Playlist for the Unpopular Music webcast for September 26, 2015

On today's program, we mark the 89th birthday of the iconic and transformative musician John Coltrane (September 23, 1926 - July 17. 1967). Now, as someone who wishes his program to be different from typical radio presentations, and who has more than once voiced his dislike of birthday tributes in jazz programming in particular, "why am I doing this" is a valid question. Why do one for a ubiquitous and legendary figure (albeit, deservedly so), when the the next day is the birthday of John Carter, someone you repeatedly say is a criminally overlooked and undervalued musician?' Well, the short version is, I sort of spontaneously blurted out last week that I would.

Unpopular Music - September 26, 2015 by Unpopularfred on Mixcloud

Actually that's the long version too.

No. 1 for February 6, 2015

Mr. P. C. by John Coltrane

from the Giant Steps album of 1959, as heard on WMBR's Coffeetime w/ Angelynn Grant

Man, I hadn't heard this in a long time and man, it's good. The whole band is good. Trane, of course. The song's namesake Paul Chambers on bass, Tommy Flanagan on piano and Art Taylor on the drums. I was listening to this at work, and somehow managed to get stuff done.

Top 5 for September 15, 2013

Sugar Boy – Beth Orton 

from a collection of performances in KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic

Blue Monk – Thelonious Monk Quartet w/ John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall

An unusual treatment of the melody. Coltrane seems to be playing a counter melody or inner voice. Fine solos from both.

This must be the place (Naive Melody) – Talking Heads from Popular Favorites 1976-1983 (aka Sand in the Vaseline)

One of their finest moments is from their weakest album. The best songs are done better on Stop Making Sense and this song is on any "best of" collection. This is the best such collection, band selected with a bunch of otherwise unreleased tracks. If I recall correctly, this was the b-side to Burning Down the House. Play it at my wedding if I ever have one.