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I felt like hearing some straight-ahead jazz on the page and I remembered Peter Erskine had some nice tracks on his page. Erskine is one of the world's greatest drummers; if you aren't familiar with Peter, check out Peter's MySpace Page or
Peter's Official Website to learn about his work. Here's his bio blurb, lifted from his MySpace page: "Peter Erskine has played the drums since the age of 4 and is known for working in many different musical contexts. He appears on over 500 albums and film scores, and has won a Grammy Award as well as an Honorary Doctorate. He has played with (among others) Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Weather Report, Steely Dan, Steps Ahead, Joni Mitchell, Diana Krall, Kenny Wheeler, The Yellowjackets, Pat Metheny, John Abercrombie, Bill Frisell, John Scofield, Jan Garbarerk, et al, and has appeared as soloist with the London, Los Angeles, Scottish Chamber, BBC Symphony and Berlin Philharmonic orchestras. As an educator, Peter has authored several method videos and books, the latest being The Erskine Method book + DVD, plus Time Awareness for All Musicians, both available from Alfred Publishing. Peter plays DW Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Evans Drum Heads and Vic Firth Sticks & Brushes. Mr. Erskine and his wife Mutsy live in Santa Monica, California."
As for me ...
My passion is music.
Composing, playing, engineering, or just listening. I posess a few other good attributes ... a good eye, a twisted sense of humor, a disdain for politics as usual and concern for my fellow man. As we are a civilization in decline, I try not to contribute to the mess we're all making.
If I had my way I'd be found working in the studio making music 24/7. Other things I enjoy, in no particular order: Late night photoshop, web, and graphic design. Really good coffee; to my experience, the Italians do this better than anyone. The perfect vodka martini. Unhurried photographic outings. Good conversation. Learning from smarter people. Reading a good biography. The nearly extinct luxury of a free morning spent lounging in bed. Watching a great documentary. 1960's American cars. Quality time with good friends. Supporting local and indie musicians, and other things I can tell you about if we get down to any serious discussion...
You.
MY FAVORITES
Take a look at some of my all-time favorite "records" ... the essentials in my collection. This may be the best way to show you what I'm into musically. I'll edit this list as time allows but I regard each of these choices as "required listening" ...
To me, this is THE quintessential PMG release. (Yeah, yeah, all the other great ones ... trust me, I know.) But I saw them tour this album in 1978 when nobody knew who they were; one summer night back in 1978 they blew out Phillips Auditorium at (then) West Chester State U. at the end of their jazz festival. PMG has blown away countless millions since then, and although they've authored many of my favorite pieces over the years, "San Lorenzo" is still my favorite Pat & Lyle composition. It's funny. After all this time, more so than any other - that one track encapsulates the "Metheny" sound; what I believe he was trying to demonstrate could be acheived in his band. Pat was a unique act 28 years ago and still is; his creative well seems to have no bottom. History already shows that Pat is one of the most successful, admired, and prolific musicians of this century.
If this needs explaining ... you have some catching up to do ...
"Forest Of Feelings" was David Sancious's first solo release. Considering that David was only 21 years old when this was released, and what he was in the middle of at the time - this is one of the most impressive fusion albums ever conceived. It's still amazing to listen to 33 years later. If the shit HADN'T been hitting the fan with Bruce Springsteen when he was recording Born To Run, maybe David wouldn't have left the E Street band - and then we never would have been treated to this incredible album.
This one shouldn't need explaining.
A classic if there ever was one, and a true "desert island" album for me. If you don't know this album, it's time you owned your own copy. Miles later said the album was a failure, but Miles said a lot of things; this masterpiece is a brilliant in-the-moment excursion using George Russell's developing "theory" as a framework to explore new ways to compose and solo. In 1959 this was the boldest of quietest statements imaginable; today, it sounds as relevant as ever. I recommend reading Eric Nisenson's book:
"The Making Of Kind Of Blue -
Miles Davis and his Masterpiece."
This book dives deep into the players, composers, producers, and the music of that time.
Perhaps my favorite Lenny White solo album. But it's so hard to choose ... "Astral Pirates", "Big City", "Streamline" ... every one of Lenny White's early solo releases are unbelievable records ... Lenny's musical excursions were at once bold and dynamic; humorous and clever; sophisticated and ferocious. The musicianship always awesome. But there's something about this one ... this wonderfully varied collection of compositions takes you to lots of places, courtesy of Lenny's musical vision and supersonic drumming. This release is also hard to find nowadays but you can buy it at Wounded Bird Records
I don't know if Sting could ever put out an album that eclipses this one. It's so good on so many levels ... I'd like to make a record this good one day. If you're unfamiliar with this one, get a copy, settle back in a comfy chair with the headphones on and enjoy his most brilliant piece of work.
