fasstrack

Yes, totally different, and so consistent he gets a bad rap as being boring-like many consistent, productive people. But he was stable and a worker, and that doesn't make sexy copy like the ever-popular self-destructive wastrel model. Hart was a genius, but Hammerstein had that '99% perspiration' that might as well be...

Johnny Hartman. You are correct, sir. The Voice that Is, unless ht was Just Dropped by to Say Hello. Both on Impulse! and, boys. I am proud of yiz both. Take a copy of Highlife as prize. Here's a pass for the library. Ask the lady with the bun do to help you (;

I also liked Hart better for his dark humor and liked Rodgers with Hart better than w/Hammerstein. But Hammerstein was a master craftsman, and at his best an emotional, moving lyricist. Oklahoma! is a masterpiece, and some individual lyrics like I Have Dreamed get me every time. I recommend reading Rodgers's autobiog, Musical Stages, for the sad story of the end of Rodgers and Hart due to Hart's dissipation, and picking up the pieces w/Hammerstein. I tell just one thing: Hart turned down Green Grow the Lilacs-whlch became Oklahoma!

By trick answer I meant you sure tricked MY ass! Bill Henderson-great singer, never heard his version. I was thinking of the better-known---'s rendition on the --- label. Anyone?

Trick answer! Sit in the back and yeah, you may wear your MENSA cap. (; I was thinking of another singer named...

And to bring the Joey factor full circle, a surprize quiz: Which baritone balladeer-o Jazz Wags-recorded Joey, Joey, Joey (Bishop's theme song) and on what album? Eyes on your own papers...and....GO!!

I can personally attest to the good works of the JFA. They've helped countless times, w/providing medical assistance, security deposits for housing, and most recently got me on a plane home Fla. where my bro. was sick. Dr. Frank Forte and social worker Alisa Hafkin are angels. I'm proud to have a song, co-written w/another client, the late Jimmy Norman (You're my Foundation) in tribute on their public service video. As far as the latest in the Chris Albertson sour milk hit parade, bo what I do, Stomp Off and ignore him. He has his own blog yet a seemingly endless need for attention here-and the negative ilk will do just fine. I'll make one final statement before hitting ignore. Chris, you're a bitter man and a bore. Get over yourself.

Give me contrariness in the name of in intelligence any day! 'The unexamined life is unworth living'. I read that on a can of roach powder.

Why do people w/things to do come on these forums? Probably if you ask ten people you'd get ten answers. For me the best benefit is to learn something, especially about something you thought you knew about. Well I had started a little discussion I called Pied Pipers. The idea of Romanticism came up. What A Lark wrote in response was so articulate, informed, and compelling I had to rethink what I THOUGHT I knew. I never learned so much in 9 years of participating in these BBs, and this is what it's about. So a public thanks is in order, and an agreement that this is indeed the best discussion group, jazz or otherwise, on the web.

While this discussion has been going on I listened to some wonderful music live-Terry Waldo and the Gotham City Jazz Band-playing for TIPS in an unnamed joint that pays salaries to 'musicians' who IMO couldn't shine their shoes. Anyway, it was so perfect my cup runneth over, time for bed and let it sink in. My favorite in that band is Peter Ecklund on trumpet. He's a poet in a tradition. And tunes? Thought I knew some. Until today (: The thing is I seriously doubt that these guys give a crap if they're 'original', 'modern', or any such nonsense. They're (and the delighted audience) too busy having fun playing music they love.

Yes, the artists sometimes imitate themselves if they run out of gas. At least they are imitating THEMSELVES. I have more respect for a man or woman who grows from within, or anyway a strong foundation, than one who succumbs-whether from boredom or self-conning-to chasing Lorelei trying to catch every new bauble that comes along. The cult-sometimes the cul-de-sac- of the 'new and fresh'. I've seen beautiful gifts mangled forever barking up that tree. Better IMO to have the needle on E and at least be in one's own car.

I think Cool Hand Luke said it best when he finally snapped at the guys in the workfarm: 'STOP FEEDIN' OFF ME!!'

To me the guy who shows both sides of the individualist genius/egomaniac is Miles Davis. He was unselfish, fearless, original, and unafraid of tenderness in music. In life and print, unless history got it wrong, he seemed to buy the press or something that he was a god or superhuman-and seemed to think he had the birthright to do, even to himself, and publicly say awful things. And people, musicians included, who 'pedalized' him would follow him anywhere-their own sense of self subsumed by their idol. A drag-for them-that part ain't Miles's fault. The thing I took away, the eye-opener, from an unpleasant encounter w/Woody Shaw I previously mentioned is a great musician isn't always a nice person, or someone to follow beyond the art. I still love the music, made the young, foolish mistake of trying to hang out. That, let alone actually COPYING the bad habits, can be unwise. Take the cream, leave the sour milk. We have to be our own best sifters.

