"Lalene" vs. "Ida Lupino"

[Guy Berger]

I was listening to Paul Bley's Open to Love recently and it struck me that in some ways the classic performance of "Ida Lupino" was the perfect foil to Keith Jarrett's "Lalene" (Facing You), which I believe had been recorded several months earlier.

I think both are great; the differences between the two pianists' styles are obvious, but that hides the fact that they had a lot of things in common. Heck, Jarrett himself admitted Bley as a key influence on his playing.

One final comment - I know Bley is known as a deeply unbluesy player, but when he wants to his playing definitely has that feeling and it doesn't sound affected to me.

Guy

[JohnS]

Bley's Ida Lupino is one of my favourite solo piano pieces as well as being a great tune. Can't say that the Jarrett piece had much effect on me, though to be fair I've not played it in a while.

[WorldB3]

One final comment - I know Bley is known as a deeply unbluesy player, but when he wants to his playing definitely has that feeling and it doesn't sound affected to me.

Guy

For those that think Bley was unbluesy should check out the live records he did with Abercrombie and Sco in Live at Sweet Basil and Hot. They both have versions of When Will The Blues Leave and the Live At Sweet Basil also has a blues Waltz.

As for Lalene vs Ida Lupino if I had to choose one song over the other I would choose Lalene but as a record I prefer Open To Love to Facing You.

[jeffcrom]

A little off-topic, but is anyone familiar with Carla Bley's tune "Oni Puladi" from Jazz Realities? The first time I heard it, it seemed odd, but strangely familiar. When I figured it out, I burst out laughing. Get out your Real Book, play the record, and read along with "Ida Lupino," but start at the bottom right corner - it's a retrograde of the more familiar tune. Of course, the title is a clue.

[A Lark Ascending]

'Facing You' is one of the foundation records in my jazz collection - still my favourite Jarrett. I didn't get to hear 'Open to Love' until about 25 years later, but Idu Lupino soon became one of those tunes that can make me buy a record.

Both records seem to have a similar feel, despite Jarrett's more florid approach. I'd not want to be without either.

[clifford_thornton]

A little off-topic, but is anyone familiar with Carla Bley's tune "Oni Puladi" from Jazz Realities? The first time I heard it, it seemed odd, but strangely familiar. When I figured it out, I burst out laughing. Get out your Real Book, play the record, and read along with "Ida Lupino," but start at the bottom right corner - it's a retrograde of the more familiar tune. Of course, the title is a clue.

Yup, that's a cool tune as well and Jazz Realities is a bitchin' little record. Frank Kimbrough clued me in to this fact.

[Guest Bill Barton]

One final comment - I know Bley is known as a deeply unbluesy player, but when he wants to his playing definitely has that feeling and it doesn't sound affected to me.

Guy

For those that think Bley was unbluesy should check out the live records he did with Abercrombie and Sco in Live at Sweet Basil and Hot. They both have versions of When Will The Blues Leave and the Live At Sweet Basil also has a blues Waltz.

As for Lalene vs Ida Lupino if I had to choose one song over the other I would choose Lalene but as a record I prefer Open To Love to Facing You.

Hmmm... Yes, I also tend to disagree that Bley is "deeply unbluesy..." Other examples (among many) might be the Hillcrest sessions and Mr. Joy.

[clifford_thornton]

Bley can be very bluesy. He's fond of those Ornette-ish phrase turnarounds and is one of the few pianists to accompany him/translate parts of his language TO the piano.

[jlhoots]

Bley can be very bluesy. He's fond of those Ornette-ish phrase turnarounds and is one of the few pianists to accompany him/translate parts of his language TO the piano.

Yep - that Bley album on SteepleChase (Notes On Ornette) is really good.

[JSngry]

I know Bley is known as a deeply unbluesy player, but when he wants to his playing definitely has that feeling and it doesn't sound affected to me.

I'm of the opinion that when he wants to, Paul Bley can do pretty much anything he wants to.

[porcy62]

Nice and challenging thread.

Thanks.

I'll listen to both records tomorrow, if I'll have some free time.

[Guest Bill Barton]

I know Bley is known as a deeply unbluesy player, but when he wants to his playing definitely has that feeling and it doesn't sound affected to me.

I'm of the opinion that when he wants to, Paul Bley can do pretty much anything he wants to.

Yes!