Free For All

Well, montq, you are right about Freddie and Wayne somewhat eclipsing Curtis in the Messengers group- I just think that the other work he's done (Bluesette, for example, or the sides represented by the Mosaic set) place him on solid ground in the big picture. I agree, "underrated" is a much better term than "B team". Glad you are a trombone fan! Bennie Green is the shiznit! Happy New Year!

I really don't think there's much of an argument to further, Brandon. After re-reading the thread, it's obvious the overwhelming consensus was that VG's music was indeed jazz. Some just seem to like him more than others, which is inevitable with any artist. Plus, people can only base their opinions on what they've heard, which may not be every single recording that the artist has done. There have been several things by VG mentioned that I'm curious to check out- I do have the Getz/Tjader and I need to check it out again having heard your hearty recommendation!

Ouch! Beauty is in the eye of the slideholder, I guess. This thread seems to bear the same potential danger as the Guaraldi, so I think I'll limit my participation to this one comment about who's been mentioned thus far: Curtis Fuller (only trombonist to have recorded w/Bud Powell and Trane) is top echelon in my book, as is Clark Terry, who influenced many players including Miles! Both were groundbreaking in terms of advancing style and technique on their instruments and both contributed hugely to jazz as players and gentlemen. No question in my mind.

Even I have standards, Moose..........................

Doubt it would make any difference, Johnny. People like you are already actively opposed to Bush and the Republicans. You're votes and actions are already tabulated in the "against" side of the ledger. So, really, your actions don't amount to a hill of beans. Why waste a New Year's resolution on that? Still, I don't mean to criticize the resolutions of others, so, good luck! Hell, it's his hill, and his beans, so what the fuck... Shouldn't this be on the political thread?

EDIT: ***********NON PC WARNING*************** Dolly Parton/Brian Blade..............watch for their upcoming duo session called "When Worlds Collide"! Features the hit singles: "All Boobs" "Rack-centuate the Positive" "Tits You Or No One" "AureOleo" ..........and I could go on and on and on...................

I prefer to make my victims suffer the slow, agonizing "Death Of A Thousand Clams".

Learn to appreciate Vince Guaraldi more.

I've got one after a few years off- SIX (count 'em) SIX hours at a casino. Good bread, low satisfaction- definitely falls in the TUX/BUX/SUX category. How about the rest of you whores...er, I mean ar-TEESTS? Please report back when possible. And Happy New Year, Organissimites!

All in time, conn.

I grew up with Aebersolds and still use them for practice and teaching. They are very useful for learning tunes and improvisation fundamentals like time, harmony, melody and rhythm. I think of them as "part of a balanced meal" meaning that while they are very useful for the mentioned reasons, they are only part of the process. They obviously don't help with learning to interact w/the rhythm section or other players (unless one uses them with another player). It's a bit like learning a foreign language from a book only- you need to practice conversing to really get it. The chosen tempos are often not the most representative of a given tune, and you can't change them. There are some enharmonic spellings that IMHO are confusing (example: Dbmin7/Gb7/Bmaj7.....these three chords should all be written in either the sharp key or the flat key but not both- this confuses students who are learning about chord sequences representing key centers). They only offer the tune in one key, although there are some volumes that include tunes in all keys. Most of these problems can be avoided by using computer programs like "Band in a Box", which allow alteration of tempo, key and groove. I expect that there are probably better versions of this available by now. I can't take my computer to teach, so I tend to use the Aebersolds. Even with the flaws, I think that these play-a-longs provide a valuable opportunity for students to learn the repertiore and gain experience and confidence playing with a decent (often excellent) rhythm section without feeling inhibited. Often the actual live rhythm sections that are available for students are also dealing with their own issues, and there can be time, comping, etc. problems that distract the soloist and minimize the benefit. Just don't forget to play with other humans whenever possible, even if only in a duo setting. That's where you get to converse and see where your time/changes/etc. are at! They do cover a lot of good tunes, and I see where there's a Joe Henderson play-a-long on the horizon!

Speaking for myself, Jim, when I refer to something as "background music" (at least in this case) I'm not saying that I ignore or even talk over it. Remember the recent thread on this topic? The term has different meanings for different people- maybe we should avoid it altogether. If I'm going to be talking (at least in MY house) I usually don't even put music on. This is not a black-and-white issue; I often have music on while doing things in the house, but that doesn't mean I'm ignoring it. I often choose what to listen to based on how much "multi-tasking" I'll be doing. There are things I won't listen to because they require me to focus all my attention on the music, and there are things I can enjoy while doing something else. I mean do you listen with 100% attention every time you put something on? Man, I envy you that skill. I always listen to tunes while online, I don't think I'm disrespecting anyone. Sometimes I have to stop and listen! BTW, for me "background" doesn't necessarily mean soft volume! I do think of Vince a little differently then I do, say Bill Evans or Monk. I can't listen to those guys and do anything else but listen. This isn't necessarily a diss of Guaraldi, it just puts him in a different category for me. Maybe I haven't heard the right things. I have heard hot and cold Errol too. You seem to have a different opinion of him, and I certainly respect that. I'm not about to talk anyone out of their opinion. B) I'm certainly not cancelling him to those who are curious, but I think the original question was "is he jazz?" and I said YES!

