i thought i saw a trailer ....

[Ian Thumwood]

Interesting documentary which I think was worthwhile just to see Ornette and Rollins playing together. An odd alliance and the premise made you wish that this was something that had happened 40 or so years ago. The performance by Rollins was much better than the gig I went to last year which, to echo Calum's comments, was one of the saddest I've been to. The snippets of music weren't really sufficient on toight's programme but I must admit, Haynes and the excellent Roy Hargrove stood out. The clips with Coleman all seemed to be pf him playing familiar licks. Hargrove is emerging now as a potent a voice on his horn as any of the masters from the 50's and 60's.

[Serial_Apologist]

Much has been made and often about Sonny's backing bands rarely giving him the flexibility his rhythmic/sonic innovations demanded; I feel Sonny deserved a far better band than that one from '74 - notice how he was elbowed out of the fusion-ey stuff that occupied the second half of the set? An over-busy drummer - and, er, Cranshaw on electric bass? He was subdued in that role and on that instrument. Thought the bagpipes a complete mistake, but there you go. Then hearing Sonny on the 80th birthday gig playing with the edge I remembered from '66 - just wonderful; and I wish that part of the programme had followed the Ronnies.

Couldn't help myself smiling at just how gauche Courtney and Soweto were in the presence the old man!

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

... dunno them bagpipes had a certain je ne sais quoi

[Serial_Apologist]

... dunno them bagpipes had a certain je ne sais quoi

Je sais quoi!!!

[eighthobstruction]

I feel sonny was and always will be that man playing on a bridge.... the other musicians a distraction to be improvised to rather than with with; just like the trains....I do not believe Sonny ever listened much to the players around him [except for some of the greats etc], so why should they listen to him....

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

so why should they listen to him....

.... er Jim hall and Bob Cranshaw said that St Sonny was one of the GREAT LISTENERS ....

[Ian Thumwood]

I think Sonny does listen alot - the problem is that there are very few improvisors of his stature in jazz with the ability to create over the long distance. From that generation, I would suggest that the likes of Coltrane and Konitz are only a handful of those who could match that level of creativity. It's probably more common now with the likes of Keith Jarret or Keith Tippett but i feel that Sonny Rollins is the master from that era.

Just been listening to a record with Chris Potter and David Binney on whilst hoovering and found it striking to hear how a younger generation approach improvisation. I They have taken the Rollin's approach as a spring board and, as such, Rollins seemed an increasingly important figure and influence in jazz than perhaps was previously the case - especially as the Coltrane influence has definately diminshed these days. I think that want to post more about this on another thread when I have finished playing the CD but it is fascinating how sophisticated jazz is becoming. Picking up on Calum's comment, it was great to see Rollins in action on TV with the true greats of his era but I am ever more convinced that players like Potter are demonstrative that we are in another "Golden Era" of jazz - maybe no one is of the calibre of originators such as Ornette and Sonny, but the likes of Potter and Binney would give many of the celebrated giansts from the 50's / 60's a good run for their money. i think that Roy Hargove sounded terrific on the TV last night - just the kind of player that the likes of Bluesnik would find hugely satisfying to listen to.

[eighthobstruction]

.... er Jim hall and Bob Cranshaw said that St Sonny was one of the GREAT LISTENERS ....

JIM ruddy Hall....Pwshhhh

Roy Hargrove fabulous tone..

Good evenings entertainment....

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

JIM ruddy Hall....Pwshhhh

...yeh yeh i know but he said it he said it .... and he plays guitar better than both of us ...............

[eighthobstruction]

Seeing we have Ian on this thread ....two more guitarists who play better that us but, Pwsssssssssssssssssh....Pat and Bill....

....don't get me nasty....<smile>

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

cheers get yer mojo goin round that

[eighthobstruction]

ignore me ian....i know i'm nasty....just nasty....<thumbs up>....come on the Saints....

[eighthobstruction]

I think you will understand why I was attracted to this track....

Whoops sorry ....this track....]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt0Tg8og_nY

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

the klazzikal katz is raving on about Previn having all his buttons on intune yesterday they shoulda seen Rollins at his birthday!

[Tenor Freak]

Rollins seemed an increasingly important figure and influence in jazz than perhaps was previously the case - especially as the Coltrane influence has definately diminshed these days. I think that want to post more about this on another thread when I have finished playing the CD but it is fascinating how sophisticated jazz is becoming.

I've not got to watch the Sonny programmes from last night, but I will as they are safely on the Sky+ box. I would agree with Ian that the young jazzers coming up seem finally to have escaped the shadow of Trane, and Bird for that matter. That's good; one thing I loathed about the 80s "jazz revival" was how derivative a lot of the playing was.