Jazz for aficionados

Rok, excellent and very honest post! First of all, thank you for your service.

****You get used to blunt, straight talk. No tap dancing or sugar coating. Thin skins don't survive. I have no modesty, and I cannot be offended.****

I respect that; and probably the reason that in spite of the fireworks in this and in other threads we can joke about hog calling.

****how to call in artillery support or how to defend against Chemical, Biological and Nuclear attacks or where to place the Machine Guns or where to dig the Fighting Positions, there is a good chance you would not know. ****

Very true. But, I assure that in the scheme of my world as a working musician it has often felt as if I have had to defend against similar attacks (bad time and intonation. :-)

**** I wonder if that is not a two edged sword. Sure I could have better understanding as to what I am hearing, and what the musicians are doing. But, at the same time if seems as if it would take more to impress me.****

Probably. But, you will be that much more impressed when you are.

****I have at least 10 differnt performances of LvB's 7th. I love them all.****

Do you like some more than others? Can you isolate what it is that you like about the ones that you listen to most?

I understand your concern and it proves my point about the aversion to learning more. You mentioned the Mingus recording. I love that cut! Not sure why you would think that I am less impressed with it than you are, other than the fact that I did a simple analysis of Rahsaan's solo (which is fantastic) and was able to describe some aspects of it. That in no way detracts from my enjoyment of it; in fact, it only increases it. But, it also serves to lay bare the bullshitters who honk and squawk and try to impress with their "individuality" and "energy". That is a good thing, IMO.

Regards.

Rok2kid, I too share your technical ignorance about music form, etc. In fact mine ignorance is rather profound, at least so I'm told. :-) That said, consider that most folks, and I assume you as well, have grown accustomed to wearing 2 hats in 'audio', i.e. you have lots of knowledge about audio components, set ups, and the results of careful attention to the details. Obviously in order to really enjoy listening to music you must learn how to disregard your audio achievements. Some folks do get hung up on listening to soundstage, detail/resolution, and such but for the most part they will risk burning out on the audio hobby if they can't get past this and learn how to listen thru and focus on the music.

I think as much can be said about listening to music. You can have a lot of knowledge about music, appreciate the theory and practices of composition and performance, yet be able to listen beyond that and just enjoy. As Frogman indicated the best part of having some knowledge is that when you find music you really love if you have some knowledge you will know why you love it.

It has become clear from recent posts that A-Gon's music forum has some participants that speak to the subject, not so much about themselves. A breath of fresh air! Consider, Rok, that if you have no knowledge you can only express a subjective opinion which can limit discussions and make them one dimensional.

FWIW.

"Music appreciation of the 'high end' seems to stop at 'Kind of Blue', and then only if it's an 'audiophile' pressing." If I hear that mentioned one more time I'm going to have twins.

Rok, I'm not sure we're communicating when we talk about "Blues", because I never liked what we called "gut bucket" blues. As a matter of fact we're talking about a whole different culture of people, not just music. Many people who like "gut bucket" blues don't seem to be aware of that.

Enjoy the music.

Acman3, that's the sound of some "new jazz", and I did not see one single solitary black face. Jazz is not a race of people, jazz is not a nationality; jazz is music, and it goes wherever the creative muse takes it, this is hip, the muse has taken jazz to poland, and I like it.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, my favorite movie was "Apocalypse Now", it's good they don't allow weapons at the VA, cause them fightn words.

Enjoy the music.