Once in a while it is necessary to take a day off and listen for the pleasure of the music, ignoring assignments and deadlines, including those that are self-imposed. Randomness is the key, letting one piece of music lead to the next. Sometimes the results are a surprise. I took a day off. Here’s what I heard, in more or less this order. Only the Bill Evans was in the line of duty. (See the next item.)
Branford Marsalis, “Hope” (from Braggtown) (Marsalis Music)
Jack Teagarden, “Think Well of Me” (from Think Well of Me) (Verve)
Irene Kral & Terry Gibbs, “Moonlight in Vermont” (from Terry Gibbs Dream Band, Vol. 6) (Contemporary)
Edgard Varése, “Déserts,” Chicago Symphony Orchestra (from Boulez Conducts Varése)
Johnny Cash, “The Man Comes Around” (from The Man Comes Around) (American)
Enrico Pieranunzi, “La Dolce Vita” (from Fellini Jazz) (CAMJazz)
Frank Sinatra, “There Are Such Things,” (five takes from an unissued rehearsal tape)
Sonny Rollins, “There Are Such Things” (from Work Time) (Prestige)
Max Bruch, “Scottish Fantasy,” Yehudi Menuhin, New Symphony Orchestra of London, Malcolm Sargent (Deutsche Gramophone)
Joe Temperley, “This Time the Dream’s on Me” (From a forthcoming Hep CD for which I just finished writing notes)
Myra Melford, “Fear Slips Behind” (from The Image of Your Body) (Cryptogramophone)
Beethoven, Sonata No. 9 in E major op. 14/1, Andras Schiff, piano (from Ludwig van Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas, Volume III) (ECM)
Bill Evans, “People” [from Alone (Again)] (Fantasy)
Rosa Passos and Ron Carter, “Caminhos Cruzados” (from Entre Amigos) (Chesky)
Duke Ellington, “Three Cent Stomp” (from Duke Ellington at the Hollywood Empire) (Storyville)
Mingus Big Band, “Wham Bam” (from Live in Tokyo at the Blue Note) (Sunnyside)
Christian McBride, “Clerow’s Flipped” and “Sonic Tonic” (from Live at Tonic) (Ropeadope)