fasstrack

Dude - you're the New Yorker and I'm the Texan. Let's get our stereotypes straight, please! Everything's big there, right? Like your far-reaching suppositions (as opposed to suppositories...) I'm not only a NYer, BTW, but a NY Jew. I may as well get into a museum diarama, hang there, and be done with it Man, one time I was visiting my friend in London, Frank Griffith (also a friend of Chirillo's). This guy took me to a bar and his department chair was there and shit-faced. The guy kept asking me questions about being a Jew from Riverdale. Would not shut up. Jeez, he got on my nerves. Finally I said "Motherfucker, what do I look like to you, Time Out Magazine with pais?" He pissed me off so much he bought me a drink and I didn't even drink it with him.

Yeah, ignorance. There's a lot of that going around. Since time-fricking-eternal. What is that, like big news or something?

OK, now it's making sense. You're talking about hypocracy re 'purity'---is that your point?

? Wow, you are intense. You're making like 9 points at once and it's hard to follow. Anyway, why take this shit so seriously? It's all opinion. I do stand by what I said, though. I especially don't get your point about 'informed arguments and principle'. What the hell are you talking about? Explain. BTW, small point, admittedly but isn't it Kessel (one L)? You're confusing my addled brain now--and it don't take much.

James is one of my best friends and he is a hell of a musician. That doesn't sound like anything he would say, though. 1974 was a long time ago, anyway.

I think this guy makes too much of amplification regarding Barney. I'm a jazz guitarist that came up through blues and rock---distortion on amps. Barney was a heavy-handed player with a heavy touch. When you do that you sort of can overdrive the amp. Jimmy Raney or Jim Hall, light touch players, could've played the same equipment and it wouldn't have sounded as distorted. When you get into a lot of rock players, they do play the amp because they grew up on solid body electrics and are clueless as to getting a sound from the guitar. This is a misperception musicians and music lovers continue to have about amps, and it's damn annoying. An amplifier is only that, a speaker, an intensifier of what's already there. If a player is loud and with a heavy touch the amp will sound more distorted. Any decent player will tell you the sound comes from you, your touch fed into the acoustical qualities of the instrument. So your friend was as misinformed as many are IMO. Finally, an acoustic piano and a rhodes, or any keyboard, are totally different animals. One has weighted keys, the other a spongy action. (except for, say, a digital) They really are electronic instruments which cannot be heard without amps and have to be approached entirely differently. People are certainly entitled to their taste, though. I've dug Rhodes for certain things. I think they maybe blend better with electric guitars for reasons best left unstated here. Not a huge synth fan. Whatever.

During my two times briefly living in Den Haag I kept hearing about a pianist who worked with Ben and others, Cess Slinger. Couldn't track him down. Finally I heard a live recording of Ben's---I have no clue which---with Cess backing Ben, and he was unique. I didn't read the entire thread, but put my vote in too for "Soulmates", with Joe Zawinul (and Thad on some things). Wonderful.

...a current and excellent New Yorker article on James Baldwin, and his early tenure in Paris.

It's not merely a geat vehicle, it's a great song. For years I played it as a jazz waltz, and it's fine like that. But it really is a ballad and now I want to sing it by memory. The lyrics are not easy and it rivals Blues in the Night---and Sinatra just put both away.

' I hear you, but it was still cool, mostly b/c of Stan. Ever hear 'Appassionata', with Kenny for Herb Alpert's label? Also good stuff.....

Only to your comment and citations. What's wrong with your own ears? You're a big boy. Really, I don't mean to be flip, I swear. But who gives a rat's ass what Penguin (or the Joker---rimshot ) says? Not musicans, I can tell you that. But I guess those guys don't write for us. Still.... As far as my own two cents, I'm a major Stan Getz fan (and not a major CC fan, but I liked his work better in that period, probably his best). I remember Sweet Rain as being very beautiful. Stan's solo on Con Alma was a masterpiece. I rember Captain Marvel a bit and I'm sure I would love it if reminded---mostly for Stan.

Went to hear one of the great minds in music, the great Benny Golson Thursday night. What a treat. At first I was disappointed he didn't play his own works, but he had set some classical pieces and a pop tune for a sextet (billed as the new Jazztet, or something like that) and it was a breath of fresh air. Wonderful. His voicings for tenor, trumpet, bone.....no one touches him IMO. Plus the man is a sweetheart. I've talked to him more than a few times through the years and even sent him my own music for his consideration (which he played through---every one). So I went backstage and waited for a lull with the photos and fans, etc. to tell Benny again what a hero he is to me. He took it in humility and appreciation. A truly great man and artist. And he's back living in the Apple! If I'm alive I will make it my business to catch Mr. Benny Golson at every opportunity---and open my ears. Wide. BTW: Benny's men: Eddie Henderson, trumpet; Steve Davis, trombone (bad MF); Mike Ledonne, piano; Buster Williams!, bass, Carl Allen, drums. Not too shabby.....

