Harold McNair - Revisited

Some time ago I wrote on the subject of a very fine flute/saxophone player by the name of Harold McNair. If you missed my jottings then, you can catch them here.
http://eddie-graham.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/harold-mcnair-flautist-extraordinaire.html#gpluscomments

At that time, my collection of music by McNair was very sparse, mainly because little of it is available on CD (a travesty I feel). However my collection has been substantially boosted thanks to the generosity of another collector of McNair's work. Wolfgang has been kind enough to send me copies of several albums by McNair, including a couple of very rare albums from his early career in Jamaica. The cherry on the cake however, was a copy of the much sought after collector's item, 'Affectionate Fink'. I can not thank you enough Wolfgang.

Most recently I was sent a recording of a BBC radio documentary on the subject of Harold McNair. My thanks for this kind gesture must go to Dave who just happens to be a nephew of Harold McNair.

In the documentary, the work of McNair is discussed by Steve Rubie who is the owner of the 606 Jazz Club based at 90 Lots Road, Chelsea. He reveals several anecdotes about McNair but also plays several tracks which demonstrate the diversity of talents and musical styles of this superb musician.

Listening to the documentary was, I have to say, a perfect way to fill an hour on a lazy Sunday morning. Thank you Dave.

I still find it something of a travesty that McNair's work Is not more readily available and that his name is not ranked up there with the jazz greats. As the BBC programme makes clear, he was very widely respected among other musicians. If a flute player was required in the 1960's, Harold McNair would be the first name on everyones lips resulting in him playing on many sessions and film scores.

Perhaps the current lack of recognition is something to do with how short his life and career were. As I reported previously, he died of lung cancer at the tragically young age of 39.

Now, the coffee machine is fired up and I have a stack of Harold McNair CD's before me. It's what Sundays were made for. If you don't believe me, then wrap your ears around this; The Fence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDQnQcazvDU

Blitzen Trapper - VII

What's this? A Blitzen Trapper record you can dance to?
Well first impressions indicate that that's the case with this new offering - their seventh studio album appropriately titled 'VII'.

Not that fans of the Trappers need worry as the album is still stuffed full of songs containing the rich lyrical imagery we would normally associate with song writer/lead singer, Eric Earley. Indeed some of Earley's finest songs tell a story and 'VII' kicks off with such a track ('Feel The Chill') as he spins a yarn about a spooky old house near to where he grew up.

According to Earley, his father taught him two things which are important in his life. One was about playing stringed instruments and the other was about faith. 'Shine On' is a song all about the latter. It's as close to gospel music as the Trappers have ever gotten and lyrically is perhaps one of the most straightforward songs Earley has ever written. With a catchy, danceable beat, this track also features nice gospel backing vocals from newcomer Liz Vice who takes an even stronger role in the funky 'Neck Tatts, Cadillacs'..

While some acts in the 'Americana' genre are now starting to sound somewhat jaded, Blitzen Trapper have constantly managed to include many other musical influences in their albums and this may be even more apparent with this release. On 'Faces of You', they venture into territory occupied by Wilco on their most recent releases ('Wilco (The Album)' and 'The Whole Love'). However, with the following (and final) track 'Don't Be a Stranger', they are right back in more familiar acoustic territory with Earley imploring the subject of his love against a backdrop of banjo and peddle steel guitar. Set against the more traditional 'Americana' sounds, this album features a host of other influences. 'Oregon Geography' is a rap while I swear I hear vinyl scratching in 'Valley of Death' and 'Neck Tatts, Cadillacs'.

I have compared the album to its predecessor ('American Goldwing') and I find this to be less rocky and the mix to be crisper and brighter. It has altogether a more modern feel to it, yet still retains those references to the old time, backwoods music of the US. Oh, and of course it still has some gorgeous songs most notably 'Ever Loved Once' which also features some beautiful backing vocals.

I claimed a while back that the band seem to get better with each new recording. With this album it would appear that the trend continues.

If you don't dance to this record, I suspect it may at least 'make you shake a hip'.

Blue Jasmine - New Woody Allen movie

Last night I ventured out to catch the new movie written and directed by Woody Allen.

'Blue Jasmine' tells the story of a failed socialite who has fallen on hard times following the unfaithfulness and financial failure of her husband. She moves in temporarily with her less well to do sister and clearly struggles coming to terms with her change in fortunes.

