Happiness as Anarchy #360: Oscar Peterson

Oscar Peterson is one of my all time favourite piano players – class, elegance, groove, heart – everything you could possibly want to hear from a piano. I was just looking for different versions of C-Jam Blues (an Ellington tune written in 1942) and came across this fabulous version of Oscar Peterson playing it live… Continue reading Happiness as Anarchy #360: Oscar Peterson

Happiness as Anarchy #340: Three-part harmony

There’s something very special about the sound of three female voices singing together. All-female, all-star band I’m With Her have got that special in spades. They sing perfectly in sync but with a looseness that only comes with mastery. And the bass in this track is rock solid and grooves like an overland train on… Continue reading Happiness as Anarchy #340: Three-part harmony

Happiness as Anarchy #290: Groovy Chickens

It’s possible that the late 70s were the apex of groove. Maybe it was all the pot they were smoking combined with fretless basses and really long improvised tunes. Whatever the reason, some of the music is funky as can be. My groovin’ trombone playing teenage son has just introduced me to Jaco Pastorius’ ‘The… Continue reading Happiness as Anarchy #290: Groovy Chickens

Happiness as Anarchy #252: Hold On

Geoff and I added this song to our list today for a new project we’re cooking up. I love the underlying train rhythm that keeps it gently moving while the lyrics conjure up images of everyday life. It’s a beautiful film clip too, worth watching right to the end for two hands that meet.