Well this is just a great essay. Thanks Ethan. Grofe, while not regarded as a “major” American composer, is always worth a deeper dive. There’s a wonderful 1998 collection (streamable) by the Dutch chamber group The Beau Hunks that’s a particular favorite of mine for starters. In fact, The Beau Hunks are worth a deeper dive altogether. Hi to Mark Stryker, who I’ve missed conversing with since I left Twitter. Cheers!
Great piece as I have come to expect from you! I love the versions with Wynton Kelly and am hooked on the Elvin Jones recording. Do you have any thoughts on the relatively recent recording by Walter Smith III that’s on his album ‘Twio’? He’s got quite the band on that!
I heard Clark Terry a few times playing as a single with local rhythm sections in Toronto and Detroit in the early 80s. On The Trail, with the modulation (which I thought was in the original until now), was a fixture in his sets those days.
Fascinating as always, Ethan. I had neither heard the Morton Gould piece before (one could listen to music 24/7 and still miss pieces such as that one) nor the Frankie Laine ("ouch!") but one enjoys the perspective. Add to that the tracks by Jimmy Heath (I heard in concert several times "quote" the opening melody line), Donald Byrd, and Wynton Kelly and the July 4th has become even more memorable!
Well this is just a great essay. Thanks Ethan. Grofe, while not regarded as a “major” American composer, is always worth a deeper dive. There’s a wonderful 1998 collection (streamable) by the Dutch chamber group The Beau Hunks that’s a particular favorite of mine for starters. In fact, The Beau Hunks are worth a deeper dive altogether. Hi to Mark Stryker, who I’ve missed conversing with since I left Twitter. Cheers!
Ok this is a reason to listen to more Grofe. Thanks Chuck!
“Melting pot” or quodlibet?
Great piece as I have come to expect from you! I love the versions with Wynton Kelly and am hooked on the Elvin Jones recording. Do you have any thoughts on the relatively recent recording by Walter Smith III that’s on his album ‘Twio’? He’s got quite the band on that!
Hi Bill!! I haven't heard that Walter Smith III but he's great of course. Thanks!
If you’re curious, here it is on:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/on-the-trail-feat-joshua-redman-christian-mcbride/1321880814?i=1321880818
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5MKKKVSZZalOWxwTfIDxkO?si=rgG9MDRDQ6eQJZpsjbp1aw
He and Joshua Redman have fun going back and forth.
Since I like to see musicians get paid, here’s a link to Twio on Bandcamp.
https://waltersmithiii-whirlwind.bandcamp.com/album/twio
Great
I heard Clark Terry a few times playing as a single with local rhythm sections in Toronto and Detroit in the early 80s. On The Trail, with the modulation (which I thought was in the original until now), was a fixture in his sets those days.
I myself was surprised that the modulation was not in the original
Fascinating as always, Ethan. I had neither heard the Morton Gould piece before (one could listen to music 24/7 and still miss pieces such as that one) nor the Frankie Laine ("ouch!") but one enjoys the perspective. Add to that the tracks by Jimmy Heath (I heard in concert several times "quote" the opening melody line), Donald Byrd, and Wynton Kelly and the July 4th has become even more memorable!
thanks Richard!