Freeform Favorite Fifteen

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Created and curated by Kim Paris, host of Melting Pot, alternate Sundays 8-10 am

Hi Freeformers, I took this opportunity to compile a list of some of my favorite longer songs, at 8-13 minutes each. These longer tracks are more suited to late night radio than for my Sunday morning show. Some of these are well-known, and others less so, you could call those “deep tracks”. These are not in any particular order, but I tried to arrange them to flow smoothly if you listen to them in this sequence. So relax and go with the flow of this “eclectic groove” mix. I can think of way more than 15 favorite songs, covering 60 years of music, but these are among the best. I hope this set helps expand your musical horizons.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa9VyPvL9jE

Grey Day is one of the most popular Jesse Colin Young songs, and one of his longest. Like Ridgetop, it speaks of his love for nature and relative privacy, and features his favorite band of Marin musicians. Grey Day conjures a cool cloudy day in Marin County, with a jazzy feel. Read a review here: https://www.allmusic.com/album/light-shine-mw0000043041

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3tMq6K5SGQ

Shuggie Otis was the son of blues artist Johnny Otis, and only 17 when this was recorded. His band included Wilton Felder, George Duke, Aynsley Dunbar, Mike Kowalski, Richard Aplanalp and his father Johnny Otis. Read a review here: https://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/review/2263/

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OahE2GGaGq4

My all-time favorite Crusaders track, featuring Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Wayne Henderson, Stix Hooper and Larry Carlton on guitar. Recorded at Wally Heider Studios in L.A. Read a review here: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-crusaders-crusaders-i-by-john-ballon

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrqb0373cVs

John Coltrane was in his prime at the time of this recording in 1964, with his classic quartet featuring McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones. Read a review here: https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/rediscover-john-coltrane-crescent/

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XK2OlpHWZ0

Sama Layuca was the title of a 1974 album by McCoy Tyner, and he revives the song on this album to great effect. His quartet features Joe Lovano, Christian McBride & Jeff “Tain” Watts. Recorded at Yoshi’s Jazz Club in Oakland. Read a review here: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/mccoy-tyner-quartet-mccoy-tyner-half-note-records-review-by-mark-corroto

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTEdIgkCrjM

This video was recorded at the Subway Jazz Club in Cologne Germany in 1986. This version is not available on an album, but this song was released on Timeless Heart in 1983. The Timeless All Stars were Curtis Fuller, Harold Land, Bobby Hutcherson, Cedar Walton, Buster Willams & Billy Higgins. Read a review ofTimeless Heart here: https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/timeless_all_stars/timeless_heart/

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe5cHGiQs7c

Sunflower is not only the current symbol of Ukraine’s brave fight against Russian aggression, but what may be Milt Jackson’s finest recording for CTI Records. His all-star band features Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Freddie Hubbard, Billy Cobham, Ralph McDonald & Jay Berliner. Read a review here: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/sunflower-milt-jackson-cti-masterworks-review-by-john-kelman

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2xG6d1lC_U

Guitarist Wes Montgomery & B3 Organ Master Jimmy Smith only recorded together in the studio for 3 days, but what a session! Produced by Creed Taylor, this album was recorded at the same time as The Dynamic Duo but released 2 years later. Featuring Ray Barretto & Grady Tate. Read a review here: https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/review/further-adventures-of-jimmy-and-wes/240198

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5oOQgiIwXI

Melting Pot is the theme song and name of my Sunday morning show on Freeform Portland, and the song title symbolizes my quest for an eclectic music mix, a funky “soulful stew”. It’s also the title cut of the last studio album by the original Booker T & The MG’s, who reformed at a later date. Featuring Blues Brothers backup band Steve Cropper and Donald “Duck” Dunn. Read a review here: https://www.allmusic.com/song/melting-pot-mt0001920611

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rZQAa1wBFk

My Funny Valentine is a Rodgers & Hart jazz classic that was recorded by Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker & Sarah Vaughan, all during 1954. Jerry Garcia & Merl Saunders released their version on Live at Keystone in 1973, and it’s as close to jazz as this duo ever got. It was also released on a box set, Keystone Companions, here’s a review: https://relix.com/reviews/detail/merl-saunders-jerry-garcia-keystone-companions-the-complete-1973-fantasy-re/

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClVKBN-Jcyg

Bird Song was a classic Garcia-Hunter song from Garcia’s first solo album, the original version was 4-1/2 minutes long. Over the years, the Dead would stretch this song out to well over 10 minutes, including this version from 1990 that featured Bruce Hornsby on keyboards. Bruce would play with the band for the next 18 months. Read a review here: https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/grateful-dead-bird-song-carter-finley-7-10-90/

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFCV6E_Os7k

A great cover version of the great classic by Derek & The Dominos, which featured Eric Clapton & Duane Allman on guitars. This live 2012 version by Phil Lesh & Friends features Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers, Govt Mule), John Scofield (Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood) & Jackie Greene (Black Crowes, Trigger Hippy) in a 3-way guitar mash-up, with Jeff Chimenti on keyboards & Joe Russo on drums. Here’s the full concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9rH45_dYIs

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jVz1NSZIlo

At Fillmore East is one of several live albums release by the Allman Brothers over the years, and one of their best. Featuring Duane Allman on slide guitar, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed is a winding instrumental written by Dicky Betts about a former flame, who passed away. Read a review of this live album here: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/at-fillmore-east-188323/

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcuzTISGb4w

Sea Level was a spin-off from The Allman Brothers, featuring Chuck Leavell (C.Leavell), Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson & Lamar Williams from the Allmans, along with guitarist Jimmy Nalls. Their first self-titled album was critically acclaimed, and they toured extensively in 1977-78. This live version of Grand Larceny is from Atlanta in 1978. Read about Sea Level here: https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/artist/sea-level

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c_8VUL5jks

Among the many powerful blues songs that Stevie Ray Vaughan recorded during his too-short career, my favorites are his instrumentals, Lenny and Riviera Paradise. In this video and other recordings, SRV dedicates this song to “everybody that is still suffering, in any way.” I still get chills every time I hear it. Read a review here: https://thefatangelsings.com/2015/05/28/stevie-ray-vaughan-riviera-paradise/

Kim Paris hosts Melting Pot every other Sunday at 8-10 am on Freeform Portland.

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