Sunday in 3 (Part I)

Sunday’s Sonic Sensitivity...

As an adolescent I once wrote (in my former blog called “journal” which was a notebook), “Sunday sounds different to me”. It really did, and does still today. Was it mere coincidence, or founding force that every radio station seemed to abandon it’s normal format on Sundays? The day has been and continues to be a listening day for me, even during the busiest times. It is genre-defying, it is mood defying, enhancing and/or altering, and moves together like one giant piece of music through your body, and through the day...

I love this first batch for the snooze time, the initial cup of coffee or juice, the first sign of light, to last just until it’s time to motivate for the first meal...

Part One:

Waltz For Debby (John McLaughlin)
...this one can put me down to rest, or wake my soul first thing with it’s angelic touch. It can even take me someplace else at any given point during my day, but it’s delicate beauty and enriching composition are testament to the great Bill Evans, and to McLaughlin’s genius with this album's creativity and arrangements.
The Swan (Camille Saint-Saëns)
...a beautiful solo piano piece off his random classical compilation record I own called “Master of the Roll”
Spiritual (Charlie Haden & Pat Metheny)
..simple, and off of a beautiful record. Nothing too heady, just straight forward...
Alternate Ending Montage (John Swihart, Napoleon Dynamite Soundtrack)
...another piece of soundtrack work that can work as your own...it’s repetitive, and again simple...
Pure Imagination (Bill Charlap, The Bill Charlap Trio: All Through the Night)
...on his first trio record, Charlap performs this Willy Wonka themed song solo, and turns it into a beautiful crescendo, with passionate harmonies contrasting the dissonance of the Oompa Loompas. It’s possibly part nostalgia, but this piece can give instant chills. So well done!
Flower Power (John Scofield)
...this is really pretty Sco...a tune that somehow just grew on me after the first listen...
No Woman, No Cry (The Charlie Hunter Quarter, Natty Dread)
...one of the best interpretative instrumental records, and a beautiful rendition of this Marley classic...
Julia (Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, Out Louder)
...the normally funky fusion group dials down to capture the beauty of this classic Beatles piece...
The Suspension Bridge At Iguazú Falls (Tortoise)
...some of the greatest sounds in the world to bubble you up and keep you afloat...beautiful sections...
Universal Traveler (Air)
...it’s almost as if Air picked up where Tortoise left off, and started to leak vocals into your day...

This is one way to ease your light morning into a smooth and relaxing Sunday afternoon...can bring sunshine if there is none, and make the sun shine brighter when it’s out...

(note: also could be used partially for great mid-day or evening cocktail music!)

Mid-day
Part Two:

Dub Latina (Calexico)
...a friend passed me this record, and this tune just stuck right away. So simple, it works all the time...
O Pato (Charlie Byrd)
...classic, catchy, and just keeps you groovin’...
Cariba (Wes Montgomery)
...Wes can be an entire Sunday....Cariba is a cool slinky tune that fits this bill perfectly..
Bluesette (Toots Thielamans, The Brazil Project)
...ok, so maybe there are like 4 solos too many on this recorded version, but it’s a cool tune, and Toots is not to be messed with.
Maiden Voyage/Everything in it’s Right Place (Robert Glasper)
...this is the very moment the day eases from the subtle beauty into a bit more intensity – while still not getting too heavy. Glasper is def a pianist to watch out for, and this fusion of Herbie Hancock and Radiohead is just one of his many tricks to note...
Watching the Wheels (John Lennon, Home Recording)
...this solo acoustic version of this tune is inspiring. It’s a timeless song, and the rawness is more exciting than the final polished production, which isn’t too shabby itself...
So Close So Far Away (The Derek Trucks Band)
...this R&B instrumental exemplifies Trucks’ soulful maturity that goes so beyond his years, with a beautiful major peak in his solo...
Tive Razão (I Was Right) - Seu Jorge
...Sundays can go right back down to this mini-Brazilian vacation...
Every Moment – Rogue Wave
...enunciation, rhythm, clear, and simple beauty....great song.....
Breakdown (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)
...go ahead and give it to me, a heavy groove for your mood...
You're the One (Paul Simon)
...one of his better in the later years, rejoin Paul's afrobeat introspective and reflective percussive train
(Nothing But) Flowers (Talking Heads)
...Byrne's post-apocolyptic paradise makes for a fine celebration
Afro Blue (John McLaughlin with Joey DeFrancesco, and Elvin Jones, After the Rain)
...and finally arriving at this interpretation of Coltrane’s “Afro Blue”...great trio record, and killer band!

Evening/Night
Part Three:

Freddy Freeloader (Wes Montgomery Trio)
...this rare version of Miles’ tune is a great way to sink into the night. You don’t have to come out screaming, and this is some exciting Wes!
Strawberry Letter 23 (Shuggie Otis)
...this obscure record needs more attention. Otis is an unsung hero with a hidden hit record that missed it's time and place but influenced an entire generation to come. Solo genius...
Soul Rebel (Bob Marley, Bustin' Out of Trenchtown)
...this is a great time to insert your gratuitous Bob Marley block for the week. I personally love to rotate origins, and have been listening to “Bustin’ Out of Trenchtown” set for the past few days. The next two selections are also from the same set...
Mr.Brown (Bob Marley)
...on your way up, and feelin’ good...
It’s Alright (Bob Marley)
...ridin’ high, feeling like a King perhaps?
Kingpin (Wilco)
...spinal taps and hand claps...
It's Good to be King (Tom Petty)
...stayin' on top of the swingin' world with the King theme...
Anyday (Derek & The Dominos, The Layla Sessions)
...anyday is Sunday...smile...
I wonder (Mahavishnu Orchestra, The Lost Trident Sessions)
...this is some screaming McLaughlin...Carlos who? Starts simple, like the day did but then hits hard...
Enceuentros (John McLaughlin with Joey DeFrancesco, and Elvin Jones, After the Rain)
...quite possibly one of the greatest keyboard solos ever. And I couldn’t resist back to back Johnny Mac..Perfect and epic, Joey D for you and for me...
Morning Bell (Radiohead)
...motion, and motion forward as you hit the evening – maybe should be evening bell?
Snooks (Progress Report) (Elbow)
...this was my first introduction to this amazing band. I can not and will not get enough of their sound. Don’t get caught off guard!
Impossible Germany (Wilco)
...the more guitars the better! Cline rages on the end is his perfectly unique style and this tune wreaks of Steely Dan...in a good way...
Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) (The Arcade Fire)
...off their debut “Funeral”, this is a rager!

The rest is YOUR Sunday night..so you can drop the blues, the funk, or keep the eclectic mix moving....or if you like, you can drop some chill house vibe if you aren’t on your tv...I try not to be...

...so, maybe Sunday can sound different to you too?

Send your comments! What do you feel like listening to on Sundays?