“The Midnight Album”

[maxsmith]

I’ve started a new series of short album reviews on Medium. Dawn Dance by Steve Eliovson (1981 on ECM) is up first.

Max Smith on Medium - The Midnight Album, #1: Dawn Dance by Steve Eliovson

I was recently inspired to listen to a full album everyday by a memory from my teen years:

“Back in the 1970s, my local radio station in Norfolk, VA, WNOR 98.7 “FM99” played a full album, with no commercial interruptions, every night at midnight. I tried to stay up for as many as possible — I could sleep in Biology class, right? In the spirit of “The Midnight Album” program, I offer short reviews of my daily album listen.”

My aim is to listen to a full album every day - or a least most days - and offer my thoughts on each.

Hope you enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Today's "Midnight Album" (a short review and reflection on an album listen) is Wave by Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Max Smith on Medium - The Midnight Album, #2: Wave by Antonio Carlos Jobim

Enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Today's "Midnight Album" (a short review and reflection on an album listen) is Solstice by Ralph Towner.

Max Smith on Medium - The Midnight Album, #3: Solstice by Ralph Towner

Enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Today’s “Midnight Album” is Relaxin’ with Chet by Chet Atkins.

Max Smith on Medium - The Midnight Album #4: Relaxin’ with Chet by Chet Atkins

I also tossed in at the end my solo guitar arrangement of “Mr. Magic”, an homage to Chet’s style.

[maxsmith]

Midnight Album #5 isn’t jazz, but it holds a lot of great guitar playing.

Max Smith on Medium - Midnight Album, #5: Drama by Yes

[mr. beaumont]

This is a fun series...lots of records I really like already mentioned, but the first was a new one to me, thanks for the tip!

[maxsmith]

Thanks, Jeff, more to come.

This is a fun series...lots of records I really like already mentioned, but the first was a new one to me, thanks for the tip!

[Rob MacKillop]

I enjoyed the Goodrick write up, and will explore others over a cup of tea every now and then. I hadn’t heard In Pas(s)ing before. It’s wonderful, and bass hero Eddie Gomez is on great form (when is he not?!). I’ll stick with that album for a while before moving on.

[maxsmith]

Thanks, Rob, enjoy at leisure… …all the best.

I enjoyed the Goodrick write up, and will explore others over a cup of tea every now and then. I hadn’t heard In Pas(s)ing before. It’s wonderful, and bass hero Eddie Gomez is on great form (when is he not?!). I’ll stick with that album for a while before moving on.

[maxsmith]

Today’s “Midnight Album” is Characters by John Abercrombie.

Max Smith on Medium - The Midnight Album #6: Characters by John Abercrombie

I added a recording of my composition “Sanur”, inspired by the “Characters” album. Enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Today's "Midnight Album" (a short review and reflection on an album listen) is Pure Desmond by Paul Desmond.

Max Smith on Medium - The Midnight Album, #7: Pure Desmond by Paul Desmond

Enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Today's "Midnight Album" is Discipline by King Crimson.

Max Smith on Medium - The Midnight Album, #8: Discipline by King Crimson

Enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Today's "Midnight Album" is Photo with Blue Sky, White Cloud, Wires, Windows and a Red Roof by the Jan Garbarek Group. Features Bill Connors on guitar.

The Midnight Album, #9: Photo with Blue Sky, White Cloud, Wires, Windows and a Red Roof by the Jan Garbarek Group

Enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Today's "Midnight Album" is One Size Fits All by Frank Zappa

Max Smith on Medium - One Size Fits All by Frank Zappa

Enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Today's "Midnight Album" is Rejoicing by Pat Metheny, one of my all-time favorite jazz guitar trio records.

Max Smith on Medium - Rejoicing by Pat Metheny

Enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Today's "Midnight Album" is Haydn Symphonies 22 and 55 by Sir Neville Marriner and The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields

In which I name-check our own Christian Miller. He inspired me to check out No. 22.

Max Smith on Medium - Haydn Symphonies 22 and 55 by Sir Neville Marriner and The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields

Enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Today's "Midnight Album" is Black Orpheus Original Soundtrack by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfá - the album that introduced Brazilian music to the world.

Max Smith on Medium - Black Orpheus Original Soundtrack by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfá

Enjoy!

[Rob MacKillop]

Max, the link doesn't work.

[maxsmith]

Thanks, Rob! The link in the post is correct now.

Here's the link again:
Max Smith on Medium - Black Orpheus Original Soundtrack by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfá

Max, the link doesn't work.

[maxsmith]

Today's "Midnight Album" is The Great Artistry of Django Reinhardt - recorded with electric guitar only a couple of months before Django's death.

Max Smith on Medium - The Great Artistry of Django Reinhardt

Enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Today's "Midnight Album" is Road Games by Allan Holdsworth

Max Smith on Medium - Road Games by Allan Holdsworth

Enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Today's "Midnight Album" is Feedback by Rush (not jazz, but plenty of guitar)

Max Smith on Medium - Feedback by Rush

Enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Today's "Midnight Album" is Yellow Fields by Eberhard Weber’s Colours

Max Smith on Medium - Yellow Fields by Eberhard Weber’s Colours

Enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Today's "Midnight Album" is Watercolors by Pat Metheny

Max Smith on Medium - Watercolors by Pat Metheny

Enjoy!

[maxsmith]

Tonight’s "Midnight Album" is Passengers by The Gary Burton Quartet with Eberhard Weber

Max Smith on Medium - Passengers by The Gary Burton Quartet with Eberhard Weber

Enjoy!