fasstrack

Very sad indeed. She was unique in voice and chose great material for yourself---suitable to a T. She played well for herself, as did Carmen MacRae, Sarah Vaughan, Shirley Horn and others. (They all loved Nat Cole, maybe that's where it came from inspirationally, and why they each developed into great individualists themselves). She sounded like a little girl to me when she sang, who wouldn't take life but so seriously. Then there was a vixenish side, as is evidenced by an LP title: "May I Come In?" (probably not her idea, but still.....) Rest well, Blossom Dearie. You were as great and unique as your name.

Having what I (at least in my addled head) amusingly call 'bacheloritis', I make pretty much what I damn please. And since dinner is usually for one the good news is that I have only to please a guy kown as me *** So tonight I made a concoction that went down mighty easy: dill, garlic, bananas, apples, grape tomatoes in an improvised sauce of off-the-shelf peanut sauce, Dannon lemon yogurt (most of which was in fact saved for dessert), and the parmesan cheese that came with the Near East couscous I served it over. In a paper plate, naturally. ***Note to those who may think "aw, what a 'loney guy'", don't waste your time. I'm just busy and most of the women I meet are either 'jazz floozies' (not interested whatever), too young, or not what I call "oak trees" (self-explanatory in my mind, but if you don't get it, fair enough: I mean someone solid, capable of providing comfort, support, shade etc.).

I never worked with Lou, but every guitar player I know has, just about. I'm sure he still sounds good. I used Akiko on a gig and she did a good job. Haven't heard her in years. Randy I know since '84. I'd go for it if you can. The ranks of Lou's generation are thinning, and fast. But it's a miracle Hank Jones, Phil Woods, Barry Harris, thBenny Golson (who I heard the other night) are still not only at it but in great form. It must be a hidden statement to younger musicians: Shut ye up, muffle your egos, listen to the masters.

To quote a TV show title starring that great bard and humanitarian Art Linkletter: "People are Funny". And "Kids Say The Darndest things"! Remember this guy? Didn't his own kid die in some bizarre tragedy? Art's yes. Not Muzzy's, at least not that I know of. Dianne Linkletter, fell to her death after stepping our a window while on an acid trip, believing that she could fly. Or so it was told. And on that note, let's get this thread back on track - Folks, if you're high on the LS&D, don't go stepping out of any windows, even ground level ones. You can't fly, not without some sort of mechanical assistance. On the other hand, Stan Getz could, and did, fly on a fine record of recorded jazz music called Captain Marvel. The record does have Chick Corea (who not coincidentally composed a tune called "Windows", but not, I repeat not, as a tribute (or a taunt) to Diane Linkletter) on electric piano, but if you think that might be annoying, consider the possibility of it being Muzzy Marcellino instead. Life is good and so is this record. Great job getting it back on track. This here thread, it would seem, has been officially hijacked. Hijacked by Art and Dianne Linkletter, NY Jews and Texans, Muzzy Marcellino (nice alliteration, no?) and, toughest pirate of them all: L S D We worked hard at it, Jim Sangrey, myself, and it would seem yourself. [b size]DON'T LET THE BASTARDS TAKE IT BACK FIGHT. FIGHT Whew, that took a lot out of me. Listen guys, seriously, I'm only gonna say this once: y'all are taking this a mite too seriously (the former sentence in tribute to our Texan friend Mr. Sangry, from your favorite Christ-killing NY Jew guitarist) dontcha think? IFrom the late 60s/ 70s on electric pianos were used. I know 'cause I seen pictures what had guys like Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock in them. I even went to shows and they had to be on stage (or that was dynamite acid). Before that time and at present acoustic pianos were and are still used. If you like the one over the other listen to the one. Buy CDs with the one, etc. That's all out of me except PLEASE, EVERYBODY.SHUT.THE.FUCK.UP.ABOUT.THIS Or I swear Jim, myself, and a few other Web imps will hijack this thread to some exotic place for untold times and no one here will see their wives or kids (probably some of yiz are already packing with a grin

BTW it's great how we all have gigs tonight.....

To quote a TV show title starring that great bard and humanitarian Art Linkletter: "People are Funny". And "Kids Say The Darndest things"! Remember this guy? Didn't his own kid die in some bizarre tragedy?

Well, Lon you gotta realize that the comment currently under discussion was made in 2974. A lot of things have changed before then. I'm gonna tell James he missed the boat with the music thing. Change of plan, star in the remake of "Back to the Future"

To quote a TV show title starring that great bard and humanitarian Art Linkletter: "People are Funny".

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.