papsrus

Put in an order for The Complete H.R.S Sessions Mosaic.

Analysis has its place, but hey... I like to enjoy music, too. I think the analytical thing can be switched on or off (at least, I know that that's true for me), and I think (again) that there's a bit of a false dichotomy being set up here, re. musicians vs. non-musicians. Our brains are processing what we listen to, sometimes in very analytical ways, regardless of whether we've got formal training in music or not. We can all recognize pitches and intervals and many, many other elements of music. To say that people who aren't musicians *cannot* hear subtleties in music is (to my mind) a lot like saying that only painters can recognize red, blue, yellow... right down the line. We might not be conscious of the fact that our brains are, in fact, organizing and evaluating what we hear, but the processes go on nonetheless. I've seen adults who swear they can't play a note be able to pull off highly complex rhythmic patterns *if* those things are presented in a way that doesn't look like theory or notation. (following the stresses and weak beats in a nonsense rhyme, for example.) If you were to tell these folks what time signature they're playing in (or whatever), I think they'd freeze like the proverbial deer in the headlights. It's not a matter of tricking people in this case, but of using avenues that seem less charged - and less associated with some sort of professional competence. So all of you attentive, thoughtful listeners out there had better stop going on about how your perceptions must be somehow innately less insightful than those of so-called "professionals." 'Cause I think you're all wrong about that - of course, who the heck am I to act like some kind of authority, eh?! Well put. ... And I would guess many people here are musicians of one level or another anyways. Play a little guitar, piano, sax or trumpet ... or took music lessons at some point. ... Not to say we're all musicians of course, but rather have some familiarity with written music and an instrument or two. So it's not as if it's a completely foreign concept. ... As usual, a lot of mixing around the edges.

As someone who landed here recently, let me just add my gratitude and birthday wishes. I've already learned a great deal here, and been turned on to some mighty fine music. Thanks for the great space. ....

Yeah, each probably has its advantages and disadvantages. The musician hears music and may reflexively begin to dissect and analyze it as he or she is listening, whereas the listener with little or no formal knowledge of music may hear a piece of music in a more pure or unfiltered form, tapping into its emotional impact, for instance, without being distracted by counting the bars (or whatever). Not to say a musician wouldn't tap into this as well, but just through a different path.

Reviving this old thread as I just received the Chu Berry Classics 1937 - 1941 disc. (These Chronological Classics discs seem to be available through Caimen sometimes for quite a bit less than elsewhere, btw.) This disc apparently collects all his recorded material as a leader, which isn't a whole lot, it seems. Four separate bands represented here. Sound quality is perfectly acceptable, to my ear (the high end seems to be dampened down a bit, but not bad). And the music is wonderful. Berry comes through loud a clear. ... Should add, this is my first foray into Chu Berry's music. I'd have no trouble recommending this compilation.

I can vouch for that. Thanks. I'm looking at the Mosaic now. I don't know the answer to Paul's original question about the material on the Rex Stewart disc I ordered, I'm afraid. A cut from that Ellingtonians album was featured on the BBC program -- "Cherry," I believe. Sensational tune. The HRS does look inviting. EDIT: On order. Thanks so much for pointing this one out. Very excited!

You know I agree with this. It is the points where these different regional musics collide, as you say, that some of the more fascinating musics emerge. Dave Douglas' Tiny Bell Trio draws upon Eastern European influences. Some of guitarist Brad Shepik's discs as a leader look to the Balkans and Turkish musics for inspiration. Or Peter Epstein's "Esquina" with Portuguese pianist Joao Paulo. Texier's African adventures. The list is long. And yes, this all demonstrates a strength in the music today, not a fragmentation, in my view. That creative improvised music can adapt itself to and absorb such a broad range of musics is a wonderful thing. Excellent examples! And I tend to think, although I don't have any empirical evidence to back up the assertion, that more young people these days are being affected by this cross-cultural absorption than we give them credit for. Yes, no empirical evidence, but don't the jam band scene and the folk revivalist thing that is happening now overlap somewhat with creative improvised music? These two genres are very much in the forefront of youth music today, I think. ...

You know I agree with this. It is the points where these different regional musics collide, as you say, that some of the more fascinating musics emerge. Dave Douglas' Tiny Bell Trio draws upon Eastern European influences. Some of guitarist Brad Shepik's discs as a leader look to the Balkans and Turkish musics for inspiration. Or Peter Epstein's "Esquina" with Portuguese pianist Joao Paulo. Texier's African adventures. The list is long. And yes, this all demonstrates a strength in the music today, not a fragmentation, in my view. That creative improvised music can adapt itself to and absorb such a broad range of musics is a wonderful thing.

