Jazz for aficionados

Orpheus10, completely agree about Lecuona; some of the most beautiful.

An honest and well intended observation about a previous comment you made:

*****Am I the only person who finds it difficult to appreciate "solo" piano; where's the bass, where's the saxophone, where's the something besides a lone piano. No reflection on the music or the artist, but a personal observation of my perception of music; I need a combination of instruments.

While it's been nice to hear Kaper's music played on solo piano by Kaper, this listener requires a band in order for the music to project a wide range of emotions, and get me involved.*****

Glad you enjoy the solo piano by Lecuona.

Check this out. Killer arrangement, smoking rhythm section and great solos. Love the way that Valdes relaxes the time feel when he plays the well-known Zawinal melody over the drummer's simple but relentless and driving groove. Great stuff!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x2W8gbBzvUU

I think we can say that RAP was hijacked. In the beginning it was good, even great. Sort of like an urban version of Dylan.

Then folks figured out you didn't much to do it. No talent or musical training. Anyone with a loud foul mouth could do it. Lot of money to be made with little overhead.

But if you don't understand the 'RAP' phenomenon, just remember the advice of Deep Throat, 'Follow the Money'!

I have a CD by Ice-T and Quincy Jones that is not too bad. Even has 'Birdland' on it. Ice-T raps.

If you want the real deal, try 'The last Poets'. I warn you, not to everyone's taste, but great and painfully accurate commentary on inner city life. From the 70s, but sadly, still revelant. And they point the finger at the correct people. Truly urban Dylan.

Currently listening to Woody Shaw's WOODY III. Will report later.

Cheers

"Aficionados", you're conflating "RAP" with social commentary. "The Last Poets" was social commentary, Gil Scott-Heron would turn over in his grave if you called him a "Rapper". Is poetry "RAP"? Not all words spoken in rhyme and rythm are "RAP".

It's the intellectual content of the "Rap" that distinguishes one rap from another. "RAP" is almost exclusively about bitches, ho's and the low life style of pimps and thugs in as vulgar a language as possible.

Get real, we're talking gang life culture that's exploited for what it's worth, that's "RAP"; however, when we blame the people caught up in that culture, we're blaming the victim for the crime.

Once upon a time, there were people called "sociologist" who worked hard to explain, and prevent thug culture from spreading; but it was much cheaper not to hire people who worked to remedy the cause of the problem, and let the people deal with it as best they could.

Although this culture is closely related to poverty, the culture remains even after the artists have become millionaires, as we have witnessed; but to understand how people caught up in that culture are the victims as opposed to the criminals is beyond current thinking in this society. "Rap" goes far beyond music or social commentary.

Now you see how easy it is to "just enjoy the music".

O-10,

If you disagree with my post, Read my first sentence again. If you are in agreement with my post, then never mind.

The poets were rappers. They just talked about different and important things with intelligence, using street language. What they created was later 'hijacked' by the thugs who turned it into the ho thingy. Just as bebop somehow ended up being 'FREE'.

The thing is defined by the first, not the current. They just corrupted it.

Cheers