James Muller

bbjonz · #1 02-19-2010, 10:40 AM

I've been listening to Bireli and Benson pretty much nonstop over the past few months, but came across James Muller's name when perusing this site. My goodness can he play! Great ideas, cool phrasing, and has a nice style where he doesn't pick every note. I'd forgotten how nice than can sound.

His most recent solo recording is called Kaboom but seems to available on CD only--no paid downloads that I can find. Does anyone know of a paid download site where it's available? Thanks!

Joe

#2 02-19-2010, 12:34 PM

Joe,

I picked up one called 'Thrum' from itunes but I haven't found 'Kaboom' on any pay site. 'Thrum' is nice and I have given it quite a few spins. It is a fairly straight-ahead quarter disc with some very nice tunes and good playing.

If you want some of his fusion work, check out the disc called 'Scream' by Chad Wackerman. He sounds so much like Holdsworth at times it is scary. Amazing he can go from straight ahead to fusion and play both like a monster.

bbjonz · #3 02-19-2010, 03:19 PM

Hi,

Thanks for the tip. I have "Thrum" (which is playing now) and "All Out", and I love both, although I favor the latter just a bit. I also found Chad's "Legs Eleven" which is okay. James appears on a lot of Sean Wayland's stuff, and I bought three from Sean's site. Lots of good stuff there. I agree--James seems to transition effortlessly across genres, but it's his more straight ahead playing that stands out (to me, at least).

I'll probably bite the bullet and spend the $30 plus shipping for Kaboom. He has links to samples on his website, as well as prices per song, but no digital download. Strange. I've emailed him and Wayland about it but haven't received a response.

Joe

jsteele · #4 02-19-2010, 11:37 PM

sean wayland is a monster. his piano trio record with matt penman and jochen rueckert is excellent. i believe it is called "luriline." "expensive habit" is a full ensemble record of wayland's that is criminally underrated. james muller appears on many of the tracks as well as some great sax players including will vinson and i think seamus blake also.

bbjonz · #5 02-20-2010, 09:02 AM

Agreed. I have "expensive habit" and just picked up "Australian Rhythm Changes" and both are excellent. He sells his music through his website--great value, too.

bbjonz · #6 02-20-2010, 08:06 PM

Napster! Napster has Kaboom. Paid the subscription price ($15 for three months) then downloaded it. Great stuff.

Joe

princeplanet · #7 02-21-2010, 03:04 AM

Muller is indeed great, I hear even Scofield thinks so!

#8 02-22-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Sean Wayland is a monster.

Not to hijack, but Sean has some extremely interesting instructional material on his site for $20. Basically a few hours of lessons with video and pdf's on really useful (and advanced) topics. WELL worth many times the cost.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program....