Chillin' In The Icehouse

Track 1 off 2012 CD album by John Castellain

Hallowed Ground

Jesus In My Brain

These sassy lyrics were penned by the precocious Annie Ross to tenorman Wardell Gray's classic bebop instrumental sometime in the mid fifties, I believe. The tune first appeared on the 1960's Columbia release of the Lambert Hendricks & Ross album of the same name - one of my favorite vocal jazz albums of all time.  Later the great Joni Mitchell gave the tune new life in 1974 with her own stunning rendition.

'Live From The Lodge' consists of two sets-worth of material that I originally recorded on my little portable cassette player at the gig. The Lodge was a subterranean hole in the wall - but by 1977 had become a marginally popular listening room owned by the Radisson Hotel folks on 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis. 

I'm not terribly thrilled with the quality of my voice on most of these tracks - which I feel sounds a little thin and lacks a certain presence,  My amateur recording skills and a rather lackluster house sound system may have been a contributing factor.

In spite of these shortcomings I'm especially proud of the overall quality of  this remarkable collaboration. I love the easy flow of the musical conversation. No one is overshadowed, Everyone has a say... everyone shines. The musicianship is flawless with Tom Slobodzian on Fender Rhodes, and Gary Raynor on upright bass. Definitely worthy of a listen?

Live From the Lodge II

Twisted

Dove With Claws

Walking Like Rain by Larry Long

Bill Carrothers - Armistice 1918
Recorded in 2003

Bill Carrothers - piano
Peg Carrothers - voice
Drew Gress - bass
Bill Stewart - drums
Matt Turner - cello
Jay Epstein - percussion
Mark Henderson - bass clarinet
The Knob Creek Choir

Christmas 1914 -- from "Bill Carrothers - Armistice 1918"

https://www.innova.mu/albums/ellen-lease-pat-moriarty-quintet/chance-love-logic

Ellen Lease Pat Moriarty Quintet: Phrenology

from the 1973 recording of the album Jungleopolis by the Art Resnick Quartet featuring Bob Rockwell, bass clar, Billy Peterson bass, Paul Lagos drums, and Art on piano.

Unknown Album (2/2/2010 4:58:11 PM)

Inner City

Terry Kirkman's composition for The Association had reached 'must do' status by 1969 when this track was cut live at the gig during our tenure in the Carnival Room at the Leamington Hotel in Minneapolis.

Originally, I posted several other tracks on YouTube in remembrance of my old friend and colleague, the amazing Mickey McClain - pianist, organist, arranger/composer - who passed away October 20, 2017 at the age of 78.  I couldn't have done it without Mickey. He was my partner. He made it happen. Mickey's unique arrangements required not only competence, but players with a capacity to appreciate the complexities that frequently appeared in his charts. He wanted collaborators. He wanted the best the town had to offer. He wanted Bordo. He wanted Pat McKee. And of course, he wanted Dave Karr. With Dave on board he was satisfied we had a band worthy of his efforts. We also cut several tracks during a session at the old Sound 80 Studios in Minneapolis. We had been gigging at the hotel six nights a week for months and decided that it might be a good time to get something down on tape.  Personally, I prefer the live tracks for their 'in the moment' energy.
The Band
Mickey McClain: arrangements/keyboard/vocals
Pat McKee: electric guitar/vocals
Dave Karr: reeds/flute/God knows what else
Dick Bortolussi: drums/vocals
Kay Nygaard: vocals/ flute

Cherish;The Sound Effect Live at the Leamington

Kay Nygaard

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John Castellain

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