Jazz for aficionados
That is the most unforgettable picture and music I can think of; it was when Miles was "Miles", no buckskin fringed vests and stuff like that. That is the most mysterious opening music; the city is like that "Round Midnight"; maybe you're on a lit sidewalk or in the shadows where it's dark, just before you get to the skyscrapers, it all determines the mood. "Trane" enters the scene with a dramatic burst of light to let you know that you are in the city. This is Miles and Trane at their best. |
Rok, I had a problem with my right channel being louder than the left channel. Since I'm an electronics technician who put this rig together with attention to detail; how could that be possible? That problem nearly drove me crazy, no matter what I did, the problem remained. It wasn't until I had a hearing test that the source of the problem was revealed. Ages ago, in the Air Force, my left ear drum was injured in a rapid decompression incident, and as many injuries, they get worse with old age. The only solution is headphones, and I hate headphones (can't wear them for long). Now that I know what the problem is, I simply live with the louder right channel. No, turning up the other channel only makes it worse, because you will hear that sound bouncing off the opposite wall. |
Pryso, the subject of Miles is ancient history; "Round Midnight" is the new subject. Even Miles accepted the fact that few of the people he loved, and who loved him would like his new music, but that didn't change anything one iota in regard to him. They (a handful of people) no longer bought his new music, but each one that didn't was replaced by 100 who did. All of those people he knew who quit buying his music were still welcome to his home. The subject of Miles new music was sort of moot before he died. People who like chocolate ice cream, still like chocolate, and those who like vanilla, still like vanilla. |
Schubert, while what you say is partially true, you are speaking for yourself; I don't know A-Flat from B-Flat, nor do I want to know, that fact rankled Frogman, and it may rankle some others as well; so be it. I stated who I am and how I feel about jazz at the beginning of this thread and I haven't changed one iota. Like it or not, my presence is the "life" blood of this thread; even the mighty Frogman is lost without it. Have you ever noticed what happens when I stay away? Sometime ago, our relationship (Frogman and I) took a wrong turn and it's been turning in that same direction every since. A perfect example of Frogman consistently agreeing with anyone on anything when their view is opposite mine occurred just recently; Frogman's comment Interesting topic and interesting comments. Tempo IS a major element in the success of an interpretation; and regardless of genre. I had the same reaction as Pryso to one of the recently posted “Lazy Afternoon” clips. I then posted one that I felt was “a lazier Lazy Afternoon” to make the point. No matter what anyone states that's contrary to my stance, Frogman emphasizes it; that can hardly be honest, because even if the position was reversed, Frogman would still take the opposing position to mine. Pryso stated that "Sonny Clark's" tempo was too fast, and another tempo was too slow, since in both cases it was in opposition to my opinion, Frogman agreed wholeheartedly; that's not honest but political; the same as people consistently taking positions on "Politicians"; no matter how stupid the statement their guy makes, they always agree with him; it's not what is being said, but who is saying it that makes the difference. When statements are made from the heart, whether I agree or disagree, I "respect" that persons opinion, but as soon as I see a political motivation in regard to an individuals comments, I disregard what they have to say because it's not "honest", and if we can't have "honest" discussions, they become irrelevant. To the best of my ability, I have "honestly" stated my position. |
OK, enough already; this debate began specifically in regard to "Round Midnight"; those who want to hear the lyrics in their mind every time they hear the tune even when it’s just instrumental without them, please do so. Please, cry in your bear with memories of long lost love; if you don’t have any beer I’ll send you one of mine. Just don’t claim those "dippy" lyrics are what the song is about because that spoils the instrumental versions of the song for everyone. Now go in peace; lyricists and non-lyricists. Correction, song implies words; make that "The music that Thelonious Sphere Monk composed". |
Schubert, I'm so glad you're back; yes Chicago, I know that city well: the North Side and Lake Shore drive overlooking the beautiful blue Lake Michigan. Many of the skyscrapers on the lake are filled with apartments, they're not office buildings like in many cities. I once spent two weeks in one of those apartments; it was grand to see how the other half lives, almost 0 crime, you can walk the sidewalks at night in safety on the North Side. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3Oako3Vkrs |
