Music Monday: Shepp, Adams, and Youth Lagoon

This week has been pretty hectic (and I know that I’m sounding like a broken record), and I didn’t listen to as much music as I’d like to have. That said, what I did listen to, I enjoyed. So, I’ll share it with you.

First, when I get stressed, I listen to Archie Shepp and early Shepp in particular. So this week, I enjoyed his 1966 live album, Live in San Francisco. His version of Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood” is simply fantastic:

For some reason I was in the mood to listen to some George Adams. I somehow got hooked on him after listening to Gil Evans Orchestra album, Plays the Music of Jimi Hendrix (1975) where he played tenor on “Little Wing”: 

It was kind of a random entry into Adams’ career, but I found that I enjoyed his single ECM offering Sound Suggestions (1979) with Jack DeJohnette and Dave Holland and Kenny Wheeler on trumpet and another tenor, Heinz Sauer whom I don’t know. 

And I’ve been enjoying Gentleman’s Agreement (1983) with regular collaborator, drummer Dannie Richmond with Jimmy Knepper on trombone rather than a bassist.

I also listened to JD Allen’s latest, The Dark, the Light, the Grey and the Colorful (2024), from last year. I’m not sure it’ll be in regular rotation, but I’m enjoying it.

Finally, I did listen to some pop music. I have a soft spot for Youth Lagoon, Trevor Powers’ alternative rock band. His new album Rarely Do I Dream (2025) is a swirling paean to suburban life. It’s worth a listen if you like his recent, more introspective stuff.