Oregon - Catania Jazz, 20 marzo 2018 - ABC

[@czeslawkoepke3330]

I don't know better guitarist then Ralph Towner. His sound is ingenious, no matter acoustic or electric guitar. And he is also great pianist. I used to listen to their music for tens of years. Note the fantastic fusion of the rennaisance and jazz music.

[@sadie7141]

Oregon isn't touring any more, due to Paul's health. This is the next-to-last show of their last tour. Which probably explains why Ralph was so fired up. He's still performing solo - but it doesn't afford him the range of expression that the band did. For those of us who've been fans since the early '70s, it's terribly sad -- but what a treat to be able to see this entire show. Many thanks for posting it.

[@ShamanMirror]

What's up with Paul's health?

[@billpardue3410]

@@ShamanMirror Apparently there are some issues (maybe age-related?) that have left him unable to play oboe, although he still plays soprano sax, bass clarinet, etc. He's was playing some live shows in California before C19 and has streamed at least one performance with a group there--so don't count him out!

[@SWH2012]

Oh, what terrible news. I didn't know this. Got to see them and meet them November 2016 here in Germany. I have been a fan since age 16, almost 30 years now... Paul will always remain one of the world's greatest melodic woodwind improvisers. Wishing him all the best with his health. Peace & blessings from Germany

[@billpardue3410]

@@SWH2012 As far as I know, he was still playing around a lot in local ensembles (pre-covid, anyway), just focusing on sax, bass clarinet, etc., so he's still got plenty of vitality, it seems.

[@WildBillCox13]

I saw Ralph with John Mclaughlan at Soldiers and Sailors hall in Oakland. They were introduced as intermission act for the Gary Burton band concert. The house lights came up and, though John tried his best (on synthesized mandolin), he got up and walked off, leaving Ralph on acoustic guitar to wow a jazz savvy audience with 30 minutes of the finest acoustic work I have ever witnessed. He was totally capable of expressing his genius without a band. And no offense meant. Not a breath, not a cough, not a fart, for 30 minutes. The absolute master of his art and craft.

[@ginkyginxy]

Paul rivoglio la magia dell' oboe...con il sax sei uno dei tanti.

[@GER_1]

These are the things that make life beautifull... Thank you from the deepest of my being!!! Keep going!!!! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You... From Chile.

[@uneedtherapy42]

Oregon has to be one of the most unique groups in jazz history.

[@jsc1227]

geniuses. I saw them once in chicago and met ralph towner in the bar next door, he told they were nearly worshiped in russia and europe, but didnt elicit the same excitement in the usa. They were truly unique i loved out in the woods and distant hills for the last 40 years now

[@uneedtherapy42]

@@jsc1227 I have thought a lot about why they never really broke through here overall. To me America went more for a "fusion" sound like Pat Metheny and such. This music was more "accessible" for rock fans and such. Oregon and all of Solstice era and such is to me a more "chamber music" jazz ensemble. There is no doubt though of the genius of Ralph. I rate him on the level of the greatest composers in history (even guys like Bach and such). He really stands alone in the use of classical and 12 string in the jazz world.

[@lapis31]

@@jsc1227 I I am 69. In my twenties, I attended a small college north of Chicago. I saw Oregon a few times at Amazing Grace in Evanston, and Harry Hopes. Now, I live in New York state. I kept hoping they would come to upstate. Alas, they never came. But when The Mavericks and At Sleep at the Wheel play the local Jazz Fest, someone is not getting it right.

[@aeropilot4419]

@@uneedtherapy42 I agree with you about the chamber aspect of their music … appreciation takes a long attention span, something most Americans don’t have

[@aeropilot4419]

@@lapis31 lol, so right … that sucks

[@united4music]

Nice to see them still doing their beautifull music

[@suonatoreincognito1057]

Devo moltissimo agli Oregon da quando, giovane oboista, ho assistito ad un loro concerto negli anni '80!

[@parkmontsouris4381]

Ralph Towner, always so great.

[@nwild4686]

I've loved their music for many years and I also have much of their work both records and c.d.s too but I cannot say I've heard them playing such obvious reggae before !?!? GREAT MUSIC including this here it ain't easy when energy level's diminish considerably after the age of sixty SO I think this is a superb effort and it's a real privilege to see and hear it.

[@ludofeyaerst]

Quanti viaggi in macchina in compagnia degli Oregon.

[@johnpedicone7795]

My favorite musical group. Thanks for posting.

[@bigfootpegrande]

Grazie!

[@ricardoleon6142]

Thank You very much for sharing this video. One of the Best music groups ever.

[@mv8141]

Oh I missed out. I had just really found out about them in the last few years. I've been dying to see them too. Well, all the best. I will continue to cherish everything they've made and be glad their music found me. Thank you so much for posting this

[@cosmicpickle6562]

Among other things, I love how Mark really seems to be enjoying himself here......

[@bodhichitananda]

yes, he's really come into his own, very impressive.

[@r.a.burkart8628]

😢😮❤

[@adolfocappellari8149]

Gruppo ultradecennale di alta qualità dal primo momento che li ho sentiti. Grazie

[@danielecosta958]

Bravissimi!

[@ArielAr]

Grazie !!!!!! many thanks for sharing !!!!!

[@yessicaburgosreyes4778]

Exquisiteces grande.

[@patpao6933]

grazie. bellissimo

[@haimlute]

Lovely, lovely & lovely!!!

[@christiaandejong]

Thanks Oregon!

