Nick Sanborn: A Love Story

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Nick Sanborn: A Love Story

I. Love. Sylvan Esso.

And, in true hipster fashion, I've loved them before they were popular.  Before "Radio".  Before they were playing major festivals EV-RY-WHERE.  I love them.  Now, not to ignore Amelia and her amazing voice, lyrics, and dance moves, Nick Sanborn's production is absolutely incredible.  He makes electronic 'instruments' (programming) sound natural and human.  I want to pick up a tiny version of him and place him in my brain so that when I write, he can actually write the tunes.  So, here's my Nick Sanborn research so far...

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Brian Blade Fellowship - Live @ Newport Audio

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This is another installment of the live recordings NPR made at the Newport Jazz Festival 2009.  Not only is the Brian Blade Fellowship an amazing band with an incredible sound, it also features two phenomenal saxophonists Melvin Butler (Tenor) and Myron Walden (Alto Sax & Bass Clarinet).  The other members include Jon Cowherd on Piano and Chris Thomas on Bass.  Their set at Newport includes songs from the 2008 release "Season of Changes" ("Alpha and Omega" and "Season of Changes") along with two other unreleased compositions and a great version of "Let Your Light Shine" which is soothing, soulful, groovy, and enriching.  There are very few breaks in the music, so I've done the best I could with marking the time for each track. Set List (as best I can tell):

Hymn (I Love the Lord) 3:06 - 9:00

Migration 9:00 - 26:07

Alpha And Omega 26:44 - 35:11

Season of Changes 35:28 - 52:47

Let Your Light Shine : 53:07 - 1:02:23

Band:

Brian Blade - Drums

Myron Walden - Alto Saxophone & Bass Clarinet

Melvin Butler - Tenor Saxophone

Jon Cowherd - Piano & Keyboards

Chris Thomas - Acoustic Bass

Esperanza Spalding - Live @ Newport Audio

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esperanza spalding 07Okay, I am VERY excited!  I just recently saw Esperanza Spalding and her band at the Schwartz Center at Emory University in Atlanta (my hometown).  This was my first time seeing her live and I can tell you I was not disappointed.  Esperanza is an unbelievably powerful performer.  Her artistry transcends label.  As one might expect from Berklee's youngest professor in the history of the university, her Bass playing is spectacular.  However, you may not expect all that Esperanza's vocals have to offer.  It is visceral and soulful, but has a force behind it fueled by a wealth of knowledge and the highest purpose.  Her style is so effortless that it's not that she's a bassist and/or a vocalist, her entire body is its own instrument.  Along with her old favorites from her album 'Esperanza', she had a host of new tunes.  For example, she performed "City of Roses" about the city of Portland (her hometown), "Wild Is the Wind", "Sunlight", "Cinnamon Tree" about a friend of hers studying for the bar, and her querky new intro tune "Jazz (Ain't Nothin' But Soul)".  All of these songs and more will be on her highly anticipated 2010 album release, few details are available at this point though.  This audio recording, provided by NPR, also has a tune entitled "Crayola".  Since it's one audio clip, I've written the time markings for each song in the set.  The entire set list is:

  1. "Jazz (Ain't Nothin' But Soul)" 0:00 - 6:43
  2. "City of Roses" 6:43 - 11:39
  3. "I Know You Know" 11:39 - 15:59
  4. "Sunlight" 17:05 - 21:46
  5. "Wild is the Wind" 21:54 - 28:18
  6. "Mela" 28:29 - 39:46
  7. "Crayola" 39:50 - 47:03

Ricardo Vogt - Guitar

Leonardo Genovese - Piano

Otis Brown III - Drums