Comments on: TWO BANKS OF FOUR / “Afro Blue” http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/ a conversation about black music Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:02:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5 by: Paul http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-2754 Tue, 08 Aug 2006 04:03:02 -0500 http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-2754 Might this be the same Rob Gallagher who was part of Galliano: an early triphop / jazz dance collective that made some beautiful soulful music in the early nineties? They are definitely worth a post. More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galliano_(band) Might this be the same Rob Gallagher who was part of Galliano: an early triphop / jazz dance collective that made some beautiful soulful music in the early nineties? They are definitely worth a post.
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galliano_(band)

]]> by: Ken http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-2875 Wed, 09 Aug 2006 19:58:11 -0500 http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-2875 Not generally a fan of vocalese, but Oscar Brown's cover is tremendous. A case where lyrics actually give new resonance to an already great song (another example I'd cite is a Jon Hendricks lyric/vocal cover of Bobby Timmons' "Moanin'"). Two other inspired versions of "Afro Blue" out there--(from) "Tito Puente's Golden Latin Jazz All-Stars--Live at the Village Gate (Mongo plays with T.P.)," circa 1992. Also, a Mongo Santamaria title, "Watermelon Man"--the version of "Afro Blue" on here was recorded live at the Blackhawk Theater in San Francisco, 1962. This one has a bit more of that clave work in it that you cited in the Reeves cover, Kalamu. The work that you two do on this site is truly life-affirming. Just great. Not generally a fan of vocalese, but Oscar Brown’s cover is tremendous. A case where lyrics actually give new resonance to an already great song (another example I’d cite is a Jon Hendricks lyric/vocal cover of Bobby Timmons’ “Moanin’”).

Two other inspired versions of “Afro Blue” out there–(from) “Tito Puente’s Golden Latin Jazz All-Stars–Live at the Village Gate (Mongo plays with T.P.),” circa 1992. Also, a Mongo Santamaria title, “Watermelon Man”–the version of “Afro Blue” on here was recorded live at the Blackhawk Theater in San Francisco, 1962. This one has a bit more of that clave work in it that you cited in the Reeves cover, Kalamu.

The work that you two do on this site is truly life-affirming. Just great.

]]> by: Simone Grant http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-2899 Thu, 10 Aug 2006 08:11:55 -0500 http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-2899 Lizz Wright has an amazing version of "Afro Blue" on her first album entitled Salt. Lizz Wright has an amazing version of “Afro Blue” on her first album entitled Salt.

]]> by: Anonymous http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-2944 Fri, 11 Aug 2006 06:37:11 -0500 http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-2944 Try out Jeffrey Smith's version from the 1999 Down Here Below project (also recently featured on the Kings Of Jazz compilation). Great energy, great arrangements and authentic supporting vocals from Malian songstress Assitan 'Mama' Keita. Other worthy mentions from my archives :- Abbey Lincoln from Abbey Is Blue (1959) Cal Tjader from Soul Sauce (1964) Dee Dee Bridgewater from Afro Blue (1974) J-Life from Tomorrow's Warriors Presents... (1998) (Julie Dexter on vocals) Roy Budd (feat. Okou) 12" (2006) Try out Jeffrey Smith’s version from the 1999 Down Here Below project (also recently featured on the Kings Of Jazz compilation). Great energy, great arrangements and authentic supporting vocals from Malian songstress Assitan ‘Mama’ Keita.

Other worthy mentions from my archives :-

Abbey Lincoln from Abbey Is Blue (1959)
Cal Tjader from Soul Sauce (1964)
Dee Dee Bridgewater from Afro Blue (1974)
J-Life from Tomorrow’s Warriors Presents… (1998) (Julie Dexter on vocals)
Roy Budd (feat. Okou) 12″ (2006)

]]> by: ekere http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-2945 Fri, 11 Aug 2006 07:46:42 -0500 http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-2945 My gosh, all of this is hot--no exceptions. I dig it all. D. Reeves is soooooooo...breathtaking. I interviewed her way back when she released Art and Survival and she is such a pure soul. ( Are they chanting "Yemaya" in the background of her version of Afro Blue or is that my imagination???) That Zum Zum...yes!!! On point. Ay. And come on, I can't even be articulate about the Coltrane take on it. Santamaria, 2Banks...all gorgeous. Have y'all seen Donnie Betts film about Oscar brown Jr?????? Pure brilliance. This week, BOL has me levitating. Big up!!!! one love, Ekere My gosh, all of this is hot–no exceptions. I dig it all.

D. Reeves is soooooooo…breathtaking. I interviewed her way back when she released Art and Survival and she is such a pure soul. ( Are they chanting “Yemaya” in the background of her version of Afro Blue or is that my imagination???)

That Zum Zum…yes!!! On point. Ay.

And come on, I can’t even be articulate about the Coltrane take on it.

Santamaria, 2Banks…all gorgeous.

Have y’all seen Donnie Betts film about Oscar brown Jr?????? Pure brilliance.

This week, BOL has me levitating.
Big up!!!!

one love,
Ekere

]]> by: tayari kwa salaam http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-2947 Fri, 11 Aug 2006 10:13:36 -0500 http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-2947 7! Seven! Yes, seven versions of one tune. I love it!!!!! Do this as often as yall can and want to. 7! Seven! Yes, seven versions of one tune. I love it!!!!! Do this as often as yall can and want to.

]]> by: ekere http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-2951 Sat, 12 Aug 2006 09:00:32 -0500 http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-2951 oh, and I like a reggae tinged version of Afro Blue by a group called Survival Sounds. one love, Ekere oh, and I like a reggae tinged version of Afro Blue by a group called Survival Sounds.

one love,
Ekere

]]> by: Steve http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-9132 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 23:44:35 -0500 http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2006/08/06/two-banks-of-four-%e2%80%9cafro-blue%e2%80%9d/#comment-9132 Thereare at least 150 recorded versions of Afro Blue. Even the all Music Guide does not list them all. I am in the process of putting together a 5 CD compilation with as many as I could reasonably find. Steve Thereare at least 150 recorded versions of Afro Blue. Even the all Music Guide does not list them all. I am in the process of putting together a 5 CD compilation with as many as I could reasonably find.

Steve

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