I'm Going Back To New York City: 52 years ago today

April 11, 1961:

Bob Dylan's first major gig in NYC, opening for John Lee Hooker at Gerde's Folk City.

(Source)

Before & After: Aware of Love by Curtis Mayfield

I can't think of one single song/performance that combines such maturity, masculinity without being macho, regality, and just downright dignified soul. Originally performed & released in 1961 by then ex-Impressions vocalist, Jerry Butler, this Mayfield-penned tune was later redone by the Impressions in 1967. Their version, with Sam Gooden taking the lead, was ALMOST as good.

Before: Jerry Butler - Aware of Love (1961)

After: The Impressions - Aware of Love (1967)

Movie of the Week: Paris Blues (1961)

 The music of Duke Ellington is given a film treatment by Martin Ritt with Paul Newman as the trombone-playing composer, Sidney Poitier as his best friend/sax player, Joanne Woodward as Newman's love interest, Dianne Carroll as the conscious black chick for Poitier and Louis Armstrong as himself. There are also a couple of good supporting performances from Barbara Laage and André Luguet.

Movie of the Week: Coltrane 60/61/65

Shot by: ?

Louis Armstrong serenades the sphinx, Egypt, 1961. By Otto Bettmann - if anyone knows please tell me!

Make "The Connection"

As previously said right here on Stupefaction, "Based on Jack Gelber's play of the same name, The Connection was a 1961 movie by Shirley Clarke, and includes some fantastic footage of Jackie McLean (sax), Freddie Redd (piano), Michael Mattos (bass), and Larry Ritchie (drums) doing their thing. This movie is unfortunately unavailable these days, and I've never seen the whole thing. The soundtrack album is a corker. Listen to clips of it here."

Well, thanks to Milestone Film & Video, its available now. Currently making the rounds in some of the hipper theaters around, it appears that it will be available on DVD later this year or early next year. Keep your eyes on the Milestone site, and while you're there, be sure to pick up a copy of the unbelievable On The Bowery for an amazing film with great historical perspective.



Showtimes in NYC here.
The Connection on Facebook.

Ray Charles - Live in France, 1961

Available Oct. 25, these newly discovered concerts, featuring an hour and 45 minutes of performances, were filmed at the 1961 Antibes Jazz Festival in France and show Ray Charles in his prime period with the original Raeletts and his most legendary band (including David “Fathead” Newman and Hank Crawford.) These concerts, Ray’s first-ever performances in Europe, helped him become one of America’s most beloved international stars. Issued with the full cooperation of the Ray Charles Estate, the concerts have been newly transferred from the original 16mm films and have been digitally restored and remastered.

TRACK LISTING:
July 18, 1961:
1) The Story
2) Doodlin’
3) One Mint Julep
4) Let The Good Times Roll
5) Georgia On My Mind
6) Sticks And Stones
7) Hallelujah, I Love Her So
8) What’d I Say

July 22, 1961:
9) Hornful Soul
10) Let The Good Times Roll
11) Georgia On My Mind
12) My Bonnie
13) With You On My Mind
14) Ruby
15) Tell The Truth
16) I Wonder
17) Sticks And Stones
18) I Believe To My Soul
19) What’d I Say

Bonus Tracks July 19,1961:
20) The Story
21) Sticks And Stones
22) Yes Indeed
23) I Believe To My Soul
24) What ’d I Say

July 21, 1961
25) I Wonder

Hey Morrissey...here's your next album title

Beat Jazz movie of the week - The Connection

Based on Jack Gelber's play of the same name, The Connection was a 1961 movie by Shirley Clarke, and includes some fantastic footage of Jackie McLean (sax), Freddie Redd (piano), Michael Mattos (bass), and Larry Ritchie (drums) doing their thing. This movie is unfortunately unavailable these days, and I've never seen the whole thing.

The soundtrack album is a corker. Listen to clips of it here.



More footage here.