music

musicology #296

JamaicanVocalGroupAction #7

(The Melodians – Swing & Dine)

Apologies for not posting yesterday’s Three Tops cut on the Audio Widget until this morning !! … Been grafting like a dog, especially over the last few weeks, in preparation for phase two of ‘the project’ which is almost ready for exposure. As a result themusicologist had to take a back seat. From my point of view the quality hasn’t suffered, (and never will),but the quantity is a piece erratic so hopefully youse Cats will continue to cut me some slack whilst I adjust.

Today’s piece of Vocal Group Action is a solid gold late Rock Steady, Early Reggae classic from one of the Island’s most loved trios….The Melodians, featuring the sublime talents of Tony Brevett, Brent Dowe, Trevor McNaughton? and Renford Cogle. A group known globally for their influential ‘Rivers Of Babylon’,  tune which certainly helped the music of Jamaica to gain more exposure and then acceptance outside of the few places that knew and raved about it. This slice is well known to the reggae community but maybe not so well outside of it. A 1968 Sonia Pottinger production for her Gayfeet label that, at least as far as I’m concerned, climbs and reaches the highest heights.

Listen tune……

musicology #291

JamaicanVocalGroupAction #2

(The Heptones – One Love)

Today’s cut is from the mighty Heptones, (Leroy Sibbles, Barry Llewelyn and Earl Morgan). One of the top ranking Jamaican vocal groups throughout the sixties and seventies. Not only that but Leroy Sibbles, (as mentioned previously on themusicologist), was an important part of Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One production team as Bass player, Musical director and all round musicologist during it’s ‘Golden Age’  until his departure for Canada in 1973. With Jackie Mittoo and Leroy gone Studio 1 began to lose it’s edge until younger Cats like Sugar Minott took up the baton a few years later. This, (1971?), piece is a slice from them glorious, Golden days off the album Freedom Line

musicology #289

twolegendsclash #12

(Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra – Basin Street Blues)

Final cut of the ‘legends’ and it’s down to ‘Gate’ to close the show. Just like to say that such is the quality, (and quantity), from the twolegends that this selection could last a year !! The Cats featured over the last two weeks are an inspiration and deserve all the accolades that have been written and spoken about them over the last 100 years…

Today’s cut is the first of his many recordings of the legendary ‘Basin Street Blues’ recorded in Chicago 1928 on a special day for themusicologist, (December 4th), one of my favourite Satchelmouth cuts.. featuring two other legendary musicologists Earl Hines and Zutty Singleton.

musicology #285

twolegendsclash #8

(Louis Armstrong & His Hot 5 – Hotter Than That)

Last of the uptempo and fittingly it’s one from Father Armstrong’s final recording session with the original, groundbreaking super group known as the Hot 5. Featuring not only the talents of Armstrong but also Kid Ory on the trombone, Johnny Dodds playing clarinet, Lil Hardin on the piano, Johnny St Cyr plucking the banjo and Blues guitarist Lonnie Johnson. Might not sound ‘Avant Garde’ now but at the time it was. This group came with the ‘new style’ that was to influence much of the music that followed…

musicology #284

twolegendsclash #7

(The Haitian Orchestra – Meringue D’Amour)

Day seven of the twolegends…two more uptempo cuts and then it’s downtempo until Saturday. Today’s cut features Sidney Bechet blowing Soprano, (the instrument he single handedly introduced to modern music), as well as piano legend Willie ‘ The Lion ‘ Smith keeping time, Olin Alderhold plucking bass, Leo Warney on the drums and Kenneth Roane on the trumpet. Recorded in New York on November 22nd 1939. Maybe not as technical or improvisational as many of the other Bechet recordings but, for me, one of the most infectious…I can’t get enough of this one. BIG tune down themusicologist way.

musicology #283

twolegendsclash #6

(Louis Armstrong And His New Sebastian Cotton Club Orchestra – You’re Drivin’ Me Crazy)

Judging by this weeks viewer statistics It would be far more effective for themusicologist to roll with some funk/boogie/reggae/etc, boosting the figures, (and the ego), and patting myself on the back for my musical taste and how well it is received around the world but, for me, the unviversal language has a will of it’s own and compells me to follow rather than lead. themusicologist has no destination in mind or even a reason for being other than to share and spread the word.

It’s harder to be and stay positive when under seige from the media and society at large but through thick and thin music is always there to inspire thought and action on the journey and for themusicologist the selection chooses itself…

Armstrong and Bechet, (to name but two), learned, spoke, evolved and taught the language of the underdog, the oppressed and the disenfranchised to millions around the world in a style and formula that needed no translation or formal education. Listening to these Cats blow delivers musical riches beyond my wildest dreams and makes the spirit soar in tandem with the notes that emerge from their weapons.

Doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, what you believe in or what colour skin you have, (which it most certainly did back then), the universal language speaks to us all and as always this page is a tribute to the artists on parade.

Today’s cut, featuring Father Armstrong, recorded on December 23rd 1930 in Los Angeles showcases his dexterity as trumpet player, vocalist and authentic man of the people. The way he mixes and blends, weaving in and out is a hallmark of his uniqueness. How many trumpet players are there, (or have ever been), that swing so effortlessy from playing to singing?

The band supporting consist of:

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Hite, Les (Conductor, Alto Saxophone, Bass Saxophone)
Orendorff, George (Trumpet)
Scott, Harold (Trumpet)
Graven, Luther (Trombone)
Johnson, Marvin (Alto Saxophone)
Jones, Charlie (Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet)
Prince, Henry (Piano)
Perkins, Bill (Banjo, Steel Guitar)
Bailey, Joe (Tuba, Bass)
Hampton, Lionel (Drums, Vibraphone)