Hey man, let's not be too hard on cloddy muddleheaded servitude. Lots of bucks to be made off it (:

Nor me. But I also can't deny that history was changed many times-some for the good (any # of mvmts. in the arts and elsewhere), some bad (Hitler, Stalin, Mao et al or Jim Jones/David Koresh by strong individuals, visionaries if you like, coming together. The dark side of it for me, I'm not sure Romanticism is the culprit here, is a manipulation of millions for odious reasons once absolute power and its evils are achieved. That's when people are sometimes slaughtered by the millions. Few can forget the image of Hussein in jail. He looked like a little kid punished for something very bad and not only in complete denial about doing it but irritated as hell at his captors. How dare they interfere with his God-given right to do any damn thing he pleased. It's weird, but the only way to avoid falling prey to someone like that is to be a strong independent thinker oneself.

Wow. Great response! I may have to rethink this. I personally am opposed to ego-driven art-me me me is a bore-and like music to have a social purpose. What I get from Romanticism is a love of beauty and a perhaps childish desire to have the world abide by one's ideal of what life should be like. That can lead to bitter disappointment and/or denial. All of us in the arts are overgrown children. Same w/idealists in all fields. I like the idea of strong individuals coming together for the good of all, a cross btwn. JS Mill and-don't hate me-Ayn Rand.

Not really sure what you meant, but I'm definitely a Romantic-of the 20th Century, and trying (w/o much success (; ) to adjust to the 21st. Today I passed a thing of beauty, in Brooklyn. It was called I think the Wall of Heroes, a mural w/portraits by schoolchildren. There was Mandela and Malcolm, and others. Under each face was a word: think, inspire, act, lead. I wonder how many people pass by everyday too busy, maybe w/nothing really, to notice this gem of a gift from the purest among us-children. It was humbling to see and feel, and I wanted to share this.

Well, I finally did it! I got another irratating 'notifications pending' emails-and HIT THE SPAM BUTTON!! Free at last...

In jazz my vote has to go to Pres, then Monk. In spiritual life there's Ghandi. And I like Buddha and Krishnamurti saying, in effect, 'I only know what I know. Figure out your own life, pal'. There's a great saying from Dogen: 'Don't follow in the footsteps of the Masters. Seek what they sought'.

Make that JDL.. Sorry.

One thing I should clarify after Chris's sour remark, and it's for everyone else, including the person who correctly responded that ALL obsession is bad: I don't like or endorse playing off ethnic identity. Be proud then move on. If you're a musician and not good and loving the art first all the yarmulkas, dashikis, etc. won't save your ass. Good is good, and you take the best from what moves you -from who and whatever-and find yourself. Ethnic banding in self-defense, like Black Nationalism or the JD-to cite 2 extreme examples-is useful I guess in its place and time. When it becomes a 'thing' or esp. invades art that's lame-and destrucive IMO. Art, done right, brings out the best in everybody. In my own life it was actually REBELLING against my Jewish middle-class rearing to hang out w/black klds that led me to R&B, and finally Jazz. Shut off your eyes, ears. and soul and risk living a pretty limited life.

The backroom at Smalls is where a lot of philosophizing (and cigarette smoking-ecch, and please don't rat them out. They'll quit, I swear-occurs among musicians, friends, dates, and the odd Rosacrucian (sp?). And so it was I was deep in conversation with friend trumpeter Dwayne Clemmons about, of all things, music. We were talking about the way a lot of the generation that came behind mine-now in their 40s-play really well, but many latched on to one hero, or maybe a few, as models and got mired in imitatition. Soon others jumped on, sort of sad b/c these guys are pretty sharp cookies talent-wise to be still doing this. Dwayne coined a nice phrase for this: the Pied Piper syndrome. It takes spine and one may be shunned by the herd to dig deeper, be oneself (through one's influences, can't deny those, but add the quest for more personal meaning) but is artistic death, in a more comprehensive view spiritual death not to. Here's a chance to name those in any walk of life who forged ahead and inspired.

Okay, you're disqualified. And, as per Woody Aiiem's Hassidic tales, 'If you don't get off my foot you're excommunicated'. And I reached back to 1972 and Getting Even for that dumb quote. Oh, the time we waste....

Excuse me, it's Allen. BTW I've had a few email exchanges w/Mr. Gerber, who is very happy w/the reception his book has gotten. He told me it even outsold a Sonny Rollins bio at one event! Make of that what you will... He mentioned he will be launching a series of radio shows on related themes. I can't send links from my Stupidphone, but if someone wants to try it's probably on the book's site, which can be Googled.