Articles by Patrick Burnette
There But for the Grace of Kelly
by Patrick Burnette
Sometimes podcast hosts just want to watch the world--or at least their co-host--burn. Hence, the explanation for the inclusion of a pretty inexplicable pander-fest in this otherwise august and serious podcast. The other selections (all recent releases) incorporate humor in a couple of cases, and, well, don't in the most serious selection. Pat reports on a live concert by the more furrowed-browed of the alto saxophonists while Mike catches a few much-needed zzzz's..Playlist Discussion of Grace Kelly's album ...
read moreIt's (Never) the Final Countdown, Part Trois
by Patrick Burnette
After a couple episodes away, we return to the New York Times list of best jazz albums of 2023 and finish it off. It's happier days for the most part. The boys acknowledge that these selections are all, more or less, actually jazz, and some are even pretty enjoyable.Playlist Discussion of Matana Roberts' album Coin Coin Chapter Five: In the Garden (Constellation Records) 3:03 Discussion of Jonathan Suazo's album Ricano (Ropeadope) 25:54 Discussion of Micah Thomas' album Reveal ...
read moreRespect the Rabbit! (Owen Broder Interview)
by Patrick Burnette
For some fans, the story of jazz saxophone begins with John Coltrane. This episode, the boys interview Owen Broder, who gives propers to Coltrane's old boss, Johnny Hodges. Mainstay of the Duke Ellington band and lover of lettuce and tomato sandwiches, the Rabbit (as he was known) possessed the most sumptuous sound ever heard from an alto saxophone and knew every microtone of the territory between each note of the scale. Owen talks about his Hodges Front and Center duology, ...
read moreEleven is the Loneliest Number
by Patrick Burnette
Many years ago, bastard Mike suggested that our anniversary shows feature groups comprised of as many members as the anniversary was of years. How's that for a mouthful (mindful?) Anyway, good idea until right about now. Eleven is an awkward number unless you're fielding a footie team, and the boys have some issues finding albums that fit the bill or even glance in the direction of this anniversary. Next year, all bets are off.Playlist Discussion of Gil Evans' ...
read moreIt's (Never) the Final Countdown, Part Deux
by Patrick Burnette
Join our intrepid but grumpy explorers Mike and Pat and they continue their journey through the New York Times Top Ten list of Best Jazz Albums from 2023. The boys look at three more albums off the list and once again have questions about the selections. Then they discuss an album from 2023 not on the list, and, naturally, emit rainbows. We don't recommend you make a game of drinking whenever one of them calls “category error" unless you have ...
read moreIt's (Never) the Final Countdown
by Patrick Burnette
It's (Never) the Final Countdown...Humans love making lists, and it's likely this activity will continue until the cockroaches take over. (Cockroaches mostly love hiding under cabinets). Some humans on the New York Times made a list of the top 10 jazz albums of 2023. Pat and Mike take about three selections from that list and one other interesting release from that recently past year. Do they take issue with some of the NYT's choices? They wouldn't be bastards ...
read moreMr. Roboto, Meet Mr. Mahavishnu
by Patrick Burnette
This episode's title is a wee bit misleading. The boys don't meet Mr. Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, of course) but rather Matt Phillips, long-time listener to the podcast who just happened to write a very good book on the famous fusion guitarist called John McLaughlin: From Miles and Mahavishnu to The 4th Dimension. The book covers the whole of McLaughlin's recorded career--not just his best known years with the Mahavishnu Orchestra--and our conversation is also wide-ranging. And, no, Mike hasn't turned ...
read moreIs the Jazz Detective Sherlock or Watson?
by Patrick Burnette
Few players have made the splash in the archival jazz game as Zev Feldman, who has discovered many lost jazz gems (and a little Fool's Gold) and shown how these issues can be events when packaged properly with good artwork and notes. This fortnight's show looks at two of his recent productions and two historical albums in the Latin Idiom. Did the jazz detective uncover more classics, or did his deductions go awry? Tune in to find out.Playlist ...
read moreTube or Not Tuba? Tuba!!
by Patrick Burnette
Sometimes Mike's dreams do come true. Take this all-tuba led episode, for instance. He's always loved the big horn in jazz groups, and here we delve into five albums spanning the decades led by tuba players. (Oddly, though, five of the featured leaders were all born within a five year span). Will the boys come up with deep insights? Please listen to ascertain. Playlist Discussion of Ray Draper's album Quintet Featuring John Coltrane (New Jazz) 4:17 Discussion of ...
read moreIt's Christmas Time, Again
by Patrick Burnette
One of the bastards loves holiday music (Mike loves to flex his “knowledge-of-obscure-Xmas-tunes" muscles) and so the holiday episode has become an annual tradition. Luckily, every year at least a few jazz musicians put out a holiday album (if under duress) and archival and historical finds are always there to enjoy as well.Playlist Discussion of Various Artists's album A Jazz Christmas (Windham Hill) 2:52 Discussion of Shorty Rogers' album The Swingin' Nutcracker (RCA) 11:47 Discussion of Louis Armstrong's ...
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