A to Z Challenge 2016

K is for Ko Ko

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Who does not love a bit of Bebop? I know I do and one of the first Bebop records was Ko Ko by Charlie Parker.

Bebop grew out of a desire to break away from the swing and dance bands popular at the time. The young (early 20s) Charlie Parker’s experimentations allowed his to improvise over a melody with out being tied to its structure. From 1942 to 1944, the time that Bebop was taking off, there was a musician’s strike that stopped them working for record companies. In 1945 Parker and his band recorded Ko Ko. Miles Davis, then 19, was the band’s trumpet player but it is thought that Dizzy Gillespie played on the recording as Davis struggled with the piece although he is included on this broadcast version…

J is for Jammy Smears

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Who does not love eccentricity? I know I do and Ivor Cutler was an acceptable role model.

Ivor Cutler

Jammy Smears was one of his mid 1970s albums. During that period he was frequently featured on John Peel‘s radio show. Although never being considered part of the mainstream he seemed to always have a record contract and an appreciative audience that spanned several generations.

Abandoning a teaching career, including a spell at Summerhill in the 1950s, his quirky poetry and songs could be found on the radio and by the 1960s on television. It was one such TV performance that attracted Lennon and McCartney to him giving him a part in their Magical Mystery Tour film.

If you are anywhere near Brighton in May you can see a show about his life and works…

H is for Hoya

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Who does not love making up words for Words With Friends? I know I do and today’s made up word is Hoya.

 

hoyaword.png

Apparently a flower named after the English gardner Thomas Hoy ( c.1750– c.1821). Or the Japanese name for a Sea Pineapple or opticals manufacturer. Or a singer in a south Korean band. But mostly it provides an excuse to not have to decide between Howlin’ Wolf or Jimi Hendrix.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09j6vMdKi3E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3JsuWz4xWc

G is for Grounation

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Who does not love listing to old records? I know I do and one of the best old records to listen to is Grounation.

Grounataion refers to the visit of Haile Selassie to Jamaica on April 21st 1966.

The three record set was made in the early 1970s by Count Ossie and The Mystic Revelations of Rastafari.

grounation.jpg

Count Ossie and his drumming group had first been recorded on the Folkes Brothers’ Oh Carolina (1959) which marked a first step along the Ska, RockSteady, Reggae path.

They included a version of Oh Carolina on Grounation

but it mostly comprises extended drumming and chants relating to the traditions of Rastafarianism and the teachings of Marcus Garvey.

The whole work stands as a perfect snapshot of the time and place alongside such iconic works as Trout Mask Replica and Escalator Over The Hill.