This project turned out to be more difficult than I had envisioned when I accepted.
Before I came up with a theme, my idea was to just pick 10 tunes that I thought most folks had never heard before (maybe in a subsequent OMC project). But narrowing that down to just 10 tunes seemed much too daunting a task.
Then once this particular theme came to mind, it became apparent that even though there was now a specific topic, the task might be even more difficult.

In any case, this sequence of songs is pretty much a chronological bombardment of influences.

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The Path
(A compilation giving a brief snapshot of tunes that helped to shape my current musical tastes and opinions.)


(1) I Will Move on up a Little Higher...



...Mahalia Jackson - Gospels, Spirituals & Hynms (1991) (Originally recorded in 1947)

My Grandmother (on my Mother's side) was a Protestant Bishop and had her own church in NYC & Washington D.C.
The earliest memories I have of music on a regular basis are Gospel, specifically Mahalia Jackson.
Every Sunday morning prior to service, she'd put on (more often than not) a Mahalia Jackson record while she cooked breakfast.
The aroma of her cooking and the sound of this music made it impossible to stay in bed (and she knew it).

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(2) Laura...



...Johnny Mathis - Tender Is The Night (1964)

Moving from the sacred to the secular, my Mother was a big fan of vocal Pop music and instilled in me early on an appreciation for melody.
This Johnny Mathis vocal performance, the haunting musical melody by David Raksin and Johnny Mercer's lyrical imagery make this one of my favorite Pop songs.

Laura - (Johnny Mercer/David Raksin)

Laura is the face in the misty light
Footsteps that you hear down the hall.
The laugh that floats on a summer night
That you can never quite recall.
And you see Laura, on a train that is passing thru.
Those eyes, how familiar they seem.
She gave your very first kiss to you.
That was Laura but she's only a dream

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(3) Wait Till You See Her...



...Johnny Smith - Johnny Smith Quartet (1955)


Completing the triangle of early musical input was my Father and his extensive Jazz collection.
This particular album appeared frequently in his play rotation and introduced me to the sound of Jazz guitar.
Along with the music, the album cover was especially intriguing.
Who was the guy doing this amazing guitar playing partially obscured by the frosted glass?


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(4) Blue In Green...



...Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (1959)


Staying in Jazz genre, this piece has earned a very special place in my listening routine.
Some time ago I started to do a post entitled The Therapeutic Benefits of Blue in Green.
It was based on the fact that one day I got in my car for my 80 mile trek to work with a splitting headache. The L.A. freeway system and a bad attitude can be a very deadly combination. Fresh out of my favorite non-prescription pain reliever, I decided to try and deal with it in a more holistic manner.

Surmising that some relaxing music could help, I had a look through some of the available CDs in my car and settled on Kind of Blue, specifically the tune Blue in Green.

After the first celestial/cerebral chords Bill Evans plays, through the initial majestic melody (swaaaaay-dee-bah, dit-dit-dit-da-bo-dee) that emanates from the Miles Davis horn, I felt the pain in my head begin to subside.

Whenever I need to bring it down a few notches, this tune never fails to deliver.

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(5) Fear (Main theme from One Step Beyond)...



...Harry Lubin - Brain in a Box: The Science Fiction Collection (2000)


Another avenue of musical input from my younger days was TV (show themes).
The series One Step Beyond, in a vein similar to The Twilight Zone, ran for 3 seasons ('59-'61)

What you'll be listening to is not the short theme used in the show but composer Harry Lubin's full orchestral score - Fear.

It's an example of how a piece of instrumental music, when developed properly, can set off very specific emotions.

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(6) I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me)...



...James Brown (1968)
(The b-side, There Was A Time, is shown in the photo)


Once I got my own transistor radio one Xmas, all hell broke loose.
I would have it under my pillow listening to music from any number of Pop or Soul station when I was supposed to be sleeping.

One of the first 45s I bought with my own money was this one.
I played this record so much that i'd be amazed if there were any grooves left in it.
You might even be able to see through it.

Being a drummer at the time, i'd never heard anybody drop a snare drum lick on the "and of 4".

Somehow in my young mind there was a definite connection between the soulful raw emotional vocals of James Brown & Mahalia Jackson.
This sacred/secular linkage is something i'd never confide to my Grandmother though.

