Today's diaappointment:
Nancy Wilson / Cannonball Adderley -- NANCY WILSON & CANNONBALL ADDERLEY
12 Songs. 7 Vocals and 5 instrumentals.
Wilson does a good job on 'Save Your Love for Me' and 'The Masquerade is Over'. The others are very forgettable.
I am not sure this is even a Jazz recording. Her voice is superb, but the songs don't say anything.
I can't even imagine when or where a person would have to go to hear this type of music live. Surely not a Jazz night club or concert hall.
Sometimes music can be a little too uptown, hip, cool, New York-ish and sophisticated. This is one of those times.
Cannonball and the quintet are great as usual. This is considered his best group. Only Lateef is absent.
I would take, over the hill Carmen McRae, any day over the music on this CD. Recorded in 1960.
This is the only Nancy Wilson I have on CD. I remember her from the song, 'Guess Who I Saw Today'. I think that was one of her best efforts. It's not on this CD. Too bad.
Cheers |
Today's Gem and History Lesson:
Everyone who was Anyone -- THE FIRST ESQUIRE CONCERT
To name a few: Tatum, Eldridge, Armstrong, Holiday, Hawkins, Bigard, and many more. Recorded at the MET in NYC in 1944. The event was part of a War Bond drive.
The sound quality is remarkable considering the time and place. Since it went out on radio, we are inflicted with a 'Master of Ceremonies'. This one is not as bad as some I have heard.
The liner notes are very interesting and hilarious at the same time. The writer says a few words about each performer.
When got to Billie, he says she can only be 'termed'(?) with Bessie Smith, and "ELLA FITZGERALD, THE WOMAN JAZZ SINGER"!! hahahahahahahahah This was really back in the day.
Roy Eldridge was 70 when this was recorded!!!! I think playing trumpet was a lot harder pre be-bop.
The event gets better as it goes. Lionel Hampton sort of jump-starts things with 'flying home'.
This CD is worth it just for historical reasons. To hear these magicians in their prime.
The sound of the applause is distorted and is abruptly ended. There are a few glitches in the editing process, but these things are very minor compared what is recorded here. The music is never affected.
Got to Amazon for a full list of the players. I see there is a second concert recorded in 1947. 2-CD set. I got my copy in Austin years ago for $2.98.
I think I was introduced to this one in 'Stereo Review'.
Check it out.
Cheers |
Words matter.
"Embodies" was a bad choice of words. Change that, and I have no problem with anything else he wishes to say.
But, you cannot say a player can 'embody' a tune written by a great composer, on his death bed, and written for players of whom he had a very intimate knowledge as people and players.
He knew who would play his work. You can't get around that. He wrote many tunes for the Ellington Band.
Now if you like Getz, fine! Liking Getz' version is a valid 'OPINION'. Just leave the 'embodied' thing out of it.
And lastly, this place is more of a conversation, than the usual "audiophile Thread". NOTHING here has to be better, or worst, than anything else. It's all good.
Now as the OP said, lets consider the CASE CLOSED, lest we become like the rest of Audiogon.
Cheers |
Today's Listen:
Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington --
THE COMPLETE LOUIS ARMSTRONG & DUKE ELLINGTON SESSIONS
Armstrong(vocal, trumpet),Ellington(p),Bigard(c)Trummy Young(tb), Mort Herbert(b), Danny barcelona(d)
This is amazing. 17 tunes. All written by Ellington and ALL are now, instantly recognizable standards. What other musician could even attempt this?
When you listen to this CD it makes all other players seem just a little bit lesser. Now we are really hearing musical greatest. Closer to the holy grail.
Seems as if the closer you get to the source, the less clutter. Everything just seems clearer and simpler. It seems as if Duke's music was made, to be sung by Armstrong.
What a voice!
Armstrong sings and plays on almost all of the tunes. Starts with a swinging 'Duke's Place' and ends with a beautiful 'Azalea'. Nothing but magic in between.
Curiously, no saxophone appears.
Ain't got it? Why Not?? Go to your room!!!
Cheers |
*****Rok, have you noticed that many of the tunes reviewed on this thread, were also in the compilation?******
Yep. They cherry picked, but that's just fine with me.
I think you are right about the Ornette Coleman thingy. I never play his CDs, but he sounded good on this set.
Today's Playlist:
Vladimir Horowitz -- THE 1982 ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL RECITAL
music by Chopin,Rachmaninov,Scarlattie,Schumann and Scriabin
Not Jazzz, but I understand Horowitz liked Jazz, so just view this as a plug for a fellow 'aficionado'.
Playing For Change -- SONGS AROUND THE WORLD
Great stuff, if you listen to the CD. The DVD is sort of distracting.
The Langley Schools Music Project -- INNOCENCE & DESPAIR
The GREATEST ROCK CD EVER!! Puts all those over-bearing, over-paid, no talent, Rockers to shame!!
Cheers |
O-10:
Jackson and Hutcherson -- Jazz Baltica 99
WOW!! I loved it! There is absolutely no substitute for SEEING these magicians at work! These were serious players, playing Jazz. This clip is even better than the Gene Harris double Piano clip.
Did you notice the glances exchanged between Milt and Hutcherson as they ended their solos? On 'Bags Groove' I thought Milt's glance said, "you do know who 'Bags' is? don't ya!" hahahahahahhahhahah
But it was great all around. We are so fortunate now to have this stuff, and hopefully forever.
Delilah -- It was good also. I thought they played it just a tad too long. It sort of petered out rather than ended. It might have been no longer than the other concert, it just seemed longer. Smoother? :(
I only have two CDs by Hutcherson. His first as a leader,'dialogue', and 'Color Schemes'. I also have him with 'The Timeles All-Stars' and Eric Dolphy's 'Out to Lunch'.
I think he tap danced around the avant garde stuff for a while. He seemed to be with Dolphy and Andrew Hill a lot.
But on these clips he was back in the groove. Had seen the error of his ways and was bopping once again. Redemption!!
Thanks for the clips. Great stuff!
What was the difference between the two player's vibraphones?
Cheers |
Today's Listen:
Christian McBride Trio -- OUT HERE
McBride(b), Christian Sands(p), Ulysses Owens jr(d)
Jazz Lives!! Old-timers like me live for these rare moments.
I knew I was in for a treat when I saw the first tunes were ' Ham Hocks & Cabbage ' and 'Hallelujah Time' :)
9 Tunes. No weak tracks. Who is this piano player, and where has he been hiding? His playing on 'hallelujah time' is just awesome. McBridge plays the Bass using the bow on this and other tracks.
