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July 3, 2020 by Simon Sweetman

Stubs: # 263 – The Blackbird Ensemble Performs Björk: All Is Full Of Love, Wellington, 2019

There I was talking about how I loved a few shows in 2019 but didn’t go to many then Covid-19 took 2020 right out of consideration. One of the shows on that list from last year was this. Even though I talked to composer/arranger Claire Cowan (and got a great vibe from her about this) I wasn’t sure if the show was going to totally pop – pretty hard thing to pull off. And, sure, no one can actually be – or fully do –  Björk but the musicians on stage knew that and owned it. So I’m glad I saw this. Really glad. Such a talented ensemble. Read More »

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July 2, 2020 by Simon Sweetman

Shit That’s Good! Crap Albums I Love # 33 – Bill Withers, “Watching You, Watching Me”

Bill Withers, Watching You Watching Me, 1985

When I first met the music of Bill Withers I was amazed not only by it, but by the control. That extends over from the subtly of the arrangements and his vocal control to the quality control – here was a guy that started late and finished early; he was really only active across the 1970s. And he didn’t have a bad album…

Until I found it. Read More »

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July 2, 2020 by Simon Sweetman

Andrew McCormack: Solo

Andrew McCormack

Solo

Ubuntu Music

British jazz pianist Andrew McCormack has been releasing records under his own name across the last 15 years. He’s also a member of the Kyle Eastwood Band, has a regular duo with saxophonist Jason Yarde, performs in a variety of small combo setting and leads The Andrew McCormack Trio. Read More »

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July 2, 2020 by Simon Sweetman

Warren Wolf: Reincarnation

Warren Wolf

Reincarnation

Mack Avenue Records II, LLC

Well the clue is in the title but Warren Wolf’s latest album is a departure from the classic jazz he’s peddled – as leader and sideman – across the last two decades. Good vibes though, and please pardon that pun – as Wolf takes all he learned from masters like Bobby Hutcherson and applies a bit of Roy Ayers’ flair for R’n’B song settings. Read More »

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July 2, 2020 by Simon Sweetman

Poem: Snapshot

old guy walking as if against
the wind, but the day is still
and calm, he’s weighed down–

further by his yellow plastic bag,
perhaps it holds the ingredients
for that night’s recipe –

that’s if he makes it to wherever
he is heading; gets to wherever
he needs to be –

it’s a slideshow afternoon
and he has slid by me. I hope he made
it. His struggle seemed real

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July 2, 2020 by Simon Sweetman

The Vinyl Countdown # 100

Bob Marley and The Wailers, Live: Boston Music Hall (June 8th 1978) (2017)
Look, I’m not really one for these bootleg recordings – but I am one for bargains. So when I found a brand new copy of this, for dirt cheap, with time to kill and browsing, there was no choice but for it to accompany me home. You could say my Bob Marley and The Wailers collecting (a recent passion) took a left turn, because I never planned to get hold of this concert on vinyl. But I’m glad enough that I did. The sound is fine – it’s certainly listenable and it’s a good set. All the great tunes you’d expect and a band in form. There are better live gigs and albums by Bob and his band but I’m not ashamed to have this one in my collection at all. The price was right. And the songs are superb. Read More »

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July 1, 2020 by Simon Sweetman

Sweetman Podcast # 219: Colin Morris

Welcome to episode 219 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T and Yeastie Boys

Now – as you probably know, as well as the usual platforms (this site, soundcloud, iTunes/Apple) you can now get to Sweetman Podcast on Spotify – follow it there and have it saved in your Spotify library.

This episode is my conversation with Colin Morris. Read More »

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July 1, 2020 by Simon Sweetman

Shit That’s Good! Crap Albums I Love # 32 – Deep Purple, “Concerto For Group And Orchestra”

Deep Purple, Concerto for Group and Orchestra, 1969

I have a complicated history with this one – I probably thought about it before hearing it more than has been the case with any other album…

Let me explain. Deep Purple was one of my first loves – a Singles collection by the band was the very first CD my parents bought when they were replacing their vinyl collection. That became one of my most listened to albums – and as I was gathering up information about the band in a pre-internet world, in little old Hastings, NZ, I hung on to this idea of the group recording with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The very thought of it seemed so thrilling. I had to find this album… Read More »

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July 1, 2020 by Simon Sweetman

John Scofield: Swallow Tales

John Scofield

Swallow Tales

ECM

In John Scofield’s first trio album as a leader for the ECM label it’s to a series of reunions; Sco is back leading a trio, back with one of his favoured drummers – the great Bill Stewart – and back playing the songs of Steve Swallow (who also plays bass here, completing the trio’s line-up). These are songs from across Swallow’s career, songs that Scofield first heard and learned some 40 years ago. He approaches them with relish, places them in a jazz setting of course, but moves around the edges with his trademark fusion of blues licks and rock bends. Read More »

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