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Jonathan Wilson — Cecil Taylor
Album: Fanfare
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2341









Released: 2013
Length: 6:26
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Heaven and earth collide
May the spirit's guide be the one I navigate tonight

Well I'm just another hardened set of eyes
Looking for a miracle

Never the twain shall meet
Not even Jesus and al-Salam upon the street

So now violence and intolerance
Disappear as energy

Completely alone I remember the story
We all see the thunderbolt
We all feel the glory
It moves underneath us
The river - the blood of our heart
It's been there from the
Start

Strangers and old friends arrive
Cecil Taylor's on the White House lawn tonight

Still now hope it travels wide
Uncertain times
Listen for the miracle

Heaven and earth collide
May the spirit's guide be the one I navigate tonight
Well I'm just another hardened set of eyes
Looking for a miracle

When completely alone I remember the story
We all see the thunderbolt
We all feel the glory
It moves underneath us
The river - the blood of our heart
It's been there from the
Start
Start
Start
Start
Comments (126)add comment
Bumped:  7 --> 8
 jjbix37 wrote:



or CSNY vibe


Totally CSNY.  I had RP going in the background and was going to look up this CSN cut I'd never heard----only to find it's this guy. Great tune. 
 alrobley9 wrote:

I hear 'Seals & Crofts' and their perfect harmony and progressive changes as if reliving my childhood in the 70s and 80s.
Brilliant work here.



or CSNY vibe

I hear 'Seals & Crofts' and their perfect harmony and progressive changes as if reliving my childhood in the 70s and 80s.
Brilliant work here.
This song is magical
 Grammarcop wrote:
The Feb. 17, 2022, NY Times had a story about the release of a new Cecil Taylor collection.  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/0... The article contained a pretty good description of Taylor's musical philosophy: Ignore keys. Ignore chord structure. Play what you feel.

 
Oh thanks. Now I know why Taylor's music seemed composed by a demonic 8 month old.  I do like this song, much better than the subject's banging & clanging.
!
First half or two thirds is decent but back end of this is where it gets interesting. 
Omg where is the skip button!!!
The Feb. 17, 2022, NY Times had a story about the release of a new Cecil Taylor collection.  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/0... The article contained a pretty good description of Taylor's musical philosophy: Ignore keys. Ignore chord structure. Play what you feel.

 schitfitz wrote:
I actually thought it was a CSN song that I had somehow missed. I do like it though and will admit that RP just cost me a bit more money but now that I have the album it also seems to have some Patrick Watson influences. I did enjoy listening.

I agree; I also find a lot of the stuff on Desert Raven incredibly trippy in similar ways to "Mr. Tom" on Close to Paradise.
 joelbb wrote:

just too profuckingfound.  Gave it a "2".



Yeah, I hate when music is profuckingfound, fanfuckingtastic, or even just grfuckingeat.
 Grammarcop wrote:

The NY Times presented me with a new perspective on this song this morning when I read the obituary for avant-garde jazz pianist Cecil Taylor. Ready for this connection? He played at the White House Jazz Festival in 1978! In fact, President Jimmy Carter was so taken with his playing that he chased Taylor down after his performance to talk to him. (I gained that tidbit from the Rolling Stone obit for Mr. Taylor.)

It was one of those little "aha!" moments that pop up in life every now and then.

Strangers and old friends arrive
Cecil Taylor's on the White House lawn tonight

Still now hope it travels wide
Uncertain times
Listen for the miracle

Heaven and earth collide
May the spirit's guide be the one I navigate tonight
Well I'm just another hardened set of eyes
Looking for a miracle

That miracle, of course, was Taylor's music. 



This is more like what the comments section should be about; facts that make a song meaningful. Love this one. 
 Proclivities wrote:

It's more obvious than that: Crosby and Nash are singing back-up on this track.  No need to "channel".