Here are the lyrics to "Angel Eyes". Whether it's an instrumental or vocal version, we all think of the same lyrics because the song came with words. When I listen to an instrumental version of this, it can give the words even more power. Try to think that love's not around But it's uncomfortably near My old heart ain't gaining no ground Because my angel eyes ain't here Angel eyes, that old Devil sent They glow unbearably bright Need I say that my love's misspent Misspent with angel eyes tonight So drink up all you people Order anything you see Have fun you happy people The laughs and the jokes on me Pardon me but I got to run The facts uncommonly clear Got to find who's now number one And why my angel eyes Oh, where is my angel eyes 'Scuse me while I disappear Angel eyes, angel eyes Hank Crawford's "Angel Eyes". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2doxAtCfRnE You can hear through Hank's horn, a tortured heart and a painful cry for angel eyes who's with someone else that night. He shares his pain with people at a lounge and buys them all rounds to drink to his misspent love. "Where is my angel eyes tonight"? I can hear Hank's horn crying for Angel Eyes, can you? |
Alex, you posted Oscar Pettiford links that didn't work, maybe you could post some that work. In the meantime I'm going to post some; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5EwGijmqKc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6u8j1jnJso https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTTPCONUcPU |
Pjw, heroin addicts couldn't take care of business enough to get the respect they deserved as artists; they were too smashed to play, or they needed a fix and couldn't play. They had to be able to buy the dope, but not use too much when they had an engagement; it was a horrible sight to see up close and personal. |
Why is it when I ask about new music, somebody uses something like this as an example; hear how skilled those new musicians play Mingus's "old music". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPfSD0vJi8Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6arveYAIb5s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkXeMzRqkcY |
Frogman, I have never seen anyone who could get things as turned around as you. Me and Rok both have been saying current musicians are better educated and are truly skilled musicians; but if you give them a blank music sheet they might as well throw it in the trash because they can not compose worth squat, and you can quote me on that. |
At it's deepest level "modern jazz" is the expression of complex human emotions musically. While I adhere to "Wikipedia" for the definition of many things, I jump ship when it comes to "modern jazz"; that's because it's a departure from what originated in New Orleans, where they claim is the "birth place" of jazz. According to me and my ears, no one contributed more to "modern jazz" than Charles "Yardbird" Parker; all you have to do is listen to jazz before and after Charles "Yardbird" Parker. He didn't just help to invent "Bee Bop" he changed things in a way that can heard, as opposed to explained. He could even incorporate "Bop" in standard tunes like no one else; his Charlie Parker with Strings is the best example of this; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmRkZeGFONg&list=PLqzxGGRskMsArMdq06cOawHAbO2kBWfmD As I stated at the beginning, jazz at it's "deepest level" is the expression of complex human emotions. Before one can express these emotions, one must first have them. Never the less, that requires an incredible talent; one that doesn't often come along. I'll give you examples of the expression of profound emotions: Bobby Timmons "Moanin" is a very clear example, he is also in the top tier of artists who have this capability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNjRQo-zpKA I wrote about a close personal friend I had who was also a "Blue Note" recording artist. I will never give his name for two reasons, maybe I revealed too much personal information when I wrote about him, and last, the incredible music he was playing when he shared my apartment was never recorded; therefore I can't prove that he was much more incredible as an artist, than the music that's recorded on Blue Note. I stated that he had no formal training. That was interpreted as musicians who don't go to "formal" school are better than musicians who do. That was a moronic interpretation; not going to a formal school is a severe handicap; it's necessary to write music in order to be successful. Musicians skipped formal school in times past because of financial limitations. Everything that happens in this country is related in some way to everything else; those with a myopic view of things are totally unaware of this. If one is financially secure, and focused on turntable setup, they would hardly be aware of the socioeconomic condition of the "lower middle class", but whether they are aware or not, that affects the quality of jazz in this country because that's where it comes from. |
