Free For All

I guess one reason that it bothers me when people say "I don't like that tune regardless of who performs it" is that people also will say "I don't like trombone (or whatever instrument), I don't care who's playing it", and that kind of close-minded attitude is a real drag. I guess the premise of threads like this bothers me more than what specific tunes people do or don't like. I also dislike those "who's overrated" threads. Thankfully they don't appear here too often.

rhey are indeed rubbish. Well, in the right hands, I like all three of those. Bill Evans' solo version of WCITT is beautiful*. Frank Foster did a great arrangement of Make Someone Happy for Woody's band. EDIT: *My mistake, I was thinking of Bill's solo version of "What Kind Of Fool Am I", but I expect that tune is in the same category as "Who Can I Turn To" for many people.

Better not piss off Norman, Chuck!

So is this thread about "jazz standards we don't like" (as it's titled) or "jazz standards we may like but are overly played/frequently abused" (as per your and Rooster's posts)? I hate to hear great tunes played badly (especially Wayne's- I hate when people play the wrong turnaround on Footprints, to name one example), but I still don't think that makes the tune undesirable (my original premise regarding all these threads). You're saying you don't like any tunes in the Shorter "book"? Please clarify. BTW, "The Wayne Brigade" LOL

It's funny, Cherokee was originally a very medium-tempo tune (when it was Charlie Barnet's theme song). During the bop era it became one of the main cutting-session burners, and that's where it seems to have stayed. For me, Cherokee is more interesting as a chord progression- not a particularly interesting melody IMHO. It's fun to blow on- one of those tunes that's probably more fun to play than to listen to, like many tunes from the bop era. Of course, if it's just the melody you dislike, there have been contrafacts written on the changes- KoKo, Harold's House of Jazz and others. Not trying to change your mind or nothin'. I do like Clifford's version, BTW.

Ditto!

Happy belated birthday Rod!

Sorry I'm late to the party. Happy Birthday Glenn!

Happy birthday Marcello!

Catesta teed up all these recent birthdays so I'm going to cash in on his work. Happy birthday!

Me too. Happy birthday!

Why waste a perfectly good cheesesteak? (man that looks tasty)

Are you saying Allen's other choices made more sense to you?

I like Cassandra Wilson's version of Blue Skies (on the recording of the same name). And Al Jarreau did an interesting version that I heard at the end of "Glengarry, Glen Ross". My Blue Heaven? Is that considered a jazz standard? I've always thought of it as a pop tune, and if we're talking pop tunes I'll nominate one that I had to play in high school, and is a turd that can't be polished- "Love Theme From Ice Castles". (I just threw up in my mouth a little)

From my experience it seems like what they tell you in advance and what they actually do are often two different things at jazz festivals. You are often at the mercy of the whims of the stage manager- sometimes they will cut some slack for one artist while cutting another off short (yes, it can get very "political"). It might have had something to do with efforts to stay on schedule, or possibly another group needing some extra set-up time. No question it's a raw deal, but I think in anticipation of this one might plan a shorter program with the option to "audible" an extra tune or two if time permits. It means you might not get to end with the desired tune, but at least it will get played. You just never know how it's all going to go down.

Hey Wes! Nice to hear from you! How about James Cromwell as Gil?

There is an article in the October JazzTimes about the marketing of the Davis estate and seems like a movie project is being pursued. Wasn't there some talk about Don Cheadle wanting to play Miles?

The Miles 1958 version, the moment where Trane takes over on the second chorus and Jimmy and PC start to walk. That still gives me a rush.

Carl Fontana

I've been really enjoying the Jazz Icon DVDs. Just watched the '62 Basie with my jazz history class. Sonny Payne was tearin' it up! It was interesting to notice some of the details- Frank Wess had all his charts out on the stand while Marshall Royal had just a few. Thad played several great solos. I also picked up the Quincy, Diz, Chet and Blakey. Haven't watched them in their entirity yet, but what I've seen is great. High quality audio and video, and very good liner notes. And the Rosolino Jazz Scene USA segment is also a classic IMHO.

I love all those tunes. We've been down this road before, and I still think it has more to do with the specific interpretation and not the tune itself. I've heard corny/lame versions of many of these and other standards, but I don't write off the tune. I might write off the particular performance, though. Just when I think I'm tired of a specific standard I discover a version that breathes new life into it. I don't want to be close-minded about any tune until I hear what the player has to say. EDIT: I also think my perspective comes from being a player. I always feel like there is the undiscovered angle that I haven't yet thought of, so I tend to blame my own lack of creativity before the tune itself.

I thought Jack was good in "As Good As It Gets".

Another 30% off, good through 10/11/06 Keep 'em comin' fellas!

Hopefully these two events aren't related in any way.