Michael Hedges totally turned the lexicon of acoustic guitar on it's head. He blew everybody's mind with his innovative approach to playing and was an absolutely fearless live performer; watching Michael play live was rarely less than astonishing and made you want to go home and smash your guitar into little tiny pieces. He is the biggest influence ever on my acoustic playing; we all try to cop his stuff but most of us do it badly. Another genius, gone too soon. This is his best album.
There isn't anything that isn't delightful about this album by Pierre Bensusan, one of the world's premier guitar players. His way around an acoustic guitar is unique and instantly identifiable. This album is so full of imagery; the arrangements are exquisite and Bensusan's players are superb. There are no "weak" tracks on this album. Both my daughters grew up listening to this and they love it too. Absolutely one of my "desert island" CDs.
Maybe the heaviest rock album of all time. Zeppelin at the height of their powers ... nuff 'sed. Not a bum track on this seismic release. You can't show me a rock drummer that didn't want to sound like Bonham does on this record.
Huge Zappa fan. Choosing just one Zappa album was tough. But I chose "Tinseltown Rebellion" because it is an amalgam of live and studio tracks cleverly comped as only Frank could do - and it takes me back to the most amazing Zappa show I ever saw (Tower Theater, Philly 1979 (or 1980?) - they played most of what's on this album and a SCORCHING encore of "Whipping Post") The band I saw live - pretty sure it was the UNBELIEVABLE lineup of Frank, Vai, Willis, White, Barrow, Mars, Harris, Mann, and Colaiuta - also recorded this album. If I ever saw a more talented group of musicians together on-stage at one time, I cannot recall it.
Little Feat was a wonderful band whose madly creative output permanently warped the universe, and we're all the better for it. If you don't "get" Little Feat, well ... have a nice day anyway. But what great music they made ... this album captures what they were about as much as any of their studio albums. Massenburg and the boys worked hard to make this right and it's as refreshing now as it was decades ago.
I like so many Yes albums ... but this is the wildest, most cinematically ambitious piece they ever did and it's always knocked me out. What was even more impressive was watching them play this entire thing live-! Saw them do this twice, and each night they delivered some of the best live music and staging I've ever heard and seen.
This is one of my "sound system test" CDs. It's FAT. Another hugely pristine GRP release that captured some of the brother's finest, funkiest performances. Randy and Michael in top form, over a killer rhythm section ... what's not to like? Ya gotta hear this one if you've never had the pleasure.
The best record BS&T ever made. An instant classic ... an amazing collection of music and one of the most radical departures ever for a "rock" album. Buy it if you don't know it; you're missing out.
I'm a big Joni fan. I think this is her finest album. Did Jaco help?.. absolutely. His footprint takes this to another level but the songs are so strong. This is essential Joni.
I think this may be ... (this is a big statement) ... the BEST FIRST ALBUM by any artist, or band, or whatever - of all time. It's simply... perfect. Smart. Melodic. Polished. Eclectic. Not a throwaway track on it. If you don't know this album you really should listen to it. Story has it that Alan Parsons heard the tapes and was so interested that he wound up mixing this record ... one of my true "desert island" CDs. If you don't know this one, buy it, put on the headphones, and prepare to be knocked out.
"Discipline" is an amazing record/CD. A perfect intersection of talent, writing, and execution. King Crimson was never more relevant, more potent, or in focus as they were at this time ... A HUGE moment in music.
A wonderful mix of bluegrass & folk by an absolutely all-star lineup. Again - if you don't know this one, check it out. Great stuff.
This album is either heresy, or a lot of fun, depending on where your head is at. I think it's brilliant and it reminded me how much I love Debussy's music. (C'mon; apply a little perspective here; it WAS the mid-70's - everybody was going apeshit on synthesizers.)
Another one that needs no introduction. Just a great record, and a definite departure in it's day. Everybody started playing around with different time signatures after this one. I had the pleasure of meeting Dave Brubeck once; he was a wonderful man. Warm, funny, intelligent, humble. He'd never make it in rap.
