Long Play on The Nightside with Andy O’

Listen to Long Plays during the 11 o’clock hour of The Nightside with Andy O’…these special extensive compositions needed a deeper listen.

Invitation 18:00 Jaco Pastorius Big Band from The Birthday Concert

Jaco Pastorius is one of the most influential and tragic figures in jazz history. Within the space of a few years, he was able to redefine the role of the electric bass in contemporary jazz. He did so through his unique approach, which mixed virtuosic technique with complex harmony. He had particularly come to the fore as an exceptional musician through his work with Weather Report, with whom he collaborated from 1976. Yet by 1981, he had left the band to pursue his very own ambitious project; a big band which he named Word of Mouth. On December 1, 1981, he held a glorious 30th birthday celebration at Mr. Pip’s in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On this occasion, he flew members of his Word of Mouth band and the Peter Graves Orchestra, which featured 14 horns, two steel drums, and two percussionists. The complete line-up included such artists as drummer Peter Erskine and saxophonists Michael Brecker and Bob Mintzer. The concert was recorded by his friend and engineer Peter Yianilos, who intended it as a birthday gift. The recording remained unreleased until 1995, eight years after his death. In fact, in September 1987, he succumbed to a life of mental illness and substance abuse. The album was titled The Birthday Concert and it is now regarded as one representing Pastorius at the peak of his powers.

Jabulani (Joy) 17:52 by Abdullah Ibrahim from The Journey

South African pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim (still known as Dollar Brand at the time this recording was first made) joined forces with several well-known figures in avant-garde jazz, including trumpeter Don Cherry and baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett, for this 1978 session. “Jabulani (Joy)” adopts a bit of a Middle Eastern flavor with a call and response between Talib Rhynie‘s oboe and the rest of the band…Avant-garde fans will want to check this unusual date in Abdullah Ibrahim‘s sizable discography.

Free Agents of Sound 20:00 by Rob Mazurek & Exploding Star Orchestra from Galactic Parables vol.1

Galactic Parables: Volume 1 surpasses anything Mazurek has done to date. Pulsing brushes with disarray, intense and stimulating improvisations, and gorgeous melodies are combined, broken apart, and—in the end—translated to beautifully extended movements. Mazurek and company play in the moment whether in unhurried, probing passages or in unstructured expeditions into alien territory. This is riveting and spontaneous art, restless, moving, and rewarding beyond expectation. It offers abundant satisfaction to anyone disposed to accept it on its own standing.

Long Play is a deep dive during the last hour of The Nightside into the music that time forgot.

Tune in to The Nightside with Andy O’ on Sunday night, September 12, from 8 to midnight.

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