I think even the Frogman would be impressed with the intonation and articulation of this bass playing.
They do an awesome 'My Favorite Things'. Is there any tune more suitable for Jazz improvisation?? It's almost impossible to screw up this tune. And they nailed this version. Love it!
A unique 'Cherokee' is also on the CD. They end the session with a killer 'who's making love'. Seems as if this set started and ended in the Delta!
Great playing all around. This bodes well for the future of Jazz.
The cover photo is great. Serious players, and young ones at that, playing serious music. No faded jeans with holes in the knees, here!
The recording quality equals the quality of the performance. Without fault.
You know you gotta have it. Check it out. I will have to see what else they have recorded.
Cheers |
I meant to write this 'review' last night, but I had this terrific headache. I NEVER have headaches! Then I thought, maybe The O-10 is messing with those Voodoo dolls of his. In the future, I will be more prudent when addressing The O-10. A hint to the wise!
Today's Listen:
Sonny Clark -- LEAPIN' AND LOPIN'
Clarke(p), Ike Quebec & Charlie Rouse (ts), Tommy Turrentine(t), Butch Warren(b), Billy Higgins(d)
Clark's last session as leader. Some feel his best effort.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable CD. The playing and the the tunes are just spot on.
Tommy Turrentine, older brother of Saxman stanley, is a find for me. Excellent trumpet playing and tone. Had not heard him before. And We all know about Rouse with Monk, but there is a lot more to him than that, as his soloing on this CD demonstrates.
I think Clarke died when he was 31/32. What a waste. I love his playing. When you think of all the greats we lost in their 20's and 30's, it's just a shame. What could have been.
Ike just sits in on the tune 'deep in a dream'. The only ballard and maybe the highlight of the CD. That and 'voodoo' were my favorites.
This is one of the better hard bop Blue Note sessions. Everything was just 'right'. Absolutely no irritants.
If you are a Sonny Clark fan, then you must have this. It is for sure him at the top of his game.
If you just like Jazz, then you ought to have it. Along with his, 'Sonny's Crib' and 'Cool struttin'
Cheers |
To anyone:
(1) Do all symphony Orchestras utilize the same seating arrangement? I.E. are all the different instruments seated in the same place relative to the conductor in all orchestras?
(2) Are all memebers permanent? What about instruments that may not have parts in most symphonies. Harp? Are they full time employees?
(3) And lastly, this has been driving me nuts. Both BBC and Gramophone magazines have a monthly article where they discuss and make recommendation on a particular piece of music. They will review several performances and give their take on each, including ones to avoid.
While reading one of these articles I THINK, I read the following. "and for those of you that DEMAND THAT EVERY NOTE BE PLAYED", they then named a CD.
I think it was Paganini. My question is this: Is it ever 'acceptable' or permitted, or even expected, that all of the notes of ANY piece of music will not be played? Even by a soloist.
Cheers |
****Rok, I can feel that this is going down a treacherous road (for an Internet discussion).*****
Won't happen. I no longer do treacherous roads. I now rely on my irresistible logic!!
******Exactly!! The notion that a player like Lytle deserves to be mentioned more than Goodman is, with all due respect, somewhat absurd.*******
That would be absurd, but, that is not what I said. We were talking of Lytle's clips, and our comments or thoughts on those clips. Goodman was a different thing altogether. Came up in your response to my 'review' of Goodman's CD. If Lytle was a baseball player, he would be a journeyman at best.
*****THAT, my friend, is why it's not possible to "know too much"; and why knowing a little is a dangerous thing. It's fine to always fall back on the comfort of "subjectivity", but in the broad scheme there is, in fact, a nut-and -bolts way judging any music's merit.*****
No one is falling back on anything. There may be a nuts and bolts way to judge music. I am sure they use this in all the major music schools. I am sure all the pros use this method to play and to judge their peers.. BUT, the PUBLIC / AUDIENCE decides who, and what is great. And all they, the public, has to know is, I like it, or, I don't like it. Exasperating, but true.
*****All this music was part of the melting pot, and part of the "continuum"; and it it certainly is "jazz".*****
This may be the root cause of all our 'discussions'. I think you see Jazz as 6 lane super highway running in both directions, with many exit and entry points. I see it as a path being hacked thru an almost impenetrable jungle. The newbies entering at the beginning, and the greats, up front doing the hacking. You are on the path or you are lost.
*****I could not have said it better myself.*****
Then we really have no disagreement.
As always, your posts are informative, spoken from a position of knowledge, and greatly appreciated.
Cheers |
O-10:
Page 93. WTF? :) Also, on page 96 there is an entry from an 'Ali Jackson'. There is player on my Dee Dee Bridgewater CD 'Live At Yoshi's' named Ali Jackson(d). I wonder if they are kin.
What do they mean when they say "I wish I could play the music in my head"? Is it that, they can't get what's in their head to come out of the instrument, or is it that, what's in their head would not be accepted in that current Jazz enviroment?
After reading a lot of the comments, it has occurred to me that most of these guys were still trying to 'make it' in Jazz. After I understood that, a lot of the Wishes were more understandable.
It appears as if Monk LIVED at the cathouse! Platonically of course! :)
In the same shipment I also received a CD by Cannonball Adderley titled, 'PHENIX' I have never seen or heard this Cannonball! His 'Bitches Brew'???? Will report soon.
Cheers |
Today's Listen:
Marcus Roberts -- ALONE WITH THREE GIANTS
Marcus Roberts Plays Solo Piano. The Three Giants are, Ellington, Monk and Jelly Roll Morton. All tunes are by these great players.
All 15 tunes are well known standards. Only three by Morton. :( The Ellington and Monk tunes are among their best. No filler here.
Roberts is out of New Orleans and it shows. Players from New Orleans seem to have a unique knowledge and feel for the music. Exquisite piano playing!!
The surprise to me was jelly Roll Morton's 'Crave'. Outstanding tune and playing. In this tune you can hear the shape of the music to come. Not sure if it was Roberts or Morton, but it gets a little Monk-ish! Great song!.
Excellent recording. No Faults. Solo piano can get tedious sometimes, but not here. This music will grab and hold you throughout.
