Soul Stream Posted May 16, 2005 Report Posted May 16, 2005 Why does it seem that Lou Donaldson just doesn't get the respect he deserves as one of America's greatest jazz alto saxophonists? Don't get me wrong, he gets ACKNOWLEDGEMENT but not respect it seems. When in the hell was the last time Lou was on the cover of a major jazz magazine? Is it because he doesn't subscribe to the "screw the public" mentality? Quote
Dan Gould Posted May 16, 2005 Report Posted May 16, 2005 I hate to suggest it, but I wonder if it goes back to his turn toward soul jazz in the 60s? Maybe if he'd stayed a bebopper he'd be more recognized as the "elder" that he is ... Just the first thing that popped into my mind. But don't you think Lou gets his respect, regardless of whether the jazz pubs pay attention? Quote
Jazz Kat Posted May 16, 2005 Report Posted May 16, 2005 The thing I like about Lou is the fact that he changed his style in the 70's. He was a great player. I dont know. I don't know if it's that not a lot of people respect him. Listen, there are so many great artists. It would be a near impossible task to give every single jazz musician worthy of great respect, the respect that he/she deserves. I almost bought Aligator Boogolo today. I will next time though. Donaldson will always be on top in my book. There, that's some respect for ya! Quote
Brad Posted May 16, 2005 Report Posted May 16, 2005 I think there's something to what Dan says. Also, I don't know that his style changed all that much over time; he still gets that great sound out of his horn that he did back in the 50s so he gets overlooked. Quote
Soul Stream Posted May 16, 2005 Author Report Posted May 16, 2005 I say respect because...if you go down to see Lou at the Vanguard...you won't see a lot of young alto players hangin' to check the master out. You'll see older cats (saw Joe Lovano once), but the young guys...no due respect imho.... And the jazz press wrote him off after Here 'Tis and haven't looked back. I don't know, he's an opinionated showman who doesn't go at all for the 'new thing' and the searching aspect of jazz...he swings and begins and ends with C. Parker. I think the jazz press doesn't really dig that. But, for me, Lou epotimizes everything great about jazz. Quote
wolff Posted May 16, 2005 Report Posted May 16, 2005 I have no idea why? Snobs? Turrentine may have been in the same boat. Quote
John L Posted May 16, 2005 Report Posted May 16, 2005 Maybe it is because he plays a lot of low down blues and funk in ways thought unfit for a "sophisticated" jazz artist. Yea, the snobs will trash anybody who they think is rubbing shoulders with soul jazz, R&B, and (God forbid) commercial music. Donald Byrd is often put in the same category of R&B/Funk "sellouts." Quote
Jazz Kat Posted May 17, 2005 Report Posted May 17, 2005 I hate that! It's all music!! Whatever you dig, you dig! Simple as that! Quote
Jazz Kat Posted May 17, 2005 Report Posted May 17, 2005 I think there's something to what Dan says. Also, I don't know that his style changed all that much over time; he still gets that great sound out of his horn that he did back in the 50s so he gets overlooked. I meant the style of his albums, not his horn playing. Quote
Guy Berger Posted May 17, 2005 Report Posted May 17, 2005 Why does it seem that Lou Donaldson just doesn't get the respect he deserves as one of America's greatest jazz alto saxophonists? Don't get me wrong, he gets ACKNOWLEDGEMENT but not respect it seems. When in the hell was the last time Lou was on the cover of a major jazz magazine? Is it because he doesn't subscribe to the "screw the public" mentality? His lack of productivity recording-wise could be a factor. Guy Quote
mikeweil Posted May 17, 2005 Report Posted May 17, 2005 I think many are unconsciously looking for extremes, psychologically and musically, like Trane or Rollins, but those "mainstreamers" who spend their lives at perfecting their style without innovating, are taken for granted. Cedar Walton, Houston Person, Melvin Rhyne come to myind besides those mentioned. Most people simply don't know what it means to spend a life in jazz. They don't understand and respect the music, so how can they appreciate its exponents. Quote