[@smogzquartet5288]

What an incredible performance, thanks for sharing!

[@aeropilot4419]

Should have heard them 30-40 years ago … incredible

[@arnowinkelmann9495]

Hi Mark, how are you? Last time I saw you was in Cologne. Great concert- although I miss Glen!

[@hiltonbarcelos6527]

wonderful! thanks!

[@pekkatiainen1502]

Again...I found Oregon and Witchi-tai-to. It is one of the best melodies ever. Wondering, what might the best version...So sorry about Oregon.

[@harryh9922]

I really like the version on their album "Live at Yoshi's" check it out.

[@idamolaro6073]

emozionante

[@ustada4809]

Awesome!!!

[@stephenhall1697]

Oregon has been great through all of their member transitions over the years. They need to come out with Beyond Words II, a compilation of their best work from the second half of their career. And like Beyond Words (1995), they need to do new live recordings. Find a nice church apse, set up and record new live versions. (Paul was touring the first half of last year (2022) so maybe his health has returned.) This great vid is Oregon's last show from 2018. I know Towner and McCandless were touring and performing last year so there must be other reasons for their retirement, break-up, demise? Long live avant-garde, free form, improvisational jazz!

[@billpardue3410]

I think Paul's in good general health (or haven't heard otherwise). I just think that the oboe is out of the picture--he's pretty much sax and bass clarinet, which is still good.

[@haizeagerian6654]

Egungo OREGON (Ralph Towner, Paul Mc Candless, Mark Walker & Paolino Dalla Porta), beti bezalako finak eta artista-musikoak. Beti izan da plazer bat zuek ikus-entzutea zuzenean edo diskan, banaka edo batera. Izan untsa!

[@jeffreyfadden]

Can someone put the song list up?? Thx for posting!

[@robscheps7722]

1. If 2. Anthem 3. The Glide 4. As She Sleeps 5. The Creeper 6. ?

[@johnpedicone7795]

Witchi-Tai-To (Their biggest hit) - final song

[@lesdouzilles]

The piece before Witchi-Tai-To is the eponymous 'In Stride' of one of their Cds.

[@jeffreyfadden]

Song listing??

[@Bodlak008]

The tunes are: 1) If (by Ralph Towner; album: Prime) 2) Anthem (by Ralph Towner; album: Oregon in Moscow) 3) The Glide (by Ralph Towner; album: Lantern) 4) As She Sleeps (by Ralph Towner; album: In Stride) 5) Creeper (by Ralph Towner; album: Family Tree) 6) Aeolus (by Ralph Towner; album: In Stride) 7) Duende (by Ralph Towner; album: Lantern) 8) The Water Is Wide (trad., arr. by Paul McCandless; album: Lantern) 9) Free Improv (Oregon) 10) In Stride (by Ralph Towner; album: In Stride) 11) Witchi-Tai-To (by Jim Pepper; on more albums, e.g. Out of The Woods) Besides piano and acousic and electric guitars, Ralph Towner also plays the synthesizer. Paul McCandless plays the soprano and sopranino saxes, English horn, bass clarinet, pipes and a flute which could be the bansuri.

[@docscott123]

@@Bodlak008 Thank you for this! I'm a long-time fan but haven't seen them live for years. I still miss Collin terribly.

[@Jozz_Music]

@@Bodlak008 Looks like an overtone flute. Jan Garbarek has been known to play one. He also plays a penny whistle in the free improvisation.

[@cfibanez]

@@docscott123 Mark Walker must surely be one of the most predictable drummers out there. This music is at a totally different level. I never liked his playing. Too mainstream. He should just have stuck with salsa.

[@georgewatts5505]

@@Bodlak008Thank you!

[@robertbeleville6766]

BONSOIR CE QUE J ENTENDS MELAÎT JE SIDE AU2 DUGROUPE-MAURICE A SAINT-LÉOORS RÉSIDENC EPO RETRAITÉS JE CONSILERAI QUE L ON VOUS INVITE ...

[@chrisisland7792]

Anathem (L)

[@jimclark9826]

I was enjoying this concert until they started playing outside music at about an hour into the show. Sorry, I can’t listen to music that tries to be repellent. It’s disappointing to hear this from such a great band I’ve loved so long. (I tried ages ago to listen to this kind of stuff but quit.)

[@jasonstringer7701]

Used to.love them in the early years....but this show is pathetic...percussionist is a joke..y all kniw that...but no one would ever admit it. A bit like keith richard' s solos from the last ten years

[@user-ev2wj7tk9n]

the percussion are too loud, that's all. but it's a concert, so the balance isn't always perfect. also, the sound has changed from their '70s heydays, it's more jazzy (i think at least). the ethnic elements pretty much disappeared together with walcott.

[@alanwindsor6383]

I think you are wrong there. Remember and forget the early years. They are playing beautifully.

[@aeropilot4419]

@Jason Stringer I think the truth lies between yours and Alan’s comments … age has certainly taken its toll with both Ralph and Paul, no doubt … sadly, the loss of Colin was almost too much to bear if you were a fan of the early group (as I was) but Trilok made the transition palatable, and made the music change into a more forceful expression for the entire group. Mark is neither here nor there for me in this context, tho I like his drumming on Paul’s excellent solo release, Premonition. I feel the retirement of Glen was the final straw, however … the breaking of the thread that led back to the quirkiness of the younger days was a noticeable change in energy. Kudos to them, tho, still playing whenever they can 🙌🏼