Comments on: Still Here

By: JVK

JVK — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 16:22:40 +0000

Thanks for putting me onto the Bill Evans documentary. I was unaware of it and enjoyed it very much.

By: bill

bill — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 17:56:59 +0000

they just showed Elevator To The Scaffold on TCM and let’s not forget Round Midnight.

By: Clifford Allen

Clifford Allen — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 21:58:46 +0000

Just watched the more recent Kirk documentary — very nice. Thanks for the tip.

Indeed, hope everyone can stay safe & healthy right now!

By: Evan

Evan — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 04:08:25 +0000

“The Man Who Cried Fire” is a Rahsaan Roland Kirk comp that I played to death I loved it so much. There are some beautiful moments. Al, you’ve inspired me to go back to that record and also to check out your favorite “I Talk With Spirits.” I haven’t listened to the comp in a while, but I remember that It’s a strange comp bc for at least one track it plays Kirk’s solo then fades out the rest of the track. That kind of cutting up tracks would usually turn me off, but whoever put this together had access to some cool tapes and they really knew how to showcase Kirks artistry imho. Welcome back Al and stay healthy everyone.

By: John

John — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 02:22:18 +0000

American Epic on Amazon is magnificent. So many amazing stories I didn’t know about music. The archive footage is mind boggling! Although it’s not a jazz doc per se it does have a wonderful story in episode two of 1920s inspiration for one of the greats of be bop. I won’t spoil the surprise.

Thank you for posting Al. It is deeply comforting to read the calm words of reason in these troubling times and those of JC community. I generally don’t post but I look every day and today’s post brightened my day considerably.

I’ve started pulling some 78s from the shelves. Just gave Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing” and Louis’ “West End Blues” a spin. Marvelous.

Stay safe everyone

By: Clifford Allen

Clifford Allen — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 22:15:57 +0000

RRK is one of the greatest!

One film I recall from the VHS era featured both Roland Kirk and John Cage. I remember it being quite interesting, especially because Cage really disliked jazz and improvisation (and black music in general — probably for another thread). It is called Sound and appears to be on YouTube…

By: O. Jimenez

O. Jimenez — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 22:03:01 +0000

I found this forum while trying to identify the pressing of my copy of “Miles Ahead” typing the stamped matrix on google. like everyone I know, I’ve been impacted by the current state of affairs, and am unclustering, to prevent the replicator from using the ribosoms from my cells to continue to replicate! I’m also currently reading “Visions of Jazz, The first century” by Gary Giddins. I also visit and am a member of the ‘vinylengine’ forum, where all-things-analog-vinyl…..and not, are discussed by music lovers via posts. I deciced to create a new topic: “Visions of JAZZ: what are you listening to? “Miles Ahead” is becoming my favorite Miles Davis album!

Cheers!

P.S. if you are an amazon prime member, Amazon has some excellent documentaries about Jazz

By: Darren

Darren — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 21:12:54 +0000

Thanks for this writing, I’ve not heard of Roland Kirk before – although I’m kinda new to the world of jazz. Will give it a try. Awesome sleeve too.

I noticed Chasing Trane is on Netflix, started off a bit abstract so I saved it lol, but I fancy watching that one during the next few days.

By: Joe L

Joe L — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 18:20:37 +0000

I’m jealous that you saw Roland Kirk so often!

“Rip Rig and Panic” and “Now Please Don’t You Cry Beautiful Edith” are my two all-time favorites – completely different bands, completely different approaches, completely different sounds, and Kirk still just tears it up on both. True genius.

By: Joe L

Joe L — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 18:16:45 +0000

The Monk documentary “Straight No Chaser” is the best.

“Amazing Grace” the recently-released Aretha Franklin church performance documentary. Beautiful.

“Gimme Shelter” of course. Harrowing scenes at Altamont, but the performances leading up to it are terrific.

While perhaps not of interest to many our of friends who read this website, and while it covers music and a scene that may well be the direct opposite of jazz, “The Decline of Western Civilization” is a tremendous music doc, maybe the best ever IMHO.