I have notice that the closer we get to the source, New Orleans, the more songs with 'blues' in the title. A little food for thought, for my modernist / Internationalist friends, who never miss a chance to throw The Blues under the bus. :)
As a bonus to a certain Aficionado, the CD includes Monk's 'Pannonica". :)
Cheers |
Today's Listen:
Betty Carter & Ray Bryant -- MEET BETTY CARTER AND RAY BRYANT
Ray Bryant Trio: Bryant(p), Wendell Marshall(b), Philly Jo Jones(d).
This CD consists of three different recording dates. !9 tracks in all. 1-4 Carter backed by a large group, these tunes are from her album 'Social Call', 5-11, she is backed by Bryant's group, and on 12-19, Bryant's Trio without Carter.
Recorded in 1955-56. Very young players. Nice photos. They look like they looked in Nica's book.
Very good performances. I liked the tunes by the Trio without Carter the best. Nothing against her, she was great, but Bryant could really do his thing better without the vocals. This player is really steeped in the Blues. Very dynamic player. One of my favorites. Never makes a bad record.
Mostly standards. Very nice 'Moonlight in Vermont', but, as good as she did it, Billie has made that tune hers and hers alone. Good sound quality. Perfect for late night listening.
The liner notes say this is Bryant's first recording. This was sort of like an introduction to the Jazz public. Recorded the same year the 12" LP was introduced.
My first Jazz Album, if memory serves, was Ray Bryant's 'Slow Freight'. Still have the LP, but no CD!!
Recommended.
Cheers |
*****Kathleen Battle sure is pretty, I'd rather look at her than hear her sing; but that's the "subjective" opinion of a jazz aficionado. ******
Mercy Lord, Mercy!!
Cheers |
The Frogman:
******The idea that disregard for, lack of interest, or ignorance of that aspect of music is somehow a higher calling, or that it leads to a deeper emotional connection to music is simply mistaken.*******
I love it when you make your 'teaching points'. But in this case, no one has taken the position you stated. We all appreciate the 'nuts & bolts'. It's what makes Music, Music. Without them, music would just be a random collection of sounds. There could be no such thing as 'genre'. But we do get your point.
I guess it boils down to which is more important to the consumer. Since most of us wouldn't know 'nuts & bolts' if they fell on us. :)
In my field, we would call it being schooled in the military arts. Just having a lot of men and weapons is not enough. You must know when and how to deploy them.
As always, you just don't talk, you inform.
Cheers |
The Frogman:
Oh My! Seems as if we have finally come full circle. I remember back in the beginning of this thread, or the one that preceeded it, I was attacked from all sides for saying I thought Jazz needed 'defending'. All I got was:
BOO!! HISS!! OUTRAGE!! DEFENDED FROM WHAT!?!? IDIOT!!
Seems as if you are now 'defending' Muscians and Muscianship. They do need defending!! I know the feeling.
All your comments are right on target, IF, I said IF, this were a class at a music school. Or, if this was a thread consisting of Jazz players, or just Musicians in general. I said many months ago that you would eventually be bored with the comments made on this thread. I think I said, 'bored to tears'.
This entire thread is about what we like, or don't like. Musical expertise has nothing to do with it. It's all based on emotion. If it does not grab you, or connect with you, what difference does it make how well the player can play the instrument?
Based on your argument, Maurice Andre could have been the greatest Jazz trumpet player in history. The fact that he didn't/couldn't play Jazz is not important. He for sure had the N&Bs.
The question is this: Which way makes for a more interesting thread? After all, we are just here to TALK about the music we love, and to be exposed to, or turned on to, music we are not aware of.
Great Jazz, might have great N&B's, but great N&B's, does not always make great Jazz.
When you say Harrell played a classic Bebop solo on the clip, I say, so what? I didn't like it. And, judging by his place in Jazz history, and CD/LP sales, I am not alone! Remember, these players of today still have to COMPETE with the all-time greats. Miles' and Hubbard's CDs are in the same rack as Harrell's.
Was Miles among the best when it came to N&Bs? I don't know. It does not matter. My ears, his reputation, and his place in the history of Jazz tell me, it does not matter!
BTW, I would say that the opinions on this thread are much more 'justified' and 'backed up', than those on ANY OTHER THREAD on the entire Audiogon site.
None of this is personal to me. Enjoyed your post.
Cheers |
***** "Who you gonna satisfy with that little thing", and he replied with great gusto, ME!*****
Well, if I had known they were a bunch of blabber mouths, I would not have gone there in the first place. I'll take my business elsewhere in the future. But the girls were from Nawlins, and the piano player was the second coming of Jelly Roll!! Great stuff all around!!
Masx Roach from the book:
"wishes would be a superfluous luxury for me, because I have everything I desire. That's the most important thing in the world."
Do you think his music, and playing, reflect that contentment?
Max Roach seemed to come across as more 'sophisticated' or educated, than the average guy at Nica's. For sure a better dresser. But that could be a function of finances.
Cheers |
O-10:
Great photos of Gray with Goodman and other greats. He held his sax similar to the way Lester Young held his.
http://search.aol.com/aol/imageDetails?s_it=imageDetails&q=wardell+gray&v_t=keyword_rollover&b=image%3Fq%3Dwardell%2520gray%26s_it%3Dkeyword_rollover%26ie%3DUTF-8%26VR%3D3430%26oreq%3D7412f975cac8485fa70fb1c4a83bf4d1&img=http%3A%2F%2Fwardellgray.org%2Fimages%2FBennyGoodmanRayBrownWardellGrayChuckWayneStanHassegard.jpg&host=http%3A%2F%2Fwardellgray.org%2Fphotogalleryp2.html&width=99&height=75&thumbUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ft2.gstatic.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcR3i2X7lwzPBtlXqtKKVq0t1ZWzLK0VdBORw_OdMUm4RDepNcUDRQp5iN0&imgWidth=863&imgHeight=657&imgSize=386869&imgTitle=wardell+gray
Cheers |
O-10:
Classical recommendations, to get you started.
Orchestral:
Beethoven 5&7 - Wiener Philharmoniker / Carlos Kleiber
Beethoven 9th - Wiener Philharmoniker / Karl Bohm with Jessye Norman, Brigitte Fassbaender and Placido Domingo
Mozart - There is just so much here!! But you gotta start somewhere. Two that I own: Symphonies 25,26,27,29 & 32 Academy of St Martin-in-the Fields / Neville Marriner
And Symphonies 35 - 41, Berliner / Karl Bohm. Mozart's symphonies were short compared to most others.
