Shadows and Light
February 2, 2025
Joni Mitchell's Shadows and Light has been a favorite of… the rest
Having To Do With Listening
Most (musicians anyway) have heard this old joke.
An anthropologist is studying an indigenous tribe in the jungle. He hears drums playing off in the distance. He’s a little worried about what the drumming might mean. He asks the native chieftain about it and is told, “It’s ok, but very bad if drums stop.” The drumming continues for quite a long time, and the anthropologist notices everyone around him becoming agitated. He enquires again about the drumming and is told again, ‘Very bad if drums stop.’
Suddenly the drumming stops. In a panic, the anthropologist yells “The drums stopped! What happens now?” The chieftain replies, “Bass solo.”
This video gives the lie to that old slam. Both the playing and the venue are sublime. Kham Meslien⤴︎ gives a mesmerizing solo performance. Watch it here:
Here’s a treat. Jason Parker Quartet giving us beautiful renditions of Nick Drake songs.
Great vocals from Michele Khazak.
A nice moment to start the day.
This get-together was recorded about 37 years after Love, Devotion Surrender. LDS was a tribute to John Coltrane. Santana’s fans hated it (not ready for it,) but it is amazing. The Montreux performance is a great showcase of Santana’s lyricism matched with a harmonic master in McLaughlin.