aworks :: "new" american classical music

Certain Blacks "Do What They Wanna" (1970). Lincoln T. Beauchamp, Jr. 'Chicago Beau' /increasingly tougher in america/ african-american music appreciation month #4

In my listening career, I've probably not heard as much Art Ensemble of Chicago as I might have, given I generally like the music, the instrumentation, the fun, the midwestern residence, the general exploratory attitude...

Wikipedia:

The Allmusic review by Ron Wynn states "A classic, with spicy and frenetic solos one moment, comic overtones and clever melodies and rhythms the next. The Art Ensemble at this point were becoming stars overseas, and finding the going increasingly tougher in America. It's outside or avant-garde jazz with soul, heart, and funk"

chicagobeau.net:

Chicago Beau was born on the south-side of Chicago on 13 February 1949, into a house of music. The recordings of Dinah Washington, Coleman Hawkins, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and others inundated his senses from the beginning.

Our daughter responded early to the music of John Cage, Philip Glass, and Miles Davis but the ultimate result may be latent.

Spoonful (1960). Willie Dixon /happy birthday mr. wolf/ african-american music appreciation month #3

While other people are celebrating the Robert Schumann anniversary, I'm more interested in the Howlin' Wolf 100th birthday. It's taken me years but I'm starting to think Wolf was America's greatest blues musician. 

And in that recent Chess Records movie (YouTube clip here), the intensity of his character was the highlight.

Bolivar Blues (1956). Thelonious Monk /emphatic/ african-american music appreciation month #2

After listening to an old Maynard Ferguson album and now, a recording of Monk's Bolivar Blues, I've decided I like my jazz "emphatic." Although unlike Ferguson's loud and high trumpet, Monk on his solo later in Bolivar Blues doesn't so much pound the piano as emphasize it. His playing from around the 4:20 mark on is a favorite. And Charlie Rouse's enthusiastic yet fuzzy-toned tenor is a welcome addition.

Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original By Robin D. G. Kelley indicates the title refers to the Bolivar Hotel, which was the residence of the Baroness Nica de Koenigswarter (a Rothschild and a jazz patron).

 

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• Orange Crate Art: Thelonious Monk in Weehawken (q-ontech.blogspot.com)
• One Brilliant Corner (netnewmusic.net)
• Thelonious Monk: the Life and Times of an American Original (newstatesman.com)
• 50 great moments in jazz: The renaissance of Thelonious Monk (guardian.co.uk)

That's How I Feel (1978). Sun Ra /african-american music appreciation month/

President Obama has proclaimed this month African-American Music Appreciation Month. Tonight, I'm particularly enjoying Sun Ra's That's How I Feel.

Wikipedia points out the song's funk influence. Sputnik Music summarizes the Lanquidity album on which it appears:

Sun Ra's not quite as WTF as usual, making this album a bit more cohesive than you'd expect from this weirdo jazz keyboardist.

Sun Ra Discography confirms Ra is the composer of all the music on the album.