It must have been in the 80’s when I was really making the rounds in all the jazz clubs in the St. Louis area that featured live jazz; I mean the groups that were called "house bands". Ahmad Jamal started as the "house band" for The Pershing on the South Side of Chicago. Many of our famous jazz musicians started by playing in an "unknown house band". Some of those musicians (St. Louis house bands) would probably have become famous if all those clubs had remained open, but when the economy for "the lower middle class" took a ride to the bottom, those clubs could no longer stay open, all are now closed. I recall one club band that was especially unique; they featured a jazz musician who played the African Kalimba. I have never heard anything like it before or since, and this is the best example I could find after searching, maybe you can find something better? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPc59Y7KHqg My point is, had this band developed and recorded, I would have at least one of their albums in my collection. You grow corn in corn fields, wheat in wheat fields, and you grow the best jazz musicians in jazz clubs. |
I can not believe there is a jazz icon that we have neglected but there is; his name is "James Moody". Please post you're awareness of this icon. While his most memorable tune is "Moody's Mood For Love", his most significant tune for me is "Last Train From Overbrook". That's because I associated it with the last train from Union Station in St. Louis, which I boarded for destination Lackland AFB, my very first great adventure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=028UoUkO7zc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0XYZNx6854 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2N8bVpRneQ |
After a very strange day, I went back to sleep and had dreams in which there was a lot of music about dreams. The strangest thing about that dream is the fact that I liked Miles music the best. But everybody I knew liked Miles at that time. Here's some more Miles during that time period; that cat could blow, this is from that movie soundtrack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OKQdp6iGUk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc4tT-55ZzI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw5kBTFJCfs But you had to see the movie for the music to fit; every note was so appropriate for this real hip movie. In this scene, that beautiful lady is searching in vain for her lover; every note expresses her bleeding heart. |
Miles Davis has as many facets as a diamond; I sometime forget about some of them, this one has gotten lost in the shuffle, it's "Miles Davis & Gil Evans". As you already know, music always brings back the memories that I associate with it. This music brings back memories of a beautiful young lady I met in the early 60's, she lived next door to Miles childhood home. It was a big house where Vernon, Miles brother, still lived. Miles was not born into poverty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlVrh8t1DE4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuzP92geknY This is one of the albums we listened to. Miles is one of the few jazz artists whose music attracted ladies. |
Schubert, beyond being a great musician, Miles Davis was not all the things he claimed to be or appeared to be. It's for sure he was not a pimp. A pimp is one cold blooded disgusting SOB. Miles accepted money from prostitutes and other women when he was on drugs and needed a fix. He didn't force the women to give him the money, they gave him the money willingly for his company; that's not the same as being a pimp. He claimed to being a pimp because that boosted his stature in the street as a worldly person. The Miles Davis "Persona" was for a number of reasons which were personal to Miles. The only people who knew the "Real" Miles Davis were the people he grew up with that he mentioned in the first chapter of his autobiography; not even the musicians who worked with him knew the "Real" Miles Davis; I also knew those people he grew up with although they were approximately 15 years older than me; to a person, they said Miles was the nicest kindest person you could ever meet. From time to time he would invite them to his home for "old times sake". None of the musicians he worked with, or any one else was privy to those gathering. You can cross check this with the various musicians who were also his close friends; none of them were invited either. In these gatherings, they reacted to one another the same as they did when they were growing up; they called one another by the same nick names. They may have even called Miles "Buckwheat". Regardless how much fun they had, there is no way Miles was going to allow anyone to observe these gatherings where he was no longer a celebrity, but a child having fun with his best friends, the same as he did when he was growing up. |
It was in the Summer of 69 that I was attending a company school in Chicago with other employees from all over the country. I hooked up with three other guys who were from from Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Bed Sty New York; he was the most memorable with his Dashiki and sandals; he was also an experts on "Bongs", but he couldn't drive a car. Never heard of a grown man who couldn't drive a car. That meant he couldn't drive when we rented a car. Once we heard that Miles Davis, Nina Simone, and Herbie Mann were going to be in town on the same bill, we decided to buy tickets. Cincinnati purchased the tickets, and I knew they were too reasonable. When we got to the auditorium, I discovered why; I have never been so high up on the inside of a building in my life. Fortunately we had good luck, there was a real bad storm that day, and people who bought tickets at ground level close to the stage, didn't show up; so we decided to go down and put those empty seats to good use. Miles was first; I already described him, Herbie Mann was second; He came out in a very light, almost white, tan suit, and shiny light brown boots, brown shirt with a big collar that he wore outside of his coat. I admired his dress so much that I copied it for myself later on. Not only was Herbie well dressed, but it was a toss up between him and Nina as to who stole the show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4DiUhro1WU Herbie was on fire that day; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7gdstNGYEs It was a very good day. |
