Contributed by Azule Serape, who writes:-
This is a strange sort of record and it doesn't fit readily into any particular jazz category. Some people might argue that it is not even jazz. Who cares? The music is intriguing and full of surprise and many of the top modernists of the day are present. With Kenny Graham involved there is never a dull moment.
The first suite is based on the music of a New York Street musician known as Moondog whilst the second suite is a Kenny Graham creation inspired by the techniques of Moondog.
This has always been an elusive record to find in decent shape but Johnny Trunk re-issued the music for the very first time on his own Trunk label earlier this year in both lp and cd format. Unfortunately because of licensing restrictions he was unable to use the original sleeve picture which was a reproduction of a Joan Miro painting.
Here then is the music and the original lp sleeve. Go to Johnny Trunk's website to see the cover he commissioned for the re-issue.
Ripped in FLAC from re-issue lp with scans of front and back of original lp sleeve plus recording dates/personnel details (these were never identified on the original or re-issue).
(01)
Kenny Graham - tenor
Stan Tracey - vibes
Sammy Stokes - bass
Phil Seamen - drums
Don Lawson - percussion
(02)
Kenny Graham - tenor
Danny Moss - bass clarinet
Jack Ellory - flute
Stan Tracey (or Martin Slavin) - vibes
Sammy Stokes - bass
Phil Seamen - drums
Don Lawson - percussion
(03 05 07 09)
Kenny Graham - tenor
Sammy Stokes - bass
Phil Seamen - drums
Don Lawson - percussion
(04 06 11 15)
Jack Ellory - flute
Ivor Slaney - oboe
Vic Ash - clarinet
Danny Moss - bass clarinet
Stan Tracey - vibes, celeste
Sammy Stokes - bass
Phil Seamen - percussion
Don Lawson - percussion
Yolanda - marimba, vocals
(08)
Kenny Graham - tenor
Danny Moss - bass clarinet
Jack Ellory - flute
Stan Tracey - celeste
Sammy Stokes - bass
Phil Seamen - drums
(10)
Kenny Graham - tenor
Danny Moss - bass clarinet
Jack Ellory - flute
Sammy Stokes - bass
Don Lawson - percussion
Eddie Taylor - percussion
(12)
Kenny Graham - tenor
Danny Moss - bass clarinet
Jack Ellory - flute
Stan Tracey - piano
Sammy Stokes - bass
Don Lawson - percussion
Eddie Taylor - percussion
(13)
Stan Tracey - vibes
Sammy Stokes - bass
Phil Seamen - drums
Don Lawson - percussion
Yolanda - vocals
(14)
Kenny Graham - tenor
Danny Moss - bass clarinet
Jack Ellory - flute
Stan Tracey - vibes, piano
Martin Slavin - xylophone
Sammy Stokes - bass
Phil Seamen - percussion
Don Lawson - percussion
Eddie Taylor - percussion
(16)
Kenny Graham - tenor
Danny Moss - bass clarinet
Stan Tracey - accordion
Martin Slavin - vibes
Sammy Stokes - bass
Phil Seamen - drums
Don Lawson - percussion
01 One Four
02 2 West 46th Street
03 Two Four
04 Chant
05 Three Four
06 Utsu
07 Four Four
08 Lullaby
09 Five Four
10 Fog on the Hudson
11 Sunrise
12 Sunbeam
13 Tropical Sun
14 Sunstroke
15 Sunset
16 Sunday
Label: MGM (US) E3544
Recorded: July 02 (08 13 16) 03 (01-03 05 07 09) 04 (10 12 14) 11 (04 06 11 15) 1956
Lineage: LP>FLAC
Thanks for MoonDog & SunCat ... Baron
ReplyDeleteThe gem on it is Sunday ... didn't Hodges record it too.
ReplyDeleteBaron
Thanks Azule for another interesting Kenny Graham.
ReplyDeleteKENNY GRAHAM - MOONDOG AND SUNCAT SUITES
ReplyDeleteDon't know what to say about this one. Not badly played, but little jazz content.
This has recently been reissued on cd and lp by Trunk.
ReplyDeleteYes, Hodges did record a version of 'Sunday' with a Booty Wood Group in 1960.
ReplyDeleteMight not be the same tune though.
Thanks for a trip into uncharted waters.
ReplyDeleteI used to see Moondog around NYC a lot in the 60s and 70s, usually West of Fifth Avenue. Prestige did a session with him on one of his unusual instruments. Here's the lineup:
Caribea : Moondog (reeds,perc) [aka Louis Thomas Hardin (various reeds,p,utsu,oo,uni,samisen,various perc) ] Sam Ulano (d) Ray Malone (d,perc,tap dancing)
You can read up on Moondog here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moondog
I know this is not directly linked to this recording, but this request IS directly linked to the artist Kenny Graham.
ReplyDeleteWay back in the 1960's Kenny composed a suite of music inspired by the 12 labours of Herecles (or for the non-Greeks) the 12 labours of Hercules.
The first I ever came across this was in an obituary for Kenny Graham in the Independent.
"Obituary: Kenny Graham "The Independant" 1997
Kenny Graham composed music for film and later experimented with electronic keyboards. His most inspired work included an orchestral suite, The Labours of Heracles, commissioned by the BBC and given one performance on radio before disappearing for ever."
I had this recording, taken from the BBC Light or Third program? it existed in my archive on a reel tape, sadly this tape was lost in a fire and no other copies can be found, I was sure I had a cassette copy too, but sadly it appears not.
I know this is not the modus of the blog to accept direct requests, but someone somewhere must have taken this recording too, it would be nice to get the chance to hear it again, as a prime example of the composing expertise of Kenny Graham. What a poor show that the BBC should go to the trouble to record this work, air it probably only once, and then bin it!
I've asked Geoffrey Smith the presenter of Jazz record Requests if a copy exists in the archive, could it be scheduled at some time as a special broadcast, so far no response other than the usual auto one. This really a request for anyone that reads this blog, do you have a copy, I am sure I, BJ and many others would love to hear one...
https://cjoint.net/?hdp5p30n77
ReplyDelete