Barry's recent posts about his long time musical love for the music of Bruce Cockburn really got me rollin'. First I pulled out all of my treasured Cockburn LPs that I (sadly) had neglected for many years. Getting reacquainted with the absolute genius that is Cockburn provided me with several weeks of pure pleasure. (Thanks Barry.....both for reminding me and for turning me on to Bruce all those years ago.) Cockburn is again a regular part of my playlist.
For those of you who have still not come under the spell of his music, take your earliest opportunity and make your move. I'll let Barry report his picks on "Bruce Cockburn for beginners" but I can tell you that you are about to embark on a musical journey you will not regret. Personally, I've always been partial to his late 70's albums like Dancin' In The Dragon's Jaws, not only because they are unmitigated brilliance but also because they were my first exposure to the man. The second thing that happened was that I began to pull out my two Judee Sill records. Those who know me, know that I am a jazz fan through and through.....jazz meaning the likes of Miles, 'Trane, Bill Evans, Mingus, Grant Green, Wes...on and on. I'm hopelessly addicted to the music, going back to the late 60s when the Greenwich Village jazz mecca called Slugs (seating capacity maybe 60) finally broke Fillmore East's hold on me. I recall watching the latest British wannabe act play for 50 minutes at the Fillmore, prancing and preening with all the moves of the day...and making very little memorable music in the process. I left, grabbed a cab down to the Village and watched McCoy Tyner's group blow the roof off of that little joint until 4 in the morning. I was hooked for good. Getting back to Judee Sill...Judee made two albums for the then fledgling Asylum label (in fact she was Asylum's first signing) in the early 70s. Today she is little known. Judee led what can charitably called a VERY troubled life. She had serious drug problems, primarily heroin. But folks, this woman was one of the most inspired and brilliant artists I have ever heard in any genre. She was gifted in so many areas....singer, songwriter and arranger. I believe that David Crosby and Graham Nash were the first to bring Judee to the attention of music biz honchos. Judee wrote (and sang) amazingly complex and beautiful harmonies that will take your breath away. Judee was also able to do her own arranging for her music. Amazing when you consider that her albums (especially the second) feature lush and complex orchestral backing. For those unfamiliar with arranging and orchestration, it means that you write out the entire score for each instrument. On her second album she is shown in the liners conducting the orchestra. No big deal I suppose to some, but her orchestrations are freakin' brilliant by any measure. It has been noted that she learned her gospel inspired piano style while in reform school for writing bad checks. Judee's first album was simply called Judee Sill. She had a minor hit with a song from the album called "Jesus Was Crossmaker". (Religion and spirituality are recurring themes in Sill's music.) She did some touring to support the album but her personal life always got in the way of any real success. Judee's second album is called Heart Food. It is simply non-stop brilliance from start to finish. Listen to the second song (The Kiss) and tell that it isn't one of the most perfectly crafted tunes ever created. If I had to pick one LP over the other (which I would not want to do) I would pick Heart Food. Over the many years I've been working with musicians (mostly jazz and blues) I've been surprised by the number of times Judee Sill's name has come up as an example of now forgotten artists whose brilliance continues to amaze those who come into contact with the music. (Most recently, jazz guitar great Anthony Wilson, whose regular gig is with Diana Krall, told me of being completely blown away by Sill's music.) When Heart Food failed to sell, Judee disappeared from the scene. There were many death rumors. Her life spiraled back into various addictions and she finally died in 1979 of (predictably) a drug overdose. I believe both albums are still available on CD through Rhino music. If not, they surely are available via MP3. If you love musical surprises as much as I do check out Judee Sills. You will not be disappointed and you may well find that you are utterly enchanted and amazed.