Gregory Porter

[Old Grumpy]

Gregory Porter on Jamie Cullum on Radio 2 NOW - excellent set and and interesting interview.

[Quarky]

"Gregory Porter on Jamie Cullum on Radio 2 NOW - excellent set and and interesting interview. "

Yes OG, I have to admit to being a secret Jamie Cullum listener as well. A very interesting interview, as you say.

Was interested to hear that Greg Porter came second to Dee Dee Bridgewater in 53rd Grammy awards:
Best Jazz Vocal Album
Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie with Love from Dee Dee Bridgewater – Dee Dee Bridgewater

Freddy Cole Sings Mr. B – Freddy Cole
When Lights Are Low – Denise Donatelli
Ages – Lorraine Feather
Water – Gregory Porter

But should Gregory concentrate on Jazz singing? I view him more as a singer that cuts across several genres.

And Paul McCartney's essay into Jazz! Interesting track. He seems to be singing at the top of his vocal range, and it seemed to me a Peggy Lee-type approach, rather than a blues-shout.

[johncorrigan]

Went with my pal to see Gregory Porter in Perth last night. I'd heard a few things by him and seen him on TV a couple of times and liked what I'd heard. My pal is a fan. Neither of us, however, was prepared for what we got. Utterly fantastic performance. Mostly self penned songs , I think, and with a new record out soon... and one of the best bands I have ever seen. Stunning I thought. The crowd were in raptures. Bits of Bill Withers in there, Lowell George perhaps, but he really has such a distinctive style.

[Ian Thumwood]

Went with my pal to see Gregory Porter in Perth last night. I'd heard a few things by him and seen him on TV a couple of times and liked what I'd heard. My pal is a fan. Neither of us, however, was prepared for what we got. Utterly fantastic performance. Mostly self penned songs , I think, and with a new record out soon... and one of the best bands I have ever seen. Stunning I thought. The crowd were in raptures. Bits of Bill Withers in there, Lowell George perhaps, but he really has such a distinctive style.

This exactly echoes my thoughts. I was a bit sceptical when I heard him first but I ended up being hooked by a number of tunes on an earlier album, "Be Good" The disc flags a bit in the middle but the better tracks are staggeringly good. His pianist is also worth the money and reminded me of Andrew Hill - not the obvious choice of accompanist.

Having heard Porter perform live, I would have to say that the experience is even better. The band was really good and the music was uncompromising jazz. I appreciate that there is always the suggestion that vocalists have "sold out" and compromised the integrity of the music. Of all the 100's of gigs I have gone to since I started to get in to jazz in the early 80's, Gregory Porter is one musician I would have to say that I have encountered who has arrived on the scene as a fully formed artist. Hearing on the stage, you really appreciate that he is already a jazz musician of genuine significance.

It is funny how rare genuine male jazz singers are as they have probably been involved in crossovers / popular music than their female counterparts. I can appreciate artists as diverse as Jimmy Rushing, Jimmy Witherspoon, Kurt Elling , Bill Withers and Kevin Mahogany. Some, like Mark Murphy leave me cold and others, such as Johnny Hartman on the John Coltrane disc seem really dated rather like the crooners or novelty singers on a lot of big band records from the 30's and 40's. I can appreciate Hartman's talent and the richness of his voice yet he seems really of his time. It is more nostalgia than jazz. To me, it sounds really old-fashioned. In contrast, Porter is pretty hip and , whilst he may have origins in music theatre, the discs he has produced so far have not compromised ion the jazz element. I remains to be seen whether his music will stand the test of time yet , in 2016, only Kurt Elling really seems to match his genuine jazz credibility.

[johncorrigan]

This exactly echoes my thoughts. I was a bit sceptical when I heard him first but I ended up being hooked by a number of tunes on an earlier album, "Be Good" The disc flags a bit in the middle but the better tracks are staggeringly good. His pianist is also worth the money and reminded me of Andrew Hill - not the obvious choice of accompanist.

Having heard Porter perform live, I would have to say that the experience is even better. The band was really good and the music was uncompromising jazz. I appreciate that there is always the suggestion that vocalists have "sold out" and compromised the integrity of the music. Of all the 100's of gigs I have gone to since I started to get in to jazz in the early 80's, Gregory Porter is one musician I would have to say that I have encountered who has arrived on the scene as a fully formed artist. Hearing on the stage, you really appreciate that he is already a jazz musician of genuine significance.

Ian, the pianist, the drummer, the band and Gregory...absolutely the real deal. Looking forward to revisiting some of the songs when the new record comes out. One highlight of last night was GP with the pianist alone on 'Don't be a Fool'...mesmerising!