Oh, thanks for the info. Now it makes sense!
 wcourville wrote:

sometimes sounds like crosby stills nash young



Young-less as well as Stills-free. But correct on the others
sometimes sounds like crosby stills nash young
I bought a Jonathan Wilson album a while ago, mistaking it for Steven Wilson CD.  He's an interesting musician and writer, and I think I actively enjoy about half the songs on it, but I've felt no great desire to check out the rest of his catalogue.  Anyway, I liked this song so I'm giving it 7.
 LizK wrote:
Love this cool CSNY-sound song. {#Roflol} Led me to look up Cecil Taylor.    Good god what a disconsonant mess. {#Stupid}
 
I really don't understand much of what you wrote. However, although Cecil Taylor was an acquired taste over much of his career, a completely unique presence in modern American music, to dismiss his life work as a disconsonant (sic) mess is to simply decide not to try to understand. I saw him three times, in Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Osaka, and although challenging, his work was touched with genius at times. Back in the 1950s, before he broke free from the constraints imposed by what might be called consensus structures, he recorded some really innovative jazz that seems to have been forgotten. I suggest not categorizing musicians so readily (although his music is certainly not for everyone, even me at times :)
 LaurieinTucson wrote:
channeling CSN
 
Proclivities wrote:

It's more obvious than that: Crosby and Nash are singing back-up on this track. No need to "channel".
channeling CSN
 LizK wrote:
Love this cool CSNY-sound song. {#Roflol} Led me to look up Cecil Taylor.    Good god what a disconsonant mess. {#Stupid}
 
Exactly my reaction when I looked  up Cecil Taylor.  Now Jonathan Wilson.......
Springsteen wasn't on the White House lawn last night, but I guess the Lincoln Memorial will do at a pinch.

"Still now hope it travels wide;
Uncertain times.
Listen for the miracle".

Welcome back to the World party, America - we've missed you.
 ThePoose wrote:
I hear Wooden Ships
 
Creak.

Creak.

"Ahoy!"

"Is that Ohio, Columbus?"

"No, that's Columbus, Ohio!"  {#Propeller}
Takes me places like If I Could Only Remember My Name does.
I actually thought it was a CSN song that I had somehow missed. I do like it though and will admit that RP just cost me a bit more money but now that I have the album it also seems to have some Patrick Watson influences. I did enjoy listening.
Love this cool CSNY-sound song. {#Roflol} Led me to look up Cecil Taylor.    Good god what a disconsonant mess. {#Stupid}
 Proclivities wrote:

It's more obvious than that: Crosby and Nash are singing back-up on this track.  No need to "channel".
 Thanks.. I came here to express the sentiment..

 unclehud wrote:

Bump.  Scrolling through comments here pays a BIG dividend.  

FWIW, Mr. Wilson was raised in Spindale, NC, home to WNCW public radio -- a really good one!
 

Did NOT know that he was from Spindale. 
WNCW is my local station in Western NC. It's  a GREAT station... (and streams online, for those who might want a slight change from the AWESOME RP)...
 Proclivities wrote:

It's more obvious than that: Crosby and Nash are singing back-up on this track.  No need to "channel".
 
Always remember from where the wind doth blow.
the" cool" orchestral mnemonic   close to the "yea" up wii fi thats in $dolares
doc dot  let us  say....EURO
kind of a Mad 🛒 SMART HOVER CLUB GENERATOR  my daughter: ma ma ma buy me a new car
.Z 🌐🏗⏲ kin o a light.. it is
7->8
This is a great album. If you like the song, you'll likely be even MORE amazed at the album which is a phenomenal reinvention of 70s rock in which you'll hear a dozen or so influences without ever sounding like a rip off. A great LP!
C'mon RP, this is a great album, why only and always this song? 
 Proclivities wrote:
It's more obvious than that: Crosby and Nash are singing back-up on this track.  No need to "channel".
 
Bump.  Scrolling through comments here pays a BIG dividend.  

FWIW, Mr. Wilson was raised in Spindale, NC, home to WNCW public radio -- a really good one!
Stephen Stills, for sure.
I hear Wooden Ships
Cover ähnlich wie Soap Opera von den Kinks
Thanks Bill and Rebecca for a marvellous evening 
Definitely a CSN sound. I like it very much.
 Stephenater wrote:
Anyone seen Jonathan Wilson live?

In March, he's playing acoustic solo at Terrapin Crossroads.   Very tempting...
 
I just checked the calendar, and unfortunately it was last Friday... otherwise I might have met you there... 
Anyone seen Jonathan Wilson live?

In March, he's playing acoustic solo at Terrapin Crossroads.   Very tempting...
Listening to rp with the great commentators is like musicology course courtesy of bill and his better half.
Cool Sound and nice effects.
I am liking this the more I hear it, especially if I am in a receptive mood... bumping my rating up from 7 > 8.
 chinaski wrote:
I liked this track from the first time I heard it here on RP, the lyrics, the guitarists, Cros etc. and even know the staging crew that sets the stage for the invitation only concerts that were held on the White House lawn but then thought RP played this track too often. Time passes, I get the album and like it a lot. Also got tix to Cros' spring tour coming to Dallas. Thanks Bill!

 
Let's get one thing straight:  RP never plays anything too often.  Full stop.  
The NY Times presented me with a new perspective on this song this morning when I read the obituary for avant-garde jazz pianist Cecil Taylor. Ready for this connection? He played at the White House Jazz Festival in 1978! In fact, President Jimmy Carter was so taken with his playing that he chased Taylor down after his performance to talk to him. (I gained that tidbit from the Rolling Stone obit for Mr. Taylor.)

It was one of those little "aha!" moments that pop up in life every now and then.

Strangers and old friends arrive
Cecil Taylor's on the White House lawn tonight

Still now hope it travels wide
Uncertain times
Listen for the miracle

Heaven and earth collide
May the spirit's guide be the one I navigate tonight
Well I'm just another hardened set of eyes
Looking for a miracle

That miracle, of course, was Taylor's music. 
Excellent! Maybe channeling David Crosby's vocal adventures on "If I Could Only Remember My Name"?
a 10 for me.
Btw he's playing on tour with Roger Waters. What an extraordinary musician this guy is
I liked this track from the first time I heard it here on RP, the lyrics, the guitarists, Cros etc. and even know the staging crew that sets the stage for the invitation only concerts that were held on the White House lawn but then thought RP played this track too often. Time passes, I get the album and like it a lot. Also got tix to Cros' spring tour coming to Dallas. Thanks Bill!
Better Cecil Taylor than Donald Trump padding around the west wing in his bathrobe. 
 joelbb wrote:
just too profuckingfound.  Gave it a "2".

 
Being a fan of the profound, CSN and this song, I'm upping my 8 to a 9.
I love CSN, so I also love this.
just too profuckingfound.  Gave it a "2".
 idiot_wind wrote:
Lets state the obvious: he's channeling Crosby and Nash 
 
It's more obvious than that: Crosby and Nash are singing back-up on this track.  No need to "channel".
Lets state the obvious: he's channeling Crosby and Nash 
 floydoftherocks wrote:
Why would you name a song "Cecil Taylor"?

 
You could ask Sweet/Suite Judy Blue Eyes.
so cool ...
this set is fabulous

I stop everything, listen, feel my center . . . so good          peace

 
 floydoftherocks wrote:
Why would you name a song "Cecil Taylor"?

 
Why not?  Perhaps as a tribute to an amazing musician?  And he really did play at the White House.
 floydoftherocks wrote:
Why would you name a song "Cecil Taylor"?

 
Saw Cecil Taylor at Yoshi's (Jack London Sq.) some years back.  At the end of his set my friend's wife turned to me and said, "I really am more in to James Taylor." I cracked up as Cecil and James are from very different planets.  
Why would you name a song "Cecil Taylor"?
 Al-Salam Taylor Jesus.
Very early David Crosby still nice.
In the first minute I couldn't understand why I gave this a 4. During the last minute I was reminded! I totally agree with the "meanderings" comment.
 
Cool tune
This is really good music. So well crafted in every respect. Thanks again RP.
Ughhh
Very clean sound............
 Baby_M wrote:
This is the best new CSN track in years!  {#Laughing}

(Seriously, I thought it was Crosby Stills & Nash until I looked.)

   

dragon1952 wrote:

Well you are right in a way since this track feature's David Crosby and Graham Nash on vocals.

 
This track, then, points out why I like CSNY over CSN: Neil gave the group's songs more structure and purpose. This song mimics the worst of CSN's musical meanderings. 
Listening with headphones today, this song sounds awesome! When I first heard this I was not too excited about it, but now I can't wait to hear it again.
this evening this song is sooooo perfectly placed after The Who's Behind Blue Eyes so beautiful and skillfully composed

wow man 
 Proclivities wrote:

Yeah, he may need some cash to pay off the jogger he ran down with his Tesla. Anyhow, I believe he is singing back-up vocals on this tune.