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(7) Voodoo Chile...



...Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland (1968)


Most people here know I have a great deal of respect for Jimi Hendrix.
Getting to meet him one afternoon on Bleeker Street in Greenwich Village didn't hurt either.
But the reason for his inclusion in this set goes far beyond the innovative guitar and studio work.


The first time I heard him was during one of those late night transistor radio listening sessions.
While tuned in to Murray The K (a pioneer during the "free-form" FM radio days), he played Hey Joe. Hearing this incredible music was one thing but when I finally saw what he looked like, I experienced what can only be described as a mental emancipation. It was if a great weight had been lifted. I was no longer restricted to the box (by White & Black people) of how Black people were categorized. What type of music you were expected to listen to or play, how you were supposed to talk, how you were supposed to dress or how you were supposed to think.

Thank you sir. Till we shake hands again "on the next one".


As for choosing this particular song, to me it's one of the best examples of classic Jimi in a live setting. The sound of the guitar at the top of the tune sounds huge and muscular even though it's relatively clean. The addition of Steve Winwood frees Jimi up from having to carry the complete load and gives him someone to play off of.

Intergalactic Blues at its best.


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(8) Village of the Sun/Echidna's Arf (Of You)/Don't You Ever Wash That Thing?...



...Frank Zappa - Roxy & Elsewhere (1974)

Another stroke of luck hit me while hanging around on Bleeker Street in 1967.
That one block housed three historic 60s music venues. The Bitter End, The Cafe Au Go Go & The Garrick Theatre.
Following music my friend and I heard from the street, led us to an open door of The Garrick Theatre.
Looking inside we were shocked to find The Mothers Of Invention rehearsing onstage.
Amazingly, after noticing these two young kids peering through the door, instead of sending us away Frank Zappa softly said, "Have a seat."

At the time, the only thing I knew about this group was hearing the album Freak Out.
My impression was that this was simply a bunch of drugged up hippies playing some weird but interesting music.
Come to find out, almost every sound heard on the record was written out in advance by Frank Zappa.

Being able to sit in on this rehearsal provided some life altering insights as to what it took to be in a band that actually took music seriously.
All the musicians were sitting in front of music stands and Zappa ran the rehearsals like an Army drill Sergeant.
No goofing around, no b.s. It was all about performing the music properly.

This was a lesson that has stuck with me to this day. Playing in a band that's serious about music involves hard work.
It's not about having chicks chase you down the street (my formerly warped perspective after seeing A Hard Day's Night)

An interesting note about the Village of the Sun section of the sequence.
I thought his description of the town of Palmdale was pretty hilarious.
Little did I know that later in life I would actually buy a house there.


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(9) Pie In Electric Sky/If I Lay Down With You...



...Lewis Taylor - Whoever (1996)


For me, in the past decade, he's probably the artist who has combined Pop/R&B/Rock elements in the most interesting way.
I picked this song because it shows his ability to turn on a dime musically.
What would seem to be a Rock tune turns into an ode to Marvin Gaye.

This tune is from a 4 song EP titled Whoever. Strangely, it didn't end up on his first full album release for Virgin.


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(10) Quero Dancar...



...Global Noize (2008)


I wanted to include something current in the set.
This is a joint effort by DJ Logic and keyboardist Jason Miles.

Simply put, it's got a nice airy groove and Vanessa Fallabella's voice is just too sexy.
Haven't got a clue what she's saying but she needs to keep saying it.
Her final spoken line seemed like an appropriate ending to the set.


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BONUS TRACK - Los Tres Hermanos...



...SMV (2008)

Rather than bump Global Noize from the tenth spot when the SMV album was released last month, I just included my favorite tune from that album as a Bonus Track.

Three of the premiere bassists (Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller & Victor Wooten) of our time on one record!
Showing their musical maturity, this isn't a "head cutting" session but an example of how top flight musicians can work together to create some inspiring music.

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The Set: http://8tracks.com/theAudience/the-path


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It has always been my belief that Music is an Art Form.
I think that each of the songs exhibits excellence in either vocal/instrumental performance, composition, melody or just making you feel good.


