Complex? Yes. But its complexity is matched by its clarity. It breathes.
Milton Babbitt (1916-2011), Composition for Twelve Instruments (1948, rev. 1954): Ensemble conducted by Ralph Shapey (1921-2002), 1962
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Oak Park, Ill.
tonight in Chicago
They’re playing at Constellation.
Dave Douglas (trumpet) and Elan Mehler (piano) with Dominique Eade (vocals), John Gunther (reeds), et al: “If There Are Mountains” (D. Douglas with words by Santoka Taneda [1882-1950], translated from the Japanese by John Stevens: “If there are mountains, I look at the mountains; / On rainy days I listen to the rain. / Spring, summer, autumn, winter. / Tomorrow too will be good. / Tonight too will be good.”), studio, 2020
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Oak Park, Ill.
passings
David Lindley, musician (guitar, banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, oud, etc.), March 21, 1944–March 3, 2023
Henry Kaiser (1952-, guitarist), “Requiem for David Lindley,” 3/7/23
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lagniappe
art beat: other day, Art Institute of Chicago
Arshile Gorky, 1904-1948, After Khorkum (1940-42), detail
Today, after more than a decade of near-daily blogging (and tens of thousands of views from people in over 175 countries), I’m adopting a new format. No longer will I be here every day. Instead, I’ll be stopping by now and then, as the spirit moves me. Enjoy!
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Simeon Ten Holt (1923-2012), Canto Ostinato (1976): pianists Elizabeth Bergmann, Marcel Bergmann, Sandra van Veen and Jeroen van Veen, live, Netherlands (Eindhoven), 4/2/2011
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Oak Park, Ill. (Oak Park Conservatory)
what’s new
Ab-Soul, live (“MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE,” “Bohemian Grove,” “IT BE LIKE THAT,” “FOMF,” “Terrorist Threats,” “FALLACY,” “DO BETTER,” “The Book of Soul,” “GOTTA RAP”), Washington, D.C., published yesterday
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Oak Park, Ill.
sounds of New York
Marc Ribot’s Spiritual Unity (1954-, guitar), Roy Campbell (1952-2014, trumpet, flugelhorn), Henry Grimes (1935-2020, bass, violin), Chad Taylor (1973-, drums), live, New York, 2007
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Chicago
tonight in Chicago
They’re playing at Constellation.
Bill Orcutt (guitar), Chris Corsano (drums), live, San Francisco, 8/26/22
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lagniappe
art beat: other day, Art Institute of Chicago
Jackson Pollock (1912-1956), Greyed Rainbow (1953), detail
sounds of Chicago
Charles Stepney [1931-1976, producer, arranger, songwriter, musician]: Out of the Shadows (2022)
Episode 1
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Episode 2
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Episode 3
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Episode 4
what’s new
Theo Croker (TC, trumpet, vocals; Eric Wheeler, bass; Michael King, keyboards; Michael Shekwoaga Ode, drums; MALAYA, vocals), live (“JAZZ IS DEAD,” “The Messenger,” “Happy Feet (for dancers) (feat. MALAYA),” “No Escape from Bliss”), Washington, D.C., published today
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lagniappe
art beat: other day, Des Moines Art Center
John Chamberlin (1927-2011), VANDAM BILLY (1981), detail
sounds of Detroit
DJ/producer Theo Parrish (1972-)
“Black Music” (feat. Craig Huckaby), Sound Sculptures Vol. 1 (2007)
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Shopping, talking, etc., 2013
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lagniappe
art beat: other day, Art Institute of Chicago
Vasily Kandinsky (1866-1944), Painting with Green Center (1913), detail
music clip of the day 