Dean Martin
Nat King Cole
Johnny Adams
Boz Scaggs
Leonard Cohen
Willie Nelson (incredible that Willie just released a great new album and wrote hit songs for Patsy Cline-that’s as cool as it gets)
The cool factor- who has it?
My question relates to music and musical artist's performance and music. Who has that COOL factor? In the past or currently. For example I think the Beatles had it and also Bob Marley. Today I think Lenny Kravitz (if for nothing certainly for his longevity).
Thoughts?...
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Lots of votes for Miles. Not surprising. Many other artists mentioned here whom I hadn’t heard of. I will try them. I think Joe Cocker (listen to St. James Infirmary ), Jimi Hendrix was cool. Later SRV. Chet Baker, for sure. Les Paul I would add. I would add Sade, Bonnie Raitt, and Natalie Merchant. But then who can forget the J Geils Band and the Sensational Alex Harvey Band! Block of ice cool. |
https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2822510
50's, 60's or 70's Elvis, he practically invented R&R cool.
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@jnovak - I always liked that 'great folk scare' - did you ever see the movie 'A Mighty Wind', which was made by the same people who did Spinal Tap, but instead of metal, it deals with the folk music scene and their band is called the Folksmen. Those guys are/were cool.... |
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Miles definitely created the cool vibe, but I suggest that Lalo Schifrin popularized it. Everyone knows the theme from Mission Impossible, but I think some of his best work was the soundtrack for Bullitt. The combination of the music, the car, the 60's San Francisco scene, the story and the King of Cool in the lead role really sealed the deal for me. To this day, that soundtrack reminds me of how I got into music and continues to be a touchstone for how soundtracks should compliment and enhance a film. Today's score writers would do well to learn the lessons Schifrin bequeathed the industry. |
”Dave Cousins” of The Strawbs. l had not heard he had died. So sad. He was the soul of The Strawbs. When you read his 60s and 70s lyrics they are like poetry. He had that way with words and wrote about his relationships and places with observations and life’s personal experiences. l was lucky to have had many fleeting conversations with him over a 35 year period. The most recent was in 2019 at one of the last acoustic Strawbs concerts in Honiton England, 10 miles away from a cottage he had owned during the height of his writings. He lived in many houses quite close together near the coast in East Devon, one being an old school house (Hence “Old School Records”) That’s why he wrote so much about the countryside rivers and sea.
“Glimpse of Heaven” Newborn lambs that sweetly played Speckled eggs all newly laid But for you l would have stayed l think l must have caught a glimpse of heaven
The fields of East Devon viewed from a hill. “If heaven exists, it would look like this” Speckled eggs… he noticed them as a boy in a butchers shop in Branscombe. In London they were all white
“Witchwood” The interwoven branches Where laden deep with snow A rainbow shone so softly To show which way to go
Possibly Wistman’s Wood, High altitude dwarf oakwood with lichens and mosses on Dartmoor. Spooky at night or day.
“The Shepherds Song” There was no need for discussion It was surely no disgrace Her soft skin had the texture Of the finest silken lace Waiting moist and trembling It was just the time and the place
l never asked him who the girl was for obvious reasons.
”Shine on Silver Sun” Once I sat upon a hill To watch the world go by My friend the young musician Had forbidden me to cry But l was the comedian With the laughs in short supply
The young magician was his “new love” (documented) after a marriage breakup.
After the concert l waited until he graciously had signed all the autographs sat down with his glass of white wine and we talked about those summer days. He was becoming very frail at this time but still enthusiastically answered all my questions. I reminded him about the Sidmouth “reunion concert” in 1984 at the Radway Cinema and the documentary filmed by local TV. I wondered at the possibility of finding the videos from the defunct TSW network. He thought the project could work with a donation to charity for the rights to release it on disc. That will probably never happen now….. unless the great man had started the resurrection.
