Jazz for aficionados
O-10, that John McLaughlin/L Shankar clip was fantastic; I loved it. Talk about two players being locked into each other musically; and clearly enjoying it. Thanks for sharing. This is McLaughlin with another favorite guitarist Paco De Lucia: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls5Zmf4sCmo |
I was listening to "Star Eyes" from my computer play list, and thinking that's got to be the best version of that tune I've ever heard. (I'm not even close to the computer when I listen; consequently, I can't read who's playing) Try as I might, I couldn't place who was playing. Although it was led by the tenor man, (I've got a lot of them), "OK, I'll just listen and enjoy the music." The more I heard this tune, the better I liked it; when a tenor sax man can make the words and meaning of a song come out as well as a vocalist, that's saying something. I once knew a "Star Eyes" with the most astounding, sparkling eyes I've ever seen, and her image flashed before me. The piano that followed the tenor fit so perfectly, then the trumpet; "That sounds like Lee Morgan", now back to that singing sax which brings out this tune as well as any vocalist. I discovered this was "Star Eyes" off my Mosaic LP compilation, Mosaic MR4-106, The Complete Blue Note Recordings of The Tina Brooks Quintets; Lee Morgan, trumpet; Sonny Clark, piano; Doug Watkins, bass; Art Blakey, drums, and it was recorded on March 16, 1958. That was the congregation on "Star Eyes"; these various groups Tina assembled consist of the very best jazz musicians of that time between 58 and 61. This compilation of records contains 4 well recorded LP's and two booklets. Rok, while this compilation isn't available on CD, "Star Eyes" is available on "Tina Brooks - Minor Move" CD. Enjoy the music. |
Learsfool, how true, and I know that scenario well. More and more I show up to a freelance job where, first of all, I look around and ask myself "who are all these people?" (young!!; or perhaps more accurately: I'm getting old!!). There are are so many truly fantastic young players fresh out of conservatory who can play anything with accuracy, great pitch, and even good understanding of the repertoire; but, somehow, they tend to sound more alike than not, and don't have the experience to get them out of a musical "jam". As Rok so astutely said once "music is not about perfection". Unfortunately, given the current state of the BUSINESS of music these young players have to start from a place of perceived "perfection" to stand a chance of getting to the point later in their careers where they can express more individuality. |
Just in case my very short comment's meaning wasn't clear, just wanted to congratulate you for being able to identify Morgan. Which relates to some of my earlier comments re players' clear and identifiable personalities; some have it, some don't. Morgan had a certain swagger in his playing that was unique. Regards. |
