Return with me now to that thrilling day at Goodwill last Wednesday. Let’s wrap up my finds at Audubon first…
First of the Amazing Finds — The CDs
Jackopierce – Bringing on the Weather
Jackopierce is a band whose name I’ve heard for many years, though I don’t think I’ve actually listened to their music — until now. Here’s a bit of background, courtesy of AllMusic:
Jackopierce is primarily a duo composed of Jack O’Neill and Cary Pierce. They formed the band in 1988 at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas. Initially an acoustic duo, they later added Clay Pendergrass on bass and Earl Darling on drums in the mid-1990s. The band reunited in 2002 after a five-year breakup.
This is the pinnacle of Jackopierce. Nothing beats this album when you’re droning down the highway at midnight with a spring thunderstorm calling up ahead.
Lyle Lovett – The Road to Ensenada
Unlike Jackopierce, I already know and enjoy Lyle Lovett’s music — and this album is already in my library. From AllMusic:
Since Pontiac, Lyle Lovett has been experimenting with different sounds, whether it was the big band posturing of Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, the gospel overtones of Joshua Judges Ruth, or the ’70s singer/songwriter flourishes of I Love Everybody. With The Road to Ensenada, he hunkers down and produces his most straightforward album since Pontiac. As it happens, it’s also his best record since that breakthrough album.
Sting – If on a Winter’s Night
The Police and Sting were always more “radio bands” for me — meaning I mostly heard their music on the airwaves. But this quote made me curious:
If on a Winter’s Night… no other Christmas album exists in the head like this. It’s a holiday album for people who have never wanted to hear a holiday album, let alone own one.
That, plus the beautiful cover, made it worth picking up. Who knows? Maybe I’ve found a Christmas album I’ll actually enjoy!
Hiromi – The Trio Project: Move
Like Lovett, I already appreciate Hiromi’s music and have another album of hers in my library. This one features her killer rhythm section: Anthony Jackson on bass and Simon Phillips on drums.
Move is Hiromi’s second “Trio Project” recording and a worthy follow-up to 2011’s Voice. She describes the compositions as mirroring an average day, starting with the title track — a choppy excursion full of twists and turns. “Brand New Day” smooths things out but keeps the energy alive, and Hiromi switches between piano and analog synth on “Endeavor,” though that track feels a little more novelty than necessary.
The Verve Story: 1944–1994 – The Best of the Amazing Finds
Now this one tops the list in terms of excitement! A four-disc set with a great booklet, chronicling the legacy of Verve — one of jazz’s most iconic labels. The track list is stacked with my favorites:
- Disc 1: Oscar Peterson, Lester Young, Bud Powell
- Disc 4: Cal Tjader, Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Smith
…and so much more in between. I can’t wait to give it a proper listen.
Now for the Native American Prints…
Over the last year, I’ve started collecting Native American prints and pottery — and this Goodwill trip added two watercolor prints to my growing display.
The first is a signed piece by J.C. Madden, known for Southwest-style watercolor prints, often featuring Native American women. His work isn’t super expensive, but it was a great find — especially at a Goodwill price with 20% off!
The second piece, which my wife actually spotted, fits perfectly among my pottery display. It appears to be the work of Carol Grigg, a Cherokee artist born in 1942. She’s known for stylized paintings of Native American riders and horses, often using desert-colored pastels. Her work tends to be more collectible than Madden’s — so this was a lucky find!
Wrapping Up Audubon
That wraps up the Audubon portion of the Goodwill adventure — CDs, jazz history, and art that fits right in with my collection.
Coming Soon: Part 3, where the day continues with two amazing finds — and a genealogy discovery that ties it all together!