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Lou Donaldson's Blindfold Test in new Jazz Times


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Hell, the cat's nearly 83. If anything's gonna come back and haunt him, it better already have a lunch packed, a gas tank full, and an alarm set for 4:30 AM.

put differently, it would have been a sign of respect towards the old age, not to do this type of interview with him anymore... it's great that he can still play, but what he's saying is obviously not suitable for a larger audience anymore...

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Well, I finally read it the other day. Seems like some of what he said was meant to be tongue in cheek---and should be taken as that. I think, though I wasn't a big Frank Morgan fan and thought he was over-rated, he went overboard in calling him an 'amateur as an improvisor', or whatever he said exactly. He was no amateur and had something to say. Things like that are a drag to read.

I thought early in the interview and throughout Lou made comments that gave insight into a lot of his attitude and misgivings: he broke his ass to make a living and I believe anyone who can make a living playing an instrument, let alone playing jazz, has an underlying terror that the economic carpet will suddenly be yanked. I can relate. That's why Lou was talking about players who 'if they would've bended just a little they wouldn't be on welfare now'. You hear someone doing something maybe original and you admire their courage b/c you know they're in for a bitch of a life. I think his comments about Monk being a genius but he wouldn't touch his music on a gig b/c he 'couldn't sell it' spoke volumes.

I think he also sincerely believes in entertaining people and playing what they can relate to, and he manages to do it playing some bebop, not a bad thing at all. His opinions, otherwise, are just that, opinions.

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And since I decided that it would be worthy to chronicle the many notable comments on his brethren:

T-shirts with the insignia

I WAS DISSED BY DONALDSON

Hey, a guy gotta make a buck, ya know?

Coming to a blatherfest near you..........

When it comes to blather, might want to clarify that it's Lou you're talkin 'bout and not Sam.

Or maybe not.

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