Nina Simone was always worth celebrating as a wonderful musician. She was also, unfortunately, a bit of a monster to her daughter. What Happened, Miss Simone?, will show a balanced view of her public and private persona.
60s
[Video] Thor’s Hammer – Show Me You Like Me
Thor’s Hammer don’t particularly strike one as worthy of their name. However, these guys were about 20 years ahead of really cheesy heavy metal bands who might have better fit the part.
Musically, however, they were incredibly good at producing a fuzzy, garage-y freakbeat.
[Video] Ornette Coleman – Faithful
In honor of the first Ornette Coleman LP I ever purchased. RIP.
[Music] Nat ‘King’ Cole, En Español
From Wikipedia:
I started out to become a jazz pianist; in the meantime I started singing and I sang the way I felt and that’s just the way it came out.
— Nat ‘King’ Cole, Voice of America interview
Few remember Nat ‘King’ Cole’s incredible piano playing abilities, but they certainly never seem to forget a his smooth, baritone voice, which handled languages outside of his native English with ease.
NPR dedicates a radio program to one of the smoothest voices jazz ever produced here.
[Video] Charles Mingus – Prayer For Passive Resistance
Jazz. Where you can be a revolutionary without uttering a single word (maybe a few moans and shouts here and there, perhaps…).
Happy birthday to you, Charles Mingus. RIP.
Heartfelt thanks to ThE JaZzerZ for posting this originally.
[Video] Jani Christou: Mysterion (1965/1966)
Here is a man who should have been featured far earlier in the blog’s life, but I’m coming around to him today after being reminded of his freaky scores.
Jani Christou was a Greek-Egyptian composer and philosopher, one of the most brilliant minds in composition in the late 1960s. His life was cut short due to a terrible auto accident, which rumor said he had predicted.
[Video] Milton Banana – O Ritmo e o Som da Bossa Nova (1963)
Bossa Nova was smoking hot during the early 60s. Artists like Milton Banana broke hard into the American market, and after hearing this album you’ll dig why.
[Video] André Boucourechliev: Archipel II (1969)
André Boucourechliev was a French composer of Bulgarian origin. He studied under Luciano Berio and Bruno Maderna, and would later be influenced by avant-garde composers like John Cage.
He’s a new name for me. Many thanks to the Wellesz Theatre for continually showcasing the finest in contemporary classical music.
[Video] Duke Ellington – Fleurette Africaine
Duke Ellington with his masterpiece album, Money Jungle. Incredible.
Daevid Allen has died
Gong’s wonderful front-man has passed on to his great reward. He had been suffering for some time, but kept a brave face. Expect to see links all over social media shortly, but this news comes from his son, which is making the rounds in mailing groups. May Daevid rest well.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 