Chamber:
I would recommend any one of the Mozart 'Philips Duo' series. You get a composer's 'complete' works on two cds, for the price of one. Such as complete violin concertos, or complete Piano sonatas etc.... On the Philips label. Top tier performers and performances. Best bargains in Classical music. Found on Amazon.
That should hold you until your next be-bop attack!
These recommendations are not meant to be the definitive performances. And are just two, of many, many, Classical Composers. Just a good starting place.
Remember this, A true Jazz Aficionado, will love classical music also. :)
Cheers |
Learsfool:
****The problem is the guy who has the music would want to play, and he kinda sucks, so, my friend doesn't want him to play, so he won't loan us the music. Sigh.****
Nothing better than starting the day off with a good laugh! I had to LOL when I read that statement. Haven't heard of that since my play-ground days. It always Seemed as if the guys that could not play very good, owned the ball. Must be a natural law.
Thanks for all the info, esp about the trumpets. I may have asked about the composers before, but I needed to hear it again, to be sure!! No wonder they are called Geniuses.
I looked at the DVD again, and the guy in the headset is there. Right next to the Bassoon players. When the camera zoomed in on the bassoons, there he was. I guess it was some tech thingy since the program was being recorded in audio and video. But he was dressed in white tie. They were playing "Troika", from Lieutenant Kije, if that would mean anything. The DVD was "A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert"
On the Karajan New Years concert in Vienna, when the camera panned the audience, I was surprised at the number of people that did not applaud after each number. Just set there. After all, this was KARAJAN!!
Thanks again
Cheers |
Is everyone familiar with the 'JAZZ ICONS" DVD series? New to me, and it appears to be great. Check it out on Amazon and you tube it also.
This is one by Quincy Jones with big band. On this one we get everything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmpwWYLMxYA
A French Horn errr excuse me, Horn.
Two females, one on piano and Melba Liston on Trombone
Phil Woods when he was younger and much, much slimmer
The tunes 'Moanin', (should make the OP happy), 'Lester leaps in' and several more good ones.
This series seems to be worth checking out. Nice one by Monk aand others also.
Cheers |
O-10:
I have Dinah singing the Fats Waller songbook. Also a great CD of her singing with Brook Benton. "one more time brook" hahahahah I love to hear her say that.
What is the correct name of the song: 'What a difference a day MAKES ' or 'what a difference a day MADE '? I have accused the woman of mispronouncing that word for years.
The 100 best set lists the name as what a difference a day made!
Cheers |
O-10:
These will bring you on board for sure!
Three great clips of Gergiev with the LSO and Vienna. Note the change in his appearance from each performance.
On the 'Scheherazade, he looked as if he had slept in his suit. Needed a haircut / shave, and forgot his baton. Someone should have pulled him aside. :) On Bolero he just looks weird and on Romeo & Juliet he plays it safe and goes Nehru.
BOLERO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODeNHRtVNO4
Scheherarade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQNymNaTr-Y
Romeo & Juliet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxj8vSS2ELU
Outstanding Camera work on all three!! Outstanding playing!! I love to watch these folks play. Great shots of the Sax player on Bolero. The LSO wins the BABE battle hands down!! I think the LSO performances were taken at the PROMS. Great stuff!!
Cheers |
*****Rok, here is the most classic "Begin The Beguine".****
Not bad. I heard a few of his during my search. On several he seemed to be getting ready for the Ed Sullivan show, and I wanted to hear him jamming in Havana!!
Thanks
Cheers |
The Frogman:
ahahahahahahah I have to laugh out loud. This is getting to be ridiculous.
I will try again.
We were having a conversation in which you offered a definition of Jazz. A definition that I have absolutely no problem with!!
Before you stated the definition, you made a comment about people saying things like, "I know it when I hear it", and Implied that that was too easy. Sort of like a cop-out.
In respoding to your post, I attempted to show that a piece of music could meet your written definition of Jazz, and NOT BE JAZZ! That's what I meant, when I stated that, hearing it being of the upmost importance. (know it when you hear it).
The point of the bluegrass piece was to show that this was an example of such a piece of music.
I play it often and have always felt it had a lot of Jazz elements in it. I said it COULD meet your definition.
You said it does have improvisation, but does not meet the definition due to the lack of complexity and sophistication of the music, and interaction between the players. I said that these qualities could be a matter of degree or opinion. i.e. maybe the bluegrass players consider their music fairly complex etc....
I did not say, or mean to imply that the bluegrass piece was Jazz, just to show, that a written definition, no matter how well constructed, cannot be the final answer.
The music must be HEARD! Or maybe in the case of a pro, looked at on paper.
The Hancock piece. I listened to it again. At least 12 minutes of it. 12 minutes I will never get back.
The dynamic range thingy. Don't stoop to 'gotcha' audiophile techniques. You knew what I meant.
I think I didn't like it because of the electronic keyboards and the electric bass. And that mind-numbing repetition of the rhythm section.
It does not sound muffled, bad word, it sounded like what I said, Booker T. No disrepect to Booker T. Memphis Soul. Stax. I love music, but I got tired of listening to it. Maybe it got better later on. I will concede that possibility. I am sure his shoes were appropiate to the music being played. Maybe some horns joined later.
Music genres with hypenated names is used to create new catagories or new genres of established music genres, so that the noise makers can play. And get awards. And make money.
We really have no disagreement.
I will now go into Chief Joseph Mode, and fight no more, forever.
Cheers |
****He is a great instrumentalist and a great ambassador for jazz; but he has added little to the evolution of jazz. His undeniable and great contribution is of the "museum" type. "Layla" with Clapton? Please, are you serious? I would respectfully suggest that you are letting your admiration for the man and everything that he represents influence your perception of his musical relevance.*****
you seem to be sayin that 'evolution' must mean improvement. I disagree. I think we could say that Philip Glass has had a hand in the 'evolution' of classical music. Along with a few more of the 20th century 'composers'. I think the masters, Mozart, LvB, Bach and those type people, are resting in their graves just fine. Feeling very secure. As are Armstrong, Ellington, Morgan, Mingus, Adderely et al. Evolution or not, the great stuff will be relevant forever. The Chaff will be blown away in due time.
