L-O-V-E.

This episode is what I find to be a soundtrack of the ups and downs of a relationship. What’s funny is I think we all can relate to the stages of a relationship. I chose the following songs to represent my understanding. By the way, clicking the album covers will take you to Amazon to purchase the album.

Esperanza Spalding – Junjo, from the album of the same name and it immediately sets the tone for the 1st half of the show. They playful bass and the piano invoke the feelings of young love. It’s played loosely and fast-paced, but yields room for silence and quiet passages. Which demonstrate the periods of reflection one takes in the early days of a relationship, determining where it’s going.

John Coltrane – In A Sentimental Mood. It’s starting to get serious. There are profound moments and thoughts, and you start to wonder the staying power of your chosen partner in crime, but it seems pretty infallible. You’re making beautiful music.

Adele – Lovesong. If John Lennon doesn’t spell it out for you; you’re in love. The song does an excellent job professing the unyielding fealty that only a British singer could convey. If I had Lennon’s version on vinyl, it would have been on the show in place of Adele.

Isley Brothers – Hello It’s Me. Now that Love has filled the air, it can be a bit stifling. Growing pains from adapting to fit into the lives of one another, experimenting with new hobbies, foods, and people. The change isn’t why you were attracted, and the resentment of change can drive you apart. Ron Isley said it best, “don’t change, girl.” But guys should keep that in mind too.

Daft Punk – Nightvision. The introspective thoughts don’t go away, and you may wonder if you’re making the right decisions. This train of thought takes you to the second half of our show.

D-A-M-N.

Alabama Shakes – Miss You. Unfortunately for this couple, the uncertainty we left them in before the break ended the love affair. Now we reunite with them in denial. This song starts out slow but quickly ramps up the energy. There’s uncertainty in the lyrics and guitar, but the sentiment that I’m yours is made loud and clear. In the end, though, the fact of the matter is. I’m yours.

Miles Davis – So What. After the last track yielded no success, we move on to indifference, finding our subject in the heart of The Cool. Past love is just that, a fleeting memory we’ve carried on our journey to something better. Undergoing a period of self-dialogue and discovery; it’s an epiphany that our past doesn’t define our future. Cheers to new experiences.

The Weeknd – The Knowing. This track finds our subject inebriated on their favorite intoxicant. Drunk dialing. Sad, and indifferent in the midst of what could have been a good time. Melancholic memories drive the distressed guitar and pounding rhythm.

Maxwell – The Fall. After that bender from the last track, the drunk dial yields a reply in the opening verse. This is one of my favorite tracks on the album, and one that took a few listenings to appreciate all of the lyrics. I find the vinyl version has a better mix than the digital, as a result, I don’t stream this album.

Days go by slowly
I never know wholly
I see what you owe me
You never realize
That everything changes
And everything moves
And nothing is as it
Was when you lose

and our subject responds

Wait, wait, wait
Wait
Waiting for the…
Forgive me for waiting so long
For taking the time to rise and destroy
I was avoiding the thing that I…
I can’t feel you

And on that bombshell…we are right back where we started.

New/old Love…

Esperanza Spalding – One. Not lacking in love, nor haunted by its pain…our subject has discovered again that love is marvelous. That’s the great thing about love. It surrounds us, even in this time steeped in hatred, bigotry, and pretend. Love can be authentic if you let it.

I hope you enjoyed this episode of the show, and I look forward to sharing tunes with you every Monday night from 11 PM to 12 AM on 89.1 KNSJ here in San Diego, streaming at www.knsj.org, and available on your smart device using the Tune In App.

Leave your thoughts in the comments, and let me know what songs you would use to describe the phases of a relationship. I would love to read them.

Don’t forget to tune in to the show live on 89.1 FM KNSJ from 10 PM to 11 PM PST on Thursday. You can stream the show at www.knsj.org or use the TuneIn App.

