The music this morning bounced around genres with with complete disregard for continuity. Which is, I suppose, a form of continuity in the much same way a variety box of chocolates creates a cohesive package out of difference. It's the intent that creates the expectation which, in turn, makes the packaging work.
From the driven rhythms of The Bad Plus to a bright bit of fun from Pink Martini. Bitty Boppy Betty (take a listen on this Pink Martini site) is irrepressible in all the right ways, with a melody that sticks in the head and a storyline that makes you smile:
Bitty, boppy Betty
Better known as Billy
He's the up'n'coming local D.A.
A fearless crime fighter
Political insider
Sure to be mayor one day
But after work on Fridays
Off comes his necktie
And on come her diamonds and pearls
You better get ready
'Cause now Billy's Betty
Everybody's favorite girl
What could possibly follow that in a musical chocolate box? A bite of Madeleine Payroux, that's what. She slows the tempo right down but keeps that easy light swing. A dark salted caramel, I think.
When Cake follows, though, you really know you're really dealing with a variety pack.
Neils Lan Doky's album Friends is a fantastic bit of Jazz camaraderie. He's joined by John Abercrombie, Randy Brecker, Bill Evans (the saxophone player, not the pianist), Neil-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Rick Margitza, Alex Riel, Ulf Wakenius, and others. If you know jazz from the early 90's you will recognize most, if not all, of those names.
I shut the car off with the tell-tale chocolate wrappings still littered around in my head. Oh look, I ate the whole box! No guilt here, though.
Today's playlist:
- The Bad Plus: 1979 Semi-Finalist
- Pink Martini: Bitty Boppy Betty
- Madeleine Payroux: J'ai Deux Amours
- Cake: She'll Come Back To Me
- Neils Lan Doky: The Real McCoy
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