Tag Archive for 'Bestof2008'
Letters to Herbie, by pianist John Beasley, presents a number of well-known Hebie Hancock songs in a fresh light, with a little help from Christian McBride on bass and Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums. I especially love “ 4 A.M.,” with McBride channeling Jaco Pastorius’ original performance, and “Eye of the Hurricane,” but it’s all good! I think it’s also one of the best jazz recordings of 2008.
The CD also contains “Bedtime Voyage,” an interesting combination of Herbie’s “Tell Me a Bedtime Story” and “Maiden Voyage.” The YouTube video below features a version recorded in April 2008 by Beasley with Trevor Ware on bass and Bill Wysaske on drums:
Comcast’s commercials are so consistently good they’re Tivo-proof. Here’s my favorite for 2008:
(0)I came across Bennie Maupin’s Early Reflections CD earlier this year and fell in love with the sound of his bass clarinet. Escondido is the song that has had the most resonance for me this year. Here’s a taste:
The entire CD is just great, btw!
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