Layla: Great arrangement? Yes!! Is it complex? Profound? Game changer? Probably not. Did / do I enjoy listening to it? Absolutely!! As I do 'just a closer walk with thee'. I was in Nawlins while they were playing that! :) The guy on clarinet!! Wow! I am somewhat surprised that you do see it. If I may respectfully suggest, sometimes maybe you are a little too analytical. Stop thinking about it, and just let it wash over you. Now I could try to be 'hip' and trash it, and profess my love of stuff like Bitches Brew or Late Coltrane. But I would be lying. As you know, You can find magic in music anywhere. Just a few notes that make you say, out loud, YES! There are quite a few of those moments on the Marsalis / Clapton CD. I will now order the DVD.
I will address your other points tomorrow.
Cheers |
Things I listened to Today:
Keith Jarrett -- THE KOLN CONCERT
Tour de force. Quite an accomplishment for a full CD of unaccompanied Jazz piano.
Howlin' Wolf -- THE CHESS BOX CD #2
Warning!! This is the real blues. Might be a little raw for some. One of the all time great bluesmen. All of his best stuff is on the Chess Box 3-CD set. A Must have fort any blues lover.
Labi Siffre -- SO STRONG
Exceptional songs. Great and unique voice. Not a weak track on the disc. This is an example of great song writing.
Modern Jazz Quartet -- MJQ & FRIENDS
Typical MJQ, which means, very good. They play each tune with a different 'friend'.
I higly recommend them all.
In the ionterest of full disclosure, when I played the MJQ disc, on the tune 'All the things you are' I had to get up and go read the notes to see who was on sax. Turned out it was Phil Woods!! Grrrrrrrrr. He can play. Beautiful tone and phrasing.
Cheers |
Today's Playlist:
Ornette Coleman -- SOUND MUSEUM HIDDEN MAN
Not nearly as irritating as I thought it would be. This stuff must be growing on me. BUT, I do think music like this should be 'explained' in the liner notes.
Coleman played Sax, Violin and Trumpet!! His playing was so compelling to me, I just forgot all my preconceived notions about his music. I did recognize "what a friend we have in Jesus"
There is a 'companion' CD to this one entitled 'Sound Museum Three Women'. It contains the same tunes plus one more!?!? Enough for one day, I will listen to the Three Women later.
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis / Harry "Sweets" Adison / Al Grey --
JAZZ AT THE PHILHARMONIC 1983
These greats are not so much playing as having a nice, relaxed (perfect tempo), conversation. The interplay between them is just awesome. Just great! Perfect? Nothing to say, you must hear it. A must have!
This is Jazz at it's best.
Chico Freeman -- DESTINY'S DANCE
This is as 'modern' as Jazz needs to be. Modern but still Jazz. Wynton Marsalis on trumpet. A young Wynton, the notes say. Recorded in 1981, so I googled Wynton to see how old that would make him. Born 1961 so he was 20 on this recording. While I was on the Wiki page I read his entry. WOW!!! Is there any award or honor this man has not received?? I mean world wide.
Please take a moment ro read this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wynton_Marsalis
For a good laugh, don't miss the section entitled CRITICISMS. I was laughing out loud for real. What a bunch of jerks. The envy and jealousy is almost palpable.
Required reading for all Wynton Bashers!!
Cheers |
At last, a trumpet player with whom I can relate :) I sounded just like that in high school :) Very 'interesting' clip.
I have at least two CDs with Lester Bowie.
Malachi Thompson & Africa Brass -- BUDDY BOLDEN'S RAG featuring Lester Bowie
and
Roscoe Mitchell Sextet -- SOUND
When I first glanced at your post, I thought I would pull them out and listen to them. After listenting to your clip, I am now afraid to listen to them. :) But, 'Buddy Bolden's Rag' should be safe. That's Nawlins!!
Both CDs are on the DELMARK label. That label is mostly associated with Chicago-based Blues artists. The Junior Wells and Buddy Guy crowd. Seems like an unlikely label for this type music.
Good Clip.
Today, I just made a Joyful noise.
The Fairfield Four -- STANDING IN THE SAFETY ZONE
Canticleer -- WHERE THE SUN WILL NEVER GO DOWN
Canticleer -- HOW SWEET THE SOUND
Original Cast -- THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS
The Human Voice! Wow!
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*****___In his autobiography, Miles Davis—who Marsalis said had left jazz and "went into rock"[12]—hedged his praise of Marsalis by suggesting that he was unoriginal. He also found him too competitive, saying "Wynton thinks playing music is about blowing people up on stage." In 1986, in Vancouver, Davis stopped his band to eject an uninvited Marsalis from the stage. Davis said "Wynton can't play the kind of shit we were playing", and twice told Marsalis, "Get the fuck off."[13]
Some critical exchanges have included insults. Besides insinuating that Davis had pandered to audiences, Marsalis said Davis dressed like a "buffoon". Trumpeter Lester Bowie called Marsalis "brain dead", "mentally-ill", and "trapped in some opinions that he had at age 21... because he's been paid to". In reply, Marsalis said Bowie was "another guy who never really could play".******_______
This is great stuff!! Everyone firing, but, Wynton was right on target. The Emperor Strikes Back!! ahahaha
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****Does this mean you did a lot more listening and still don't like him? :-)****
Yes.
****But, to your comment: with all due respect you just don't understand they mindset of musicians like Bowie. In fairness, there is no way that you could. I have known and worked with musicians steeped in this and similar genres (avant garde, "downtown", free, etc.), and I assure you that your take on their motivation and their view of their own place within the art world is way off.******
I, like most people, have a pretty good understanding of human nature. And all musicians want acceptance of their music, and financial and artistic success. This 'free jazz' stuff could be 'plan B'.
*****A culture that wants simplistic art that requires little involvement other than feeling the beat. In which attitude has become more important than substance (as Learsfool points out) and which has been trained to be obsessed with the issue of race to the extent that it is terrified of criticizing the gratuitous ugliness of the music for fear of being labeled racist.******
When things just don't make sense, remember the words of that great American, 'Deep-throat', "follow the money". Once you know where the money ends up, you will know why Rap is still with us. BTW, Rap could be more popular with the white community than the black. Its a generational thing.
**** I just returned from a three week tour of Asia (NY Phil) and I was astounded at the pervasive influence of the hip hop culture in China, Japan and especially Korea. It is everywhere; the pop music, television and it's commercials and the attire of young people. Rap in Korean is something to experience :-).*****
I would suggest that most of what you saw is just an example of young asians fascination with American pop culture. It's just skin deep. Just young folks having fun acting and looking like Rappers, Rockers and Bikers. The similarity ends there. They grow out of it eventually. They have nothing in common with the thugs in the USA.
