Because it's hard to get enough Jim

more Jim, if you can find it

A few years back someone came across some tapes, I assume they were reel to reel. I'm not sure of the exact story of how these lost recordings came to light, but somehow they were found in  someone's closet or in a box in a garage, or some collector had been hording them and not sharing.

What I know for certain is that word got out that there may be, just may be more of that magic that the Jim Hall Trio recorded in 1975 and was released as Jim Hall Live!

It turns out that other Toronto dates that fantastic trio played in June of 1975 were recorded. Could it be possible that these newfound recordings were as good as Jim Hall Live!?

They were. These new recordings are absolutely fantastic. It's the same trio of Hall, Thompson and Clarke and you'll hear that the band was brilliant night after night. You'll also notice that people in jazz clubs yap on and on. I've noticed that when I'm out at a club. I want to turn to people as they yammer on about their cell phone plan "Don't you hear the magic that's happening on that stage?" 

The albums were released as Jim Hall Live, Volumes 2-4.

Though the albums are pricey and could be hard to find, I wanted to let you know about them and that you should snap them up if you find them somewhere. If they were more readily available, I would have put them all together and said that Jim Hall Live Volumes 1-4 were my 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th picks for Albums That All Humans Should Own.

Of course, I couldn't resist buying this set, so you can listen tonight when you stop by.

Albums That All Humans Should Own #10

Jim and Sonny

I’ve been thinking about Sonny Rollins lately and wanted to put out there again that despite saying I can’t bear to hear “St. Thomas,” I’m a big fan. 

It got me thinking about his music and what album of his I would pick as my all-time favourite. Yes, you know how I like lists and rankings when it comes to jazz.

My first thought was The Bridge (RCA Victor, 1962), which is one of his most famous albums and has all sorts of mythology around it. 

The story goes that Sonny was tired of the music biz and was feeling like his playing wasn’t developing like he wanted it to, so he walked away from recording and performing. 

Instead, he’d take his sax out to the Brooklyn Bridge and play for the pigeons, trash barges and passing cars. After a certain amount of time, Sonny felt ready and he returned to the studio and recorded one of the great jazz albums, The Bridge.

Now as much as I love The Bridge, this isn’t my recommendation of Albums That All Humans Should Own. It might come later, but I’m going a different direction today.

The reason The Bridge came to mind last night as a potential Favourite Sonny Rollins Album is due to Jim Hall’s appearance on that album.

I've written before about how much I love Jim’s playing. He’s one of the top few jazz guitarists of all time. I love his playing on The Bridge. He is unobtrusive and gives Sonny a perfect place to lay down his tenor sound. Jim played with just about everyone during his long career. If some evil genie said that you could only listen to albums that had Jim Hall on them, your jazz collection would still be fantastic.

If I were to list all of the Giants he played with, this post would be far too long, so here's a brief highlight of some of my favourite Jim collaborations: Bob Brookmeyer, Paul Desmond, Art Farmer, Jimmy Giuffre, Chico Hamilton and Hampton Hawes. 

So enough beating around the bush. 

ok, not the greatest cover, but the music is tops

Jim Hall Live! (Horizon, 1975) is my tenth pick of Albums That All Humans Should Own.

It’s a gorgeous record that shows the master at the apex of his powers. Maybe I also like the fact that it was recorded at a Toronto jazz club. By the time I moved to Toronto, the Bourbon Street club was closed, but there were still a few great places open back then.

I’ve said it many times: a trio sinks or swims on the strength of the group. The greatest trios have three players working together, it’s not just the leader’s show. Jim Hall’s trio on this date is fantastic.

Jim Hall-guitar

Don Thompson-bass

Terry Clarke-drums

Don Thompson on bass

It’s no secret I’m a fan of the bass, and even have a couple of them in my basement (or bassment? No, that’s a terrible pun, ignore that). Don Thompson is one of the best, though he won’t make many best-of lists. That’s okay. He doesn’t need a list. He’s got the talent. He sounds great backing Jim, but Don really shines when it’s time for his to take the spotlight. His solos are beautiful and perfectly suited for Jim’s sound. Don has a long list of credits and it’s no surprise that he was a sought after bassist.

He’s Canadian too, which is nice. Canada has a decent number of Jazz Greats, but we’ll save that topic for another time. Perhaps tonight over a stout?

Have a listen to 'Angel Eyes' and see for yourself why I love this album so much.