Jazz Bastard Podcast

Mike and Pat discuss four new vocal albums at the intersection of jazz, pop, and S&M. Diana Krall – WALLFLOWER; Dr. John - SKE-DAT-DE-DAT - THE SPIRIT OF SATCH; Bob Dylan – SHADOWS IN THE NIGHT; Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga – CHEEK TO CHEEK. Let's see how long it takes Diana Krall to get a restraining order.

Pat and Mike eff the ineffable as they explore the gamut from cocktail lounge tenor to downtown skronking strings. String Trio of New York – GUT REACTION; Andrew Hill – COMPULSION; Branford Marsalis – BLOOMINGTON; Stan Getz - GETZ/GILBERTO.

Four trios push in different directions against the "jazz trio" template, Pat rants about young people, Mike eats bacon - this episode has everything. Plus, it's quiz time! Monocled Man – SOUTHERN DRAWL; Hedvig Mollestad Trio – ENFANT TERRIBLE; Neil Cowley Trio – LOUD LOUDER STOP; Mary Halvorson - THUMBSCREW

Blow cat blow! Mike and Pat discuss three recent and one classic release by jazz trumpeters. Can Orbert Davis turn sketches of pain to vistas of delight? Tune in to find out. Josh Berman – OLD IDEA; Orbert Davis – SKETCHES OF SPAIN; Russ Johnson – SAVE BIG; Howard McGhee – SHADES OF BLUE.

Holidays and travel conspire to make preparing a regular show for this slot well nigh impossible - so Mike and Pat chat about some jazz related winter break activities, including catching a Blue Note tribute band led by Clifford Ratliff at Indianapolis' Jazz Kitchen and watching Whiplash.

Mike and Pat discuss four more Downbeat best album winners, focusing most closely on the vocal entry. As they complete the longest leg of their Porter triathlon, they demonstrate that there's more than one way to skin a hat. Gregory Porter - LIQUID SPIRIT; Jane Ira Bloom – SIXTEEN SUNSETS; Terence Blanchard – MAGNETIC; Pat Metheny – KIN

The boys uncork some holiday cheer as they sleigh-ride through five seasonal selections. Wynton Marsalis – CHRISTMAS ALBUM; Vince Guarldi – CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS; Ella Fitzgerald – WISHES YOU A SWINGING CHRISTMAS; Jimmie Smith – CHRISTMAS COOKING; Ellington – NUTCRACKER SUITE

Downbeat picked the ten best albums of 2013; Mike and Pat pick on the list. Ambrose Akinmusire – THE IMAGINED SAVIOR IS EASIER TO PAINT; Bad Plus – RITE OF SPRING; Frank Wess – MAGIC 101; Kenny Garrett – PUSHING THE WORLD AWAY.

Mike and Pat press their rings together, and a second anniversary episode on jazz duets is the happy result. Ellis Larkins / Ruby Braff - CALLING BERLIN; Anthony Braxton/Max Roach – BIRTH/REBIRTH; Brad Mehldau – Joel Frahm - DON'T EXPLAIN; Marty Ehlrich/Mike Noch – THE WAITING GAME. Wondertwins activate! Form of two middle-aged critics!

The boys discuss music from four decades featuring four different trumpeters and all is well, but when Pat tries to open Mike's doors of perception, nobody gets out of there alive. Charles Fambrough – THE PROPER ANGLE; George Russell – STRATUSPHUNK; Clark Terry – SWAHILI ; Fully Celebrated Orchestra – MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

Not so much Of Montreal as From Toronto, this batch of jazz represents various vinyl temptations Pat succumbed to on an anniversary jaunt. Soprano Summit – CRAZY RHYTHM; Ornette Coleman – OF HUMAN FEELINGS; Bobby Darin – OH LOOK AT ME NOW!; Lee Morgan – CHARISMA

Miles Davis had two "great" quintets (one was so great, half the time it had six people in it). But which was the best? Mike and Pat try to decide. Miles Davis - COOKIN', 1958 MILES, E.S.P., NEFERTITI

The boys explore four of the latest entries in Mike's rotation. It's a kaleidoscope with clown-makeup tinged edges . . . David Sanchez – STREET SCENES; Hal Galper – PORTRAIT; Charles Gayle – TOUCHIN' ON TRANE; Steve Lacy – MONK'S DREAM

Tormented - and tormenting - composer, bandleader, autobiographer and bass player extraordinaire Charles Mingus is the focus and.our moral is a simple one - keep out of knife fights. Charles Mingus - MINGUS AH UM; THE BLACK SAINT AND THE SINNER LADY; TIJUANA MOODS; MINGUS AT ANTIBES

Mike burns Pat's playhouse down with some inflammatory sixties avante garde - and one avuncular avatar of Chicago out. Peter Brotzman – MACHINE GUN; Ken Vandermark – SINGLE PIECE FLOW; Albert Ayler – SPIRITUAL UNITY; Cecil Taylor – CONQUISTIDOR.

To celebrate the passing of Hard Bop pioneer Horace Silver this year, the boys delve into three characteristic albums and one (slight) outlier. Plus, it's quiz time. Horace Silver – BLOWIN' THE BLUES AWAY, SONG FOR MY FATHER, CAPE VERDEAN BLUES, IN PURSUIT OF THE 27th MAN

The gods of Skype try to kill this episode in the cradle, but Mike and Pat turn on their heart-lights and keep on truckin'. Etta Jones – SINGS LADY DAY; Pierre Favre - WINDOWSTEPS; Kevin Eubanks – SPIRIT TALK; Les McCann - SWISS MOVEMENT.

Mike leads Pat through the valley of the shadow of death and Pat whimpers like a little baby the whole way. . Dean Martin- THIS TIME I'M SWINGIN'; Bobby Darin – THAT'S ALL; Johnny Mercer and Bobby Darin – TWO OF A KIND; Michael Buble – BUBLE. Also, Michael Buble has a man-crush on Satan you wouldn't believe.

Sometimes saxophone-with-strings records can get a bit saccharine, but they could be worse - they could be the title to this episode. Cuddle up to your Brad Mehldau body-pillow and enjoy! Charlie Parker WITH STRINGS; Art Pepper – WINTER MOON; James Carter - GARDENIAS FOR LADY DAY; Josh Redman – WALKING SHADOWS

The boys keep it short and sweet as they explore the variegated career of bandleader, composer, arranger and keyboardist Carla Bley. Gary Burton – A GENUINE TONG FUNERAL; Carla Bley – SOCIAL STUDIES, NIGHT GLO, FLEUR CARNIVORE