*****Lastly, thanks for pointing out to me that I like noise. Who knew?*****
Don't mention it. After all, it's the duty of Jazz Aficionados. Who knew? Well, you have championed noise makers in the past, so there was talk.
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The Frogman & Learsfool:
I find Rehearsal as fascinating as the actual performance.
I have seen clips on TV where the Orchestra plays a segment, then the conductor communicates his desires and they make notations etc... and then they play some more and then stop and so on and on.
My questions are:
When a symphony Orchestra is in rehearsal for an upcoming performance, do they, at any time during preparation, play the entire program straight through without stopping? Esp the elaborate stuff like LvB's Ninth.
Opera: Does a dress rehearsal mean, that they perform the entire Opera exactly as they will on opening night?
Doing a symphonic performance, how often does the orchestra fail to meet the Conductor's desires and expectations, that he made clear he wanted, during rehearsal? Consequences?
How do Jazz groups rehearse? How would a typical Jazz (small group) rehearsal be conducted? Does the leader influence what the members of the group play? Is anything ever written down?
Can you guys talk about this?
Thanks
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****That comment could not be further from the truth. "Bolero", while popular is considered one of Ravel's least important works.*******
The masses beg to disagree. You use that word 'considered' a lot. Considered by whom? Why do their considerations trump the considerations of the public. Unless of course, Ravel wrote his music for the professors at music school.
***Are you familiar with his orchestration of "Pictures At An Exibition",****
Pictures!! One of my favorites. Orchestrating other folks compositions, is not the same as writing your own. I have made my point, so I will concede he did do other things. Like a lot of one hit wonders.
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Thomas Wolfe was wrong. You can go home agian. I went yesterday.
Albert Collins, Robert Cray, Johnny Copeland -- SHOWDOWN
Ray Charles, Milt Jackson -- SOUL BROTHERS SOUL MEETING
Great to be back down home.
From The BBC Music Magazine
"Karajan was conducting a Mozart Concerto and leaned over to ask Dennis Brain something. He looked at his music stand, and of course he didn't have the score -it was a motoring magazine! That was quite a moment."
Great English understatement!!
The Orchestra was The London Philharmonica. The interview subject was Neville Marriner. He is 90 now. I gather Karajan was a part of the effort to get the English Orchestras up to 'continental' (German) standards.
Anyone know what this means?
"The example of Beethoven would suffice to convince us that, of all the elements of music, melody is the most accessible to the ear and the least capable of acquisition. Here we have one of the greatest creators of music who spent his whole life imploring the aid of this gift which he lacked."
Igor Stravinsky.
The disscussion was about 'Melody'
Also a great piece on Russian composers and plasyers. Who did, and who did not compose to satisfy the regime. Names a informant for the security police who was part of a famous string quartet.
Interesting stuff.
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The Bird thing was great. I love tidbits like that. If Igor went to see Bird play, he can't be all bad. :)
I ordered the Soldier's Tale and The Three Ballets. I hope the CDs have good notes. I have Rite and Firebird on LP. So, I did listen to them back in the day. I guess it was just too different at the time.
At that time my favorite music was Beethoven's 6th. I seldom listen to the 6th today. I guess we all move on.
***"God is closer to me than others of my art" - LV Beethoven*****
This is not arrogance, just fact.:)
I thought Berg's LULU was a total disaster, but, EVERY reveiw of that music I have ever read has been over the top positive. The greatest thing since sliced bread! It must be me. There is a Berg piece on Soldier's Tale CD.
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Today's Playlist:
Fats Navarro and Tadd Dameron -- THE COMPLETE BLUE NOTE and CAPITOL RECORDINGS.
2CD set.
My first CD by Navarro. CD #1 is Dameron with Fats on three different sets / groups, and another set of Dameron with Miles Davis.
CD #2 is Fats with Howard McGhee, Fats with Bud Powell and Fats with Benny Goodman. The set with McGhee is awesome! Two great trumpet players dueling!
Fats died at age 26. This guy was in a class by himself. The most beautiful trumpet playing I have ever heard.
Some others on board include Sonny Rollins, Wardell Gray, Dexter Gordon, Milt Jackson and Kenny Clarke. And this is when they were all young!!
Excellent booklet with great photos.
Recorded 1947-49, Mono. Great sound.
Fats Navarro -- THE FATS NAVARRO STORY
4CD box
"Fats Navarro's trumpet had a clear singing quality and purity of tone that no other trumpet player could match. He was BeBop's most perfect trumpeter."
This was an uncreditied review written on the back of the Box Set. It says it all. He is now my favorite.
Outstanding Booklet with photos and notes. Includes Bird and Eckstine among others.
Mono.
I think anyone who has not heard Navarro before, will have to rearrange their Jazz Trumpet pecking order. He really is that good.
You get the impression this is BeBop being born or at least weaned.
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Recent Acquisitions:
Louis Armstrong -- HOT FIVES AND SEVENS
Like being in the delivery room when Jazz, as we now know it, was being born. 4-CD box set. Extremely good sound quality, all things considered. This is the JSP issue.
While looking thru old paperwork came across a printout of all my Jazz recordings on LP. These records were purchased starting in the late 60's. Amazing how musical taste can evolve.
Back then I was heavy into Cannonball, MJQ, Quincy Jones, Herbie Mann, Maynard Ferquson, Oscar Peterson Jimmy Smith.
I guess you could call them 'accessible'. First 'deep' guy was Miles.
A few that stood out:
Ken Nordine -- CLASSIC COLLECTION OF WORD JAZZ vol 3. I remember I filed this one under W, as in WTF!?! I you-tubed it this morning, and it is as silly now as it was then.
Jutta Hipp -- AT THE HICKORY HOUSE
German female pianist. I got this one because I was in Germany at the time and could not image Germans playing Jazz. Still can't.
Wiki says she played Jazz in Germany during the war, and after the war, went to NYC and there, she lost her nerve. Could not handle the big leagues.
I would have thought that if she could play under the noses of the gestapo, she could handle anything NYC could throw at her. Guess not. A lot of Jazz talent in NYC during that period.
Also had a few by IRAKERE. One titled "Chekere Son". I assumed that was the English word 'Son'. You learn something everyday.
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O-10:
After viewing all your clips, it seems as if young folks are searching for something. The next BIG thing? They seem to be all over the place / map.
