Sunday, April 18, 2021

Marion Made


Let's rejoinder the post of a few minutes ago with the promised 2nd half of our weekend fare.

This one was taped as part of a mid-Eighties series that can only be described as essential to the power of necessary, times infinity squared.

From 1984 through to about 1988, the radio home of Brandeis University in Massachusetts broadcast a semi-weekly program called "The Joint" featuring some of the hippest Jazzers then jazzing.

I'll have a bunch of these for y'all as their anniversaries come up, but this one is from 36 years ago today and might be the single most astonishing one.

It's 68+ minutes of beautifully-captured solo saxophone, provided by one of our epoch's most tremendous alto practitioners.

I don't know about you, but there's few things I consider less significant in this lifetime than nearly 70 minutes of vintage, unaccompanied Marion Brown.

One of the most undersung and deeply lyrical players of our era, with one note or phrase you know who's blowing without even thinking.

He gets into a bunch of standards here -- if I can figure out what the 2nd tune is before I fall over, I'll die happy -- with an emphasis on compositions of Thelonious Monk.


Marion Brown 
"The Joint" on WBRS-FM
Winer Wing
USDAN Student Center
Brandeis University 
Waltham, Massachusetts USA
4.18.1985

01 Angel Eyes
02 unidentified title 
03 I Can't Get Started 
04 Hurry Sundown 
05 Since I Fell for You
06 Black and Tan Fantasy 
07 'Round Midnight 
08 Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are 
09 La Placita 
10 Ask Me Now

Total time: 1:08:43 

Marion Brown - alto saxophone

1st gen cassette of the original WBRS-FM broadcast

So there you are, two in two hours and both well worth the while IMO.
Marion Brown would have been 90 this September, so don't be surprised if he makes a repeat appearance.

I shall return shortly to continue the April showers of sonics, but these two master blasts oughta keep you busy for a bit!--J.


9.8.1931 - 10.18.2010