This is one of my favorite Baja albums, if not my top favorite. I like that Julius took took the opportunity to stretch out into jazz with this record, vs. the formula he used on all the records from Fowl Play onward.
My original idea here was to replace two or three tracks that don't fit the theme of this album with others that sound like a better fit. Based on the tracks I like, though, it's difficult to find any that fit, since tracks like "Samba for Vicky" and "Jorjana #1" both use an upright bass which gives the tracks a totally different feel.
As others said in the AotW thread for this album, "As Time Goes By" sticks out like a sore thumb. "Spanish Flea" isn't quite as awkward but to me, it still doesn't fit. Both of these fit much better on Fresh Air or Those Were the Days, to be honest, as does "Left Field." One issue I have with some of the tracks prior to this album is that the flute is constantly mirroring the melody or countermelody--the flute is a trademark of a lot of Latin American recordings, and that is out of place on a jazz-like record. So are the "mariachi" touches like the guitar or bright brass flourishes, or the bass marimba on the earliest records.
A final consideration is the overall sound of the album--the earlier albums do not sound the same as everything from Fowl Play onward, so most of the tracks from the earliest albums don't fit. Likewise, the album on Bell sounds so cheap and atrocious that I don't listen to it often; a shame, since "Here's That Rainy Day" and "Ventura" almost fit the concept.
This is harder than it seems!
The new tracks I was considering including were:
My original idea here was to replace two or three tracks that don't fit the theme of this album with others that sound like a better fit. Based on the tracks I like, though, it's difficult to find any that fit, since tracks like "Samba for Vicky" and "Jorjana #1" both use an upright bass which gives the tracks a totally different feel.
As others said in the AotW thread for this album, "As Time Goes By" sticks out like a sore thumb. "Spanish Flea" isn't quite as awkward but to me, it still doesn't fit. Both of these fit much better on Fresh Air or Those Were the Days, to be honest, as does "Left Field." One issue I have with some of the tracks prior to this album is that the flute is constantly mirroring the melody or countermelody--the flute is a trademark of a lot of Latin American recordings, and that is out of place on a jazz-like record. So are the "mariachi" touches like the guitar or bright brass flourishes, or the bass marimba on the earliest records.
A final consideration is the overall sound of the album--the earlier albums do not sound the same as everything from Fowl Play onward, so most of the tracks from the earliest albums don't fit. Likewise, the album on Bell sounds so cheap and atrocious that I don't listen to it often; a shame, since "Here's That Rainy Day" and "Ventura" almost fit the concept.
This is harder than it seems!
The new tracks I was considering including were:
- Jobim's "Wave" due to the jazz arrangement--this one is almost a perfect fit for the ATGB album.
- "Sunrise, Sunset" just due to the virtuosity. Although its sound with the electric bass feels a little awkward.
- "Here" from Fresh Air. It's low key enough to work, but it's lacking a bit of energy. And that flute...again...
- "Elenore" from Those Were The Days is a better melody than above.
- "Gnu Bossa Nova" is a Gmaybe on this one...the flute kind of distracts from the concept, but the clean arrangement still makes me wonder if it could fit.
- "Cielito Lindo" is almost a shoe-in, although it is a bit too high-strung in parts to sit well in the mix.
- "Samba Nuevo," a favorite, is almost a good fit except for that danged flute again. (Don't get me wrong, I like flutes, but the idea is a bit played out here.)
SIDE A
- Midnight Sun
- Think of Me
- Samba for Vicky
- Wave
- Two for Tea
- Here
SIDE B
- Sunrise, Sunset
- The Big Noise from Encino
- Dansero
- Elenore
- Jorjana #1
- We've Only Just Begun