musicology #419

AfterTheStorm #4

(John Coltrane – Equinox)

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One from the ‘Trane…A Giant whose drive to communicate his feelings using the universal language is, (as far as I am aware), almost unparalleled. Technically there are other great musicians but something about John Coltrane feels unique. I am no Coltrane or Jazz scholar and his music only found me when I was searching for something that could define my deeply complex feelings about a deeply profound life experience, (musicology #6)

The piece that found me was from one of his masterpieces ‘A Love Supreme’ and since that day, (which inspired me beyond belief) his spirit sits among the pantheon of musicologists who I am honoured to call guide.

This cut, (recorded in 1960), was released in 1964 on an Atlantic album called Coltrane’s Sound and features the backbone of the quartet that took music somewhere new, pianist McCoy Tyner and drummer Elvin Jones, (along with bass player Steve Davis)

Hold this quote from Elvin Jones

“To me he was like an angel on earth. He struck me that deeply. If there’s any such thing as a perfect man, I think John Coltrane was one and I think that kind of perfection has to come from a greater force than is here on earth”

musicology #352

AlternativeSoundtrack4 #19

(Memphis Slim - Mother Earth)

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Today’s dialogue is unique in that it’s the first piece that doesn’t feature Paul Newman. The trio have arrived in Kentucky and Eddie has sloped off to join some old pool hustling aquaintances he meets in the foyer of the hotel they are staying at. Bert has aquired two adjoining rooms, (much to Sarah’s disaproval), and the two of them are left to ’stake their claim’ on the kid. Bert finishes the scene with menace, (the first time we have seen this side of him), leaving an impression that he is not as cool, calm and collected as he prentends to be………

The music today is quite simply one of the best slices known to man, woman, child or beast from the mouth and hands of the majestic Memphis Slim whose career stretched over many decades. Starting out playing ‘Jukes’ in the 1930’s and later in the decade hooked up with Big Bill Broonzy whom he backed on many sessions. He was also a major influence during the 1940’s in the development of what became known later as Rhythm & Blues but at the time was known as ‘Jump’….Have to cut it short here as I’m off to earn a crust and need to get my skates on !!!

musicology #351

AlternativeSoundtrack4 #18

(Lavern Baker - Shake A Hand)

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After the emotional plea yesterday from Sarah, Eddie asks her to join him on the Kentucky trip. They meet up with Bert who tries to belittle her, (but doesnt succeed), and the three of them board the train…

The music today is from one of the great female Rhythm & Blues singers, Lavern Baker whose recording career begun 1n the late 1940’s but had some big hits in the 50’s with cuts like Tweedle Dee and Jim Dandy. This one from 1960 was recorded for and released on the Atlantic label.

musicology #349

AlternativeSoundtrack4 #16

(Jack McDuff - Brother Jack)

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Still a week to go for this theme such is the amount of quality dialogue..so wasting no time today's section features our man 'back in the saddle' after having the casts removed. Not sure how long this period would have been...month or two? anyway, during this time there would have been no pool, no hustling, no sharks..just Eddie and Sarah. Back into the frame steps Bert who notices Eddie's new 'bridge' but doesn't make too much fuss about it...

Eddie, (after having time to think), accepts Bert's previous offer to become his manager and the 'action' is about to begin again.

The music is another slice of Hammond organ but this time it's courtesy of 'Brother' Jack McDuff with a cut from his 1960 album 'Brother Jack' released on the Prestige label.

musicology #345

AlternativeSoundtrack4 #12

(Tito Puente - Dance Of The Headhunters)

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On today's piece of dialogue we hear the return of George C Scott, (Bert the Headhunter). Having stormed out of Sarah's apartment Eddie finds and sits down at a poker table where he loses 20 bucks, he leaves and happens apoun 'Bert' in a local bar. The 'Headhunter' buys him a drink and proceeds to tell him in no uncertain terms where he went wrong the other night and offers Eddie a chance to take another shot at Minnesota Fats.... But this time with him as the backer. Eddie refuses due to Bert's percentage demand and gets an ominous warning to be careful where he tries the Hustle...

