Anthony Jackson - The Suitcase

mwiles30 · #1 01-05-2009, 08:50 PM

I recently got a hold of the recently released concert featuring Steve Khan, Anthony Jackson, and Dennis Chambers, recorded live in Koln, Germany in 1994.

And I must say, this concert is UNBELIEVABLE!!

I've been unable to get my hands on any of Steve and AJ's Eyewitness material, and this concert is a prime example of some of this hard to find music, as well as the possibilities of the modern jazz guitar trio backed by the bass guitar.

Anyone else heard this album yet?

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #2 01-05-2009, 09:01 PM

There was a thread about it a while back. I think it's an absolute milestone in bass playing. The unfortunate thing is that the concert was over a decade ago, but the CD was only released last year

AJ's long solo section is a masterful and unique thing to behold.

JimK · #3 01-06-2009, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

...the concert was over a decade ago, but the CD was only released last year

Uh...yeah.

The "copy" I bought (dubbed Live in Koln, Germany 1994) in the late '90s was actually 3 CD-Rs. What did I know, I thought this is how cds in Germany looked.

I blabbed about this "rare find" on some Jazz site...and was greeted the next morning at work with an e-mail from Steve Khan...wondering where I purchased such. For the record, I came clean; he was a irritated that a "fan" would pay so much for a boot...i.e. something that he deemed not worthy for release.
Glad it was finally released officially.
I bought The Suitcase the day it came out to clear my mind.

The other Eyewitness stuff is absolutely worth having, too. Blades (AKA Modern Times) is another LIVE album...I have the LP, I'm thinking this never made it onto cd.
Steve Khan's Crossings & Headline are 2 other hard-to-find albums...each is split into an Eyewitness vibe (w/ AJ & Dennis Chambers) + an acoustic trio (Ron Carter & Al Foster).
Got My Mental (w/ Patitucci & Dejohnette) is another nice acoustic jazz trio thing.

Khan's latest, Borrowed Time is also nice.

I'm a huge Khan fan. I love the way he voices his chords (lays off his "E" & "A" strings a lot)...this allows his bassists to play about any note.

cnltb · #4 01-06-2009, 04:37 AM

I too am glad that the suitcase is out on cd.

I was at the gig in cologne but only now, as I hear it on cd, do I really appreciate what was going on that evening.

VJP · #5 01-06-2009, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

I'm a huge Khan fan. I love the way he voices his chords (lays off his "E" & "A" strings a lot)...this allows his bassists to play about any note.

I love Steve's playing. Doesn't get nearly the credit and recognition he should. He should be mentioned right up there with Metheny, Stern, Scofield etc.

And his website is a tremendous resource for transcribed solos from all the greats.

bassbrad · #6 01-06-2009, 03:23 PM

I love all the Eyewitness stuff, the space, Steve's compositions and playing, AJ's total bass, Steve Jordan & Manolo Badrena on drums & percusstion.
At 1st I was afaid I'd miss Manolo's percussion but DC is a total mad man on the drums.

jerry · #7 01-06-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

I'm a huge Khan fan. I love the way he voices his chords (lays off his "E" & "A" strings a lot)...this allows his bassists to play about any note.

+1 on Khan, I started being a fan when I would see him around NYC back in the 70's with Will Lee on bass.
The Suitcase album would be a good start for anyone wondering why we talk about AJ so highly. It hard to believe Dennis Chambers had to talk Steve Khan into releasing it.

bottomzone · #8 01-06-2009, 06:05 PM

Yeah-this CD and the players are just RIDICULOUS!!!!!! Time to collect some more woodshed splinters!!!!!!!!

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

mwiles30 · #9 01-06-2009, 07:32 PM

I mean, I listened to it once through, and it actually changed the way I play and listen with other musicians. AJ's presence is that powerful.

harrybosch · #10 01-06-2009, 07:35 PM

This ia an incredible recording. AJ is a man amongst children in the bass world.

KJung · #11 01-07-2009, 05:51 AM

GREAT recording. I enjoy the playing more than the tunes. However, this CD is worth getting just to check out Anthony is his 'bass guitar emulating 9 foot grand piano' tone period. It's a BIG, PURE tone, and the playing is really something.

NickBass81 · #12 01-07-2009, 06:54 AM

Sadly I still don't have that disc, but I have almost everything else Eyewitness recorded...and as one can immagine I'm a huge A J fan...what a superbous musician!!!
With Eyewitness he recorded some of my favorite lines, like the one on "The Breakaway" (and I usually don't like so much the sound of the pick...) or his jawbreaking solo on "The Blue Shadow"....Jackson has always been ahead of his time!!!