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Soulful Sounds: Straight No Chaser & More…

26/05/2012

“Jazz is not just music, it’s a way of life, it’s a way of being, a way of thinking. . . the new inventive phrases we make up to describe things — all that to me is jazz just as much as the music we play.” Nina Simone

Soulful Sounds: Straight No Chaser & More… Thelonious Monk & Howard Minton


Thelonious Monk – Straight No Chaser live, London, 1965

Soulful Sounds: Straight No Chaser & More… Nina Simone


Nina SimoneFeelin’ Good

Feeling GoodNina Simone
Birds flying high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin’ on by you know how I feel

It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life
For me
And I’m feeling good… Contd below

Sometimes, it is best to let the music do the talking; especially with classical jazz. I haven’t met anyone yet who didn’t enjoy a jazz composition. It is relaxing yet intricate; inviting yet complex… Enjoy it anyway and I hope you continue to feel good afterwards.

“All a musician can do is to get closer to the sources of nature, and so feel that he is in communion with the natural laws.”  John Coltrane

Soulful Sounds: Straight No Chaser & More… John Coltrane


John Coltrane – Acknowledgement – 1965 Live Video


Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane : Trinkle Tinkle

Fish in the sea you know how I feel
River running free you know how I feel
Blossom on the tree you know how I feel

Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don’t you know
Butterflies all havin’ fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
That’s what I mean… Contd below

Soulful Saturdays become straight up soulful sounds once the clock strikes midnight. I don’t want us to get stuck on timelines and confusing definitions. What matters is the music and how it makes us feel. Lately, when I listen to music I like, I find myself traveling back in time… to a place where contentment, light and love reside. By the way, check out my guest post. It is titled: Gratitude For Small Things and on blog buddy Deb Bryan’s popular blog – The Monster in Your Closet. Thank you! :-)
On another nice note, WP is inviting us to submit a topic on the following:

  • Recommended Bloggers – Nominate your favorite WordPress.com blogger for an interview and profile on The Daily Post.
  • Why I Blog – When did you start blogging and why? What keeps you blogging? We want to know what makes your blog tick!
  • My Morning Coffee – Before typing up your latest post, where do you find inspiration? Let us know your go-to sites for post ideas. Share the inspiration!

More below! 🙂

“Those who want to know what sound goes into my music should come to NY and open their ears.” Thelonious Monk

Soulful Sounds: Straight No Chaser & More… Jelly Roll Blues is the first Jazz music in print (1915)


John ColtraneMy Favorite Things


Thelonious MonkBrilliant Corners

And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me

Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Scent of the pine you know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel -Nina Simone

The first time I heard that song Feeling Good, I was feeling sad… and it cheered me up. I hope it lifts your spirits too. As always, I’d love to hear what new songs you are singing or dancing to. What songs have you discovered? Have a blessed start to the new week…
Stay Inspired! What are your thoughts? What music are you listening to this weekend? Do you have any favorites you’d like to share? What would you recommend some new tunes? Do share! Thank you. 🙂

*Please bear with me as I continue to catch up on your blogs and commenting… Thank you all for your patience! 🙂

Positive Motivation Tip: Music is that next step we take to connect with the divine… Whatever our interests, it helps us keep an open mind and heart. Enjoy!

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Nina Simone, Jelly Roll Blues, via Wikipedia. Thelonious Monk from Lib of Congress, John Coltrane from exquisitor via Flickr

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

38 Comments leave one →
  1. 27/05/2012 2:14 am

    🙂
    vento

    • 27/05/2012 2:15 am

      TY! Good to see you again… You have been absent from blogging! 🙂

  2. 27/05/2012 5:24 am

    What a cool sound.. 🙂

    • 27/05/2012 8:46 am

      TY CoCo, it is a truly beautiful sound… no words, just magic. TY! 🙂

  3. 27/05/2012 5:54 am

    &I wonder why Sarah Vaughan isn’t in your collection…
    I adore her “Black coffee”

    • 27/05/2012 8:45 am

      I just wanted to feature these three. Next time… I love Sarah V’s vocals too and many, many others. TY for your feedback! 🙂

  4. 27/05/2012 9:21 am

    I’ve always found music to be medicine for the soul. Wonderful post, once again! 🙂

  5. 27/05/2012 1:01 pm

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSK9kkM7GL4&w=420&h=315%5D
    I really like this song too. I like this video the pictures are really nice and the words are on the video so you can sing along. It lifts my spirits when I play it. I look forward ti listening to your music choices.:+)

    • 27/05/2012 1:19 pm

      Yes, Michael Buble’s version is quite lovely too… Feeling Good is a great song. TY for sharing. 🙂

      • 28/05/2012 6:18 am

        Your Welcome It’s a good reminder to sing and feel good! :+)

  6. 27/05/2012 2:19 pm

    so COOL

  7. 28/05/2012 12:49 am

    I could never acquire a taste for jazz, though I like stuff that made it to the mainstream.

    • 28/05/2012 7:35 pm

      At least you enjoy the mainstream jazz tunes… It’s all good! 😉

  8. 28/05/2012 2:48 am

    Hi! Nominating you for the Thanks For Writing Award. Please go to my site and get Red flower picture with white background. WordPress Has rules of the award.

