As you know by now, we love to explore something old and something new musically! That is beauty about jazz it never gets old, well at least form our perspective. Of course, some say older stuff sounds dated (audible wise). Regardless, the content of older music is enriching and everlasting.
Billy Childs | I’ve Known Rivers [Out of Print]
Here’s a fun parlor trick: play this 1995 session for someone who doesn’t know Billy Childs and ask who the leader of the session is. Nine times out of ten, they’ll pick reedsman Bob Sheppard, whose soprano sax, clarinets, and flutes are at the foreground of every one of these eight tracks (not counting the recitation of Langston Hughes‘ poem of the same title, read by Warren Brown at the album’s beginning). This leaves pianist and composer Billy Childs sounding like nothing more than a sideman on his own album. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the little-known Sheppard is actually a gifted soloist whose best work recalls the pan-musical sensibilities and lyricism of Rahsaan Roland Kirk‘s most delicate work, although he’s obviously nowhere near so distinctive a player. – AllMusicGuide
*If you know anyone that has this record by Billy Childs get a copy, it’s a remarkable record by one of today’s unsung composers, keyboardist and arrangers.
Pat Metheny Trio | Day Trip
It was a collaborative tour de force that earned a standing ovation. Christian is an amazing musician and Antonio is the drummer of this generation, says Metheny. 35 year-old bassist McBride had played alongside Roy Hargrove, Freddie Hubbard and others, before stepping up to lead his own group; 36 year-old drummer Sanchez is a member of The Pat Metheny Group. On Day Trip, Metheny offers plenty of excitement in his solos and the trio cranks up the funk on “The Red One”, (a version of which was previously released on Metheny’s collaboration with John Scofield “I Can See Your House From Here”). However they generally eschew flash for a more easy-going groove; McBride calls it a softer, more traditional sound. Perhaps most eloquent among these tracks is the elegiac, folk-like melody of “Is This America?” (Katrina 2005). 2007 was an exceptional year for Metheny. – Amazon.com