Geez, Laz. You're killing me. (Can't get the broadcast in the Apple)

They don't have speakers here at Parchman Farm (....and all I did was kill my wife ). Nah, really I'm at the library and still no speakers. Alas, no home PC yet, either. But the mind boggles.......... Jim, we gotta meet one day. I started singing myself recently----and the good news is the joint needed that turnover.....Nah, I love it, and permit myself a ballad or 16-bar tune fast forgotten with a good guitar chorus. Especially when I'm the leader. Best I can tell, one can't fire oneself....

The pleasure is all mine, Chris. Nice to reconnect in the Age of Obama. Nowhere to go but up, ne c'est pas? BTW, I doubt I'll kick it around politically here---this is a rare day off. I'll just mention, though, (go ahead, call me a name-dropper if it floats your boat(s) )that one of my oldest NY friends, a one-time NY bassist and now full-time economist named Jared Bernstein, is now Biden's economic advisor---and, I believe, on some other committee---perhaps Itty Bitty Titty . Jared is a great guy, privately hilarious---off-color hilarious, and with little prompting, but the main point is he's top-notch, and---if heeded---his recommendations will be great medicine. But then I am prejudiced. See you 'round 'dis heah campus---Chris and all the rest.

Jeez. Engulf & Devour struck again?. More likely people are shopping from home---ironically perhaps sitting at the very computers Circuit City may have sold 'em-----IF they're shopping at all. Everybody I know and see in the USA now are waiting to see Obama's next move before even peeing, so...... Yeah, put me down in the sympathy column. They weren't bad folks, as corporates go. I can't complain about the prices and deals I got. Tsk, tsk.

Jim, the way things are looking this summer I might be the subject of a skull tour....Like those old Westerns where you see cattle carcasses on a bleak horizon (or Mad Magazine parodies of same---much funnier) Seriously, I was thinking of calling old Tim, since the summer is always troublesome. Everything slows down but, surprhase, surphrase (thank you Gomer...) my goddamn bills. Actually I was turned on to an agent that books Asia, but even if I go that route---hotel gig in Singapore or some such---being tethered to a 4-month contract on a gig I may not enjoy is not the greatest of prospects. At least with Scully I get to see old friends like Lazaro (and make new ones). Yeah, I think I'll call him. I want to bring the group I mentioned with a 4th piece, perhaps a singer we all know and dig. Thanks, guys, for your warm welcome. And Jim, if I make it and you drive all the f$%^% out to the peninsula to hear us----you're even nuttier than me, and I heartily congratulate you I have to get Tim's info again. The dog ate my old cell phone----or something. Paging Lazaro. PM me, dude. I lost your #, too. So get off your knees thanking the Lord for that and contact me. I also wanna say hi and to tell Mr. Scully his favorite Christ-killing guitarist wants to come back.

Thanks. I'm leaving shortly to drive---like only a true lunatic would---all the way out in this weather (snow, rain, schmutz in NY and probably it's worse on LI) to Riverhead, LI (probably 90-100 miles from me, anyway a long-ass drive) to visit Teddy Charles. He has sessions but today the weather sucks so I get Teddy to myself to play a few, listen to his stories about the cats, tell the little I know (boy did I know some jazzers in my day...). With Mr. Charles' permission I may report some of those stories...................

Then you oughta let him know when they start making albums again......

