Jazz for aficionados
Ghosthouse, this is "jazz Jazz" that's too cool for words; "Ham Hock Blues"; now you know with a title like that, this is the real deal, I know Rok, can tell us all about dem ham hock blues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yosa8uF6myU Pass the corn bread, and don't go light on the beans. |
Thanks Frogman. Well, I’m gonna pat myself on the back a little. I thought that might be Tommy Flanagan though given how shallow my depth of jazz knowledge is, it could easily have been someone else. On the other hand, to me, he seems to have a clearly recognizable style ...very economical and tasteful; elegant even. Less is more. He plays on that Wes Montgomery recording that Acman or Alex recommended (I get foggy which of the two names starting with A! :-). He also played on that live recording (with WM) that Rok had recommended. How do you know so much about the details of that Swinging for Bennie cut? "trade fours" means to take turns doing 4 bar solos?? That doesn’t sound like very much time if I’m right about it. Must be multiples of 4 bars per solo??? Basie is another big name I know next to nothing about. That is some impressive soloing on that cut. It has a hint of something more avant that I’d expect. What I wouldn’t give for a time machine to travel back and see these guys in person. Not just talkin’ the 2 Franks but many from a roughly 3 decade period...40s - 60s. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/frank-wess-jazz-saxophonist-with-the-count-basie-... https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/frank-foster-dynamic-saxophonist-who-led-basie-band-... "Mr. Wess came from the old school of jazz, where a sense of soul-stirring swing was what mattered most. ’If you can’t tap your foot or dance to it, you may as well be driving a cab,” he said in 2005. “That’s what it’s all about.’ ” Sounds vaguely familiar, don’t it. And some more good stuff! "Mr. Foster played the band’s traditional favorites, but he also introduced many new and more thorny works that were not as popular. ’The old school says they’re tired of hearing the new stuff,’ he told the Los Angeles Times in 1995. ’They don’t understand that musicians have to be constantly challenged or you lose them. . . . I’m on the side of those who like newer things.’ ” Me too. |
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On the other hand, to me, he seems to have a clearly recognizable style ...very economical and tasteful; elegant even. ***** Sounds like a critic /academic to me. I would never buy a CD because someone said it was 'economical' or 'elegant'. ***** ’They don’t understand that musicians have to be constantly challenged or you lose them. . . . I’m on the side of those who like newer things.’ ” ***** By 1995 We had already lost most of the ones that really counted. Lost to that thing called death. You should be on the side of great music, recent or vintage. Cheers |
Ghosthouse, me too. I think we got our wires crossed a bit, though; my bad. When you referenced the reviewer on Amazon who pointed out that the record was reissued as "Juggin Around" my brain went to the title cut of that record. The personell is, of course, the same but the solo order that I mentioned is for the tune "Juggin Around" from that session: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JR0WWhRgzrg On "Swinging With Benny", Frank Wess plays flute and only two tenors play, as you pointed out, Jug and Foster. Yes, "trading fours" means trading four measure solos. Btw, "elegant" and "economical" is the perfect description of Tommy Flanagan's style; very appropriate. And good for you for recognizing Tommy Flanagan's style. |
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Btw, "elegant" and "economical" is the perfect description of Tommy Flanagan's style; very appropriate. And good for you for recognizing Tommy Flanagan's style.***** Of course 'elegant' is in the ear of the listener, and 'economical' could stem from the fact old Tommy did not have much to say. I guess we could be thankful for that. Cheers |
