Charlie Haden played a crucial role in molding me into the listener I am today. Here are just three examples of the many ways in which Haden expanded my appreciation and understanding of music.
As a nascent jazz fan in the pre-internet era, I became aware of the provocatively titled Liberation Music Orchestra. When I finally got my hands on a copy of the 1969 album, I didn't know what to make of it. It's not "jazz." Haden helped me to realize that musical boundaries don't really exist.
The 1991 album Haunted Heart caused me to reevaluate music I'd written off as pablum. By incorporating old recordings of Jo Stafford and Jeri Southern into Quartet West's concept album, Haden convinced me to drop my bias against pre-rock pop vocalists. My subsequent flirtation with music by the likes of Tony Bennett and Rosemary Clooney has yet to cease.
Finally, Haden's gorgeous collaborations with Pat Metheny reminded me of the immense power of austerity. As a lover of noise and groove, I require quiet works like Beyond the Missouri Sky keep me centered.
Haden died last week.
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I reviewed a concert by Gavin DeGraw, Matt Nathanson and Mary Lambert.
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I featured Jorge Arana Trio's Oso at Plastic Sax.
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Here's my Local Listen segment on Ensemble Ibérica.
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The Mahoots' Girl From Topeka is probably my favorite project by my friend Steve Wilson since No Price On Earth, the classic 1982 album by the Thumbs. RIYL: Alex Chilton, rock and roll hearts, Guided By Voices.
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Dom Chronicles' video for "Get Focused" was shot at the castle-like structure in the Jazz District.
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Stik Figa made a video for "The Book of Chad".
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Tommy Ramone has died.
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After a career filled with good albums, Jim Lauderdale finally made a great one. I'm a Song is RIYL: Buck Owens, 1965, George Jones.
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Leela James' Fall For You is solid. RIYL: Anthony Hamilton, adulthood, Mary J. Blige.
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Should Brian Wilson decide to take a naked romp on a Brazilian beach, Sébastien Tellier's L'Aventura would make an ideal soundtrack for the outing.
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David Binney's Anacapa is a wonderful mainstream jazz album. RIYL: Pat Metheny, imagination, Wayne Shorter.
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Nick Waterhouse's Holly is RIYL: Hanni El Khatib, Uma Thurman's character in Pulp Fiction, The Blasters.
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The Village Voice's examination of the origins of Bob Marley's Legend is fascinating.
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Bobby Hutcherson's Enjoy the View fails to hold my attention. RIYL: David Sanborn, Blue Note Records, Joey DeFrancesco.
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The cowboy rides away with a gross of $60 million. The financials of 2014's top tours are fascinating.
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Cyrus Chestnut's Midnight Melodies is a fine live piano trio album.
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Good on Metallica.
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Sage Francis is very angry. Copper Gone is RIYL: Mac Lethal, sour grapes, Aesop Rock.
(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)
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