Jazz Bastard Podcast 311 - Nichols for Your Thoughts
Normal service resumes with a podcast devoted to tributes celebrating the still-obscure pianist and composer Herbie Nichols. Nichols spent his truncated career in the shadow of Thelonious Monk (a big guy who cast a big shadow). He released roughly four albums in his lifetime and spent much of his career scuffling in Dixieland bands, but those initiated into his cult realize he was a truly gifted and unique composer. These tributes encompass a fairly straight ahead quintet date, a more adventuresome guitar trio, a solo piano recital, and a vocal set with brand new lyrics (and titles!) for many of Herbie's songs. Eric T. Johnson – HERBIE NICHOLS VOL 1; Enrique Heredia Trio – PLAY HERBIE NICHOLS; Simon Nabatov – SPINNING SONGS OF HERBIE NICHOLS; Fay Victor – LIFE IS FUNNY THAT WAY.
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3:12:45
"Classic Episode" - Jazz Bastard Podcast 35 - Trio Jungle
As we noted so succinctly way back in 2014: Some trios play nicer together than others - Pat and Mike investigate. Duke Ellington – MONEY JUNGLE; Terri Lyne Carrington – MONEY JUNGLE PROVOCATIVE IN BLUE; Jean-Michel Pilc – WELCOME HOME; Herbie Nichols – LOVE, GLOOM, CASH, LOVE. Tune in next time as the Herbie Nichols connection leads to a brand new episode covering four albums devoted solely to his music.
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1:19:11
Jazz Bastard Podcast 310 - NYT Top 10 Part Fin
All lists come to an end at some point (often after ten entries) and this third and final podcast on the New York Times' selections for best jazz albums of 2024 considers the final two entries plus two more 2024 releases which the boys - spoiler alert - like quite as much as the chosen ten. Hummable melodies and beautiful woodwind playing highlight the also-rans. Meanwhile, in pop matters Mike's man crush on Sturgill Simpson continues and Pat thinks eighties band The Church is still pretty cool.
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1:17:30
Jazz Bastard Podcast 309 - NYT Top 10 Part 2
The boys are back to take on four more entries from the New York Times' Best of 2024 list and Mike especially is happy with these selections. "Spiritual Jazz" leaves a imprint on several of this episode's albums and bastard number 2 loves it. Pat meanwhile is relieved that Blue Note's entry is the best yet, in his opinion, by a rising young artist, but he finds one of the other entries just an almighty racket. Melissa Aldana – ECHOES OF THE INNER PROPHET; Frank London – SPIRIT STRONGER THAN BLOOD; THE MESSTHETICS AND JAMES BRANDON LEWIS; Isaiah Collier – THE ALMIGHTY.
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1:06:42
Jazz Bastard Podcast 308 - NYT Top 10 Part 1
At the end of the year, media outlets make lots of lists, so many lists that there's even one for best jazz recordings. At the start of the following year, the bastards pick one lucky list to listen through and question every step of the way. This time it's the Times' turn, and Mike is especially skeptical of the paper's first four choices. Pat's just happy things didn't turn out worse. Honestly, these are all good records and who can say which are the "best"? In pop matters, Peter Gabriel gets the boys talking well past closing time.
Italia