s Invite Them Over – George Jones & Melba Montgomery; 21) Don’t Take Ev’rybody To Be Your Friend – Sister Rosetta Tharpe With The Sam Price Trio; 22) Good Morning Heartache – Billie Holiday; 23) Pouring Water On A Drowning Man – James Carr; 24) I Drink – Mary Gauthier; 25) Mother Earth – Memphis Slim

Jimmy Nelson - I Sat and Cried

Disc 2

1) Chain Of Fools – Aretha Franklin; 2) Walk A Mile In My Shoes – Joe South & The Believers; 3) Cry Tough – Alton Ellis & The Flames; 4) Tommy Gun – The Clash; 5) (Everytime I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone – Roy Montrell; 6) Those DJ Shows – Patrice Holloway; 7) I Ain’t Drunk – Lonnie “The Cat”; 8) Eat That Chicken – Charles Mingus; 9) Mama, Get Your Hammer – Bobby Peterson Quintet; 10) How High The Moon – Slim Gaillard; 11) Cool Water – The Sons Of The Pioneers; 12) Only A Rose – Geraint Watkins; 13) I Walk In My Sleep – Berna – Dean; 14) Stars Fell On Alabama – Jack Teagarden’s Chicagoans; 15) Mama Tried (The Ballad From Killers Three) – Merle Haggard & The Strangers; 16) Big Long Slidin’ Thing – Dinah Washington; 17) Black Coffee – Bobby Darin; 18) I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water – The Cats And The Fiddle; 19) Ain’t Got The Money To Pay For This Drink – George Zimmerman & The Thrills With The Bubber Cyphers; 20) Bottle And A Bible – The Yayhoos; 21) Okie’s In The Pokie – Jimmy Patton; 22) If You’re So Smart, How Come You Ain’t Rich? – Louis Jordan; 23) Ay Te Dejo En San Antonio – Santiago Jimenez; 24) Mona – Bo Diddley; 25) Roadrunner (Twice) – The Modern Lovers

Orchestra Baobab – Utru Horas


Orchestra Baobab – “Utru Horas” from the album “Pirates Choice”

Orchestra Baobab

They formed in 1970 to play at the inauguration of Dakar’s Baobab Club with a majority of the musicians being recruited from the mother of Senegalese bands – The Star Band.

The Star Band had formed in 1960 to celebrate the independence of Senegal and had been encouraged to develop their own ideas and the distinctive Baobab was achieved by pooling their various musical strengths.

Pirates Choice

Disc 1
1) Utru Horas; 2) Coumba; 3) Ledi Ndieme M’bodj; 4) Werente Serigne; 5) Ray M’Bele; 6) Soldadi
Disc 2
1) Ngalam; 2) Toumaranke; 3) Foire Internationale; 4) La Rebellion; 5) Ndiaga Niaw; 6) Balla Daffe

Orchestra Baobab - Pirates Choice

Medoune Diallo – Vocals
Ndiouga Dieng – Vocals
Rudolphe Gomis – Vocals
Mapenda Seck – Vocals
Balla Sidibe – Vocals, Timbales
Barthelemy Attisso – Guitar
Papa Ba – Guitar
Adama Sarr – Guitar
Issa Cissoko – Tenor Saxophone
Charlie N’Diaye – Bass
Mountaga Kouyate – Percussion, Tumba

Mulatu Astatke – Gubelye

Mulatu Astatke – “Gubelye” from the album “Ethiopiques Volume 4”

Mulatu Astatke was born on 19 December 1943 in Djimma, Ethiopia. At a time when Ethiopian musicians were trained in the ranks of the institutional bands, Mulatu was the first, possibly only, musician of his generation to have travelled and studied music abroad.

He was sent to UK at the age of 17 to study engineering, but quickly changed to music, studying clarinet, piano and harmony at London’s Trinity College of Music and music theory at the Eric Gilder School of Music in Twickenham. He then attended the Hartnett National Music Studies in New York and then Boston’s Berklee College of Music.

In New york he frequented the jazz and latin-jazz scene and founded the Ethiopian Quintet. He remains the only Ethiopian musician to have been truly influenced by Latin-American music and by Jazz and weave it into the “Ethiopian groove”. He is known as the father of Ethio-Jazz.

Mulatu Astatke - Gubelye

Ethiopiques Volume 4

1) Yèkèrmo Sèw;  2) Mètché Dershé; 3) Kasalèfkut Hulu; 4) Tezeta; 5) Yègellé Tezeta; 6) Munayé; 7) Gubèlyé; 8) Asmarina – Feqadu Amde-Mesqel; 9) Yèkatit; 10) Nètsanèt; 11) Tezetayé Antchi Lidj; 12) Sabyé; 13) Ené Alantchi Alnorem – Girma Hadgu; 14) Dèwèl

The Meters – Cardova


The Meters – “Cardova” from the album “The Meters”

In the mid-1950s, while still in high school, Art Neville embarked on a solo career around the New Orleans area. He had limited success as a solo performer so enlisted Leo Nocentelli, Joseph “Ziggy” Modeliste and George Porter Jr to form a band – The Neville Sounds.

Allen Toussaint had produced several of Art’s previous recordings so Sansu Enterprises (the production company owned by Allen Toussaint and Marshall Sehorn) booked the band for session work. In spare moments during sessions for Lee Dorsey and Betty Harris they worked out riffs and licks for their club gigs. Toussaint kept the tapes rolling and The Meters as a band was born.
“Sophisticated Cissy” hit the R&B Top 10 and Pop Top 50 in February 1969 and The Meters became Sansu’s hottest act over the next two years!

The Meters

1) Cissy Strut; 2) Here Comes the Meter Man; 3) Cardova; 4) Live Wire; 5) Art; 6) Sophisticated Cissy; 7) Ease Back; 8) 6V6 LA; 9) Sehorn’s Farm; 10) Ann; 11) Stormy; 12) Sing A Simple Song

The Meters - Cardova

Art Neville – organ, keyboards
Ziggy Modeliste – drums
Leo Nocentelli – guitar
George Porter Jr. – bass