passings
George Freeman (guitarist), April 10, 1927-April 1, 2025
Birth Sign,* 1970 (Delmark Records)
When, fifty years ago, I first heard this album, I thought it was wonderful. I still do.
*****
*1. “Mama, Papa, Brother” 2. “Cough It Up” 3. “My Scenery” 4. “Must Be, Must Be” 5. “Birth Sign” 6. “Hoss” 7. “My Ship”
George Freeman, guitar; Lester Lashley, trombone (track 4); Von Freeman (brother, MCOTD Hall of Fame), tenor saxophone (tracks 2-3, 6-7); Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, tenor saxophone (track 4); Sonny Burke, organ (tracks 1–6); Robert Pierce, organ (track 4); Billy Mitchell, drums
sounds of Chicago
Rob Mazurek — Exploding Star Orchestra (RM [1965-], director, trumpets, bells, voice, compositions; Nicole Mitchell, flute, voice, electronics; Damon Locks, voice, words, samplers, electronics; Tomeka Reid, cello, electronics; Craig Taborn, wurlitzer electric piano, moog, electronics; Angelica Sanchez, wurlitzer electric piano, moog; Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, bass; Chad Taylor, drums; Gerald Cleaver, drums), live, Chicago (Adler Planetarium), 2023
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Oak Park, Illinois

passings
Jerry Butler, singer, songwriter, producer, musician, politician, December 8, 1939-February 20, 2025
“For Your Precious Love” (J. Butler, A. Brooks, R. Brooks), 1958
*****
“Only the Strong Survive” (J. Butler, K. Gamble, L. Huff), 1969
*****
“Ain’t Understanding Mellow” (H. Talbert, H. Polk) with Brenda Lee Eager, live (TV show), 1970s
*****
“Let It Be Me” (P. Delanoë, Gilbert Bécaud) with Betty Everett, live (TV show), 2000)