The Bags Blog normally operates under a Post No Bills policy, those self-multiplying ads for Penis Enlargement creams, Texas Hold ‘Em, and mint mouthwash from months back notwithstanding. But recent news from saxophonist James Finn begs exception to the strictly-enforced brocard. It appears he’s inked a deal with Emusic that makes the complete CDR catalog of his own Ginko Leaf label available for download through the popular online subscription service. Couple that with a gratis membership offer currently being trumpeted by Emusic and the consequence is a quincunx of Finn concerts for less than the price of a gumball. Not a bad deal.
I’ve heard the first four titles and can uniformly recommend them, though formal reviews are still sequestered in the process of formulation and forthcoming. The Last Matador and Into the Afterworld complete the concept trilogy introduced by Plaza de Toros (Clean Feed). Both find him engaging drummers Warren Smith & Klaus Kugel in a series of sagacious, often volatile exchanges and also debut his soprano and flute on disc, his skills on which rival (though don’t surpass) his incantatory tenor. Inside Eye and Live at the Via Della Pace continue the dual drums format with the teams of Smith joined by Michael Thompson and Newman Taylor Baker respectively. The latter packs an especially large wallop. Taped less than three weeks ago, In Stravinsky’s House returns Finn to the trio format of his first three releases with Dominic Duval and Baker lending callused hands in support- it definitely goes on my list.
Ginko Leaf truly is a godsend for Finn fans, a means by which the saxophonist has more than doubled his discography without having to wait for the largess of other established labels (though two other albums are slated for Fall release on Not Two and NEMU). Here’s hoping the prolific release pace continues unabated. In the meantime listeners have a felicitous means to play catch-up.
Posted by derek on June 28, 2005 3:09 PMHaving waded through a number of fair to middling to bloody awful reports about this year's Vision bash, I'm led to wonder how long it'll be before Finn gets to headline (though maybe this is a.. umm.. politically sensitive point..?!). Wally Shoup, Marco Eneidi, James Finn - these are the guys that are doing the business - and where are the big gigs for 'em? (At last Paul Flaherty's getting some credit, but it's about time he headlined a major festival too..)
One q.. is the bloke on your photo the same guy on the cover of The Last Matador? When David Keenan describes JF as an "up and coming" saxophonist in the latest Wire, isn't that a bit.. erm, ironic? Anybody out there have a rough date of birth for Mr Finn? Nate tells me he was buying Trane albums when they hit the streets, so I guess that means he's past the half century.. But anyway, what does it matter.. This stuff is great, so go & listen to it.
The headshot (tinted cerulean, Reid Miles-style) is Finn himself, I think he’s either late 40s or early 50s. Not sure who that is on The Last Matador, but he looks substantially longer in the tooth.
James told me that his Vision absence was the result of not applying for a slot this year- he was out of town during the week- though next year is a possibility. Seems a cinch to me that he’d make any cut.
Ted Panken (cream-pied above) had him on his WKCR radio show yesterday for about an hour, but I missed it. Anyone tune in?
Posted by: derek at July 1, 2005 4:27 AMThe cd credits the photo to Finn and states it's of a "friendly and inspired neighbor named Alan Bertram."
Posted by: Jeff at July 1, 2005 8:14 AMIf you read the bio essay (long version):
http://www.jamesfinnmusic.com/Gallery/index.html
you'll probably find Derek to be in the ballpark as far as the guy's age is concerned, even if Francis Davis, too, is qoted as calling him a "young saxophonist".
I'd just like to know how "Screwdriver!" became available on Emusic without any "inking of deal" (or remuneration to the artists or authority from any publisher). This "popular online service" seems more like a pack of theives to me.
Posted by: walto at July 3, 2005 5:47 AMwell you'd better track them down and teach them a lesson in ontology, you tough talker.
Posted by: ned at July 3, 2005 6:32 AMI'm on it. But who's with me for the posse? All I've got so far are Ben, Adam, and Hoss. (Little Joe's out on some date, apparently--and the Mavericks are all, you know, too busy.)
Posted by: walto at July 3, 2005 1:08 PM.................................................. © 2003 - 2006 bagatellen ..................................................