Wow. You MFrss are even nuttirer than me. I lorve it

Couldn't resist that self-congragulatory opening The truth is I've hardly checked in here for a while and I will again more frequently. I may even have something intelligent to add (wasn't that slick the way I appeared to hedge in mock-self-deprecation? ?) My news: (Thank you so much for asking) is that things are looking up. Either that or my recent purchase of a telescope is paying off (rimshot) after some rough years. A few years back I got fed up with life and moved to Holland (no not Holland, Mi. Lazaro, the nation). I had friends there. Let's just say that proved an extremely dumb move, but live and learn. Came back after less than 2 months, one 'gig' in a smoky Den Hague 'lunchroom' (just an eatery---and, sadly for this non-smoker 'smokery') and virtually no chance of being allowed to emigrate (not with my kind of money---namely little to none). Didn't do much for most of the rest of '07 and a big chunk of '08. Was not in the greatest mood But now for the happy ending: I started playing again around early October and soon thereafter began leading gigs for the Jazz Foundation. They send me to schools, nursing homes, and psych wards---which works out perfectly since I'm an old, nutty arrested adolescent . I also had a song mostly written and had in mind to get a guy named Jimmy Norman (a Coaster for many years and the guy who wrote lyrics to "Time is on My Side" for Irma Thomas in the studio---naturally everyone thinks Mick Jagger wrote it---b/c we Americans are idiots, and I'm being very kind) to collaborate and write some verses to the melody and lyric I had. We wrote it and now we'll see if 'time (and luck) is on our side'. Also I recently formed a trio with IMO the best jazz cellist I've heard at least with my own ears (probably a good way to hear considering the alternative) and also a hell of a bassist who knows tunes, can solo with musicality and swing. The third (but by no means last) member is Vandelai Periera, IMO a great talent on drums, originally from Brazil but here many years. His ears are unbelievable, and only in part b/c of being blind (that one is no joke). His command of rhythms from his native land to American swing are masterful, as is his creativity and accompaniment skills. I play guitar and will be writing some things, arrangements and tunes already written, but I mostly want to play underappreciated songs by Staryhorn, Waller, so many others. I actually want all three of us to have input but since I got the gigs I guess everyone thinks I'm the 'leader' now.. We did 2 jazz foundation gigs last week, with our friend singer Deanna Kirk rounding out the group---and all feel we made a hell of a start. Just hit and it already sounded good. But we have a ways to go. I also got us a gig at Smalls in late May and I intend to have us cookin' by then. I saved the best for last: I finally found a way out of the depressing rooming house shithole I've inhabited for well-nigh 2 years: I busted my ass, worked, saved, (and got some help from the JFA) and just singed a lease on a nice one-bedroom WITH PARKING near Hastings, NY. I repeat WITH PARKING. (NYers will undersatand my joy more than anyone, I daresay. So shortly, after I get settled and aqcuiring a PC, you will be hearing more from me and I look forward to occasionaly checking in with the best jazz forum in my experience. PS: Er, Joe, send that check fast. Gotta buy furniture and stuff

Noal Cohen came out to introduce/moderate a pre-concert discussion with Teddy Charles back in early October, I believe. He did a good job and we have one mutual friend. I want to read this, b/c Gigi was not only a hell of a musician, but he caught hell starting his own publishing company and the powers that be, that famous non-instrumental group, tried to run him out of the business. Sadly, it seems they succeeded.

Thanks. I'll look into it. (FWIW: Reading "Warne Marsh: an Unsung Cat" now, which ain't half bad.)

Jim---no secret---is a great listener. He figures out, as accompanist, what the leader (or whoever he's supporting) needs and gives that. If someone like Paul Desmond or Art Farmer wants the chord first he'll play the chord first. If Sonny Rollins wants to lead and be in the moment he will stay out of the way and respond only when a response is musically required. This is, I believe, why so many people have wanted to work with him over the years. He just makes it so easy and so little has to be explained. The secret of his soloing IMO is that he has great time. Listen to any example of him playing 4/4 and you can hear where his soloing comes from. He's right out of the swing era and adds harmonically as he hears things. Then there is his quietness--increasingly rare these days---and the motific development---also increasingly rare.

Damn, my reply got got off in mid-thought...George was a gentleman, I was saying, and he did me a favor making me play 4/4 rhythm, as I was young and overplaying a bit and it made the whole rhythm section so much more unified. George also featured himself on a tune with said rhythm section (Richard Wyands, Peck Morrison, Ronnie Cole, yours truly). I remember "How Deep is the Ocean". I remember him singing a bit too. He was a hell of a blues shouter, too (on tenor, that is) That gig was kinda special to me since it was my first 'big-time' weeklong gig in the Apple with pros like George (the rest of the front line was Norris Turney, Benny Powell, Virgil Jones--and Don Leight---who the play Sideman by his son Warren was based on---subbed the last night for Virgil. Virgil is a MF, still very underrated. I had worked with Big Joe Turner before (and got fired---not by Joe, though----'nother story for another day...) but this was my first big-time jaz[z/i] gig. The West End, where that gig took place, is now the Havana Cafe and they started up jazz again, spelled with Latin on Sundays.