I HATE the song Salt Peanuts


I don't hate that it was ever written (early 40’s) and played by Dizzie Gillespie, just that so many jazz artists insist on covering it since. Why?! It is such a meaningless premise for a song (warning: I am not a music scholar so I might be way off here) to be so revered as it seems to be – play a few bars of a goofy, disjointed "chorus", followed by "play whatever the hell you want, and real fast". I dig jazz and its premise of playing a few bars of a recognizable (or not) song, followed by "play whatever the hell you want." I'm OK with that. But Salt Peanuts is such a thrash of herky-jerky, oddball timing, that it not only throws off any groove laid down prior to it, but it is so odd that I rarely (if ever) hear anyone play it without being sloppy. It is a fast, herky-jerky, sloppy mess of a "chorus". It has no merit to keep on living. Pick/Write some other insignificant, meaningless, nonmelodic notes to play for a few bars to be simply used as an excuse to then "play whatever the hell you want", and play those instead. Why Salt Peanuts?

I hate it so much I have avoided purchasing certain jazz releases which have it included, such as Steamin' with the Miles Davis Quintet. And I LOVE Miles. I have his Workin', Relaxin', and Cookin' from the same sessions as Steamin', but not Steamin'. (I realize I could simply burn the CD wihtout that one song, but I hate it so much I've yet to buy the CD.)

I say, let's kill the bastard song and extricate it from our libraries! Come on, are ya with me? Let’s go!
rockadanny

Showing 1 response by chazro

Isn't 'Salt Peanuts' Dizzy's ode to weed?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdehtaWCQs0&feature=player_detailpage

Regardless, here's the latest (and one of the greatest!) versions. I'd say that one of the most neccesary tools for Jazz appreciation is an open mind. Listen 1st, than judge! As to the 'why' it's so heavily covered, obviously showing love and respect for Dizzy's the 1st reason. Add to that it's almost instant recognizability and catchy hook plus the fact that it's fun to play! ba dadda bup baddup ba dop baddup!!;)