Jazz for aficionados
*****I don't expect Mary Lou Williams music to affect everyone else, the same as it affects me.***** It might not, nor should it. Music is private. I just finished 'conducting' 'Bolero' and '1812'. At volume. I hope no one was watching. Glad you enjoyed Mary Lou. Her history is almost as compelling as her music. Gives "Against all odds" new meaning. Cheers |
Beautiful “Every Time We Say Goodbye”, pjw. Incredibly tender playing from Chet. You know, as I think about it, it’s really not at all surprising that Chet Baker was also a singer. It has long been recognized that many of the great instrumentalist ballad players (some are better ballad players than others) listen and pay close attention to the phrasing of the great vocalists. When I hear Chet play a ballad this way I feel as if he’s singing. There is less of a disconnect between the horn and his physical being compared to other players who sometimes pay more attention to the mechanics of playing the horn. Simple, direct and with vocal like inflections and timing. Quite beautiful. Thanks for that. This is one of my very favorite vocal renditions of that beautiful song from one of my desert island recordings: https://youtu.be/qkXYqUB-9NM |
Caterina Valente's music reminds me of the beautiful "Victoria Gomez". I sat behind Victoria in the 6th grade, and her long silky braids fell across my desk. Have you ever seen a puppy look at another dogs tail, and unable to control his fascination, he had to play with it? I don't mean to compare Victoria's braids to a dogs tail, but there they were, laying across my desk; I could not control myself, I had to play with them. She turned around and gave me a look that would curdle your blood. When you're in love, any look is better than no look at all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jsw1R-TNUc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxcjwdC1HlE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twoagPvLILY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iWO0b6PTxQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnpGtOhgc1o |
Betty Carter has such a beautiful voice, I love her and that song with Ray Charles. The best version, or our favorite version of a song does not necessarily have anything to do with artistic merit, but when that song affected us personally, and who first expressed that emotion in the song. Carley Simon did it for me on her album "Film Noir"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtlyEE9QCUI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQZmCJUSC6g&list=RDmQZmCJUSC6g&start_radio=1&t=71 |
**** The best version, or our favorite version of a song does not necessarily have anything to do with artistic merit, but when that song affected us personally, and who first expressed that emotion in the song.**** A very personal call, obviously; and I wouldn’t assume that those criteria apply to everyone. Personally, I couldn’t say “does not necessarily have anything to do with artistic merit”. For me, for any version to be a favorite it has to meet a certain standard of artistic merit. That’s not to say that “most” artistic merit will make it my favorite; but a version lacking artistic merit is unlikely to be a favorite no matter the memories it may conjure up. Just me. |
