Thelonious Monk:

Underground:(1968)

Amongst Jazz composers, few were as innovative, or as willing to go as far out passed the road sign as Thelonious Monk. This was a man of vision. And, he didn't seem to care particularly if you liked his vision or not, he was moving forward. Always moving forward. On this album, sax player Charlie Rouse appears on only half the album because he had to miss one recording date for a funeral. There was no waiting for him to grieve. Much the same way the music stands on its own, and doesn't make time to explain itself to the listener, it says its piece, and moves on. A tremendous album by a tremendous artist.  

Carole King:

Tapestry:(1971)

I'm torn on this album. About what? Well... I like a lot of classic songs Carole King has written, and I think her mark on popular music is unmistakable. But, then there are songs I just can't stand. I'm looking at you I Feel The Earth Move. That same dichotomy runs through this album for me. I also feel that this album, like so many singer/songwriter albums of the 70's, suffers from a schmaltz factor that is pretty high. In any case, I do own this album, and occasionally break it out, and cherry pick through the songs.

Eubie Blake:

Blues & Rags (his Earliest Piano Roll 1917-1921): (1972)

It's rare to have recordings of someone like Mr. Blake from so far back in time as this. Well, as close as we can get... This record consists of re-recordings of some of Eubie's hand played player piano rolls from 1917-1922. In fact in 1972 when this compilation was assembled Eubie Blake personally oversaw the recording of the player piano to make sure all the tempos were correct. As a musician, Eubie continued to perform until the ripe old age of 96. These tune call to mind silent movies, flickering B&W images that seem so light and happy on the surface, but through the cracks you know there's something darker lurking. Never being loosed, but still peeking out of the closet. Happy haunted music of a by gone era.