David Joseph Cousins R.I.P. |
Surprised no one mentioned EVH or SRV... Zappa was on a whole 'nother level, I was a Roadie and Stage Security for a few Kid Rock USO gigs overseas and got to hang out with his entourage...I don't care for his music but he was genuinely old school Allman Brothers/Lynyrd Skynyrd cool. Samantha Fish is a stone cold badass. Buddy Rich (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFe0-pOp_wA) Bonnie Raitt John Prine (RIP) Lowell George (RIP) Robert Plant Tal Winlkenfeld Brian Ferry Leon Russel (RIP)
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@mylogic - What a shame about Dave Cousins, yeah? We were just talking about him recently... |
l get your point with Miles Davis… Jupiter “The Bringer of Jollity” John Barry loved working with Louis, “We have all the time in the world” vocal was recorded just a few days before he died. Only he could sing that song. Can’t imagine anyone else wanting to try to cover it as well. With regard to the Chris Botti CD, you are talking about the orchestral backing one with John Barry? I think the trumpet mix with the new orchestrated dramatic score is a winning combination. The extra 3 original Chet numbers also add to the flavour. |
Yes i know it and i love this Chris Botti album dedicated to Baker ... Botti borrowed something from the master ...
There is many great trumpet players... The greatest one is Miles Davis...He is Jupiter... But for me there is only one sun : Louis Armstrong and only one moon : Chet Baker... No other trumpeter sing as they play except these two ...
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@waznme “Jim(i)” Iyke, from Nollywood? lf l have the right one and for the record, Jimi is easier to say than James lkechukwu Okolue. Was he also “untamed” until he formed his own record label? If not… ”Who am l?” to make a judgement. |
@mylogic love it! then there is Jim(i). can you hear Jimi? |
@mahgister ”Chet Baker” Have you heard John Barry’s (score) soundtrack to “Playing by Heart” on Decca? l think Barry nailed it with his sympathetic scoring. The added period Baker tracks plus the collaboration of Chris Botti makes a good listen. Look for low priced copies on eBay for this much underrated film that slipped under the radar. There are two soundtracks so be careful not to pick the songs and score version. John Barry could be considered “cool” for his lush orchestrations and counterpoint writing style, particularly in his later years. Think of the “Dances With Wolves” period. His “The Beyondness of Things” concept album on London 460 009-2 CD is pure magic if you like modern symphonic music. The recordings for both are top quality. |
@waznme “Jim. (Morrison)” l got another one No.1 Jim. (Kirk) Now l know that guy had a (big) head start…. It’s cold in space.
Never bought any of his chill-out albums…. Too cold to handle
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Chet Baker is the only trumpeter who never play trumpet but use it to speak... All the others play trumpet with bravado and virtuosity... Miles is the greatest here ... But Chet speak ....And Sing... We dont feel music but we feel his heart ....Even when he had difficulty to play.... He stay a silent virtuoso....The coolest possible one... Almost silent....
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We can say anything. We can propose our "taste" as truth... But facts spoke themselves sometimes : I pick and past it from google : «Chet Baker’s first vocal album, Chet Baker Sings, released in 1954, was a significant success that propelled him to stardom as both a trumpeter and vocalist. The album, featuring his interpretations of popular standards, was a hit with audiences and critics, and helped establish him as a prominent figure in the West Coast cool jazz scene » Then Say it in this way : Chet Baker sings crappy and it is my opinion... And i will say it my way and i am not alone saying it : "the Prince of cool" was Baker because he sing as he play : cool with no bravado... |
@bgross Yes indeed, I agree.
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@foggyus91 yeah, not really a debate on vocal chops... if that were the case Joe Strummer & Mick Jones would be in right the mix of your "Tiny Tim" analogy lol. Point is, I think we both find Chet Baker super cool, in spite of his limited vocal abilities, as was asked by the OP |
@woofhaven1992 ...but glad you did....👍😎 +10er... |
The late, great "Iceman": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMQzDKSyJ8Y This guy, for sure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CixtG_bF28 ... and of course, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvltTXEg5kI Not to forget; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR5lR7BqPIg OR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzazEJcXswY And to cap it off, these two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p0AryAE6Bw
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@bgross That's the great thing about this hobby (for some an obsession) one mans garbage is another mans gold. When CB started singing was after he had his face smashed in for gambling debts (Mafia?). Regardless I am glad you think it's great. I put Bakers vocal chops right up there with Tiny Tim, Rosanne Barr and Clint Eastwood and Bruce Springsteen. |
Do I need to remind you that this was my list and therefore your agreement is not required or desired. Actually, the fact that it is you that is disagreeing, can be seen more as a validation of my picks. Need I remind you that it is always easier to sit in the stands and pass judgement, than it is to play the game.
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@foggyus91 Disagree - Chet Baker Sings is my favorite CB LP. It's because he really doesn't have the vocal chops that makes it "cool" - it's also a VERY well recorded album. Heroin has you believe'n you can do anything vibe. Just my opinion |