JSngry Posted May 17, 2005 Report Posted May 17, 2005 What kind of "respect" are we looking for here? Quote
Hardbopjazz Posted May 17, 2005 Report Posted May 17, 2005 Why does it seem that Lou Donaldson just doesn't get the respect he deserves as one of America's greatest jazz alto saxophonists? Shit, he gets all the respect from me. I've seen him 18 times now. He looks at me sitting right there up front as if I'm a stalker. HE still kicks ass at 78. Quote
Hardbopjazz Posted May 17, 2005 Report Posted May 17, 2005 I say respect because...if you go down to see Lou at the Vanguard...you won't see a lot of young alto players hangin' to check the master out. You'll see older cats (saw Joe Lovano once), but the young guys...no due respect imho.... That's true. I saw Lovano twice at a Lou show. I've seen and sat next to Melvin Sparks at a Lou show. Quote
Hardbopjazz Posted May 17, 2005 Report Posted May 17, 2005 Is it because he doesn't subscribe to the "screw the public" mentality? His lack of productivity recording-wise could be a factor. Guy Quote
Guy Berger Posted May 17, 2005 Report Posted May 17, 2005 Is it because he doesn't subscribe to the "screw the public" mentality? His lack of productivity recording-wise could be a factor. Guy If someone offered him a recording contract I'm sure he record more. Quote
JSngry Posted May 17, 2005 Report Posted May 17, 2005 Person's been on (whatever label Bob Porter's running) for over 30 years now. Quote
AllenLowe Posted May 18, 2005 Report Posted May 18, 2005 (edited) well, don't get mad at me fellas...but it may be that he gets less respect than some other players because he's a less interesting player - Lou plays well but is, to my way of thinking, uninspired and formulaic - (where's ARICEFFRON when I need him?) Edited May 18, 2005 by AllenLowe Quote
Soul Stream Posted May 18, 2005 Author Report Posted May 18, 2005 Lou plays well but is, to my way of thinking, uninspired and formulaic - (where's ARICEFFRON when I need him?) YOU STUPID ASS I CALLED LOU AND HE TOLD ME TO TELL YOU THAT (feel better, I tried to do my best Aric impersonation) Quote
robviti Posted May 18, 2005 Report Posted May 18, 2005 Why does it seem that Lou Donaldson just doesn't get the respect he deserves as one of America's greatest jazz alto saxophonists? maybe because he's not. that's just my personal opinion, and you're certainly welcome to disagree. Quote
Jazz Kat Posted May 18, 2005 Report Posted May 18, 2005 Lou plays well but is, to my way of thinking, uninspired and formulaic - (where's ARICEFFRON when I need him?) YOU STUPID ASS I CALLED LOU AND HE TOLD ME TO TELL YOU THAT (feel better, I tried to do my best Aric impersonation) How old was that dude? Anybody know? Quote
Soul Stream Posted May 18, 2005 Author Report Posted May 18, 2005 Why does it seem that Lou Donaldson just doesn't get the respect he deserves as one of America's greatest jazz alto saxophonists? maybe because he's not. that's just my personal opinion, and you're certainly welcome to disagree. Jackie McLean thinks so, you'll have to disagree with him too. B-) Quote
JSngry Posted May 18, 2005 Report Posted May 18, 2005 What kind of "respect" are we looking for here? up Quote
Soul Stream Posted May 18, 2005 Author Report Posted May 18, 2005 What kind of "respect" are we looking for here? up The usual kind in jazz. Bubbling media praise, invitations to record with others on their projects, a record contract...just the usual... Quote
JSngry Posted May 18, 2005 Report Posted May 18, 2005 What kind of "respect" are we looking for here? up The usual kind in jazz. Bubbling media praise, invitations to record with others on their projects, a record contract...just the usual... A good manager and a cooperative client should be able to get that kind of action going in next to no time. Quote
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