As I promised yesterday, here are more memories from the "very recent" past--May 3, 1993. It was always a blast to program "Jazz Odyssey" because I could take the show in any direction the listeners or I desired. Some days, I'd program a lot of old school jazz; other days, I'd favor more contemporary artists. Sometimes, I'd play a lot of tracks by trumpeters, saxophonists, bassists, or drummers. Other editions featured a range of vocalists. On this day 22 years ago, I added some jazz/rock tracks to the mix and remember being happy with the way the songs flowed. Here was the playlist:
1. Blues Walk-Doug Sertl
(Sertl started things off on a fast clip with this energetic, trombone-based rendition of "Blues Walk." If you like this version, you'll probably also like Lyle Lovett & His Large Band's rendition.)
2. The New Chicago Blues-Clarence Wheeler
(A 1972 tenor sax track that segues smoothly with "Blues Walk.")
3. Midnight Pass-Sea Level
(Some of the jazz/rock to which I referred; nice piano/saxophone interaction on this track.)
4. Surprise Samba-Bobby Shew Sextet
5. The Things You Do-Bobby Watson
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6. Jitterbug Waltz-Renee Rosnes Trio with string orchestra
(As I mentioned in a previous post, this is Fats Waller covered in the classiest way; a beautiful, elegant piano-and-strings rendition.)
7. Jitterbug Waltz-Eric Dolphy
(Now, the reeds will have their way with this tune.)
8. Jet Propulsion-Illinois Jacquet
(From one tenor sax player...)
9. Slippin' Down-David Newman
(...to another, across the decades.)
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10. Rum Or Tequila?-Stix Hooper
(Hooper, the longtime drummer from The Crusaders, lays down a very of-its-time groove, accompanied by Crusaders keyboardist Joe Sample.)
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11. Return Trip-Mulgrew Miller
(Some fine jazz piano from the recommended CD, "Hand In Hand.")
12. A Moment's Notice-Hilton Ruiz
13. Left Bank Express-Maynard Ferguson
(Ferguson's characteristically no-holds-barred trumpet drives home a powerful performance.)
14. It's You Or No One-Billy Childs
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15. Pretzel Logic-Hiram Bullock
(Another jazz/rock selection; a cool guitar-based take on the Steely Dan tune.)
16. The Word-Don Sebesky & The Jazz Rock Syndrome
17. Dragon Song-Brian Auger's Oblivion Express
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18. Donna Lee-Bireli Lagrene
19. You Can Always Count On Me-Cleo Laine
20. Think About Your Troubles-Lena Horne
(As expansive as KCOU's music library was, it could have used some more albums by female jazz singers. Also recommended: Horne's interpretations of "Stormy Weather" and "Bein' Green.")
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21. Goodbye, Mr. Evans-Scott Hamilton with strings
(A lush saxophone-and-strings recording suitable for underscoring a film scene on a desolate street.)
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