Keep Standing

[Guest Bill Barton]

Recently I received a review copy of the CD "Keep Standing" by Bill Cosby & The Hilton Ruiz Ensemble. There's a sticker affixed to the front of the jewel box that reads "This CD sold exclusively online at http://www.billcosby.com"

Does anyone know the back story on this release? It is apparently Hilton Ruiz's last recording session. There's a quite lovely, slow, rhapsodic version of "Bright Moments" included on the program.

As of yet I have not played this on my radio show. Why? Because the following credit in the liners gives me pause: "Bill Cosby - Arranger, Conducter, Composer". Composer? Of "Bright Moments"? WTF? Rahsaan does not receive credit anywhere and there is no ASCAP/BMI info included. And last I checked Cosby didn't write "What's New" either...

Does anyone know whether Rah's estate is receiving royalties from this disc? Or Hilton's estate?

I hesitate programming this admittedly very nice music on the air until I find out whether it is an "authorized" release.

____________________

P.S.: At present I still don't have Internet access at home and generally post to the "Bright Moments" thread and check the board only once a week after my show at KBCS. Miss y'all...

And "Groovadelphia" grooves, guys!!!!!

[Guest Bill Barton]

up...

Hmmm. No ideas eh?

Guess I'll be boycotting this sucker...

[Christiern]

Cosby has a history of using jazz and its players to promote himself or make himself appear "hip." When stripped of the hype and he is truly a disgusting person.

[Big Al]

From The Cosby Treasures website, where you can purchase the disc:

Perception is a funny thing. I like to look at the big picture. For me, music is everything. Music is a gift from the Creator that enables us to express our true inner feelings. Good music can make the day happy and bright, and turn the night into a wonderful, romantic experience. Music is the key that sets us free from our earthly routine and lets us soar into the higher plane of consciousness. Music is communication. Music evokes our emotions and expresses the human condition in ways that are truly spiritual. KEEP STANDING is the culmination of a work in progress that was conceived by Dr. Bill Cosby. This CD represents the best of what artistic creativity is all about.

The original arrangements and instrumental configuration for this CD are the results of the brilliant ideas that are always flowing from the mind of Bill Cosby. He is the architect of this project and has carefully nurtured it from its inception. In the world of percussion, this CD represents a departure from the status quo in a manner that exemplifies the true meaning of innovative arranging. "Cos" is always thinking ahead and he really knows how to get the best out of the band. It is my sincere pleasure to work with Bill Cosby. He is a true original. The word here is: ENJOY.

Hilton Ruiz / 2006

Read into that whatever you will. My take is that this was literally ghost-written after the fact and Ruiz' name is stamped on there. I could be wrong.

[Big Al]

Flexing some "google fu" into this. WACKO CONSPIRACY THEORY ALERT: I think Cosby had Ruiz killed in New Orleans cuz Hilton kept demanding that their album be presented in a more collaborative manner: i.e. both he and Cos produced, arranged, played, and (in the case of the originals) composed. When Hilton wouldn't back off, he was eliminated.

Why else would the CD only be available on the Cos's website?

Does any jazzer (or anyone) write with that kind of false praise like the quote above?

Notice the case has gone cold?

Nothing better to do on a beautiful Thursday afternoon with the mind racing.....

[Guest Bill Barton]

Thanks for the responses.

Yeah, the general ambiance of the release leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I will definitely not be playing it "on the air." Too bad other programmers on the JPL didn't do some research before adding it (or at least read the non-credits.)

Edited September 8, 2008 by Bill Barton