THE PROVERBIAL DESERT ISLAND QUESTION FOR MUSICIANS
THE PROVERBIAL DESERT
ISLAND QUESTION FOR MUSICIANS
The initial question: What is the one CD (or double album, such as Stevie Wonder's: Songs In The Key of Life) you would take with you knowing you would be stranded and had only ONE you could choose?
The answers I received for this question ranged from the simple reply, to an all out discussion of jazz and music history in general. For the artists that responded with one album there answers are below. For those that sent a detailed I response, I am listing there replies towards the bottom. I still have many people that have not responded to my original email so check back as I am sure this list will keep growing.
| Who picked? | What they play? | What artist they chose? | Which album? |
| Scott Pazera | Bass | Isaac Hayes | Truck Turner/Two Tough Guys Soundtrack |
| Marion Trout | Trumpet | Miles Davis | The Complete Concert 1964 - My Funny Valentine + Four & More |
| Derek Henderson | Drums | Miles Davis | Live Around the World |
| Tim Miller | Drums | Buddy Rich | West Side Story |
| Waz | Piano | Miles Davis | In A Silent Way |
| Danny Weiss | Saxophone | Enrico Caruso | Compilation of arias by opera tenor |
| Marvin Robinson | Drums | Al Jarreau | Look to the Rainbow |
| Rick Deja | Saxophone | Juluka | Universal Men www.talkingleaves.com/pithouse.html |
| Jason Alsman | Drums | Sting | Ten Summoners Tales |
| Bryan Kemler | Saxophone | John Coltrane | Giant Steps |
| Tim Bales | Trumpet | Gene Ammons | Juggin' Around |
| Willie "Oliver" Williams | Piano | Yellowjackets | Live Wires |
| Dexter Sims | Bass | Donny Hathaway | Voices Inside - Everything is Everything |
| Marco Villarreal | Guitar | JS Bach | The Goldberg Variations by performed by Glenn Gould. |
| Steve Hashimoto | Bass | Miles Davis | Bitches Brew |
| Stewart McKinsey | Bass |
Jaco Pastorius or Schascle |
Invitation Self-titled debut |
| Scott Proffitt | Drums | John Coltrane | Live at the Village Vanguard Box |
| James Russell | Guitar | Paco Pena | Misa Flamenca |
| Jeremy Perigo | Saxophone | Maceo Parker | Life on Planet Groove |
| Leandro Lopez Varady | Piano | Maurice Ravel | Daphnis et Chloe [ballet][The complete version performed by The Boston Symphony conducted by Seigi Ozawa .] |
Henry Johnson - Guitar
| Miles Davis - 1. Four And More 2. Miles Davis In Europe 3. Kind of Blue 4. 'Round About Midnight 5. Milestones |
John Coltrane - 1. Blue Train 2. Giant Steps 3. My Favorite Things 4. Impressions 5. John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman |
Dizzy Gilespie - 1. Birk's Work - The Verve Big-Band Years 2. Sonny Side Up 3. For Musicians Only |
| Charlie Parker - 1. Confirmation - The Best of the Verve Years Clifford Brown & Max Roach - 1. Live At The Bee Hive |
Cannonball Adderly - 1. Them Dirty Blues 2. What Is This Thing Called Soul 3. Somethin' Else 4. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy |
Herbie Hancock - 1. Maiden Voyage 2. Speak Like A Child 3. Emperyan Isles 4. Headhunters 5. Thrust |
| George Benson - 1. It's Uptown 2. The George Benson Cookbook 3. Weekend In LA 4. Body Talk 5. Bad Benson 6. Breezin' |
Wes Montgomery - 1. Smokin' At The Half Note 2. Incredible Jazz Guitar 3. Tequila 4. Full House 5. So Much Guitar 6. The Dynamic Duo - Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery(1&2) |
Jimmy Smith - 1. The Sermon 2. A New Jazz Star 3. Live At Small's Paradise 4. The Boss |
Anything by Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington or Count Basie.
Rich Cohen - Saxophone
Allow me to break
your rules slightly. Instead of noting a particular commercial CD, I'll offer
a compilation CD that I would take with me on all trips that have the
potential of landing me on the proverbial island. I'll limit myself to a 10
tune compilation. Here's the content:
1) Shirley Horn's version of "Here's to Life", because there's no greater
vocal artist than Shirley and I think it would be crucial to have recordings
of the human voice.
2) Susie Merriman (my wife) singing "I've Grown Accustomed to His Face",
because I assume I'm stranded by myself and I would really miss Susie and her
version of this is really beautiful.
3) The Beatles "Here Comes the Sun" because it always puts a smile on my face.
4) Valdimir Ashkenazy playing Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 8 "Pathetique"
because I think it's one of the most simple and beautiful melodies, especially
as played by Vladimir.
5) Pat Metheny's version of "Third Wind" from The Road To You CD because it's
filled with energy (especially check out Lyle Mays' comping behind Pat's solo
at the end).
6) Rick Margitza's version of "Green Dolphin Street" from his This is New CD
since it's one of the most creative and cohesive interpretations of a standard
that I've heard.
7) Michael Brecker's version of "Renaissance Man" from his Time Is Of The
Essence CD (the tune is dedicated to Eddie Harris) because I love the groove
and I'll always love Michael's playing.
8) John Coltrane's version of "26-2" from the Coltrane's Sound CD because the
complexity flows out of Trane so naturally on this cut.
9) Keith Jarrett's version of "Autumn Leaves" off the Still Live double CD
because it was an inspiration when I was making the transition back into
playing music.
10) Kenny Garrett's version of "Giant Steps" off the Triology CD because it's
so swingin and I'll have lots of time to try and figure out what he's doing
(it's assumed that I'll at least be able to make a bamboo flute from the
bamboo that will obviously be abundant on the island, although it will
probably take a few years to figure out how to get the 12 chromatic tones).
Marvin Robinson - Drums
would have also liked to include
Judd Danby - Piano