like nobody else
Cecil Taylor Unit (CT, piano, vocal, percussion; Jimmy Lyons, alto saxophone, percussion; William Parker, bass, percussion; Rashid Bakr, percussion; Andre Martinez, percussion; Brenda Bakr, vocal) with dancers (Doretha Davidson, Leon Brown, Ron McKay, Pauline Zaguhei), live, Germany (Berlin), 1983
only rock ‘n’ roll
Tenement, live, Philadelphia, 2012
sounds of joy
Instant Composers Pool (ICP) Orchestra, “Lavoro” (S. Bergin, borrowing from “Moten Swing”), live, Amsterdam, 2013
Joyful? Yes. But sad, too. Pianist (and cofounder) Misha Mengelberg’s encroaching dementia, which has since sidelined him altogether, provides a poignant counterpoint.
only rock ‘n’ roll
Big Star (with Alex Chilton), “In the Street,” live (TV show), 1994
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Replacements, “Alex Chilton,” live (TV show), 2014
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lagniappe
musical thoughts
[M]y favorite songs . . . make[] me feel more able to go out and live.
—George Saunders, New York Times Magazine, 3/10/16 (on-line)
Who needs coffee?
Johnny Griffin Quartet (JG, tenor saxophone; Ronnie Matthews, piano; Ray Drummond, bass; Kenny Washington, drums), live, New York, 1981
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lagniappe
reading table
when cherry blossoms
scatter . . .
no regrets—Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827), translated from Japanese by David Lanoue
sounds of joy
Tenor saxophonists Arnett Cobb (1918-1989; 00:44-), Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (1922-1986; 02:32-), Johnny Griffin (1928-2008; 04:34-), “Lester Leaps In” (L. Young), live, Netherlands (Laren), 1984
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lagniappe
reading table
Even in the midst of trials and tribulations we still have joy.
—Pastor Norvel Goff, Sr., Sunday service, Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Charleston, S.C., 2015 (New Yorker, 9/28/15)
Another favorite ballad.
“I Thought About You” (J. Van Heusen & J. Mercer), Mal Waldron (piano), Jeanne Lee (vocals), et al., live, France (Marciac), 2000
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lagniappe
art beat
Helen Levitt (1913-2009; MCOTD Hall of Fame), New York, c. 1945
timeless
One of my favorite ballads.
“I Can’t Get Started” (V. Duke & I. Gershwin), Art Blakey (drums), John Gilmore (tenor saxophone), Lee Morgan (trumpet), John Hicks (piano), Victor Sproles (bass), live (TV show), London, 1964
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lagniappe
reading table
What I try to do is not miss anything.
—Cubs manager Joe Maddon, on his goal at work each day
tonight in (snowy) Chicago
They’ll be playing at Constellation.
Ches Smith (percussion), Mat Maneri (viola), Craig Taborn (piano), “Wacken Open Air,” live, Copenhagen, 1/19/16
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“I Think”
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lagniappe
random thoughts
Looking for pointers on patience? Here’s what MCOTD recommends: a bicycle accident and hip fracture. That will, I guarantee, change your whole outlook—pronto.
only rock ‘n’ roll
Savages, “The Answer,” 2015
music clip of the day 