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Jazzrook
I think that this clip really typifies Cecil Taylor for me. For any pianist, no matter what level or experience, I think something like that has got to be totally compelling. There is an element within his approach which I find fascinating and having a video only serves to add to the interest. Technically I find this astonishing and can't think of than many players I've seen who have exhibited a technique quite as full of stamina as this. I suppose the Cuban Chcucho Valdes is the first name that springs to mind. Whilst Taylor may be criticised for his atonality, I think there are elements of lyricism in there to latch on to - there are parts at around 7 minutes which seem very similar to Duke Ellington. I don't think that, when in this mood, he is too far away from being deeply rooted within the jazz tradition. Listening to stuff like this, I would be very much swung to favour his work.
However, I think that sometimes that there is too little variety in his music. Check out the other clips of Youtube and you start to appreciate just how narrow his oeuvre is. Playing the piano is a bit like painting insofar you have a choice of 88 colours to play with which can be mixed ip into a multitude of combinations. In the end, you start to appreciate that listening to Taylor is like staring at a black canvas. The similarity of his approach and heavy, percussive touch quickly palls in my opinion.
If I want to listen to something free-ish, I would much prefer something far more good-natured like this!!
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Both of these pieces are fascinating. I wish the sound quality on the Ornette Coleman were better because his saxophone cuts through a wonderfully unravelled texture that's clear enough to get its gist but still sadly a little indistinct.Originally posted by Ian Thumwood View Post
I turned away from the picture to hear Cecil Taylor and have never heard such pianism. It made me wonder what it might be like to hear him play the work of another acrobat like Liszt. Does he keep quoting Ruby My Dear? What's most dazzling to me are the clarity of the individual notes and that he plays clear, slower rhythms 'inside' all the fury.Last edited by Guest; 29-06-11, 21:13.Comment
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Jazzrook
Interesting in parts but the drumming in what grabs your attention. The opening chords really sound like Ellington although I find my attention wandering pretty quickly with some of this stuff.Comment
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