    • 28/05/2012 12:46 pm

      TY Thelma! I couldn’t find it on your your website though…. When you have a chance, let me know where to look on your page.
      Meanwhile, have a peaceful day and thank you again! 🙂

      • 28/05/2012 1:00 pm

        •Display the Award in your page – √
        •Award them to your favorite commentators – √
        •Ask them to forward it to their favorite commentators (please do pass it forward! ) √
        •And don’t forget to link their page to their names – √

      • 28/05/2012 1:48 pm

        Sorry Thelma, maybe I wasn’t clear but I don’t see the award you mention on your blog. Where is it? I ask so I can save the image and give you credit when I write my end of year post on awards. 🙂
        If you noticed, I don’t add blog awards to my blog home/landing page because the graphics interfere with loading speed. If I add one then I have to add others which won’t be fair… so I don’t. I’m working on a separate special page (like the about page) for awards which I’ll keep offline.
        At some point, I plan to write a blog post to thank everyone who has given me an award and offer the awards out to all bloggers. That is why I’m curious to see the rose you mentioned so I can save the image and give you appropriate credit when I write the post… sometime by the end of the year or so. Thank you again for the award. It is always appreciated! 🙂

  9. 28/05/2012 7:46 am

    ‘If music be the food of love play on’, Elizabeth!!

    • 28/05/2012 7:40 pm

      Amen to that and music is like ambrosia. 😉

  10. Bree permalink
    28/05/2012 8:41 am

    I find your music selections for this week are deep and calming. I’m surprised your readers don’t seem to enjoy music as much. They could share what they enjoy listening to with you. The more the merrier!
    B

    • 28/05/2012 7:42 pm

      I’ve wondered about it too, but I think it has more to do with the weekend when many bloggers give it a rest… 😉
      Definitely, I’m all for the more the merrier as I like to hear new sounds and get introduced to new music. TY! 🙂

  11. 28/05/2012 1:19 pm

    Wonderful selection Elizabeth!

    • 28/05/2012 1:51 pm

      TY so much Madhu! Maybe some day you’ll share what you enjoy listening to. I’m always open to new sounds and artistes… It’s a big world out there. 🙂

  12. 28/05/2012 2:21 pm

    Amazing as all these people are I am afraid that Jazz leaves me cold!!

    • 28/05/2012 2:25 pm

      Really? How come? What about jazz leaves you feeling that way Willow? What type of music do you enjoy? TY for being honest about it too! 🙂

  13. 28/05/2012 2:53 pm

    I really just find Jazz so repetitive and and unmusical… funny as it may seem. I know it is all subjective. It really sounds like someone running up and down the scales! I like singer song writers I do love every type of music I do have elective taste. Stones, Yardbirds, Doors, Pinkfloyd,Imogen Heap,Birdy, Goldfrapp,Regina Spektor the list goes on!

    • 28/05/2012 3:14 pm

      Oh I hear you. There are different forms of jazz and maybe what you’ve heard in the past seemed repetitive. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Lena Horn, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Dinah Washington and many, many other popular singers were Jazz singers known for their vocal range and the popular songs they immortalized.
      I’m glad you brought this up as you’ve given me a future blog post idea. 😉 Meanwhile, when you have a moment, listen to music by any of the names I mentioned on Youtube. Their songs are beautiful, lasting and Jazz. Etta James’ At Last could be a good way to introduce you to another area of the genre. TY Willow! I enjoyed your feedback and I love some of the artists on your list and like em all. 🙂

  14. Bree permalink
    29/05/2012 11:06 am

    Jazz is a part of so much in music that we might hear it and not realize the influence. Coltrane, Monk, Miles and others are classical masters of the genre and lay the foundation for many others but there is more to jazz and many more voices. I like Willow’s comment because it helps you answer the question for others who might think Jazz is only instrumental like classical music. Then again, people do have their preferences in music and that’s cool too.
    B

    • 29/05/2012 7:46 pm

      Yes, I was glad she made her comment as it helped me broaden the subject and include other names. TY! 🙂

  15. 31/05/2012 4:04 pm

    No finer soul musicians than Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone, and John Coltrane. They speak directly to the center of my own soul.

  16. 01/06/2012 5:05 am

    Did you know there is a group with the name “Straight No Chaser”? Nothing like the music of these three.

    • 02/06/2012 9:53 pm

      No, I had no idea… I should check em out. TY! 🙂

      • 02/06/2012 10:10 pm

        They are excellent. They came to San Diego last December. I would have gone to see them but $135 per ticket is a little beyond my entertainment price range budget.

  17. 10/06/2012 6:37 am

    Funny that most of these songs were created way before I had an appreciation of them or before I was born. Yet because they evoke such strong emotions and describe such clear images, I am transported back to that time, making it feel sometimes like I was there.

  18. 12/07/2012 9:24 am

    Alright! Super stuff this – going to switch my turntable on..tonights project!

    ‘we played on into the night…’
    http://kolembo.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/short-poetry-african-cowboys-daddy-aunties-uncles-death-son-adventure/

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