Record Store Day endures.
To be honest, I sort of thought the vinyl renaissance would have wound down by now. But people seem more eager to fork over their hard-earned dollars for multicolored discs than any time since the 1970s. This year’s Record Store Day, when independent retailers are happy to sell you some analog rarities, is coming on Saturday, April 22.
There’s some terrific music being made available in limited editions. So, if you enjoy the thrill of elbowing fellow vinyl lovers as you rush to grasp your holy grail, be sure to seek out one or two of these jazz titles. The following will be available on compact disc soon, too.
Organist and bandleader Shirley Scott released a lot of recordings during her relatively short life, but I’ve never heard one as incendiary as “Queen Talk: Live at the Left Bank,” recorded in Baltimore circa 1972. The stretched-out soul jazz performances of blues and pop hits of the era are presented in stellar sound; it’s the closest we’ll get to hanging out at the fabled Left Bank club until time travel is perfected. Scott plays with confident energy throughout, and tenor player George Coleman is as charismatic as Scott’s more famous saxophone collaborators, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis and Stanley Turrentine. As a bonus, forgotten jazz vocalist Ernie Andrews shows up to belt out a Jim Croce song. “Queen Talk” is as enjoyable as it is accomplished.
Somewhat more obscure is pianist Walter Bishop Jr., with another Baltimore-based live collection, “Bish at the Bank.” Taken from two separate mid-’60s concerts, Bishop is heard in excellent form throughout, and there are plentiful displays of his exuberant technique. A genuine bonus is the presence of saxophonist Harold Vick, another masterful player whose name has essentially vanished over time. It’s a pleasure to experience this sort of unearthed brilliance in prime fidelity, and this set significantly adds to the available music from both Bishop and Vick. Nice to see both guys’ music back in your record store, and there’s significantly more to discover from each of them, if you dig a little.
Also, don’t sleep on Record Store Day releases from Chet Baker (“Blue Room,” recorded in Holland in 1979 and giving Baker plenty of space to express his distinct sensitivity on trumpet as well as his own singing) and a searing date from alto saxophonist Sonny Stitt taped 50 years ago, “Boppin’ in Baltimore.” Stitt’s technique was astounding, and it’s well-documented here.
Live jazz this month:
Some high-profile live gigs include a rare Denver appearance from vocalist Emilie-Claire Barlow, performing songs from her new album, “Spark Bird,” at Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club, on April 5. … The thunderous Mingus Big Band appears at DU’s Newman Center for the Performing Arts on April 6. … Saxophonist Eric Darius plays the Soiled Dove Underground on April 7. … Pianist Carmen Sandim interprets the music of Ron Miles at Dazzle on April 11. … Smooth saxophonist Boney James takes to the Boulder Theater stage on April 14. … Pianist and composer Billy Childs has released a thought-provoking new set, “The Winds of Change.” He’ll perform selections from the album with guest trumpeter Sean Jones on May 6 at Dazzle.
