Talking about Red Mitchell - Page 3

Mark Carlsen · #41 02-02-2013, 11:24 AM

Man, I got to get some of these sides.... I want to hear more Red on the bow !!!

As I have posted recently in another Red Thread { Wow, I'm a poet } I have been really enjoying the Jim Hall / Red duo live recording. Between the album booklet and a Chuck Sher fakebook I have lead sheets for all the tunes on that record. It might be time to Shed some Red and try to use some of these beautiful tunes on my duo gigs....

Phil Rowan · #42 02-02-2013, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

The three records that gave me my Red Jones aren't under Red's name as a leader but great examples of Red before the switch to tuning in 5ths with four gut strings tuned in 4ths. The Hampton Hawes Trio (with Chuck Thompson on drums) Volumes 1, 2 and 3 on the great old L.A. jazz label, Contemporary.

Yep, these are quite something. The other albums I enjoy thoroughly are Hampton Hawes' All Night Sessions, Vol. 1 - 3 (Contemporary, C3545, C3546 and C3547). Admittedly I only have Vol. 1 and 2 (I know, I know).. Vol. 1 is just stellar and I've been listening to it for many, many years now (the whole band just plays the most beautiful, seamless stuff).

Edit - Listening to Vol. 2 of the All Night Sessions now. Definitely pick these up if you don't already have them. Such ridiculously good taste with everything Jim, Hampton, Red and Bruz play (and there's this crazy bounce to the beat, can't put my finger on why though).

Mark Carlsen · #43 02-02-2013, 09:15 PM

Ya, these are great... Hampton Hawes is off the charts, no wonder Red was a part of these dates.

jsamuel · #44 02-03-2013, 11:51 AM

I think I'd like to apologise for my ignorant comments on the previous page of this thread - I was quick to comment after a cursory look at the video, and was rightly 'shot down'! I'll try to keep quiet next time I don't know what I'm talking about...

msw · #45 02-03-2013, 12:26 PM

No need to. We are all here to learn! Red was one of the true masters. His playing and all that it encompassed was really unique. What is great is that your post inspired a lot more discussion about one of the truly great musicians.

Mark Carlsen · #46 02-04-2013, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msw

No need to. We are all here to learn! Red was one of the true masters. His playing and all that it encompassed was really unique. What is great is that your post inspired a lot more discussion about one of the truly great musicians.

Best part of TB for me... Everyone chimes in, civil discussion about a fascinating subject that is inspiring us to learn and its fun....

Nathan Levine · #47 02-04-2013, 10:34 PM

When did Red go to 5ths tuning? And why have so few people followed in his footsteps?

Paul Warburton · #48 02-05-2013, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan Levine

When did Red go to 5ths tuning? And why have so few people followed in his footsteps?

This's from Gene Lees' great book, "Cats of any color". The chapter is called "The return of Red Mitchell" and Red explains the whys and hows of the switch from from 4ths to 5ths in an amazing 9 days.
The other link is to Red's site. Click on "Interviews" for some facts about Red that most people aren't aware of and his (under "videos") performance at the ISB Conference is pure Red beauty.
http://books.google.com/books?id=IIx...tchell&f=false

I already posted this, but here it is again for people who don't read the whole Thread and never heard of Google...
www.redmitchell.com
Seems like the site's having issues again. I'll call Diane later today to see what's up.

Paul Warburton · #49 02-05-2013, 09:13 AM

This's my latest Red obsession tune and one that i've always loved to play, "My silent love", with Jimmy Rowles, who worked with Red alla way back to their years with Lady Day and beyound, to their years together in the L.A. studio scene, and Donald Bailey, who was one of Red's favorite drummers.
I love the way Red and Jimmy split up the tune for each other.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtAhaOSF6w4

Red's intonation, IMO, is as close to being perfect as is possible on the instrument on everything i've ever heard him play.

If you've ever heard Red play piano, you'll notice many similarities to Jimmy's playing, but i'm not sure who inspired who the most.

Paul Warburton · #50 02-07-2013, 10:46 AM

Here's one from 61 with the Red Mitchell/Harold Land Quintet, (personel listed) that's interesting in that
Red was using a fiver with the low B string just before he switched to 5th tuning.
The tune is Harold's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cclnNHjSQo

dylanjohnson · #51 02-09-2013, 10:42 AM

Apparently the Land/Mitchell band recorded an episode of Jazz Scene USA, the LA tv show, around that time. Has anyone seen that anywhere? I think most of the other shows have been released or are on Youtube, but I can't seem to find it.

Paul Warburton · #52 02-09-2013, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dylanjohnson

Apparently the Land/Mitchell band recorded an episode of Jazz Scene USA, the LA tv show, around that time. Has anyone seen that anywhere? I think most of the other shows have been released or are on Youtube, but I can't seem to find it.

I worked a bit with Harold Land and Blue Mitchell and, of course, Harold and I talked alot about Red. Harold told me about doing that show and somebody here @ TBDB mentioned it a few years ago.
I'll email Diane (Red's widow) again and ask if she knows anything, but i'm also in touch with Red's second wife, Rosie, who was married to Red during that period so i'll check with her. In fact Red's tune, "Rosie's spirit" is on the record. He wrote another tune for her called "Rosie Red".
I'll get back and letcha' know what's up with it. Speaking of Red's wives, his first was named Doe and when Red was with Billie Holiday, Doe was Lady's hairdresser and even joined them on their world-wide road travels.
(A pretty much useless piece of information, for sure).

Here's some stuff about Rosie.............
http://www.rosiemitchell.org/

dylanjohnson · #53 02-09-2013, 05:39 PM

Here is the scoop on the TV show, Paul.
http://jazzsceneusa.blogspot.com/201...cene-u_31.html

Paul Warburton · #54 02-09-2013, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dylanjohnson

Here is the scoop on the TV show, Paul.
http://jazzsceneusa.blogspot.com/201...cene-u_31.html

Nice find, Dylan, thanks.
Again, this is just before Red's change to 5th tuning and was using a fiver with the low B string.
I'll still contact Rosie and Diane for any further info.
Thanks, again, for the good work digging around out there.

Paul Warburton · #55 02-12-2013, 04:18 PM

Red playing "My funny valentine" (I shoulda' posted this Thursday) with no accompaniment.
Pretty wonderful and a great example of his focus (as Roger Kellaway mentioned in my other post) and great swing feel, as well as his flawless intonation. Other than that.......