Prior to the release of "TIGHTROPE" and before
going in to record "THE BLUE MAN," I had a most difficult
decision to make. Bob James was about to leave Columbia
proper and launch a subsidiary label of his own, Tappan
Zee Records. I was offered the choice of staying with the
'big' label or moving on with Bob. Though I chose to stay
with Columbia, Bob was incredibly generous and supportive,
and helped get me the chance to produce "THE BLUE MAN"
myself. For this, and many other reasons, I remain eternally
grateful to Bob James. In concept, the recording was to
continue in the direction established by "TIGHTROPE" with
the small difference of featuring only original compositions.
I'm not exactly certain why it is, but for some reason,
THIS is the recording most musicians seem to recall and
revere from this period. Highlights for me include: Steve
Gadd's drumming on "Daily Bulls" and his solo during the
ride-out of "An Eye Over Autumn"(I remember Rick Marotta's
expression of disbelief listening to the playback, then
looking over to Steve and saying, with great love of course,
"I hate you!"); Michael Brecker's playing on "An Eye Over
Autumn"; Don Grolnick's organ solo on "Daily Bulls"; Randy
Brecker's incredible tune, "The Little Ones"; Dave Sanborn's
solo on "The Little Ones"; the accompaniment of Don Grolnick
and the bass work of Will Lee throughout. It's hard for
me to assess just how well this recording holds-up, but,
I do feel that "An Eye Over Autumn" is one of my best compositions
and the horn section work remains fantastic.
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[1] Daily Bulls(Steve Khan)(7:02) [2] The Blue Man(Steve Khan)(6:01) [3] Some Down Time(Steve Khan)(5:25) [4] The Little Ones(Randy Brecker)(5:52) [5] Daily Valley(Steve Khan)(4:52) [6] An Eye Over Autumn(Steve Khan)(8:48) |
Photo: Steve w/ The Brecker Bros. in Central Park(June '75)
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