I think his current work is a lot more interesting then 80s 90s and I appreciate those additional recommendations! I know I can probably get them sealed at local record store at lower than internet prices and certainly less shipping. For all who wants to talk about "real jazz", please understand that all music matters. I also don't see why anyone should try to be Oscar Peterson. Being yourself is a lot better.
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"West Coast easier jazz"? "Strikes me almost like muzak" "Jazz for white people "? And @bigtwin You guys all have your head in the sand. Bob James may not have been among the pioneers you mentioned, but he has been a legend in his own life for many years and deserves kudos for all of his accomplishments. He goes back many years but is most remembered for his Taxi tv theme, but then went on for years with the band Fourplay, a band that was very successful both creatively and commercially. And he did many solo albums as well. One that was very special was his lp, "Playing hooky", warner bros. 1997. For all of you know-it-alls about music, you don't know jack about classical. Check out his first cut on playing hooky, "playing with fire". It's an arrangement based on Chopin's "Etude in E major, opus 10, no. 3." It's genius, and he turned it into a jazz tune that was seamless. Then Google his recent"tiny desktop concerts", where he hired some of the best young jazz musicians to accompany him. See how he still holds a candle. Then go pound sand. Because this guy has had a career based on talent that you are all blind in seeing or appreciating. And you should all be so lucky to be alive at his age. |
@judsauce "Go pound sand"? Who pissed in your cereal? I thought my original post was fair. I complimented the album Heads. Your reaction to others who find Bob James a little too melliw is simply over the top. IMHO. Everyone knows he wrote the theme to Taxi. It's a nice tune. Very Bob James. Nice song to relax to. But as TV theme songs go, I prefer Tom Scott's "Gotcha" from his album Blow it Out, the theme to Starsky & Hutch. Now that gets your heart pumpimg. And classical music has been borrowed by too many artists to count. The Band's Chest Fever comes to mind. The intro was originally from Bach's Tocatta and Fugue in D minor. You like Bob James, I like Bob James. Just not to the same degree. Listen to the interplay between Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea that runs through Miles Davis's brilliant album In A Silent Way. It's exciting. There are many way to tickle the ivories. Bob James doesn't have to be at the top of everyone's list. Now go listen to some Bob James. Its very relaxing. 😂 Cheers. |
@judsauce I gave you my opinion, based on 40 years of listening and learning about jazz. It doesn’t align with yours. We have different tastes.
You’ve phrased this in a way which puts me down. That’s on you. But I don’t doubt his talent. He’s very very talented within a style and genre which I don’t prefer. I’m sure there are people who are very good at golf or sailing. There are experts at making Mac n' Cheese or paper airplanes. They can all be talented experts. I just don’t appreciate those things either.
And now...this. Why would you get so defensive about this artist that you’re saying this? Really, man, you need to understand that people appreciate -- and evaluate -- things differently. I’ll be going now and I know you won’t miss me, but you’ve shown me (and others) who you are. So that’s your burden, now. |
