Jazz Hands

I love his '80's music as well as the newer Fourplay stuff so I bought the SACD of "Jazz Hands" and I was VERY disappointed.  It seemed to me that he was trying to appeal to a much younger generation and he completely ruined the music for those of us that have known and loved him all these years. 

**** What’s the worst thing about the Alman Brothers? Greg’s damn keyboard! ****

True, but it’s all relative, isn’t it? Not a “bad” player, but certainly the least accomplished instrumentalist in a band of great (Rock) instrumentalists. However, I can’t imagine the sound of TABB without the sound of Greg’s organ. Would the band have been better with a “better” organ player? Maybe. Not so sure. Be careful what you wish for.

Point is that while I agree with @hilde45 and @bigtwin if one likes that style of music, Bob James is an icon in that scene.

@hilde45 

@bigtwin 

I apologize to you both,  And @elliottbnewcombjr was right,  "OP asked for Likes/Dislikes".  I think before that set in I immediately went on "don't criticize my childhood idol" mode.  I first heard Bob James in early college years and followed him relatively closely until now.  Fourplay was his mainstay for years and every musician in that band, and there were many, still have great careers today.  But I will admit, some of his material in Fourplay makes you want to break out the champale and make my best Barry White moves on my wife.

And neither of you are blind in seeing or appreciating talent.  That was an elitist snide remark on my part.

We all have heroes, we all like different stuff.  I guess I just went off the rails a bit when someone else had a different take on a musician.  So, yes, that's on me.

We all have our music idols.  I remember listening to John McLaughlin's lp, Inner Mounting Flame, when I was about 14 years old.  I was totally blown away by his non traditional time signatures for that era, 11/8, 9/8, 5/4, and mixing them all up.

That fusion era opened me up to what are today considered masters: Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, George Duke, Larry Coryell, Chic Corea.  The list goes on.

I was kind of taken back with the passing of Chic Corea in the not too recent past. It kind of humbles you up a bit with the realization that our heroes are just like us, mere mortals passing through. Sometime we can make a mark with our craft, our actions, our lives, or sometimes we can screw things up and say the wrong words in an innocent discussion board!!!  

Sorry again.

OP asked for Likes/Dislikes,

We learn about each other in conversations like this don't we.

What's the worst thing about the Alman Brothers? Greg's damn keyboard!

@judsauce I gave you my opinion, based on 40 years of listening and learning about jazz. It doesn’t align with yours. We have different tastes.

Because this guy has had a career based on talent that you are all blind in seeing or appreciating.

You’ve phrased this in a way which puts me down. That’s on you. But I don’t doubt his talent. He’s very very talented within a style and genre which I don’t prefer. I’m sure there are people who are very good at golf or sailing. There are experts at making Mac n' Cheese or paper airplanes. They can all be talented experts. I just don’t appreciate those things either.

And you should all be so lucky to be alive at his age.

And now...this. Why would you get so defensive about this artist that you’re saying this? Really, man, you need to understand that people appreciate -- and evaluate -- things differently. I’ll be going now and I know you won’t miss me, but you’ve shown me (and others) who you are. So that’s your burden, now.

@judsauce  "Go pound sand"? Who pissed in your cereal?  I thought my original post was fair.  I complimented the album Heads.  Your reaction to others who find Bob James a little too melliw is simply over the top.   IMHO.  Everyone knows he wrote the theme to Taxi.  It's a nice tune.  Very Bob James.  Nice song to relax to.  But as TV theme songs go, I prefer Tom Scott's "Gotcha" from his album Blow it Out,  the theme to Starsky & Hutch.  Now that gets your heart pumpimg.  And classical music has been borrowed by too many artists to count.  The Band's Chest Fever comes to mind.  The intro was originally from Bach's Tocatta and Fugue in D minor.  You like Bob James, I like Bob James.  Just not to the same degree.  Listen to the interplay between Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea that runs through Miles Davis's brilliant album In A Silent Way.  It's exciting.  There are many way to tickle the ivories.  Bob James doesn't have to be at the top of everyone's list.  Now go listen to some Bob James.  Its very relaxing.  😂  Cheers. 

@hilde45 

"West Coast easier jazz"?

"Strikes me almost like muzak"

"Jazz for white people "?

And @bigtwin 

You guys all have your head in the sand.

Bob James may not have been among the pioneers you mentioned, but he has been a legend in his own life for many years and deserves kudos for all of his accomplishments. He goes back many years but is most remembered for his Taxi tv theme, but then went on for years with the band Fourplay, a band that was very successful both creatively and commercially. And he did many solo albums as well. One that was very special was his lp, "Playing hooky", warner bros. 1997. For all of you know-it-alls about music, you don't know jack about classical. Check out his first cut on playing hooky, "playing with fire". It's an arrangement based on Chopin's "Etude in E major, opus 10, no. 3." It's genius, and he turned it into a jazz tune that was seamless.

Then Google his recent"tiny desktop concerts", where he hired some of the best young jazz musicians to accompany him. See how he still holds a candle.

Then go pound sand. Because this guy has had a career based on talent that you are all blind in seeing or appreciating.

And you should all be so lucky to be alive at his age.

I think his current work is a lot more interesting then 80s 90s and I appreciate those additional recommendations! I know I can probably get them sealed at local record store at lower than internet prices and certainly less shipping.

For all who wants to talk about "real jazz", please understand that all music matters. I also don't see why anyone should try to be Oscar Peterson. Being yourself is a lot better. 

Well he's no Oscar Peterson but few are.   

@hilde45  +1

I am ambivalent about West Coast "easier" jazz. Some of it is really great -- Ritenour, Larry Carlton, for example. Other stuff from that region sometimes strikes me almost like Muzak, though that's too harsh. It's "jazz for bourgeois white people," in a way. Nothing wrong with liking what you like -- and not everything has to be Coltrane wailing away, etc. -- but for my tastes, I'd much prefer the "ease" of, say, a Kenny Barron than the schmaltz of a Bob James. But that's me.

I own several LPs by Bob James and many more discs where he has contributed keyboard work.  I have always found his playing to be very laid-back and often left me wanting more excitement (for lack of a better term) in his playing.  Of his recordings I do own, my personal favourite would be "Heads".  Musicians include Eric Gale on guitar, David Sanborn, Grover Washington Jr. & Michael Brecker on sax and a host of others including Ralph MacDonald and Randy Brecker.  

The version of You Are So Beautiful takes the song to a completely new level IMHO.  Grover Washington's sax work is beautiful.  I will give the new disc a listen.

Not familiar but I will also check it out.

The duo album with bass player Nathan East called “The New Cool” is a good one too. 

Not familiar with it ... will play it this weekend!

Thanks!!