Jazz for aficionados
I don’t believe Pryso was saying it was "trite", but more saying the words dictated a certain mood and rhythm that needed to be observed in the music, at least for him to really enjoy. I don’t seem to really worry about the context of a songs words, since most jazz is using the cords to improvise and little else. Maybe, I should try to listen a little differently. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGe0dPoJSuM |
Today's Listen: katia & Marielle Labeque -- AN AMERICAN IN PARIS / PORGY AND BESS Got this years ago, almost at the beginning of CD. From a 'Stereo Review' review.This is a remastered version from 2002. Mine is from 1984. Still has the German price tag on it, 37.80 DM. Made in West Germany! Notes: "This recording features the world premiere performance of Gershwin's previously unavailable two-piano score of 'An American In Paris." Anyway, beautiful playing, by the French Sisters, of music written by a unique talent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oN3X53dn0c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paWmOS4sj6Q Cheers |
O10, no, not trite at all. See if this helps my point. Had I never heard words to "Speak Low" then my feeling for any rendition would be based on the musical merits, other than what the title might suggest. But once I've heard the lyrics to any song then that hangs a context on it for me. That specific lyric suggest a subdued, intimate conversation. Your quoting those lyrics just reminded me for whatever of them I'd forgotten. With that, Sonny and friends might have offered up a great number, except I was preconditioned for the mood simply based on knowing something of the words. So I found his tempo out of sorts, being too fast it was not intimate at all. The tempo can be a major element within the number of things that make up an individual interpretation and his version simply didn't mesh for me. To further my point of my perception I offered another example. For me, solid blues with a lyric of lament is best taken at a slow pace and I picked that Albert King rendition to demonstrate. You may see it differently but I hope that helps explain my view. |
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. This was my comment just a couple of days ago about tempo re a Classical work that was posted (sorry for the self-quote): **** Now, and not meaning to get too “Zen” about this. Some pieces of music just seem to flow more at a particular tempo; arguably (but probably) the tempo, or very close to the tempo, that the composer intended. One of the many little mysteries in music performance. **** Here is the composer of “Speak Low” himself and his chosen tempo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgQJvNhuiAE |
"I have to see a definitive cut of the film before I even start thinking about the music, I tell the director what my feelings are and what I would like to do. He accepts what I say or discusses it or destroys it. Eventually, we have to find a compromise." E.M. From nytimes: "To many cineastes, Maestro Morricone was a unique talent, composing melodic accompaniments to comedies, thrillers and historical dramas by Bernardo Bertolucci, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Terrence Malick, Roland Joffé, Brian De Palma, Barry Levinson, Mike Nichols, John Carpenter, Quentin Tarantino and other filmmakers." La Califfa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8MFX6W4O2c L’estasi dell’Oro Song taken from "The Good, the Bad, the Ugly", performed in Venice and directed by Ennio Morricone himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3IlqY1CbI0 The Good the Bad and the Ugly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1PfrmCGFnk The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - The Final Duel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJCSNIl2Pls For a few dollars More https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtblCZQXRsA Once Upon A Time In The West https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mMd6D1Gw1g Ennio Morricone receiving Oscar... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJDN1e_OIKw Some news are not sad. They are real. Long and prosperous life. Something one could wish for. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/06/movies/ennio-morricone-dead.html "They’re all my children... every score I’ve done." E.M. Thank you Mr. Ennio Morricone, for all your children. |
