This 2CD set is a re-release of two separate recordings, 'Private Collection, No. 1' and Private Collection, No.2', that were originally released in very small quantities on the specialty audiophile, label Naim Audio in 1995.
CD1 was recorded on Charlie Haden's 50th birthday party at "My Place" in Santa Monica, CA on August 6th 1987. Not surprising, it has a slightly loose jam session feel to it, but the compositions and the high caliber of musicianship more than compensate for any looseness in the playing.
The tunes range from two Pat Metheny songs, "Hermitage" and "Farmer's Trust", to Miles Davis' "Nardis", to two Charlie Parker tunes "Passport" and "Segment"), to a tune each by Tony Scott "Misery" and J.S. Bach "Etudes", all which the group attacks in equal amounts of subtle fervor and restrained skill-all from many years of playing both together in Charlie's Quartet West and with many other jazz greats.
Along with Charlie Haden's bass are:
Ernie Watts on saxophones
Alan Broadbent on piano
Billy Higgins the drummer's drummer, who at the time of the recording played on and off with Charlie for three decades.
CD2 was recorded live on April 4th 1988, at Webster University, St Louis Mo. (near Charlie's boyhood home). It has identical personnel to CD1, except Billy Higgins, who is replaced with Paul Motian, another legendary jazz drummer.
In comparison to CD1, at least to my ears, these tracks have a bit more life in
them, thanks in large part to Ernie Watt's angular sounding sax, Paul Motian's
drumming is also a bit more forceful. As always, Charlie's bass playing (especially his solos) is truly intricate and engaging.
The compositions range from Pat Metheny's "Farmer's Trust" (again), to Charlie Parker's "Visa", to two tracks by Charlie "Bay City" and "Silence", to Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman", to the standard "Body and Soul".
Both CDs are Jazz from the days when melodies mattered, from true group interplay when a solo was something that was played strictly to advance the music, not the musician's ego. When musicians listened to each other and contributed something of true value. A time when the song was (is) the thing. If you like unpretentious, straight ahead, no nonsense Jazz, with great solos out in front of an equally fine rhythm section, this is one to listen to.
For the freeload, tell us about a memorable birthday you had.
I was probably spending too much time by myself. I hadn’t had a face to face conversation with anyone for like almost a year. I wasn’t lonely, just very comfortable with myself. But I couldn’t continue that way much longer. One day everything just went crazy. Maybe a nervous breakdown? I felt the walls close in on me, the pressure was unbearable. I was bewildered. An intervention by family was needed to pull me out of my isolation. Facing the greatest unknowns, I forced myself into the their world. In the blazing light I inhaled my first breath of air and let out a primal scream. The light was blinding but squinting, I managed to smile at the Ob/Gyn. My first surprise party.
ReplyDeleteNot so memorable since I can't remember a thing due to, ehem, "ingestions".
ReplyDeleteBut woke up in the grass by an unknown garden with a turtle walking across my chest and people still dancing around at 10AM or so...
Bat
I don't remember much about my 18th birthday, which at the time was the legal drinking age in New York.
DeleteThe most recent one. Turned 65, and my wife told me we were going to dinner that night at my favorite restaurant in Seville (and, easily one of the top 3 I've ever experienced). Taxi pulls up to it, and its completely dark. I look at her and ask if she's sure it was going to be open tonight. She grabs my arm, walks me up to the front door and all the lights immediately are turned on and the place is filled with friends. One of the happiest moments in my life.
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that?!?!
DeleteIt really was an emotional gut punch, but in a great way.
Delete2001, my grandma passed away on my 45th birthday, she was 92. Reflection allowed me to realize that important personal events happened on her birthday too, September 21. Thanks Babs
ReplyDeleteI can usually smell a surprise party coming across the Brooklyn Bridge. But no so on my 40th birthday, which my husband, daughters and friends planned as if it were a secret military mission.
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ReplyDeletehttps://workupload.com/file/GpPWKzQdSnA
thanks Watts is old school swinging bop
DeleteLike Lemmy said "Summer of 1973 was incredible.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember a thing but I will never forget it" or words to that effect.
Bat
Babs, do you still get trick or treaters coming to your door? or is that a thing of the past? Sure glad we got to do it. Wandering around in the dark. Knocking on doors. Nothing could be finer.
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Slightly off subject, but I'm a huge Haden fan, and these discs are new to me. I just did a random listen of a couple from each, and they are fantastic - both the audio quality and the musicianship. Many thanks, Babs!
ReplyDeleteLike pmac I'm a big Haden fan but these are new to me as well -- thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not into birthdays as an adult, although I'm lucky that my birthdate dovetails with artists and colleagues in the community who host a group celebration that has become a regular thing at a local gallery.
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