Miles davis et John Coltrane - So what

From 1959, a clip from a summer tv series featuring Miles Davis and the Gil Evans Orchestra

Miles Davis video 1967

An amazing look at the classic jazz quintet from the 60's:

Miles Quintet 67
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Greatest samurai film EVER

I'm surprised Criterion dropped the ball on this one -- I would have expected a dvd issue of this movie from them, but Tokyo Shock came out with it, and a glorious transfer it is of a classic Hideo Gosha film from 1969. I have heard bad things about the subtitle translation, but comparing it to a version I bought off of ebay, I didn't see much difference. This is an epic, what Once Upon a Time in the West was to westerns, this is to samurai films. Here's the plot from the liners - "A samurai, Magobei, returns to face the clan he abandoned when he learns that they intend to instigate another massacre. Protecting the last survivor of that massacre, a woman called “Taken by the Gods” Oriha, Magobei absorbs a truly phenomenal amount of punishment before taking down his brother-in-law, the clan leader." Highest recommendation.

Planet of the Apes supersized

With my tax return barely nestled in my bank account, I assaulted it by purchasing from Amazon the deluxe Planet of the Apes set. I didn't have the movies, nor the tv series, so this was an easy way to get it all in one place. But it had the cartoon series as well, which was an added bonus, since I do have recollections of watching it Saturday mornings, before breaking for lunch and spending the afternoons watching kung fu flicks. Ahh, the wasting of my youth! But as far as packaging goes, this is right up there with the Bill Evans Verve box set for exorbitant silliness. The Bill Evans box is encased in metal that rusts -- not healthy for the cds, which would pick up the oxidation. Here we have a full sized bust of Cornelius, lifelike hair and cloth shirt, and highly detailed face. The dvds are encased in a well designed jewel case box that pulls out from a section in the back. 14 dvds -- count em! The movies, tv, the Tim Burton version, and the animated series, with extras. Clearly this was figured to be for the collector, since upon opening the box you can slide the styrofoam out and open the hatch to get to the dvds without even exposing the figure bust. Nice, as I will probably store that away, since it is the creepiest thing I have seen since the Alien action figures that came out years ago. I like the movies, but not to this extent! And I would rather not have something like that out for public view -- he's got a mean look to him, and the lady friends that drop by would have red flags go up immediately. Thank god I have my own art spread around my place, and others, showing some class. Recommended for those who have the full sized Boba Fett or Darth Vader mannequins in their living room. As for me, I will enjoy the movies and the other material, and make a killing on resale in the future.

It's been a long while since I posted anything -- I blame work and the winter doldrums for this. Recently I picked up this on www.yourmusic.com -- outstanding Miles Davis funkiness! Live at the Cellar Door, in Washington DC in 1971. 6 cds of three concert nights. Not meant to be absorbed in one sitting, but it is more involving than some of the previous box sets of Miles, where the alternate takes, breaks, and conversation can be a bit much, even for a Miles fan like myself. I get them because I can have the music in nice compact boxes. This one documents what was originally the "Live Evil" album, and is the best of Miles' forays into jazz rock -- one of the best examples of a time where music boundaries and definitions of what one genre should sound like were dissolving. Listen to Miles' punctuations and the heavy funky bass and drum lines. Check it out!

Carl Orff recommendation

This 2 cd set has been on my playlist for some time now. I love Carl Orff -- and not because Carmina Burana has been used and abused so much in movie previews. I actually like Catulli Carmina more -- it sounds more spiritual and uplifting, as opposed to the Burana. The chorus, the contstant rhythm throughout the piece is compelling. This set predates Jochum's famous 60's work on the same label -- these were recorded in the mid 50's, in mono, so the sound isn't as full bodied or as powerful. But the performances are dynamic and alive; this is a wonderful set well worth searching!

Matisse show at the Met

Been a while since the last post. I went up to NYC over the weekend, and spent most of Saturday soaking in art -- most of it at the Met, where I saw this fantastic little show on Matisse and the collection of fabrics and textiles he owned. They were an important element in his work -- because it stimulated his composition, sense of color, and how he approached the human figure. I'm surprised that this is seen as a "new" idea in understanding Matisse, but maybe it is because I come from a similar background -- my mother used to work in the clothing industry, and I remember going with her to the fabric stores all the time. The paintings are known, but there are a lot of drawings and works that I hadn't seen before, lots from private collections that are superb.