This is further expansion on the concert in 1968 where Miles, Herbie Mann, and Nina Simone were on the same bill. While we might be Miles fans, Nina Simone was the star that day, and she got the biggest reception. This was in the Summer of 68. Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis Tennessee. This concert occurred about three months after that; you know Nina was on fire. "Nuff Said" is an album by Ms. Simone, that was recorded three days after Dr. MLK was assassinated. Naturally, this is what she performed at that concert. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI4T_dIsqD0&list=PLX-Rp84RbxLBkQEWiQj0MiLY47A096lIC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UQhlBL5WIU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npIPKP0zreI |
"It was the best of times and it was the worst of times". It was the best of times for us, four guys in their twenties roaming the exciting streets and neighborhoods of Chicago in the Summer of 68. https://www.google.com/search?q=chicago+in+1968&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjkiOywzIDmAhXDJ6wKHT51C_... |
Here is some of Herbie Mann's music in 1968 that I like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX1QJZshrLw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPqUOy8i5ZY This was before 68, it was in 67; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMrDu4mxDKM |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OBvnOpUI44 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAtIEsVtTG8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n96ENOZhX8E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpg4QTBGozk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBFn52OFcww https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDooPtE_mi0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFkzWe_atDs |
Pryso, they were doing what they always did when in Japan; they played to the audience. If you listen to any jazz album you can find that was recorded live in Japan you will hear "showboating"; that's because the Japanese liked that kind of playing. Miles never played songs too fast when he was at home, why did he play it too fast in Japan? |
Pryso, the comment I'm about to make is not about this artists music, (the music is good) but watch her exaggerated movements; this is what jazz is in general over there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIYIAuwzsGQ Notice how this tune starts out "normal" but in the middle they jazz it up and break out into some "showboating" jazz; that's what they like in Japan and that's what they give them; sometime it's overdone. Playing tunes too fast might be such an example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-T0c3FDEkM |
Cannonball "Worksong" Tokyo with all the frills "What message"? it's just music to them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q88M5gwgGPI Cannonball "Worksong" for us; Aficionados on the street beat who comprehend the depth of the message; it's a lot more than just music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCqRYneOdIM |
There is no way I can convey to anyone, my shock in 68, when Miles came on stage looking like a hippy in his fringed buck skin vest, and playing this music; that seems so normal now; but at that time, there was total silence in the auditorium, and you could see a big bubble WTF coming from the audience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6eZHnIA__A&list=RDS6eZHnIA__A&start_radio=1 |
When you compare that music he played in 68, with this music, which most of the audience expected, maybe you can comprehend where I'm coming from. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXSjJBKPyFg |
Alex, there is nothing more comical than a "White Supremacist"; first of all he can't count, but that's just one of his shortcomings, can't read either. Black people make up 10% of this country; a poverty stricken 10% at that. If 90% took every nickel that a poverty stricken 10% had, they would still be up the creek. While they were F...ing with Black people, the elites were shipping manufacturing jobs offshore, and now they're the new slaves working at Walmart, plus they're doping out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DScWyOj8lQ |
The first thing that goes is the memory, so please tell me when I'm repeating myself. John Handy "If Only We Knew"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJhp43v-yd8&t=600s Bryan Savage, "Rush Hour"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHsuqRyqsns |
