1973 In Review (Jazz)
The last Faux Show presented the most popular songs of 1973, so I’ve paired it with some of the more difficult releases of the year. This show presents the experimental and adventurous sound of Jazz in 1973. Jazz in 1973 was all about fusion and experimentation. Most artists of the period were pushing jazz in a new direction and the sounds of the genre have not been the same since. There was a period where jazz experimentation tapered off in the late ’80s and ’90s, but 21st century jazz sounds much more like 1973 than 1993.
Although I would enjoy writing an epic post about this music, I’m going to do something a little bit different with the Jazz show of this 1973 series. I’m not going to discuss any of the specific records. 1973 was a year of experimentation, investigation, and fusion for jazz musicians. From some of the older legends of the music, such as Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson, to relative newcomers, no one was releasing straight jazz albums. For artists like Roland Kirk, Pharoah Sanders, and McCoy Tyner this was nothing new. For others, like Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Wayne Shorter, fusion was their wheelhouse at this point. If you are a not already a jazz fan, I refer you to my Intro To Jazz series. You will find that much more enjoyable than this 1973 Jazz show. For those who want to jump headfirst into the often difficult, always adventurous waters of Jazz music in 1973, click a link and start listening.
I didn’t attempt to select specific artists to profile, sequence these selections, or limit the playlist length. Just hit shuffle, close your eyes, and enter blindly into a world of sound. Some of it will make you groove out of your seat, some will move you emotionally, and some may give you a headache. All of it will make you understand that there was a lot more going on in music in 1973 than the #1 hits of Jim Croce, Tony Orlando, and The Carpenters.
Playlist Tracks
Just reading the names of many of these tunes makes it clear that Jazz in 1973 was very different than Jazz in 1963.
- Herbie Hancock “Chameleon” and “Hidden Shadows”
- Pharoah Sanders “Village of the Pharoahs (Part One)” and “Love Is Everywhere”
- Bley and NHOP “Carla”
- Jan Garbarek “J.E.V.”
- Donald Byrd “Lansana’s Priestess”
- Mahavishnu Orchestra “Birds of Fire”
- Keith Jarrett “Bremen, July 12, 1973, Part One”
- McCoy Tyner “His Blessings” and “Enlightenment Suite Part One: Genesis”
- Gary Burton Quartet “Four or Less”
- Gato Barbieri “Encuentros”
- Ralph Towner “Dark Spirit”
- Cecil Taylor “Choral of Voice (Elision)” and “Niggle Feuigle”
- Hal Galper “Invitation to Openness”
- The Art Ensemble of Chicago “Nonaah”
- Weather Report “Boogie Woogie Waltz”
- Rahsaan Roland Kirk “One Mind Winter/Summer/Ninth Ghost”
- Sam Rivers “Streams (Tenor Saxophone Section/Beginning of Flute Section)”
- Sonny Rollins “Pictures In The Reflection Of A Golden Ball”
- Flora Purim “Dindi”
- Billy Cobham “Quadrant 4”
- Chick Corea “Spain”
- Dewey Redman “Interconnection”
- Bobbi Humphrey “Harlem River Drive”
- Mal Waldron “Up Popped The Devil”
- Dave Holland Quartet “Conference Of The Birds”
- Oregon “Aurora”
- Joe Pass “Here’s That Rainy Day”
- Paul Motian “Georgian Bay”
- Joe Henderson “Song For Sinners”
- Frank Lowe “Brother Joseph”
- Sun Ra “Space Is The Place”
That finishes up the fifth show of this 1973 series. The next two shows will focus on funk and soul. In the meantime, as always, thanks for listening (and reading)!
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