My question with it all is, where is the body of work? We hear just a few notes, and we know it's Morgan or Trane or Mingus. With this modern stuff, do these guys have an Identity? A style, a sound, some musical pedigree?
Suppose "Song for my Father" was the ONLY tune we were aware that Silver wrote. Trane did "Giant Steps" and was never heard from again. That's how I preceive the modern 'Jazz'. A few nice tunes here and there, but no body of work. Of course, it could just be that I need to get out more. :)
Thanks for the clips. Interesting stuff. The guy from Nam shows promise.
All this makes me treasure my CDs even more. How lucky we all are, to have been able to see and hear the Masters.
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Lord, Lord, my burden is heavy.
*****Eloquently and beautifully stated*****
comments like this just encourage him.
I never said they didn't deserve 102k, I said it was a lot of money. It still is. His rant didn't change that. I think most musicians never make what they are worth. I even think Wynton is under paid at lincoln Center.
Did not mean to trash the Minnesota Orchestra. Have a few of their CDs. LvB's 9th in SACD is a favorite. At least they record, which is more than can be said of most American Groups.
I have real empathy for all the Jazz / Blues / Pop and R&B people that never got the financial or public acclaim they derserved. But plenty of others got filthy rich off of their talents and efforts. It's actually a National shame.
Having said all that, there are plenty of professions more essential to modern society than musicians. They, musicians, can be replaced by computers!! hahahahhah not The Frogman or Learsfool of course.
Teachers, Cops, The Military, Doctors and even Lawyers come to mind. :) And lets not forget prison guards!!!!
let the String section of the NYP not show up for work, and then let the gabarge collectors not show up for work!! See which wheel gets the grease.
Most of this is just in fun. My real issue with Schubert is that he said the US Army and the USMC were armed mobs.
BTW, Frogman you should always carry a card with the phone number of the New York Philharmonic, just in case you ever get hit by a bus, they can call the trombome section to rush to your aid. :) Hell, who needs doctors anyway!
Could a computer play Be-bop?
Cheers |
Nice interview, and playing by Hall and Metheny. Pat mentioned something that was a recurring answer in Nica's book "Three Wishes". That is, to reconcile what you can do, with, what's in your head. In the book a lot of guys wished they could play what was in their heads.
I don't think I understand that statement. If you can think it or visualize it, what's to keep you from playing it. We are speaking of professional players, of course. Is it a physical thing?
Btw, what ever happened to Gabor Szabo? I have a lot of his stuff on LP.
I have the Metheny and Mays stuff on LP. But he didn't make the cut to CD. Jim Hall did. I think my favorite on guitar is Burrell.
Yesterday while listening to Cannonball, he talks alot on his albums, he mentioned the lack of blues in modern Jazz.
Did anyone notice that Hall wore a tie and Metheny didn't. Just saying. :)
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The 0-10:
Singers like these are my absolute favorite form of Jazz. But good ones are hard to find. I was hooked on LH&R from the day I first heard "Cloudburst". I was amazed because I heard and understood every word!!
The clip you sent with Bavan, sounds better than the stuff with Ross. Ross could get shrill at times. Hard on the ears. I think she ruined "sing a song of basie" by singing in an octave too high. I don't blame her, the arranger is at fault.
I knew of the arrival of Bavan, and I think I have one CD with her. I will search out the tune you sent. very nice.
The manhattan Transfer is my current favorite. The last one of theirs I bought was "swing". Excellent. They are with 'Stephane Grappelli' and 'Asleep at the Wheel'. I think the Swing refers to Texas Swing. Good Stuff. And last but not least, Janis Siegel is a FOX!
'The New York voices' are just a little bit too New Yorkish for my taste. Great voices, but the arrangements are too 'sophisticated'. I hesitate to use that word, might give The Frogman the big head.
The only other group like these that I am familiar with is 'The Swingle Singers'. Have them with MJQ and another with Oscar Peterson. Didn't like either. I think they are based in Europe.
Thanks for the lead on LH&B.
BTW, I get "Andy Bey and the Bey Sisters" tomorrow. Maybe I will have good news.
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I Just Love Stuff Like This. He is the greatest and richest, showman / entrepreneur in classical music, ever!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GD-5mRyaJw
Learsfool: I considered the Copland book, but some of the reviewers, after reading it, said it should have been titled "What to Listen For In MY Music" by Aaron Copland. :)
I may get around to it yet. I have a long, long way to go.
Cheers |
*****Rok, I have 80/81 and Full Circle; didn't think too much of either one. We must have depended on the same reviewer. I noticed we have a lot of the same records that might as well be in the dumpster. ******
Whenever I say "I have that on LP", that means it didn't make the cut to CD.
I agree about 80/81 and first circle. But mistakes are to be expected as a person finds his way into his proper lane. And understanding reviews, and reviewers is part of the process.
Today we make far fewer mistakes. There is so much information and technology available. You can now hear it before you buy, and you can read reviews from real people. And a person just knows more.
I look at a list of my LPs and wonder, WTF was I thinking!! Whenever I saw the word JAZZ on a LP, I thought it meant Jazz was being played. Silly me!!
LPs for Sale Cheap. Played once!!
Crusaders, Claude Bolling, George Duke, Howland Ensemble, Al Di Meola, NY-LA Dream Band, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Lee Ritenour, Stanley Jordan, Gabor Szabo, Weather Report.
Some of these were ok at the time. I just moved on.
I think I recall reading that James Booker had a mental problem. He was classically trained on piano. He often lapses into the classical world on his albums.
Cheers |
After some thought about what's wrong with Jazz today, I have concluded that the problem is:
The early days of many genres were dominated and substained and nutured by players that formed a community, or culture. They knew each other and played together and many socialized together. They created a 'world' or 'society' in which this great music was produced. This was a world or society within the larger society.
Jazz in New Orleans
Jazz in New York
Kansas City
Even LA (cool)
Country Music centered around Nashville and the Grand ole Opry. Again a commuinty, almost family.
Blues, most of the players from the Mississippi delta knew each other. Came from similiar backgrounds and experiences. Look at a map of MS with the birtplaces of all the blues greats. They were all born and raised in very close proximity. Most people today don't even understand the meaning of a lot of the words in blues songs.
Detroit and the stable of artists at Motown. Urban and Close knit. They sang to what is best about being young.
I will not say money was not important, it always is. It just seemed like making great art was more important back then.