Nice meaty discussion. Really enjoyed the insights into Rex Stewart's technique and sound. Prompted after listening to the program to go ahead and pick up a copy of Vol. 2 of the Small Groups. ... and then this ... "Rex Stewart and the Ellingtonians"

Two words: Russian tennis .... (game, set, match)

I agree with this wholeheartedly, and I think your list proves the point. I'd add alto player Matana Roberts (I'm going on endlessly about her lately), an AACM alum with a unique voice who is forging her own path while at the same time mining traditions that range from the blues to her own African heritage. While not a strictly unique path, it is certainly one that is rich with possibilities. Those who lament what they see as the neoclassical dead-ends in the music today may be looking in the wrong places.

After listening to a newly arrived quartet disc by Hall, pulled the trigger on this one, which features Hall in both quartet and sextet settings with the likes of Milt Hinton and Vic Dickerson: I know nothing about this reissue label -- Mighty Quinn -- but they are said to have high production values.

Myra Melford is at the top of my list of pianists. Marylin Crispell isn't far behind. So, my two favorite pianists are women. Neither is a singer. I'm listening lately to alto player Matana Roberts as well. It is worthy noting that all three of these players operate on the outer fringes somewhat -- more free players than straight ahead certainly. Someone mentioned earlier that the European free improv scene was more welcoming to women than straight ahead jazz. Maybe there's something to that. ... I know nothing about Norah Jones, I'm afraid.

Not that there's anything wrong with it, yada, yada, but ... you'd think a bunch of baseball players would realize that this was going to come off as the Village People. There's no getting around matching silk jackets and tight, white pants in an all-male group dance, is there?

I didn't make it very far in, but that was awful. ... damn.

You're too balanced by half MG Hah! ... You might be onto something there.

I'm not so sure lack of education is the problem. There are lots of students today who don't care about education because they see it's not necessary. They can make (relatively) good money fixing cars, which might be what they like to do anyways. But the best students today are almost certainly more learned and more in number than the best students of a century ago. The increase in population and advance of knowledge alone would make it almost impossible for it to be otherwise. We have wonderful universities stuffed full of bright young kids. ... A century ago, ?? I read this article over at Salon the other day, and it dovetails with my own sense that one of the big problems we have today is this: With the advance of knowledge and the wide availability of a broad range of information today, people become convinced of a certain thing and once they are, almost nothing will move them from viewing it with certainty. I see that in the recent discussion here of the Kennedy assassination, for example. ... (I make no claim either way). As the author of the above-linked article outlines, the way in which we become convinced of something is not necessarily through a dispassionate assessment of the knowable facts. Far from it. From the article: Whatever you might think of the article, it does offer one explanation of why we have so many people running around today convinced of everything from flying saucers to a 6,000-year-old earth. And why nobody really listens to opposing views once they become convinced of something. And, to get back to the title of the thread, that is one of the strongest criticisms of the people running the country today and the source of many of our current problems. They are convinced they are right. They don't listen to anything that doesn't reinforce already-held views. It's the extremism of certainty. (Of course, I'm not sure I'm convinced of any of this ... just thought I'd throw it out there ...)

I pre-ordered this album a few weeks ago and it should arrive this week. Her band Sticks and Stones has a couple of nice releases also, titled "Sticks and Stones" and "Shed Grace." A really creative player.

Thanks for the link Bev.

No apologies necessary, from where I sit. I'm somewhat in the same boat as you are in regard to "discovering" Ellington in particular, but also other big band music ... and the journey continues. Yours sounds like a great -- if sometimes detailed -- job (hardly seems right to call it a 'job'). Count yourself lucky, even if in "relative poverty." I'm guessing you do. ...

I don't disagree that Buckley was a significant figure in the conservative movement (obviously). Whatever one's politics, that isn't in dispute. It's Brooks I find shallow. This is a lazy piece, IMO.

This is a lazy piece of drivel. There are ways to express one's admiration without boring everyone with your school paper prose, fond recollections of the good old days and name-dropping all over the article. Sheesh. ... I don't even get the last line. What's that supposed to mean? Buckley was far too great a man to relax? Too self-obsessed to find inner peace? ... Brooks is just an awful and annoyingly self-centered writer. This entire piece is more about him than it is about Buckley.

before you discount the existence of ritual abuse based on the wikipedia entry, note their own warning: This article or section has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain inappropriate or misinterpreted citations which do not verify the text. * An editor has expressed concern that the article is unbalanced. after a careful reading of the article, i can see multiple examples of all three points of contention. Noted. Thank you

That's because they don't want you to know. I was afraid of that ... What else are they hiding under those black capes and pointy hats?!

Wiki has a not bad overview of conspiracy theories, lines of argument used to justify, that sort of thing. They list some of the biggies: (I didn't know about the satanic ritual thing. ...)