JSngry

I just now had to spend nearly $20 for a UK Kudu compilation CD to get the version of "Stormy Weather" from CAPRICORN PRINCESS. That's too damn much, but that one cut is worth it. Shoulda bought the album back in the day instead of always hearing it on the radio. Oh well, that's how it goes.

Hey.

This poll is prompted by the Sinatra Recommendations thread. It's interesting to me to see most people recommend Sinatra's "swing" material at the expense of his ballad work. Myself, I like the swinging stuff ok, but I don't think that Sinatra himself really became totally or consistently at ease with the idiom until the 1960s, when, my hunch is, the gradual erosion of his more subtle vocal skills "forced" him to concentrate more on purely rhythmic phrasing and less on the whole lyric-melody art-song type of thing. The beauty of the Capitol "swing" albums for me is often as much (or more) in the arrangements, and how Sinatra sings within them. An art unto itself, to be sure, but there's a difference between that type of singing and "pure" jazz, or even "swing", singing. Not saying that to infer superiority of one style to the other, just noting the difference. As a balladeer, though, I find his work consistently interesting, engaging, and quite often emotionally and technically profound, to say nothing of deeply moving. For me, ONLY THE LONELY is as deep a statement as has ever been made within the realm of "American Popular Song". There's a true gravitas to Sinatra's interpretations of these songs (to say nothing of Riddle's arrangements) that makes it (again, for me) a more deeply satisfying experience than the "swinging" material. Those things are marvelously entertaining, artfully wrought, and culturally iconic, but they don't get inside my head, heart, and soul like these ballads do. And it's not just that one album either. NICE 'N" EASY is not as dark, but it's every bit as musical and soulful, if significantly more tender, and there's any other number of ballad performances over the years that I find to be of the highest possible order. The Capitol version of "I'm A Fool To Want You" would be a prime example. In fact, I have more than a few musician friends who consider "Sinatra", as in the Rat Pack icon, a little corny (or worse). But they, almost unanimously, are laudatory for the man's work on the best ballad material. Some of them weren't really familiar with it, but were shocked when finally exposed to it. The phrasing, the shadings, the "operatic" elements of interpretation adapted to popular ballad singing in a totally organic fashion was what struck them, as was the depth of emotion. One guy even went so far as to say that he still hated Sinatra, but that he bought ONLY THE LONELY because, "Nobody has ever sung those songs any better." I have to agree. Although a few singers have given us ballad interpretations that have been as "good", as "meaningful", as "heartfelt" as Sinatra's best work, I don't know that anybody has done any better. Different in terms of idiom and personal perspective, yes. (But, of course, different and better are two different things.) I'd not begin to say that about his swing work. Great as much of it is, I don't think that's where, overall, he made his truest/deepest statements. So, that's my opinion. what's yours?

My sister had a dog named Karma. My karma ran over my dogma.

When guns are outlawed, only puppies will have guns.

The problem with tennis is that it's tennis.

Yeah, it's really good.

And it's so bright he's gotta wear sunglasses?

It's an old episode, for sure. I saw it when my son was watching Mr. Rogers, and that's been about 15 years ago. I'm thinking that Kloss might have been on twice. Seem t remember him playing in a cave or something.

That wouldn't just be a mistake, that would be an act of insanity!

I find it refreshing that Germany as a whole is still entertaining the notion of "catching up", of recognizing that a substantial portion of its citizenry is at a distinct economic and social advantage through no fault of their own, and of at least attempting to create a level playing field for all who want to play the game. Here's hoping that they can avoid the mistakes, all of them, that America has made in its attempts to do the same.

Always liked him myself.

What label is this on?

Our local NPR affiliate preceded WATTSTAX w/a thing called "John Lennon's Jukebox", or something like that. I guess Lennon had a portable jukebox that he carried around, and the show was a look at what records were on it (lots of R&B), and intervies with those artists (as much as possible). I only caught the last half of it, but it was cool, if slight. Great performance footage, and cool interviews w/Steve Cropper & John Sebastian. But WATTSTAX, my god, what a great movie, and not just for the music. LEAST of all for the music, in fact. And the music was beautiful! The DVD WILL be mine! BTW - I recognized Ted Lange, but was Jayne Cortez also amongst the interviwees? I thought I recognized her by her voice.

Know Air!

Great bathroom reading!

The Rufus Thomas segment should be required viewing across America. Hell, the whole movie should be. Beautiful says it all, about it all.

THIS HAS TO BE THE GREATEST BEER JINGLE EVER! AS ARIC WOULD SAY I THINK IM GOING TO JIZZ MYSELF!!!!

My friend just told me that this jingle is availble on a new CD: http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?...&cart=204276718 It has been ordered!

Some, yeah. As well as about his time w/Maynard and Dinah Washington (I didn't realize that Zawinul had been her regular pianist and had played on "What A Difference A Day Made"). It's not the focus of the book, but it's in there fairly good.

It is (was?) a New Orleans brew. Pretty big in the 60s, IIRC. Haven't ever tasted it, since by the time I got to drinking age, it was already in decline as far as being anything other than a "local" brand.

A buddy sent me this link to a 1964 Jax Beer jingle featuring Patty Waters of ESP fame. Check it out! http://stasick.org/pattywaters.mp3 I actually think that I remember hearing this on the air regularly in 1964. We were living in Shreveport, La then, and the airwaves were pretty full of Jax beer commercials. The first play of this file "sounded familiar", I can tell you that! PATTY WATERS!!!!!

People who think that the Populism of the American Mid-West is rooted in some form of leftist idealism instead of the real-life experiences of living off and with the land (and the rest of nature) are strongly encouraged to read the above post until it sinks in.

Man, ain't it a drag that the cost of eliminating Communism and reuniting your country is some culture shock and the need to spend some bucks. BUMMER!

Yeah, those too!