If you like watching video’s of great Jazz artists, especially older material of Jazz greats like John Coltrane, et al, then check out Jazz Tube. This is essentially a site with links to You Tube, but what is nice is the artist are all alphabetized, so you can find something quickly.
There is really some great stuff on there, like this:
John Coltrane, Alabama Jazz Casual
I always liked Kurt Vonnegut, I read Slaughterhouse Five when I was in high school and it was my first exposure to black humor. It was a book that I will never forget.
Kurt was a fan of Jazz, grew up in Indianapolis Indiana during the depression. He used to go to Jazz clubs and watch the musicians play when he felt depressed himself and always felt better for do it.
Once, during an interview on NPR, he said:
If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC
This is one of those topics that may be a little boring to some, so if you are not interested in how to get better reception from your AM radio, or you are happy with the reception you are getting, then skip to the next post.
The main problems with AM radio reception these days are two fold. One, the proliferation of cheap radios with poor selectivity and sensitivity makes tuning in a station difficult. Two, the local noise factors have increased dramatically.
First, the quality of your radio will determine how well an AM station is received and how good is sounds. Believe it or not, this is one place that new high tech gadgetry does not pay off as the older radios are built better and sound better. One good AM radio this is still relatively inexpensive is the GE Super Radio. It is big an bulky but is an excellent table top radio and works well on both AM and FM.
Secondly, the local electrical noise levels have increased dramatically in the last few years. This is mainly due to the use of Compact Florescent Lights (CFL). These little florescent light generate noise, which unfortunately is picked up by AM radios. There is not a lot you can do about this noise, so the best course is not to use your radio near any florescent lights. If you need a light near your radio, use an old fashioned incandescent light bulb. Some times turning the radio will increase the signal level and reduce the noise.
Finally, you may need to use an out door antenna if you are located far away from your favorite radio station. The GE super radio has provisions for connecting an outboard antenna. If you have questions on how to go about making a good outdoor antenna, you can always e-mail me, and I will respond. There are several good designs that do not take up much space and are inexpensive to fabricate and install.
Hope this helps!
Unfortunately, I will not be able to do the show this weekend. I was going to try and pre-record something, but time has gotten away from me. Jazz for the Asking will be back on the air on April 14th.
Monday Morning Video for April 2, 2007:
(I am not going to put the album art and the links on this post, I am running a little late this morning, and we have to get to Church on time. If you want to buy any of this stuff, head over to the Jazz for the Asking Store, all the titles are available.)
This is Jazz for the Asking it is Saturday March 31, 2007 and boy what a Saturday it is. I hope that everybody got a chance to get outside and enjoy the nice weather today. We will be playing my favorite jazz tunes form Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock and Diana Krall. and your favorite Jazz tunes, so call the studio at 331-9255 to get your requests in, or you can send an e-mail to studio@jazzfortheasking.com.
I mentioned Diana Krall, for those of you who don’t know who Diana Krall is, is was born in 1964 in BC Canada and is the wife of Elvis Costello of Rock and Roll fame. She just had twin boys back in December of 2006 and writes on her web site that everyone is doing great but sleep is a distant memory. I myself just had a son back in Nov of 2006 so I understand what that is like. This is Diana Krall off of “The Look of Love” CD this is Cry me a River
1. Cry me a River. Dianna Krall from The Look of Love
2. Maiden Voyage. Herbie Hancock from The Essential Herbie Hancock CD
(liner)
3. Soon. Ella Fitzgerald from the Pure Ella CD
That was Ella Fitzgerald singing the G&I Gershwin tune “Soon” with Ellis Larkins on piano. Before that we heard Herbie Hancock with Maiden voyage. Freddie Hubbard on Trumpet, George Coleman on Tenor Sax, Herbie Hancock on Piano, Ron Carter on Bass and Tony Williams on Drums. From a blue note album. This is Charlie Parter
4. Oh lady be good, Charlie Parker
5. Love for Sale, Miles Davis
You are listening to Jazz for the asking on AM 920 WGHQ, Kingston. That was Miles Davis with Love for Sale. Miles had a unique way of playing across the beat, that is to say he played on the half beat, and he is one of the few jazz artists that could pull that off and make it sound good. Before that we heard Charlie Parker and Oh lady be good. If you ever have any questions about the show you can visit our web site, www.jazzfortheasking.com. We have all our play lists, you can buy the CDs or download the songs from itunes, or if you are looking for contact information or whatever, go to Jazzfortheasking.com. We are featuring female jazz vocalists this evening so This is Billie Holiday and Moon Glow
6. Moonglow. Billie Holiday from the Solitude CD
7. Picasso. The JoAnne Brackeen Trio from the Power Play CD
8. Cousin Mary. John Coltrane from the Giant Steps CD
That was John Coltrane and Cousin Mary off of the Giant Steps CD and before that was Picasso, by JoAnne Brackeen trio form the Power talk CD. That ends the first hour of the show, we will be back after the news, weather and a promo!
(Top of the hour news, weather)
You are listening to JFA, this is the second hour of our show, as always if you have any questions about the show, you can go to jazzfortheasking.com This is Tanya by Dexter Gordon.
10. Tanya. Dexter Gordon Manhattan Symophony
11. Stardust. Loius Armstrong.
You are listening to jazz for the asking on am 920 WGHQ
12. I aint got nobody. Fats Waller
13. Summertime. Charles Mingus Quintet
14. Rocking Chair. Gene Crupa
15. East St. Loius Tootle OO. (played by mistake) by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.
That was East St. Louis Tootle OO by Duke Ellington and his orchestra. I played that song by accident, but we like it, so we let it roll, Before that was Rocking Chair by Gene Crupa, and now is Sarah Vaughn with you Can’t Take that away from me.
16. Can’t Take that Away from me. Sarah Vaughn
17. Everybody’s Jumpin’. Dave Brubeck Quartet from the Time out CD
18. Pussy cat dues. Charles Mingus off of the Mingus Ah Um CD
That was Charles Mingus off the with Pussy cat dues, with John Handy on Alto Saxophone, Booker Ervin on Tenor Saxophone, Jimmy Knepper on Trombone, Horace Parlan on Piano, Charles Mingus on Bass and Dannie Richmond on Drums. Before that was Everybody’s Jumpin’ from the Dave Brubeck quartet with Dave Brubeck on Piano, Paul Desmond on Alto Saxophone, Eugene Wright on Bass and Joe Morello on Drums. This is Miles Davis with Eightyone
19. Eightyone. Miles Davis
20. Congeniality. Ornette Coleman Double Quartet
This has been Jazz for the Asking, tune in next week at the same time for more great jazz songs. Thank you for listening.