Tuesday, April 25th
Is any alto player more eloquent?
Joe McPhee (alto saxophone), William Parker (bass), Gerald Cleaver (drums), live, New York, 2014
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lagniappe
art beat
Paul Strand (1890-1976), Abandoned Window, 1944
music clip of the day
jazz/blues/rock/classical/gospel/more
Category: art beat
2017
2017
Wednesday, April 12th
timeless
Old recordings, where everyone involved is long dead, don’t just appeal to the ears—they’re springboards for the imagination. Here’s one made in Memphis nearly 90 years ago.
Close your eyes.
Open your imagination.
They’re just about ready to record.
What’s the room look like?
What’s the last thing said before they start?
Tommy Johnson (1896-1956), “Cool Drink of Water Blues” (1928)
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lagniappe
art beat
Robert Frank (1924-), Funeral—St. Helena, South Carolina, 1955/56
2017
Tuesday, April 11th
more
John Coltrane Quartet (JC, tenor saxophone; McCoy Tyner, piano; Jimmy Garrison, bass; Elvin Jones, drums), “Vigil,” “Naima,” “My Favorite Things,” live, Belgium (Comblain-La-Tour), 1965
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lagniappe
art beat
Robert Frank (1924-), Cafe – Beaufort, South Carolina, 1955
2017
Sunday, April 9th
another take
Rev. Al Green, “The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow” (T.A. Dorsey), live, Memphis (Full Gospel Tabernacle Church), 1983
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lagniappe
art beat
Robert Frank (1924-), Santa Fe, 1955
2017
Tuesday, March 28th
bad news/good news
Bad news: You’ve heard nothing this good in who knows how long.
Good news: You’re about to hear this.
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers (AB, drums; John Gilmore, tenor saxophone; Lee Morgan, trumpet; John Hicks, piano; Victor Sproles, bass), “On The Ginza,” “Lament for Stacey,” “The Egyptian,” “I Can’t Get Started,” “Buhaina’s Delight,” live (TV show), London, 1964
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lagniappe
art beat
Robert Frank (1924-), Rooming house—Bunker Hill, Los Angeles, 1955/56
2017
Sunday, March 26th
old school
Skip James (1902-1969), “Let Jesus Lead You,” 1964
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lagniappe
art beat
Robert Frank (1924-), Funeral—St. Helena, South Carolina, 1955/56
2017
Saturday, March 25th
never enough
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor
Daniil Trifonov, live, New York, 2014
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lagniappe
art beat
Robert Frank (1924-), View from Hotel Window—Butte, Montana, 1955/56
2017
Friday, March 24th
more
“Johnny B. Goode” (C. Berry), live (TV show), France, 1958
Everyone talks about his guitar playing. And, yes, it’s terrific. But he may be an even better songwriter.
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lagniappe
art beat
Robert Frank (1924-), Candy Store, New York City, 1955/56
2017
Sunday, March 19th
old school
Soul Stirrers (feat. R.H. Harris), “Canaan Land,” 1947
Ever tire of the 21st century?
Me, too.
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lagniappe
art beat: other day, Art Institute of Chicago
Paul Cezanne (1839-1906), The Bathers, 1899/1904
2017
Tuesday, February 28th
basement jukebox
Little Johnny Jones (vocals, piano; 1924-1964), “Big Town Playboy,” 1950
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lagniappe
art beat: other day, Whitney Museum of American Art (New York)
Diane Arbus (1923-1971), A young man and his pregnant wife in Washington Square Park, NYC, 1965
music clip of the day 