Little Boxes

‘Tis Autumn

RIP Summer 2013. You sure gave me hell.

Chico Hamilton Quintet — Blue Sands

More majesty from the youtubes…

Among other sensations, I’m simply humbled by such flights of beauty and imagination. I’ve long loved the recorded version of this composition on Pacific Jazz (w/ Jim Hall on guitar), but to discover this live performance with John Pisano in 1958 is really a thrill.

I love the audience shots, too; a real class bunch. Man, Americans really used to have it. 

Thank you Mr. Hamilton (and a happy early birthday).

I Am…The Covered Man…

I keep coming back to this damn clip. It makes me happy, and also slightly uncomfortable. Kinda brings to mind the serial killer from The Town That Dreaded Sundown, in perhaps mellower, more soulful times…before she broke his heart…before life was such a task.

Life is such a task!..

Maybe it’s just the clunky edit, but I’m still not sure what to make of the message in the lyrics.

Meanwhile, imagine how much cooler Starksy and Hutch woulda been…or un-cooler…

Exactly Like You

Some fine medicine for the doldrums here…John Lawlor’s tenor guitar playing is just so unique and sublime that it makes me want to run a lap around the world.

There is just nothing not to like here: I love Lawlor’s chording technique and tone; I love his great hair; his snazzy all-American kitchen; his bashful chuckle before he begins the tune…the whole thing just makes me happy.

A little research reveals little about the man himself. Not a showy guy in the least, Lawlor, who is totally self-taught, hid himself and his amazing gift away after gigging around with his brother throughout the 70’s. Apparently it was only at the behest of a friend that Lawlor allowed himself to be recorded and uploaded to Youtube. I’m really grateful that friends like that are out there in the world.

I’d very much like to see Mr. Lawlor lay down some tracks for a proper recording. If anyone out there knows John or can help make that happen, please do get in touch. (I am serious.)

 

HT: TK Smith