 

{#Lol}That is awesome, I think I like Crosby just a little bit more than before hearing this.
 GeneP59 wrote:
Damn I too thought it was CSN

WOW 

 
 


Damn I too thought it was CSN

WOW 
 bam23 wrote:

Who else? Strangely, this doesn't sound much like the pianist Cecil Taylor. But why should it? Having seen him perform 3 times, I can confidently assert that there really is nothing I know of on this planet that is in the same league. This is a pretty interesting composition. David Crosby and Cecil Taylor are not often found in the same sentence, till this one.

 
Agreed on all this and enjoyed several cecil concerts as well. 
A little too out there for radio paradise?   Would love if maybe a short cecil track could be thrown in there in some place where it made some kind of sense,  like with a heavy wild rock song,  maybe an accessible art ensemble,  miles Davis,  or Coltrane piece. ..
 
 k1j2cat wrote:
I checked to see if it was David Crosby and Graham Nash, back to their old Wind on the Wire days.

 
Ditto! {#Cool}
I checked to see if it was David Crosby and Graham Nash, back to their old Wind on the Wire days.
 Baby_M wrote:
This is the best new CSN track in years!  {#Laughing}

(Seriously, I thought it was Crosby Stills & Nash until I looked.)

 
Well you are right in a way since this track feature's David Crosby and Graham Nash on vocals.
me too !!

Would have bet $10000000 this was Steven Stills from some obscure album
 
 
I am with you; clicked on song to see who Stills was singing with.  Very similar vocals and music.

 


Seals and Crofts scent anyone? Agree CSN is main ingredient 
From Jonathan Wilson's web site:

"Featuring vocal and instrumental contributions from heavy friends like Graham Nash, David Crosby, Jackson Browne, Josh Tillman (aka Father John Misty), Wilco’s Patrick Sansone, Dawes’ Taylor Goldsmith and Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench from Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, the album is a celebration of friends and family. Additionally, Wilson and British folk legend Roy Harper co-wrote several songs on the record."
This is the best new CSN track in years!  {#Laughing}

(Seriously, I thought it was Crosby Stills & Nash until I looked.)
 nicknt wrote:
David Crosby should ask for his royalties.

 
Yeah, he may need some cash to pay off the jogger he ran down with his Tesla. Anyhow, I believe he is singing back-up vocals on this tune.
 laozilover wrote:
Could it be about the poet and jazz musician?{#Stupid}
 
Who else? Strangely, this doesn't sound much like the pianist Cecil Taylor. But why should it? Having seen him perform 3 times, I can confidently assert that there really is nothing I know of on this planet that is in the same league. This is a pretty interesting composition. David Crosby and Cecil Taylor are not often found in the same sentence, till this one.
retro, CS&N(&Y)-like, I like it! {#Smile}
David Crosby should ask for his royalties.
This is lovely. Thought it at first some undiscovered Crosby and Nash.
I just love this...
It's like a Crosby Stills & Nash had a baby with Emerson Lake & Palmer. Or maybe just Stephen Stills and Greg Lake. I mean, check out the organ on this piece: https://youtu.be/lNCxDOHwRlY?t=1m20s

In any case, thumbs up for Jonathan.
 helgigermany wrote:
What genre is this?

 
Pscyhedelic Folk?
"Wilson currently maintains his recording studio, Fivestar Studios, in Echo Park, Los Angeles, which he relocated from its original location in Laurel Canyon in 2009. The space is renowned for its sound and analog recording equipment."
 helgigermany wrote:
What genre is this?

 
CS & N
Could it be about the poet and jazz musician?{#Stupid}
What genre is this?
Wow is right!
Yes, very reminiscent of Crosby and Stills at times. Overall, it's very much like music of the late '60s, early '70s. So it IS Crosby's voice!
Very appreciative that music like this is still being made.
Would have bet $10000000 this was Steven Stills from some obscure album
 
 
I am with you; clicked on song to see who Stills was singing with.  Very similar vocals and music.
 alux wrote:

Not too many musicians making quality, honest music these days?  Not sure why you say that.  I am astonished at the diversity of high-quality, honest, heartfelt music available now from the current generation of artists...especially compared to, say, the 1980s.  Trust me, I was there.  

