JRR 11 Oct 14

[Serial_Apologist]

Oddball You are perceptive indeed. I inadvertently credited the vocal on the Westbrook track to Kate. Mike has let me know that I got it wrong, and on this track it was Phil Minton (singing in a register I have not heard him reach for some time...)

Alyn.

And with that information, I'm off tomorrow to buy myself a pair of tight trousers.

[Quarky]

Alyn.

And with that information, I'm off tomorrow to buy myself a pair of tight trousers.

And I'm off to Spec Savers! (literally!).

Just a thought. There are usually very few singers featured on JRR, whereas judging by the output of commercial radio stations such as Jazz FM, singing is far more popular to the wider population than "instrumentals". A little surprised that Alyn does not get more requests for Ella, Nat, Sinatra, and more modern singers such as Mark Murphy, Greg Porter. Unless there is a filter mechanism applied to incoming requests by JRR? Not that I'm complaining mind, I'm happy with matters as they stand.

[Quarky]

Tatum as an influence on Bird ? Maybe more of an inspiration as the lines don't really sound alike when they improvise. Always thought that Tatum had bags of technique but maybe can be guilty of playing "variations" as opposed to a genuine improvised line. Tatum fascinates and infuriates at the same time - maybe only Cecil Taylor can quite match this ability of amaze and sometimes bore when it comes to jazz piano. For me, Tatum is a bit of a precursor to Oscar Peterson who represents a point where the technique is more striking than what he has to say on his instrument.

On listening again to GS programme on Art Tatum (apologies Alyn), it was Art's ability at unusual and strange harmonic variations that impressed people like Jay McShann and Charlie Parker. And of course Art was around at the time that bebop was developed. Quickly getting out of my depth here, but listening to his solos, it's almost as though he has to step out of the "line" to perform his variations, and then step back in line again. Well that's all right with me. But as GS said it is his harmonic variations that are so unusual - e.g Aunt Hagar's blues.

[Ian Thumwood]

And I'm off to Spec Savers! (literally!).

Just a thought. There are usually very few singers featured on JRR, whereas judging by the output of commercial radio stations such as Jazz FM, singing is far more popular to the wider population than "instrumentals". A little surprised that Alyn does not get more requests for Ella, Nat, Sinatra, and more modern singers such as Mark Murphy, Greg Porter. Unless there is a filter mechanism applied to incoming requests by JRR? Not that I'm complaining mind, I'm happy with matters as they stand.

I think we are living in a golden age of jazz singers but you would never notice this from what Jazz FM used to play. Too much of their output is retrospective whereas the likes of Kurt Elling, Esperanza Spalding and Gretchen Parlato are examples of jazz singers cropping up regularly in more contemporary jazz settings whether it is the former with John Hollenbeck or the latter with Ambrose Akinmusire or David Binney. increasingly I think the notion of jazz singers being "pop" or more "commercial" whilst stepping out of the shadow where other, adventurous singers have had to lurk in the past.

As far as JRR is concerned, I think the programme is pretty specialist and the nature of wanting a request largely stems from wanting to hear something that is obscure or not readily available. The Lew Winchester request is a prime example. I thing you will get a more eclectic mix on JRR because of this as opposed to the more familiar material. You always get the impression that the JRR audience must be pretty informed and be more demanding in the kind of material they request. The best thing, for me, is hearing stuff you've never heard before from all eras.