January 1, 2001

Happy New Year!
I decided to start the new year with a day of all live recordings...

1. Gene Harris and the Three Sounds - " Live at the It Club" 1970 (Blue Note)
Gene is my favorite piano player in this sort of gospel based jazz vibe. The coolest feel and great dynamics. This is one of his best CD's (my favorite is probably "the Three Sounds plus One featuring Stanley Turrentine") Gene died this past year. I'm so glad that his music can still live in though these recordings.

2. The Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall, 1959 on Riverside
Monk was true genius. His twisted (and revolutionary) sense of composition was so cool! He really opened up a lot of new avenues in music.

3. Bernard Purdies Jazz Groove Sessions in Tokyo, Lexington Records
Very Cool Old School Funk. Great band with Jeff Levine ( also from Avenue Blue ) on Organ, Melvin Sparks-Guitar, Pancho Morales- Perc, Freddie Washington-bass, Houston Person-tenor sax, Charlie Brown-tenor sax

4. Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters " Live in Europe" 1995 Bullseye
Ronnie is in the top 2 of my favorite living blues guitarists ( the other being Jimmy Vaughn )

5. Patsy Cline " Live at the Cimarron Ballroom" 1961 MCA
The recording is distorted but the music's great. this is the kind of country music I love. Very stripped down and very much from the heart.