The music is courtesy of Ernesto Antonio, 'Tito' Puente, Jr aka 'El Ray', (The King), prolific Latin Jazz/Mambo percussionist and extraordinary Timbales player who is credited with bringing the music of South America into the 'mainstream'. This one is taken from his 1960 album Tamba and also features, (among others), Ray Barretto.

musicology #343

AlternativeSoundtrack4 #10

(Otis Spann - The Hard Way)

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On today's slice of dialogue we hear the return of Eddie's former partner Charlie who has tracked him down and wants to go back on the road hustling. Eddie doesn’t want to know and the truth comes out that he is planning on taking Minnesota Fats on again. Sarah is silent throughout the dialogue between them but sees a new, (to her at least), ruthless side to Eddie that hits her hard and during the conversation Eddie spits Charlie out showing a heart as cold as Ice which leads her to the painful conclusion that the ‘good times’ are over…

The musicology is courtesy of legendary Blues pianist and long time Muddy Waters cohort Otis Spann with a cut taken from a 1960 session featuring Robert Lockwood Jr on guitar and St Louis Jimmy on vocal duties.

musicology #342

AlternativeSoundtrack4 #9

(The Coasters - Snake and The Bookworm)

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Not even half way through the film yet so looks like themusicologist is in for the long haul. I promised myself after the 12AngryMen alternativesoundtrack that I would relax the rule of only throwing down music from the year the film was released but on reflection feel that the harmonies involved are too compelling so as a compromise for The Hustler I'm restricting the music to the year the film was released, (1961), and the year preceeding it...1960.

Today's piece of dialogue features Eddie and Sarah after having spent the last few days together. Not sure whether our man has been hustling during this time but if he has there's no mention of it. Maybe they have found what they have both been looking for...someone to share a life with? that's the way I'm reading it anyway.

The music is a piece of 'Rock and Roll' from one of the great vocal groups The Coasters, (this line up features Carl Gardner, Billy Guy, Cornell Gunter, Will "Dub" Jones and Albert "Sonny" Forriest), whose star, along with Rock and Roll's was beginning to fade. Soul was stepping up to take it's place because Rock and Roll was considered to have corrupted the nation's youth !! but music is too powerful to control and what seemed at the time to be a more soothing sound was beginning to capture the attention of 'the new breed' who would take it on and use it to communicate a more powerful, (and popular), message of freedom and equality.

musicology #338

AlternativeSoundtrack #5

(Barrett Strong - Money)

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Not sure how fresh in your memory the film is? but this next scene is the one where Eddie, who has been drinking JTS Brown, (Bourbon), straight out of the bottle for hours is beginning to look tired as the alcohol takes it’s toll. Minnesotta Fats on the other hand steps into the washroom, combs his hair, washes his hands, puts on his suit jacket and looking as fresh as a daisy, (he’s been drinking Whiskey too), delivers a killer line of dialogue and proceeds to ‘wet’ the kid up.

“Fast Eddie……”

The accompanying slice of musicology is a famous 1960 cut on the Tamla, (Motown), label from Barrett Strong the rip roaring cut that catapulted Motown into the spotlight, (where it stayed for more than 20 years). Strong went on to become one of Motown, (and Soul’s), premier songwriters who, in collaboration with partner Norman Whitfield, wrote many a classic for Cats such as Marvin Gaye ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’, Edwin Starr ‘War’ and The Temptations ‘Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone’.

musicology #334

AlternativeSoundtrack4 #1

(Jesse Hill - Ooh Poo Pah Doo Pt1)

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After a week’s sabbatical themusicologist is back with Round 4 of the alternative soundtracks..regular listeners will know that as far as I’m concerned it’s not just music that influences who we are it’s Culture, (with a capital C), Literature, Film, Philosophy or to put it another way…The Arts. All playing a part in shaping our experience.

So with that in mind this theme is in tribute to a fiilm that had an impact on the young musicologist stylistically, emotionally and practically.

First up is an introduction to the character played majestically by the Iconic Paul Newman, (hereafter known as ‘Fast Eddie’) with his and ‘Partner’ Charlie Burns’ (played by Myron McCormick), version of the Hustle.

The music is courtesy of New Orleans Hipster Jesse Hill who was, (among other things), also Professor Longhair’s percussionist..a Modernist stomper on the Minit label from 1960.

musicology #263

sleighbellsring #11

(Jerry Butler - O Holy Night)

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A Christmas classic from the 'Ice Man'. 1960 cut on the Vee Jay label. What a voice.....

musicology #165

malevocals2 #3

(Ray Charles - Let The Good Times Roll)

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Today's artist needs no introduction .. a first outing on themusicologist and definitely not the last.
this tune was BIG down Winforton Street in the early 1960's. a tune that epitomised 'The Golden Age' and one of my grandad's favourites...

"hey everybody....let's have some fun, you only live but once and when you're dead you're done.."