Bob Powers

MARIETTA, OH, USA - The past week sucked.

The weather ranged from cool nights to humid days, with an occasional storm warning popping up with plenty of dark announcements from the Weather Channel. No damage, thank goodness.

We noticed that one of the cats living at the Powers household seemed lethargic and apparently had lost a considerable amount of weight. A trip to a veterinarian brought sad news. Gordy, who despite the name happens to be a female, was far more serious that we might have imagined. Her kidneys had stopped working. The veterinarian tried to get things moving again, but his efforts went for naught. As I write, Gordy probably is on her last few hours of life, her allotted number of lives having exceeded her ration.

The cat's illness comes two months after our son Bryan moved to a new apartment in New York City, an apartment that made his daily trip to work no longer require a subway ride. Bryan keeps up with the heartbreaking news about Gordy by telephone and, from his voice, I can tell that it isn't easy. Gordy has lived with Bryan since she was an energetic and playful kitten, for nine years cementing a relationship that seems about to be cut asunder.

My wife of 51 years is taking all this very hard. Betty always has considered family pets four-legged children, not just animals who make messes and freely distribute balls of fur. Our house almost qualifies as an animal sanctuary, what with our seven cats, three dogs and two parrots. 

We didn't need any new problems, thank you very much.    

During this time of high stress when the ring of the telephone sends my pulse into high gear, one thing has remained steady and comforting.

Since you're reading the words of a music columnist, you shouldn't be surprised that music has provided an escape from stress and strain.

Bobby Watson Lives and Learns

Fans of the late Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers may recognize the name of Bobby Watson, who served as musical director for Blakey's superb group. Watson, who plays alto and soprano saxophones, has a new album, "Live and Learn" (Palmetto Records).

Watson is no newbie in recording studios. He has been involved in 100 recordings, 26 as a leader. The lineup of stars he's accompanied includes such bright lights as Sam Rivers, George Coleman, Lou Rawls, Rufus and Chaka Khan.

A native of Lawrence, Kansas, Watson played clarinet in his church at the age of 13. Churches being places where souls can be nurtured, Watson's quotient of soul ranks in the bushels full.

His new album contains several apt demonstrations of his soul supply, ranging from "Thank You" to "River Jordan." Watson turns up the feeling with a contemporary gospel tune called "We Fall Down, But We Get Up."

The crew backing Watson demonstrates an affinity for what Watson seems to be trying to bring out. Orrin Evans is at the piano, with Gregg Skaff on guitar, Montez Coleman on drums, and Curtis Lundy on bass.

Watson offers an outstanding version of the Sammy Davis, Jr. favorite, "I've Gotta Be Me." Here's what he says:

"I've always enjoyed Sammy Davis singing ever since I was a young man and it has sort of become my credo: I've gotta be me. I love being Bobby Watson and I don't look to anybody else or what anybody else is doing. I'm happy with myself and am carrying on."

Jane Blackstone Pleases

Making her debut as a leader, vocalist Jane Blackstone impresses with her new album, "Natural Habitat/nyc" (Motief Records). She has the jazz voice: husky, sexy, romantic, funny, sincere, which she uses exactly as a jazz singer is obliged to do.

With jazz warblers attracting attention across the globe, Blackstone seems to have picked the prime time for her recording debut as a leader. If you don't like this package, you don't like jazz. And we feel sorry for you.

Support is ever important and Blackstone has chosen carefully and wisely. The names that will jump out on the CD are pianist Sir Roland Hanna (a special talent) and reedman Bob Mover.

Around for a long time in jazz circles, Blackstone has more than paid her dues. With any luck, "Natural Habitat/nyc" will reach a wide segment of the truly hip jazz audience.

Jazz/Rock from Greece

It's been my opinion that such hyphenated styles as jazz-rock or fusion usually wind up not satisfying the jazz crowd because there's too much rock involved. Fusion, another name for this style, will cause the "real" jazz aficionado to burst a blood vessel.

All that said the Greece-based Confusion performs jazz-rock that doesn't cause a hemorrhage for this avid jazzster. And rock fans may find the band's new album, "Genesis" a pleasant diversion.

Guitarist Achilleas Diamantis leads a group that performs with energy and a solid background of listening to the good stuff. You can obtain Confusion's album through Gnarly Geezer Records in Los Angeles or from Guitar Nine Records. Try it. You'll probably like it.

Bob Powers always is interested in hearing from record distributors who deal in jazz, rock, folk, and anything that's good. For instructions on getting your album reviewed, contact him at rpow123@charter.net.

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