 
"Trust" you?  Most of us were there; the average age of listeners here must be at least 45.  In every decade there were some artists making "honest, heartfelt" music, and some going for the quick money and fame.  The main reason the '80s seemed to have more of the latter was the constant exposure of those artists on MTV.  The former may not have had the exposure, but they were there.  Anyhow, it's always a subjective perception.
Listen to the wind blow, watch the sun rise.....
 alux wrote:

Not too many musicians making quality, honest music these days?  Not sure why you say that.  I am astonished at the diversity of high-quality, honest, heartfelt music available now from the current generation of artists...especially compared to, say, the 1980s.  Trust me, I was there.  

 
Amen to that.
Would have bet $10000000 this was Steven Stills from some obscure album
 
Now I have to investigate who Cecil Taylor is.
Interesting piece of music. 
Love this..  There is a strong link to CSN&Y. Personally I have listened to CSN&Y for over 50 years as well and never heard any other band LIVE that can totally silence an entire audience like them and are actually better live then any of they're recorded stuff. 
 Suziegirl62 wrote:

you can only hate CSN&Y if you're younger than 50 right this second...
 

I have tolerated CSNY more or less for over 50 years, but they never resonated with anything important to me.  Certainly I never paid to hear them.




this set is fabulous

I stop everything, listen, feel my center . . . so good          peace

Both Crosby and Nash actually contributed to this album, along with many other stalwarts of their era.  Cool project!



ScottFromWyoming wrote:

Seals & Crofts. 2.

 
CSNY still in good shape!
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:

Seals & Crofts. 2.

 
Scott: Early Seals & Crofts or CSNY indeed.

Heaven and earth collide
May the spirit's guide be the one I navigate tonight

Well I'm just another hardened set of eyes
Looking for a miracle

Never the twain shall meet
Not even Jesus and al-Salam upon the street

So now violence and intolerance
Disappear as energy

Completely alone I remember the story
We all see the thunderbolt
We all feel the glory
It moves underneath us
The river - the blood of our heart
It's been there from the
Start'

Strangers and old friends arrive
Cecil Taylor's on the White House lawn tonight

Still now hope it travels wide
Uncertain times
Listen for the miracle'

Heaven and earth collide
May the spirit's guide be the one I navigate tonight
Well I'm just another hardened set of eyes
Looking for a miracle '

When completely alone I remember the story
We all see the thunderbolt
We all feel the glory
It moves underneath us
The river - the blood of our heart
It's been there from the
Start Start Start Start
 crogers wrote:
Nice... shades of early CSNY.
 

 
Seals & Crofts. 2.
 Rick_V wrote:
GREAT to see Jonathan Wilson being played on RP! This guy is the real deal and FANFARE was my favorite album of 2013. Not too many musicians making quality, honest music like Jonathan Wilson these days.

 
Not too many musicians making quality, honest music these days?  Not sure why you say that.  I am astonished at the diversity of high-quality, honest, heartfelt music available now from the current generation of artists...especially compared to, say, the 1980s.  Trust me, I was there.  
 bam23 wrote:
The moment this station plays Cecil Taylor, the musician, will the eclectic moment of all time. His performances are nothing like this piece, although the fact that I stopped what I was doing to see who this was is worthy of note. The notes on his website mention that David Crosby and Graham Nash perform on this album, so that might explain the observed similarities to CS&N.

 
Cecil would certainly put the tic in eclectic! Some years back, went to see him at Yoshi's in Jack London Sq with my friend and his wife.  Half way through Cecil's set, my friend's wife turned to me and said "I'm really more of a James Taylor fan."  Cecil's music is the other end of the continuum from James fo' sure.
 KevinM wrote:
Sounds line CSNY, I hate CSNY, I'll give it a 3 because it is NOT CSNY

 
you can only hate CSN&Y if you're younger than 50 right this second...
Suddenly, I am helplessly hoping that I hear more of Jonathan Wilson.... So love this etheria!  Is that a word?  
Sounds line CSNY, I hate CSNY, I'll give it a 3 because it is NOT CSNY
Wow!
Wow -- Channeling Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Bigtime. Good thing I like CSN.
GREAT to see Jonathan Wilson being played on RP! This guy is the real deal and FANFARE was my favorite album of 2013. Not too many musicians making quality, honest music like Jonathan Wilson these days.

Great tune, reminiscent of the psych/folk of Crosby's If I Could Only Remember My Name ...

Must have been thrilling to have Crosby contribute ...