Jazz for aficionados
Wayne Shorter A little different Pinocchio than NSP is going to play next. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xz8S0oUuWE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZHggdxDNKc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVhw2NCxqaE |
frogman although I agree with supertweak that "Mysterious Traveler is creatively unique I really prefer the 1st three albums by Weather Report. Although I may agree the tunes on MT had more structure I like the extended pieces on the earlier albums which breathe with more open space and emphasis on the individual players and their interactions . My feeling is that as Zawinul became more prominent this element was lost. And also Shorters contributions seemed to fade with Zawinul's ascendancy. I don't listen to "Heavy Weather " anymore. That was the album that. introduced me to the group but I feel my tastes have changed over time. As far as W Shorter in concerned I think he is under appreciated as a composer and saxophone player. Although he came up in the bebop era he forged a playing style so unique in the 60's with M Davis group. His probing never rushed solos which took advantage of space were unlike anyone at the time. It fit well with Davis who also used less notes and used space within his solso to create a mood. And Idon't think Shorter gets enough credit for the compositions he wrote for Miles 60's group. I can't say enough abput this group and their move away from bebop which had dominated for almost 20 years. I am going back to that group to relisten to their output to gain new insights into the high level of musicianship they created. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qeJ9NEyxk8I http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xUC8NuiuXcs http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gZOoepKkpeI |
Early Weather Report: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eP4tzCLWEX4 http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=04fPJ3PEV9M |
Great WR clips, acman and pryso; thanks. Really good to revisit this group’s records after a surprisingly long time (for me) not spinning them. As I pointed out before, while I have always enjoyed their records they were never favorites and I am finding that my reaction to them is even more positive now. Good post, nsp; and good observations re WR. I would only add that while Wayne Shorter does seem to take more of a back seat to Zawinal beginning with Mysterious Traveller, my hunch is that there is more “Wayne Shorter” in the post-MT mix than may seem obvious. For me one of the most insteresting things about Shorter’s career is how his playing became more and more economical as time passed; as if he were on a mission to say the most with the least number of notes. As you point out he used space in his solos very well; one single well placed and shaped note from him can be so expressive and say so much. Consummate artist that he is, I suspect that taking more of back seat to Zawinal was itself an artistic statement on his part and not the result of any “political” issue. Miles with Wayne: my favorite jazz band of all time. Amazing Quintet with an amazing amount of musical synergy. For me, it just doesn’t get “better” than this as concerns level of musical interaction and intuition in jazz regardless of style. Tony Williams!!! One of Shorter’s more unique recordings: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPIB4rFPIA https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fijliIceqJ4 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8DTTx_hb_Gs |
Some tunes getting play on my system last night: Coleman Hawkins -Sirius 1966 date w/Barry Harris piano http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rgo47fMpsxw http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EcGC3E8jVbM I ask are there any current player(s) who can play a ballad as beautifully as Hawk? Phineas Newborn An excellent piano player who may not be as well known as others. Recorded for Contemporary with other major players. Very swinging player with an inventive mind. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=khn4QBLS88E http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IJALytAL6oM |