I hope you enjoy the journey along The Path.



peace,
tA
Tribal Records
[Edited 8/4/10 19:43pm]

I'll listen to the set later on.

Thanks, tA!

BONUS TRACK?

Mahalia Jackson. Utterly love her. The album you took that off was my first introduction to gospel music.
Johnny Mathis. I just started moving into early soul, just out off the gospel cradly, by way of the early Sam Cooke. Know Mathis's name, but never heard stuff. I like the sugary stuff. Will check out more.
Johnny Smith. Like Mathis; know of him, never heard his stuff. Reminds me of Django Reinhardt alot.
Miles Davis. A musical god, a genius. What you describe I had with Ascenseur Pour l'Echafoud's Générique. I used to have all his albums in MP3 format. I will get them back, one day.
Harry Lubin. Never heard of him. Or the theme. It reminds me of something else, probably a movie. So indeed, it's great in provoking emotions and/or memories.
James Brown. Early Brown is not to be messed with. I got Star Time, so I know this one. Great compilation, btw. It feels complete. I love Devil's Den and Mother Popcorn SO much.

Jimi Hendryx. I must admit, his music is often too trippy for me, but when he sounds right to me, he sound right all the way. I must admit. I am much more of a If 6 Was 9-kinda person.
Frank Zappa. Matthijs tried. I love the idea of Zappa, but his music/ideas/voices/concepts often go too deep for me. I always look for a connection in music and even though I make the connection with Zappa as a person, his music just does not reach me. Great experience, though.
Lewis Taylor. He had a small hit in Holland with that first album. I liked him okay, but there was not a major connection, so I never followed up on it. Esp cuz he sounded as a 'collage musician', like Kravitz. I rahter they do something original with those influences. His Marvin Gaye impressions makes him sound like Terence Trent D'Arby
Global Noise. Never heard of them. This sounds sexy cuz of the lady doing the panting-like mumbling. Portugese? Sexy.

And naughty, naughtym naughty; a bonus track. By the Three Hermanos, so that made me smile a bit. Three amazing names, but together the are indeed not 'head cutting', so this track kind of disappoints me, I must admit.

Even though there are artists here that do not speak to me, the highlights for me are some of the same highlights as in my own collection. Esp Mahalia Jackson. I play that album SO often still, esp Walk Over God's Heaven and Elijah Rock (live), which gives me the chills.

Thanks for the walk, mate.

Have not listened yet, but reading this I went

While I expected more raw funk, I believe I will enjoy this mix. A LOT!

Sander said:

Sir?

School's in session!

HamsterHuey said:

!!!

Now this my brotha's and sista's is some Soul education getcha pens and paper out.

Amazing

...

Great Set!!!


*I noticed something kool here-- hearing Hendrix in this context, it's easy to see what David Schaar Murray always maintained--played alongside Mahalia, Miles, and James, it's easy to hear this as just another branch of the natural progression in Black Music -- It all fits together so well because the Blues/Gospel river runs deep throughout....

*Laura--- Beautiful rendition of this great piece!!! Funny, I first came across David Raksin's name while doing reserach for UPA, I really liked a number of scores he did for their cartoons--but I didn't realize until a few years ago that Laura was actually his composition, and that it was just one of his many film soundtracks. This is my first time hearing Johnny Mathis's version--Very Nice!!!

*A real treat hearing Lubin's full score for "Fear"...nice use of Theremin and voice with the orchestra!



*Village of the Sun/Echidna's Arf/Don't You Ever Wash That Thing--

This sequence of songs is quickly becoming one of my favorite all-time Zappa performances!!! I love this live album!! (And I hear video is supposed to be forthcoming...fingers crossed!!!)

and BTW, it really must have been something else to grow up in NYC in the late 60's--hell, you met Hendrix and Zappa just by bein' on the street--can't beat that!!!!


*- Lewis Taylor - Nuff Said!!!! (still waiting for the rest of Pie to show up, ) seriously, somebody has to go shake that boy!!!! We need him NOW!


* Thanks again for the headzup on Global Noize- Kool track, one of my faves from the album...