Show Recordings

Don’t forget to tune in to the show live on 89.1 FM KNSJ from 10 PM to 11 PM PST on Thursday. You can stream the show at www.knsj.org or use the TuneIn App.

As always keep spinning.

Tom

I hope you enjoyed this post, to receive updates from Vinyl for The People delivered to your e-mail, subscribe here! Don’t forget to follow us on social media, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

I’m writing this while listening to Gretchen Parlato – The Lost and Found, enjoying a neat glass of Oban 14, (cheers Sean!)

Last Saturday night was nostalgic of what used to be my favorite Supper Club, Anthology. Miriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines the word as a, “collection of literary passages or works, especially poems by various authors; a collection of works of art or music.”

Early arrival was a must, always a packed house

I was afforded the opportunity to see so many talented artists on its stage, Lalah Hathaway, Goapele, Eric Roberson, Lee Ritenour, Leela James, Natalie Cole, Meshell N’degeocello…I could go on and on, but all I will ever have of Anthology are past memories. They closed their doors New Year’s Day 2014. It lived up to the definition, surely…and closed out its time in a dramatic fashion.

jazz photo 1 — Inside Blue Note Hawaii – “I wish there were a place like Anthology here in Hawaii.” I said to Jim Williams, my first interviewee of our Living in Stereo series. He replied, “There is a Blue Note opening in a couple of weeks.” That was December.

In it’s 6 months of operation Blue Note Hawaii has consistently hosted an all star line up. Kenny G performed for their Grand Opening, (you can pick up one of his autographed saxophones in their gift shop), Chaka Khan, The Wailers, Ravi Coltrane…my nostalgia now has reason to fade.

bluenotehawaii_seating — With seats for 320 , (100 more than the flagship location in New York), there are no bad seats.

The first show I saw was Jose James and while I wasn’t familiar with his music, my love is a fervent fan. My head was bopping, to his witty lyrics, nostalgic love songs, and Hip Hop improv. The crowd and I were well engaged. After the show there was a meet and greet, we took pictures…and of course I asked was any of his music on vinyl, he replied “Yes, yes it is.” Cheers Mr. James.

The dining options are plentiful, but you can see Aloha in dishes like the Beef Short Ribs served with a polenta made from Kahuku corn (grown here on Oahu) served on a bed of collard greens.

As far as libations are concerned I’m not one to venture away from my usual Gin and Tonic, with cucumber…no lime. However, in the spirit of trying new things…I decided on an Old Fashion, prepared with Bullit bourbon.

This week I had the opportunity to sit down with Marco Olivari, General Manager of Blue Note Hawaii. We talked about everything from the history of the space the Blue Note is in, his record collection, and what brought him to the land of Aloha.

See what Marco had to say in a couple of weeks…

The original Blue Note opened its doors in Greenwich Village, New York, 1981. Pop ups from legends such as Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennet, and Liza Minelli aren’t uncommon. Currently there are 6 locations worldwide (Hawaii, New York, Milan, Beijing, Tokyo, and Nagoya), with a 7th opening soon in Napa Valley. Unlike my fateful love affair with Anthology, the Blue Note brand has established itself as a pillar in the global music community.

No longer melancholy for live musical experiences, I anxiously await my next trip to Blue Note. There are a few items on my calendar through the fall, such as Joan Osborne, The Manhattan Transfer, and Chick Chorea. I see now, much like the Vanessa Fernandez album I’m awaiting a repressing of…sometimes you have to be patient for the good stuff. I see a future between the two of us. I have a new favorite Supper Club.

In the next post, Robert Glasper Trio…

Until next time, keep spinning.

-Tom

As an aside, Anthology is now Music Box. So, if you’re in San Diego check them out.

“anthology.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2016. Web. 10 July 2016.

Tag: blue note

Vinyl for The People Radio Show – Love and Other 4 Letter Words – Episode 4

L-O-V-E.

D-A-M-N.

Show Recordings

Blue Note Hawaii and why you need to visit a Supper Club