“Ben Sidran Ben there, done that” by Bob Putignano

Ben Sidran
"Ben there, done that Ben Sidran Live Around the World (1975-2015) Sunset Blvd” 3-CD’s "
www.sunsetblvdrecords.com
“Ben There, Done That: Ben Sidran’s Live Around the World (1975-2015)” is a 3-CD set of previously unrele’ased live recordings handpicked by Sidran recorded in New York, Paris, Madrid, Milan, Osaka, Tokyo, Minneapolis, Madison and London between 1975-2015. Twenty-seven tracks of previously unreleased live performances from pianist, vocalist, producer, label owner, TV host and journalist Ben Sidran. These discs span forty years that includes an detailed/fact-filled informative twenty-four page booklet. The tunes are not chronologically assembled. This limited edition box-set will surely become rare and collectable as it is limited to just 3,000 copies, so when they are gone, that’s it.

While there are many standout performances like Ben’s B3 driven “The Funkasaurus” from 2009. “Hard Times” with the great Fathead Newman” from the Jazz Standard, NYC, 2008. “Minority” featuring the legendary Phil Woods also recorded at the Jazz Standard from 2007. There’s also the lighthearted, popish and catchy “Song for a Sucker like You” recorded at Governors Island, NYC, 1991. And the ultra hip and heady “The House of Blue Lights” from Madison, Wisconsin and recorded in 2001.

As a lifelong fan and having seen Sidran perform a couple of handful of times; I’ve preferred hearing Sidran’s studio sides over his live performances. Which begs the question: Hey Ben; do you have any unreleased outtakes, especially from your early Blue Thumb recordings with Blue Mitchell, Phil Upchurch, Clyde Stubblefield, Curly Cooke, the incredibly underrated sax-player Sonny Seals and perhaps a few with your early boss Steve Miller, you know the tracks I’m talking about with those infectious funky grooves? So if there might be a second edition of “Ben There, Done That - from the recording studios.” Know that I’d kill for and look forward hearing studio outtakes from those immensely historic sessions and whatever else you have to throw at us. Bring it on.

DISC ONE
, ”Birk’s Works” (3:16) — Minneapolis, KTCZ Radio Broadcast (September 19, 1975)
”The Groove Is Gonna Get You” (10:39) — Sunset, Paris (November 11, 2015)
”The Funkasaurus” (8:41) — Tokyo, Cotton Club (May 21, 2009)
”That’s Life I Guess” (4:11) — Milan, Blue Note(December 1, 2003)
”You Can’t Judge a Book” (4:32) — Milan, Blue Note(December 1, 2003)
”The House of Blue Lights” (8:12) — Madison, Jazz @ Five (July 29, 2001)
”Dying Anyway” (5:20) — Paris, Sunside (November 7, 2000)
”On the Road Again” (5:28) — Paris, Sunset (May 11, 2007)
”Revenge of the Funky Duck” (5:30) — Minneapolis Radio Broadcast (September, 1975)
DISC TWO
”Ballin’ on the Reservation” (3:02) Madrid Area Reservada (November 24, 2000)
”Blue Minor” (6:24) — Milan, Blue Note(December 1, 2003)
“Hard Times” featuring “Fathead” Newman (6:02) New York, Jazz Standard (2008)
”Minority” featuring Phil Woods (6:38) New York, Jazz Standard (October 7, 2007)
”New York State of Mind” (10:11) London, Pizza Express (December 2, 2001)
”Let’s Make a Deal / Absent Soul” (17:33) Paris, Sunside (November 7, 2000)
”Piano Players” (7:29) Paris, Sunside (November 7, 2000)
DISC THREE
”Song for a Sucker Like You” (4:41) New York, Governor’s Island (June 30, 1991)
”On the Sunny Side of the Street” (6:27) London, Pizza Express (December 2, 2001)
”Mitsubishi Boy” (5:13 Osaka, Blue Note (April 18,1991)
”Straighten Up and Fly Right” (5:28) New York, Governor’s Island (June 30, 1991)
”Lip Service” (4:41) — Osaka, Blue Note (April 18,1991)
”Walking with the Blues” (8:30) Osaka, Blue Note (April 18,1991)
”Just a Dream” (4:37) Tokyo, Cotton Club (May 21, 2009)
“Language of the Blues” (4:23) Osaka, Blue Note (April 18, 1991)
”Too Hot to Touch” (4:02) Tokyo, Quatro (April 19,1991)
”My Little Sherry” (4:35) Tokyo, Cotton Club (May 21, 2009)
“Life’s a Lesson” (2:49) Tokyo. Blue Note (November 7,1991)

Bob Putignano: Homegrown & On-Demand Sounds of Blue Radio Shows: Always on 24x7 at: www.soundsofblue.com/radioshowsmp3.htm
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