The title character is brilliantly played by Cate Blanchett who must surely gain some sort of award for this superb portrayal of a woman on the edge. It is one of the best performances I have seen in quite some time, yet the supporting cast must also take some credit. As for Allen himself, well my opinion is that with this script and direction, he has shown that at 77 years of age, he can still produce the goods. Perhaps his best work is yet to come.

I strongly recommend that you see 'Blue Jasmine' if you can.

The White Room Playlist #2

For much of this week I have been laid low with what I am told is a heavy head cold. Personally I think it is a virulent form of 'man-flu'.

Anyway every cloud..... as they say. The time has given me the opportunity to catch up on some of the outstanding books I referred to recently. Also, I have as always been listening to music.

This week the playlist has been mainly:

VII by Blitzen Trapper of which more later.

Live at The Academy of Music 1971 by The Band and what a fine band they were.

Nothing Can Hurt Me (Movie Soundtrack) by Big Star

Wise Up Ghost & Other Stories by Elvis Costello & The Roots

Another Self Portrait by Bob Dylan (The Bootleg Series Vol 10). Self Portrait is still a pretty duff album but the takes on the first two CDs of this collection demonstrate that Dylan may just have started Americana way ahead of its time.


All very enjoyable. Consequently my pain and suffering have been eased considerably.

Breaking Bad

In previous posts I have made reference to a couple of TV dramas which I thought might reach the dizzy heights set by the likes of 'The West Wing' and 'The Wire'. I soon lived to regret my words which were to say the least, premature. One of these was 'Arne Dahl' which I abandoned after two episodes. Another was the first season of the French drama, 'The Returned' which I stuck with to the end and quite enjoyed, but it was not in the same league as the aforementioned US dramas.

I erred on the side of caution therefore when I began watching 'Breaking Bad' on the recommendation of my eldest son. I was impressed but thought better of making such rash statements as I had uttered regarding 'The Returned'. Now I am nearing the conclusion of the third season and I am blown away by it.

If you are not familiar with it or have not begun watching then I don't wish to give anything away but the storyline concerns a chemistry teacher (Walter White, superbly played by Bryan Cranston) who is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Realising he has little time remaining in which to raise money to support his family, he embarks on the manufacture and sale of methamphetamine.

Needless to say things do not go entirely according to plan but I shall reveal no more.

The series was created by Vince Gilligan and is set in Alberquerque, New Mexico. The settings and soundtrack are atmospheric, the story lines are strong and the scripts and acting are superb. I wonder then why no one I speak with has watched it - or, in many cases, even heard of it. Perhaps this is to do with the fact that it is broadcast on the AMC Cable Network.

Whatever the reason, it appears that word is spreading fast and my views (and those of my son) are vindicated by the fact that the show won the award for best TV drama at the 65th Emmy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

If you are a fan of great dramas I suggest you catch it soon. You can thank me later.

Books#5 - Riding Some Kind of Unusual Skull Sleigh by W.C Bamberger

Despite being published in 1999, it is only fairly recently that I became aware of the existence of this book which documents the career of the late great Don Van Vliet, otherwise known as Captain Beefheart. Obviously the book therefore covers much of the same ground as works by John 'Drumbo' French and Mike Barnes.

Where this book differs is that it not only deals with the musical legacy of Captain Beefheart, but also goes on to discuss the later artistic work of Van Vliet. Despite the fact that this is what sets the book apart from its contemporaries, in my view it also diminishes the book somewhat.  Although the author attempts to give some detailed information about the drawings and paintings, this is no substitute for actually being able to see the works and sadly they are not included here. Perhaps this was due to copyright constraints or to keep publication costs down. Whatever the reason, it resulted in me finding the latter third of the book less interesting.



That aside, I found the book to be well written and the early sections about the life and work of Captain Beefheart were well researched and well presented. Now I'm about to move on to 'Lunar Notes' by Bill Harkleroad (Zoot Horn Rollo). I will report on that in due course.

Waiting To Be Read

The stack of books waiting to be read is slowly rising. I really need to find more time for such things but despite my wishes there are still only 24 hours in a day.

As you will see, the stack includes two books on the subject of Captain Beefheart and 'Harvest' which is one of the books shortlisted for the 2013 Man Booker prize.

It's raining today so I think I'll switch the coffee machine on and dive in.