Jazz for aficionados

A few posts back, remember the 'treacherous road' thingy? I wanted to make a point but it seemed as if we had moved on so I didn't. I will make it now to elighten you as to HOW I, approach, receive, judge and understand music.

Recently I received several of CDs from Amazon. Among them two CDs of Spirituals. I love only Jazz more. The CDs were: GREAT AMERICAN SPIRITUALS. A great CD. The songs are sung by Kathleen Battle, Barbara Hendricks and Florence Quivar. WOW! What a lineup. They didn't sing together, they each did several songs on the CD.

These are two world class Sopranos, and a World Class Mezzo. They have performed around the world, at all the great Opera Houses, under the greatest conductors, and singing the greatest and most beloved roles in Opera. Taught at the top schools and by the top teachers. Their 'nuts & bolts' are impeccable!! I will enjoy this disc forever! Highly recommended!

The second CD was MAHALIA JACKSON - LIVE AT NEWPORT

She sang spirituals here also. The two CDs only had two songs in common. A night and day difference. I don't know if Mahalia has much, or any formal training. Probably just started singing at her church. Her 'nuts & Bolts? I am sure they don't match the divas. But here is what Mahalia can do, that the divas can't: She can make a person Cry!

I remember the effect singers like her, had on people from my childhood. Old women with eyes shut, slowly nodding while tears streamed down their faces. And the choir was nowhere near in Mahalia's class. Mostly field workers and domestic workers. Zero training! No 'nuts & bolts. They used to scare the hell outta me. When they started singing I always moved closer to my Mom.

That's the difference THAT CAN exsist between impeccable 'nuts & bolts' and less polished music, and musicians, conveying emotion.

That's it. That's me.

Cheers

*****he has been living with (and controlling) schizophrenia *****

Sorry, I didn't know. I withdraw the comment.

Cheers

Rok, thanks. I can't disagree with you about anything in your post; save for the IMPLICATION that having the training and being polished precludes being able to convey emotion. Clearly there are performers that were born with "the gift" and can get the message across wether they have the training or not. I don't know much about Mahalia Jackson's background to know wether she had any training or not; I just know how much I love her singing. But, the flaw in your argument is not in the substance of the general point, but in the specific example. Saying that Kathleen Battle singing spirituals doesn't move you the way that Mahalia Jackson does proves little. Have you ever heard Mahalia Jackson sing Schubert Lieder? I haven't either, but I am fairly confident that it wouldn't make me cry the way Battle can. This a common mistake by performers; singing or playing in a genre outside their comfort zone.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qki5oy1z14

Rok, I admit to being baffled by your statements toward Tom Harrell . You could not be more wrong in your assessment of his playing. I was led to Mr. Harrell in the mid eighties by a trumpet player/teacher who worked in a record shop I hung out in. Very emotional player who I have never heard struggle in any way technically. Roars through changes while keeping his ideas coherent.Has 30+ years of very good to great recordings.

I intentionally choose a burner, as I was reminded of this GREAT version of Phil Wood's bands, by listening to the trumpet playing of Blue Mitchell.
Hal Galpner was/is a very good piano player. Check out some of his solo
work.

If he had been around from 1955, and died in 1963, AND played on Blue Note you would love him.

Frogman, before I could only compare the different versions of a tune, but now that we have you to give us a new perspective from a "nuts and bolts" point of view; maybe you could compare these two versions of "My Favorite Things".

I know you're tired of hearing this, but I'm going to tell it again. When I saw Trane live, this is what he played; try 45 minutes of "My Favorite Things". Miles said Trane played for himself on live performances; I saw Miles and I had no idea what he was playing; talk about the pot calling the kettle black, that's the best example yet; but Trane worked the tune so many different ways. I was at a table with some professional musicians, and they were in a Trance; to be honest, I was lost; but I'm sure you would have enjoyed it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33o32C0ogVM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWG2dsXV5HI

Enjoy the music.