Allan Holdsworth is an astonishingly accomplished guitar player who sounds like no other. This release is one of my favorite Holdsworth albums. Just sick musicianship on this: Holdsworth, Berlin, Bruce, Wackerman... give me a break. That's so much talent and it comes across on this great release. What isn't great is that this record's ultimate release was hampered/delayed/altered because of legal wrangling; Alan's original vision for this record was not realized. We would have had an even longer, better masterpiece if not for all that.
I'm from the brass section, so Maynard Ferguson was essential listening. I saw him 7 times, and each concert was a transcendant experience. If you never experienced one, you missed something very special. A band like no other; more horsepower than a top fuel dragster. This album from the early 70s showcases some of his best stuff.
As a trombone player in school (who also played in Jr. High rock bands) this was the stuff we tackled; it made it possible for horn players to get into the game and rock out. This album is still Chicago's high water mark, creatively; I recently revisited it after many years away and was astounded at how good it still sounds, and what a substantial body of work this was. And these boys were young pups! Jimi Hendrix was actually quoted as saying that he wished he was as good a guitar player as Terry Kath - someone Hendrix truly admired. (Free Form Guitar, anyone?... *lol*)
Classic, classic, classic. This one should have been onboard Voyager for the aliens ...
Billy's best album. A great lineup, great compositions, and some of the biggest, baddest drum sounds ever put to tape. I love this album.
I love so much of Hammer's stuff that this was a hard decision. But this is a funky, fun album that wears so well. A bit of a departure for Jan, but it's cool. Great record from another truly scary musician. Purchase it at Wounded Bird Records
I bet you don't know this one; kudos if you do. Great fusion record with guest appearances from many "greats", including David Sancious, who lays down one of my favorite solos. This is finally available as a CD from Wounded Bird Records .
This album grabbed my attention as a four year old; I was absolutely riveted by the great acoustic guitar sounds that Voyle Gilmour produced. I still am. In my view, this is The Trio's finest, and finest sounding album. The critics thought it was one of their weaker ones ... go figure.
This is a fantastic example of the acoustic jazz trio form. This is another "desert island" CD of mine... Lyle does his thing, which is always amazing; Marc Johnson's nimble acoustic bass is superb, and in my opinion this recording showcases some of Jack DeJohnette's best drumming EVER. These guys just tear me up. You should own this CD.
Another desert island album. This album by Argent is a masterpiece and a classic example of the "rock concept" album. The theme is "Circus", and every song on the album is wonderful; great musicianship, great arrangements, and Rod Argent's unmistakable vocal stylings. This is very obscure, and happily, it can be purchased from Wounded Bird Records as a double Argent CD. I highly recommend it.
Bill Bruford's second release with his "Bruford" lineup, and some of my favorite music in the whole world. Incredible on so many levels; the musicianship is off the charts, and Bill's writing deserves all the kudos it ever got. This was an unbelievable band, and this was probably their finest offering.
John McLaughlin goes nylon, and showcases a wonderful largely French lineup of musicians, featuring Katia LeBeque on piano and Prophet 5. I love the compositions on this album; it's some of McLaughlin's finest, most lyrical playing ever. Tommy Campbell's drumming is awesome on this record, as it always is.
Hey, it's not ALL jazz/fusion with me... this was a great record when it came out and I still love it. I don't know if they ever put out a better album; that's one for all you critics out there. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is also great, as is "Sounds Of Silence"; but "Bookends" is edgier, more offbeat and unusual for them. (Is THAT what appeals to me?...)
That's as far as my "favs" list has gotten so far but check back ... there's much more coming, and more sides to show. Although it's clear that I'm inclined toward jazz and some of the jazz/fusion of the 1970s I'm also fond of a lot of non-secular music, having played &/sung quite a bit of it over the years. Braodway musicals, too! I've enjoyed recording 150 voice choirs as much as metal bands. Seriously. Name anything; there's probably something I like about it. If you looked at my LP/CD collection you'd see that it goes in lots of directions.
I'll get around to this list one day. I can enjoy a range of movie styles; I can easily suspend disbelief and be drawn up by the story if the movie is good enough.
I love seeing movies on the big screen but I don't get out as much as I used to ... I usually wait for a DVD release if I see something at all.
Documentaries. Any well done program about most any person, place, or thing can nail me to my seat. But I don't watch much TV ... free time's taken up by other things...
Biographies fascinate me most. Life stories are more compelling and magnificent than fiction...
Courageous people. People who set positive goals and don't allow themselves to be deterred from accomplishing them. Anyone who has the guts to be honest with you and say the things that are difficult, but true...