Jazz for aficionados

Ghosthouse, you hit the head of the objective/subjective nail.  That Frisell is an excellent guitarist is undeniable as you say; that's objective.  That his style doesn't move you is subjective.  That, of course, does not mean his style won't move other listeners who have a different sensibility than you do; or any of us.  We all have musical sensibilities based on our personalities and life experiences.  Personally, I sometimes enjoy artists whose craft I appreciate and whose sensibilites challenge my own.  I like Frisell's unique, cool and somewhat intellectual style informed by everything from country to classical.

I also like Steve Steven's very visceral style; in some ways the antithesis of Frisell.  A comparison of the two strikes me as an apples vs oranges comparison.  Stevens comes from the Rock and Roll side of things while Frisell comes more from the Jazz side of things.  There would be musical settings where Stevens couldn't touch Frisell and vise versa.  I like them both and both move me depending on what I am looking for at any given time (MY mood).  I can't imagine Frisell wearing these shoes, just as I couldn't imagine Stevens crafting a great introspective solo over complex and obtuse harmonic changes:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yUi_S6YWjZw

What a shame and waste of talent (Jackson).

I just realized I haven't submitted any music in awhile, here's something for you; a comparison between the old and the new;


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0II1WOTyowo


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5EwGijmqKc


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE1BIXdm38E



Enjoy the music.

Very apt description of Frisell’s style, Frogman, as well as the disconnect I tend to feel with him. Enjoyed your comments. I do find the videos of him as part of that Ginger Baker Trio concert worth watching. The first (1/4) is very enjoyable but I found myself getting annoyed with him early on in the second. I’ve always appreciated and agreed with the objective/subjective distinction points you’ve made from time to time.

Might have misled you by posting the link to Spiral (Bozzio, Levin, Stevens) in the same post with the Frisell comments. Apologies. I should have posted that separately. Intended it simply for appreciation of a beautiful instrumental with some "improvisational" elements. Wasn’t intending to solicit a "compare and contrast" of the two! - though I don’t argue with any of the points you make about Frisell vs Stevens. If I could only listen to one of them, I’d definitely pick Frisell.

Stevens on the 2 BLS albums is, however, a lot different than you’d expect from his work with Billy Idol or even in that way-over-the-top Michael Jackson video. Yeesh...back lighting, smoke and wind machines, big hair, black leather, screaming crowd...did they leave any rock stereotypes out of that one? I’m more from rock/blues than jazz but that video is documentary evidence of what I loathed most about MTV! Gimme that Ginger Baker Trio performance any day! (Hope you won’t be offended by my mini-rant here).

I know MJ is widely respected as a great talent - I’m not disputing that - but his train left the station without me ever being on board. Not that my lack of interest matters a whit to anyone else! "Just sayin’" so as to provide some further context on personal taste.  

Later.

Here is another guitarist which was not mentioned often. European artsist, started to play in Us during 50’s and continued to do so for next 20 years. Played with C.Baker,S.Rollins and S.Getz. among many others. Here are some links, first from his album as a leader.

Rene Thomas
’Guitar Groove’, from 1960.
https://youtu.be/Vi5sjNSv-v0

https://youtu.be/Ju6gDe6Tne0

One from live album ’Dynasty’ made by Stan Getz, from 1971.

https://youtu.be/MWcRtztr35A

Ghosthouse, saw C.Haden live once, he had a plastic? and transparent wall between him and drummer...

O - Thanks for those 3 of Bohemia After Dark.  Didn't know BAD or Oscar Pettiford.  Interesting to compare different performances of the same music.  Have to say, enjoyed Ms. Krautscheid's performance very much.  Well done and nicely succinct!  

Thanks to you too on the Renee Thomas, Alex.  Hadn't heard of him before.  Yes - on the panel between Haden and drummer.  I think the same thing is in evidence on that Ginger Baker Trio video.