music clip of the day

jazz/blues/rock/classical/gospel/more

Category: art beat

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)

**********

lagniappe

art beat

Robert Frank (1924-), Funeral—St. Helena, South Carolina, 1955/56

Leave a comment

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

**********

lagniappe

art beat

Robert Frank (1924-), Cafe – Beaufort, South Carolina, 1955

Leave a comment

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

**********

lagniappe

art beat

Robert Frank (1924-), Santa Fe, 1955

Leave a comment

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

**********

lagniappe

art beat

Robert Frank (1924-), Rooming house—Bunker Hill, Los Angeles, 1955/56

Leave a comment

2017

Sunday, March 26th

old school

Skip James (1902-1969), “Let Jesus Lead You,” 1964

**********

lagniappe

art beat

Robert Frank (1924-), Funeral—St. Helena, South Carolina, 1955/56

Leave a comment

2017

Saturday, March 25th

never enough

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor
Daniil Trifonov, live, New York, 2014

**********

lagniappe

art beat

Robert Frank (1924-), View from Hotel Window—Butte, Montana, 1955/56

Leave a comment

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.

**********

lagniappe

art beat

Robert Frank (1924-), Candy Store, New York City, 1955/56

Leave a comment

2017

Sunday, March 19th

old school

Soul Stirrers (feat. R.H. Harris), “Canaan Land,” 1947

Ever tire of the 21st century?

Me, too.

**********

lagniappe

art beat: other day, Art Institute of Chicago

Paul Cezanne (1839-1906), The Bathers, 1899/1904

Leave a comment

2017

Tuesday, February 28th

basement jukebox

Little Johnny Jones (vocals, piano; 1924-1964), “Big Town Playboy,” 1950

**********

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

Leave a comment

2017

Saturday, February 25th

A handful of pieces I never tire of, no matter how many times I hear them. This is one.

Morton Feldman (1926-1987; MCOTD Hall of Fame), For Bunita Marcus (1985); Stephen Drury (piano), live, Boston, 2016

**********

lagniappe

art beat: other day, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Jasper Johns (1930-), In Memory of My Feelings—Frank O’Hara, 1961

Leave a comment