Sadly, all these nurseries of creativity have all but dried up. As the creative players begin to die off, there were no replacements of equal talent. Mainly because the conditions that created and nourished the talent changed or disappeared.
Today, it's foremost about money and fame. All individual. Hit and miss. Hope I get lucky. And the idea that "I can be anything I want to be", lack of talent notwithstanding.
And this stuff can't be learned or taught in school.
Classical music is foreign born and therefore not related to this. We will have to ask the Germans why there are no more Beethovens. :)
Today's Gramophone has a great article on David Zinman. He is retiring from the job at Zurich. Great insight into the job of conducting and the relationship with the players. Talked about the importance of the first-desk players.
Cheers |
The Frogman:
Ted Nash:
I am sure he is a fine technically competent musician. But this music just did not do it for me. Watching it is interesting, but to listen on CD, I don't see that.
He talks too much. The band members seemed uninterested when they were not playing. What happened to listening to each other. Music not fluid at all. just unconnected segments.
Gary Smulyan:
Liked his stuff. I had to go to youtube. Might not be the one you sent. But I like his style. "Bella Napoli" was very interesting. I could listen to that on CD/LP.
Rich Perry / Tim Hagans:
Again, great players, just not my cup of tea.
Fred Hersch:
Non-Jazz. Too many reviews from "The New Yorker" and "Vanity Fair" and sources like that. All saying in effect, he marches to a different drummer. Which is true. But not always a compliment.
I will concede that you are a better judge of talent than I am. So if you disagree, I agree you are correct. I just stated my opinion.
Jazz, the very word conjures up images of Smoke filled night clubs, small clubs, women, drinking, noise, laughter, dancing, working girls, guys playing for the pleasure of it, blowing over the din, not a sheet of music in sight.
These guys are light years from that. Maybe they are beyond it. Maybe better. Maybe too deep for me. Maybe it's what people like these days. Maybe they are technically perfect.
Maybe thats's why I have 3000 CDs and 6 Cd players. I can live in the past forever. Because as the man said, "Art Is not linear"!
My book just covered "Abstract Music". I have a question. Learsfool made a statement that fits right into what the book says. It's kind of long, will take some time to condense it. Send it later.
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From my book.
" I would suggest that instrumental music is the most abstract art yet conceived by humankind. some might quibble with me; but in this I know I'm right."
He goes on to say; "Drawings or paintings, representational or not, are physical objects and exist in at least two dimensions. You can see and touch them."
"Poetry and literature, while not concrete objects, are written in a language that a person would understand. Therefore we fully understand what the artist is trying to say."
"But what is instrumental music? It is music that has no words, no literary information beyond its title, to explain why it exists, and why it sounds the way it does. It's neither physically dimensional nor concrete......Music has to be played, and when instrumental music is played, it exists only in the ether as concussion waves assaulting our eardrums."
"Color me a literalist, but as far as i'm concerned, that's about as abstract an art as I can Imagine."
NOW:
AS I was reading this, the local FM station was playing 'Don't cry for me Argentina' Instrumental version. My questions are:
would a instrumental version of a song originaly written with words, be abstract? Would it be abstract, if the person had never heard the words before?
Horace Silver wrote many instrumental Jazz songs. They would be abstract. Dee Dee Bridgewater did a CD of his music, put to words. Her words. Is her CD abstract? Does it change Silver's music from being abstract?
Why are sound waves assaulting the ear drums more abstract than photons of light assaulting our eyes? Speaking of abstract paintings here.
Thanks for your brilliant insights.
You guys up to speed on "triads"?
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O-10:
The people that contribute to this thread can define Jazz anyway they please. No need to 'appease' me.
Some celeb, I forget who, once said, "I know my lane, and I stay in it". I do the same when it comes to music. There is plenty of choice for everyone. I am just glad I lived in the heyday of recorded Jazz. The young crowd can take it on in from here.
On the thread 'SET Bliss', Charles1dad recommended Monk's 'Live at the IT Club -- Complete.' I have it, so of course I listened to it. Great stuff. I have a question / Comment.
Monk, along among all the greatest Jazz players I am aware of, seemed to play quite a few of his 'Hits' on almost all of his recordings. Why is that?
Silver only played 'song for my father' once. Trane, 'Giant Steps' only once. I am not counting compliations or live recording dates. But all of Monk's records seem to always contain a lot of his "hits". Am I wrong in this? Any explanation?
The link you sent: Most negative social situations can be traced to one basic problem. There are too many people on this planet!! Think about it.
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*****Now, what exactly is your point?*****
That the clip was an example of 'nuts&bolts' blues. IOW, it met some school book definition of the blues.
****I would bet that they would really dig it; because great musicians are open minded and appreciate great playing no matter the style (or color).*****
You keep saying this, but I don't buy it. You can't go by what they say in public or during interviews. If a person makes their living depending on the public, why would a person risk alienating large parts of that public by speaking ill of others. All those guys have huge egos!! Or course they know some guys can't play. They may never say it out loud.
I don't know why you always try to introduce color into this. Give it a rest. Unless you think you can have a detailed discussion of Jazz, Blues, Gospel and R&B, without mentioning black artists. I guess you can try.
*****After all, it's the violin playing that was the subject of the discussion; no?*****
As a matter of fact it was not. I just presented the clip because it was different. The NPR thingy. Also checked some more of her stuff on the side clips, and found a few good ones. And they were good.
The OP and I both said we had stuff by her that we were not impressed with. We then agreed she had improved. NO ONE said, or suggested, that she was better than anyone. The clips were not even of her group. She was guest or just sat in. It was still GOOD Playing.
Grappelli is great. All of his stuff sounds French and European to my ear. The hot club stuff. Maybe gypsy is a better word. If you like it, no problem. With me, a little goes a long way. I have his highly rated CDs, and those with Django. That's all I Need.
Now, my question. What was your point in presenting the O'Conner clip? ESP since the discussion was not about violins or blues.
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Professional Jazz Musicians Audiophiles ???
I remember when 'Stereo Review' used to run a monthly thing called 'System of the Month,' and another series on the systems of well known Professional Musicians. The difference was amazing.
The "System of the month" systems were very expensive and elaborate, and I am sure they sounded wonderful. By contrast, the systems of the Pros, weren't any 'better' than mine. I am speaking in terms of cost.
When Herbie Hancock does the ads for BOSE, it's possible he is being very honest in his pitch.
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