I think his music is definitely jazz. The classification "jazz" includes an incredibly wide range of styles, not all of it to everyone's liking, but I think Guaraldi's music has enough of the identifying elements of rhythm, harmony and swing to assume a place under the jazz umbrella. It's also about context- when I'm watching all the holiday Christmas specials and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" comes on, the score sounds REALLY jazz-like* to me, compared to what usually surrounds it on TV. I think the soundtrack without the animation is a little less engaging. His other recordings, while often a little light on content, are fairly pleasant listening- nothing too brooding but not unenjoyable either. I might tend to choose his recordings for "background" music (forgive me) where focused listening isn't necessarily required to get the benefit. *I refuse to use the word "jazzy" EVER- I hear too many non-jazz listeners use it to describe pretty much anything w/o lyrics.

OK, let me first say I enjoy the spirituality and sentimentality of the holiday season. I enjoy seeing family and friends. I enjoy giving and receiving gifts. I like driving around looking at the Christmas lights (some people really live for putting up their lights, don't they?). That being said, please allow me to mention a few things that really bug me. - Phony manufactured TV sentmentality The "holiday" episodes of shows, especially sitcoms, that show the characters suddenly showing what "big hearts" they have. Local TV personalities on promos in red and green sweaters holding puppies,etc. and waving to the camera while some locally-produced holiday song plays. I really don't care if the cable company wants me to have a merry Christmas- lower your @#*$ rates, that'll get my attention. And please don't have all the local employees stand in a bunch and wave- it looks disturbingly like Jerry Springer's green room. - Holiday hypocrites These are people who attend holiday events meant to raise a positive spiritual "love your fellow man" vibe, and then get all bent out of shape if they have to wait a few minutes to get out of the parking lot afterwards. - Holiday music OK, I always enjoy digging out the jazz holiday music too, but by this point I've usually reached my saturation point, enough already! No more 'til next year please- it becomes like fingernails on a chalkboard after the 26th or so. Does every pop/country/opera/rap/smooth artist need to do a holiday recording or special? Apparently they do. I know when I think of quality holiday music I think of Alan Jackson. If I never have to attend another performance of the Nutcracker, I'll die a happy man. I love the Andy Griffith Show, but I can't stand his geriatric I-should-have-quit-while-I-was-ahead Christmas CD. And Clay Akins just plain creeps me out. - Christmas lights They come immaculately packed in those little plastic racks, each light in its own little protective area. Now when you put them away, do you painstakingly put each light back in its little space? My wife does. I do not- I have to "rassle" the lights out of their Escher-like knot each and every year. That's a start. I swear I'm really not a Scrooge, I just get tired of the usual holiday commercial BS. I also know having kids puts the holidays in a different light. Your thoughts?

So the first question that comes to mind is: Have you gotten screwed your whole life by Christmas and your birthday being lumped together, therefore reducing your gross annual gift booty? Well, here's hoping you have a happy 46th, Moose...........I'm about three months behind you. :rsmile: B)

If memory serves I believe that this was my major in college.

So I'm assuming "darbuka" means "birdbath"?

I'd heard he did some work on the Carol Burnett show. I'm assuming that was writing, but maybe playing too?

I just heard on Sportscenter that there was a locker room scuffle between KC team members after the Minnesota loss. It sounds like KC has finally imploded. Stick a fork in 'em- they're done, baby. They've lost their confidence (what little was left). I can't help but wonder who was pointing a finger- the offense and defense were equally impotent. What a heartbreaking season, just like the Royals.............

I can't figure how they acquired such a good record in the first half of the season. No one seemed to be aware that they were so easily beatable. The team that came back at Lambeau and beat the Pack showed heart and desire. Then they disappeared. It's a mystery to me.

When I was living in Austin I got a call to be Santa one year (someone who knew Santa-like musicians made it happen). Talk about earning your bread! That was the most miserable several hours I've ever spent. It was for the children of IBM employees and I thought it'd NEVER end! The outfit/hat/makeup was hot as hell and the kids were a bunch of greedy, snot-spewing, terrified, incontinent bunch of little................"sweethearts". It was one of those "I'm such a whore!" moments equalled only by the TUX/BUX/SUX gigs. Ho ho (cha-ching) ho.

Wow, Chris, thanks for sharing these photos! Great stuff!

I think if the Chiefs are to advance in the playoffs, they should do it the hard way, which is the scenario they're in the process of creating for themselves. Frankly, I think the Bears will win next week. The optimists (as well as the optomitrists ) in town are saying they'll do it when it matters, but I'm sorry, it matters NOW- going into the playoffs w/momentum is what it's all about- they peaked early and now they can't find their ass with both hands. They are in dire need of a major league gut-check and they need to earn every win from here on out. I'm sorry to say that I question whether they have the heart to do it. Edit: Eric and son, I feel your pain!!!!!!!!

I love it too, Lon. I can tell it might not be perfect by Gil's or Miles' standards, but it still is a very engaging few minutes of music. I also wish it had been a more complete project. If only Columbia could have sprung for more rehear$al time for the Miles projects (esp. Porgy and Bess) the final results could have been a little tighter. In the Passing Ships thread we talked about how some music worked in a "loose" state, but I think (actually I know, according to conversations w/Maria) Gil would have liked the ensemble to be better prepared. Gil is one of those in whom I trust completely, and I have never been disappointed. His assimilation into the jazz idiom of compositional/orchestration techniques used by classical heavies (like Stravinsky) is in a category of its own. I just try to listen to each project with a trusting and open mind and enjoy the ride with Gil at the wheel.