Jazz for aficionados
The more I hear Phil Woods, the more I think he could be the top alto Sax player of all time. I am sure his peers recognized his talent and ability, but I think if he had been African-American, his standing in the public's consciousness would be much greater than it is now. He might have had Bird's horn, Bird's wife and Bird's place in the Jazz hierarchy. Just food for thought. Cheers |
Sergei Rachmaninoff : A reviewer once said, all this composer's music sounded like movie themes. I have not liked him since I read that comment. Cheers |
Rok, not all movie themes are bad; "I Want To Live" is one of the best examples of some boss jazz from a movie soundtrack; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Ne0Ig9lDU "The Sandpiper" is another; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfdjwcgkxrE And how about "The Thomas Crown Affair" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8De60rjRR0 Also, when you have the usual suspects for a boss jazz album, and you throw in Michel Legrand, it's like putting a different spin on a dynamite recipe. |
Rok, there is very little, if any, hype about Michel Legrand as a great jazz player. I agree with most of what you wrote and I think your description of him is actually spot on. The hype is about how he is, first and foremost, a great composer/orchestrator of great movie scores and beautiful tunes that often lend themselves to jazz interpretations. When I hear his music I often think of a hip little roadster speeding around mountain roads. I think his music should be judged for what it is and on those terms it’s great. His piano playing has that certain European sense of swing that to says “white” (sorry) and keeps him from the top tier of players. I also agree about Phil Woods; perhaps the greatest...in many ways. The only caveat being that he would have been the first to admit that he copied Bird a lot. As was mentioned recently, he built on Bird’s vocabulary to develop his own voice. Technically, he was unsurpassed. Great player. re Rachmaninov: forget what the reviewer said. How did YOU like his music? I can understand why you think “movie music”. Unabashedly beautiful melodies and masterful orchestrations. One of the greatest composers. Check out his “Symphonic Dances” and get back to me. |
I was looking for new jazz, but instead discovered a beautiful Flamenco singer, "Estrella Morente"; she's new to me anyway, but I haven't been into Flamenco. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz92rUcc6LA |
