I am having some computer problems that are driving me batty, and along with some other shit is haven't been able to post for a few days......luckily the resliliant Brian comes through with a post he wants me to share and I am happy to do so, look for me to get back to the many music posts tomorrow if I can straighten this damn computer out.........nayway, check what Brian has up for this evening
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The Strange Sound World Of Ken Nordine
Ok, Ken Nordine....truly a unique artist. A commercial and voice actor whose career started back in the 1940s, he turned to releasing albums of spoken material in the late 50's. Philosophical musings, skewed stories, all with a jazz backing....one of the most singular discographies in music. You may have heard his Colors excerpts on the "Incredibly Strange Music" CDs, or his appearances on some of those Hal Willner tribute albums.
I must stress, this is not beatnik material....no "kicks joy darkness" or "Howl" reciting here. His phenomenal speaking voice is tied to a very odd brain. Indescribable vignettes like "I Used to Think My Right Hand Was Uglier Than My Left" and "Confessions of 349-18-5171" ...hilarious cultural observations on "The Vidiot" and "Faces In the Jazzmatazz" ...brilliant constructions like "The Sound Museum". You've never heard anything like this! And he's still releasing albums to this day...
It should also be mentioned that the group backing him on this album is the Chico Hamilton group, the original group for one of my favorite jazz instrumentalists, Eric Dolphy.
I've also included a zip file that has three of the Word Jazz broadcasts Ken did for radio (I believe in the 60s). These are really indescribable, stream of consciousness stuff. He muses, has conversations with himself....really out there. I'd asked Ken about the broadcasts when I emailed him, and he said there's a plan in the works to have them all archived online somewhere. That's good, cuz I could ever only find these three....
WORD JAZZ BROADCASTS
WORD JAZZ BROADCASTS
As a bonus track, I've included Ken's reading of "The Conqueror Worm" from the "Closed On Account of Rabies" Poe tribute CD. It's only three minutes, but he brings such weight and drama to the poem. "Lo, it was a gala night....in the lonesome latter years". Just, damn! And his voice has only gotten deeper over the years...it's amazing.
If I've piqued your interest, go buy some of his stuff of iTunes or on CD. Most of it is still in print. I have it all but I'm not gonna give it all out...The guy is 95 and he's still going. Even "Bits & Pieces of Word Jazz" from last year is awesome! You gotta support somebody this
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Thanks Brian I'll get this shit straightened out tomorrow, it's pissing me off, and I will get it........thanks for this post though, and I hope you all enjoy!
strange....