Jazz for aficionados
Back in the day, it was mandatory that everyone have a copy of Makeba singing "The Click Song". Some more Makeba with a little Simone and Maskekela thrown in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-z6k27VG8w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpPJjM0vMeM Cheers |
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I don't care for his brand of Africa meets West music which often ends up sounding like mediocre Smooth Jazz to me. ***** No caring for his music is legit. Calling it "smooth" is just incorrect. Seems as if Most of his stuff is rooted in the Anti-Apartheid movement. Smooth it ain't. But it is easy on the ears. That's the nature of the music. Gentle swaying rhythms. Makes you grove even when the lyrics are saying the most serious and profound things. Flugelhorn is the perfect instrument for this music. Art farmer is the only player I can think of, off hand, that plays the Flugelhorn consistently. I would be interested in knowing these other great Jazz Flugelhorn players. And, I would not say Jazz is his first musical priority. 'Stimela' is to South Africa, what 'Katrina' is to New Orleans. Whining song. Cheers |
Point Of Order: ***** Why listen to Wynton's band playing this music when I can listen to Duke; just not on the same level. ***** You cannot use logic, or a line of reasoning, to make a point, that you previously lambasted, ridiculed or deemed silly / stupid when used by others. (1) I think I compared three different performances of Donna Lee. (2) I asked, why pickup Harrell, when Hubbard is right there next to it. Cheers |
You bring up something interesting. Sorry, it IS like smooth jazz as far as the music and music values go. The interesting thing I refer to and which is something that goes to the bigger picture of what it is that makes some music appeal to some. The message of the music as expressed through lyrics and even the music in the context of the societal issue that it is trying to express may not be "smooth" (apartheid), but, no matter how relevant that issue may be doesn’t necessarily make it good music in its totality. Of course, we have to take into account our own individual emotional association with the music or its message. Good music is defined by the quality of the message as well as the quality of the craft. To my ears, smooth, easy on the ears, whatever, his craft falls short. Will post some flugelhorn when I have some time. For starters think about the "easy on the ears" music that he plays and the demands that it presents (not!) on the player. It’s all a matter of degree. He can play nicely on some things even with the instrumental shortcomings I mentioned. Navigating the changes for Donna Lee or Lush Life? I’d rather go on that safari. |
