Jesse Edwin Davis was a special talent. Best known for his work with Taj Mahal, but also worked with Dylan, various ex-Beatles solo projects, Leon Russell, Gene Clark, The Faces and Jackson Browne. Mick Jagger was going to have him replace Keith Richards for a Rolling Stones tour when Richards' drug use became problematic.
Special artists never mentioned before on Agon
I was just listening to a CD that I consider the reference recording for great bass response in my system. The CD is "Short Stories" by the late jazz sax player Bob Berg recorded in 1987 and reissued in 2010. Most tracks are listenable. But, track 4, "Kalimba", establishes a bass-line in the first minute that challenges your system to go deep, strong and tuneful. Vandies get it right. But most others can't handle the depth or the obvious tunefulness required. Some speakers can't go that low. Some subs give boom but can't give the tune. The song lasts for 8 minutes and features superb playing by a stellar cast of that era, including dueling solos between Berg and guest Dave Sanborn. So, wondering if anyone else here has heard this track, I searched "Bob Berg" in forums and got nada. Has anyone heard this/him? And do you have someone to tell us about that can't be found elsewhere on Agon?
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Dave Sanborn is a polarizing figure. One thing I remember was him hosting a music show in the 1980s called "Night Music". Check out the house band and the artist who appeared on the show. There was an interview with John Lurie who talked about his appearance on the show. Lurie admitted that he had preconceptions about Sanborn and was prepared to dislike him. After the show he said Sanborn was as open, honest and loving musician as he had ever worked with. |
My favorite Sanborn performance is on David Bowie's "David Live" from the 70's- not much jazz on that one. Alto sax player Doug James is a fairly obscure artist who has great bass recordings. James used to play for roomful of Blues and has done a lot of session work with Duke Robillard. Try the title track off of James' solo disc "Blow Mr. Low" or "Dog Ate My Reed" from the same album. "New York Stories" form one of my favorite guitar players, Danny Gatton, is not necessarily a bass workout, but it is a pristine recording nonetheless. Pour yourself a scotch, kick back and listen to "One For Lenny" if you want to impress your musically inclined friends and test your Vandies. |
Hi Czarivey. If you like old Sanborn, remember this was recorded back in 1987, it's no lullaby-very hot jazz-rocking stuff. They not only have a ferocious "duel", they harmonize beautifully as well on this track. It also includes the luscious sound of a kalimba and features other top guys like Will Lee, Mike Stern, Don Grolnick, etc. Thanks for the Knofler and Gipsy Kings referrals. And, I'm hoping this thread cold be much broader than just great bass recordings. Any special merit you've noticed from an artist that hasn't yet been discussed here. |
Less likely I'd listen to Dave Sanborn. He used to be great as side artist, but his solos sound same lulliby in all albums. Never heard Berg and Sanborn duel though. Have a nice record collection nearly 10k records and one of the similar highlights is album Nottinghillbillies with Mark Knophler. It simply humiliates CD with depth of bass. Aerial 10t that I use can be challenged with any bass with ease. Also none talked about quality of recording of Gipsy Kings vinyls as well. |