*and nice piece from the three Lords of the Lower Frequencies--
Usually when two or more bassists get together, it ends up being just a bunch of rumblings and your furniture moving across the floor,
This album is a great example of how an all star session doesn't have to be a bunch of muddled noise----everyone has the space to make their own unique contribution.




Great set, tA!!!!


...
[Edited 10/8/08 10:04am]

And of course there are bridges between all those black music styles; the easiest bridge to spot between Sam Cooke's earlier gospel outings Soul Stirrers and then with his later solo outings, be it under the aka of Dale Cooke or his own name.

Every style of music is derived from a predesesor, most styles now played on radio go back to gospel and blues. I love how most guitarists, be they black or white, often quote Robert Johnson and Jimi Hendrix as their inspiration.

This is hot. The song selection makes more sense in the context of the theme now. Possibly my favorite org mix so far.

I have a bazillion gajillion thoughts and it's going to take major discipline to coral all these cats into one place

I've been around the Universe with all of these fabulous mixes, but this one has brought me home. Mahalia was also my first introduction to Gospel music and I still get spirit bumps listening to her. Johnny Mathis was a favourite of my parents and I was a dewey eyed teenager growing up to his irresitable voice. This is one beautiful song. The live Jimi Hendrix track ~ just incredible ~ I could listen this for hours ~ it made me cry buckets today in the deepest sadness ~ of all the musicians who have passed, he is the one I most would have wnated to hear the "complete catalogue" ~ into his 90's ~ his death was sort of a personal and grevious time for me that I've never quite reconciled. Track five is just insanely good. I'll have to comment more in a day or so but it was an absolute joy to hear this mix and I thank you Neal for sharing (and for getting it to Paris so I could listen)

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

freak!

theAudience said:

wait, what?!

FuNkeNsteiN said:

Cool.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

HamsterHuey said:

A little something extra for the people.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Thanks for this... I need some time to digest it all...

HamsterHuey said:

Thanks for listening.

"Sugary stuff" is good in the proper proportions.
Regarding Johnny Smith, he covers the John Lewis classic Django on that album.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Whom did tA pay off to get his Org Music Club thread made into a sticky?

sextonseven said:

sextonseven said:

HamsterHuey said:

The problem with isolating an artist like Lewis Taylor to only one song is that many who are unfamiliar with all of his material may get a very limited perspective as to how "wide" he really is.

I agree that Zappa can be hard to digest at times (don't give up).
However, it's unfortunate there aren't more of his ilk (that folks are aware of) out there stretching musical boundaries.

As for the Bonus Track... ...what can I say.

Maybe we'll go for a real walk one day.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Sander said:

During the time period the mix was based on, raw funk wasn't a major percentage of what I was listening to.

Maybe if I get some time (like that'll really happen), i'll make a Raw-Funk mix especially for you.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

While some of this music is new to me, most of it isn't. What is new to me is the fact that YOU put these together in a mix.

Rather than go artist by artist with my comments, I'll just go through the highlights.

So Zappa. Sometimes his music is like petting a dog the wrong way. It just rubs my ear wrong. Then I hear something like the organ solo half way through this song and it's like, DAMN! Or I once heard a live album where he was talking but everything he said was also played on the guitar. Not that he was talking in a scale or musically, he was just talking in his normal voice. So much genius I think people will still be figuring him out 100 years from now.

Miles. I get how this music can heal. I need to spend more time experimenting with that aspect. I have this disk and I have the crazy wah, wah peddle horns of Miles and I think I need more of this early stuff. It's so brilliant in it's simplicty, it's really just pure and real. Not to mention I love the sound of the snare sizzling in the silence.

Harry Lubin - WOW how cool was that scary music. All it needed was a theramin to totally scare the crap out of me. Now I have to go check out One Step Beyond, that's right up my alley.

The last three songss were completly new to me. I've got to say the bonus bass song was cool but I don't know if I could take a whole CD of that. Now Lewis Taylor and Global Noise just got added to the shopping list.

Does this mean that now I've got to go listen to everybody else's? Did they all follow the same format (with an explaination with each tune)?


Thanks for spending the time on this. I really appreciate it.
[Edited 10/8/08 19:08pm]

sextonseven said:

we already HAVE a sticky. Two stickies is

But as long as it's un-stickiefied after the week is up...