Jazz Bastard Podcast

Pat and Mike eff the ineffable as they explore the gamut from cocktail lounge tenor to downtown skronking strings. String Trio of New York – GUT REACTION; Andrew Hill – COMPULSION; Branford Marsalis – BLOOMINGTON; Stan Getz - GETZ/GILBERTO.

Four trios push in different directions against the "jazz trio" template, Pat rants about young people, Mike eats bacon - this episode has everything. Plus, it's quiz time! Monocled Man – SOUTHERN DRAWL; Hedvig Mollestad Trio – ENFANT TERRIBLE; Neil Cowley Trio – LOUD LOUDER STOP; Mary Halvorson - THUMBSCREW

Blow cat blow! Mike and Pat discuss three recent and one classic release by jazz trumpeters. Can Orbert Davis turn sketches of pain to vistas of delight? Tune in to find out. Josh Berman – OLD IDEA; Orbert Davis – SKETCHES OF SPAIN; Russ Johnson – SAVE BIG; Howard McGhee – SHADES OF BLUE.

Holidays and travel conspire to make preparing a regular show for this slot well nigh impossible - so Mike and Pat chat about some jazz related winter break activities, including catching a Blue Note tribute band led by Clifford Ratliff at Indianapolis' Jazz Kitchen and watching Whiplash.

Mike and Pat discuss four more Downbeat best album winners, focusing most closely on the vocal entry. As they complete the longest leg of their Porter triathlon, they demonstrate that there's more than one way to skin a hat. Gregory Porter - LIQUID SPIRIT; Jane Ira Bloom – SIXTEEN SUNSETS; Terence Blanchard – MAGNETIC; Pat Metheny – KIN

The boys uncork some holiday cheer as they sleigh-ride through five seasonal selections. Wynton Marsalis – CHRISTMAS ALBUM; Vince Guarldi – CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS; Ella Fitzgerald – WISHES YOU A SWINGING CHRISTMAS; Jimmie Smith – CHRISTMAS COOKING; Ellington – NUTCRACKER SUITE

Downbeat picked the ten best albums of 2013; Mike and Pat pick on the list. Ambrose Akinmusire – THE IMAGINED SAVIOR IS EASIER TO PAINT; Bad Plus – RITE OF SPRING; Frank Wess – MAGIC 101; Kenny Garrett – PUSHING THE WORLD AWAY.

Mike and Pat press their rings together, and a second anniversary episode on jazz duets is the happy result. Ellis Larkins / Ruby Braff - CALLING BERLIN; Anthony Braxton/Max Roach – BIRTH/REBIRTH; Brad Mehldau – Joel Frahm - DON'T EXPLAIN; Marty Ehlrich/Mike Noch – THE WAITING GAME. Wondertwins activate! Form of two middle-aged critics!

The boys discuss music from four decades featuring four different trumpeters and all is well, but when Pat tries to open Mike's doors of perception, nobody gets out of there alive. Charles Fambrough – THE PROPER ANGLE; George Russell – STRATUSPHUNK; Clark Terry – SWAHILI ; Fully Celebrated Orchestra – MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

Not so much Of Montreal as From Toronto, this batch of jazz represents various vinyl temptations Pat succumbed to on an anniversary jaunt. Soprano Summit – CRAZY RHYTHM; Ornette Coleman – OF HUMAN FEELINGS; Bobby Darin – OH LOOK AT ME NOW!; Lee Morgan – CHARISMA