What jazz is about and what it isn't

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

all for the virtues of a quieter life El Senor .... and eating

[Ian Thumwood]

Don't you think that Shorter saw "Weather Report" as the cutting edge of jazz in the 1970's? They were one of the few bands in jazz that appealed to a younger audience and seemed pretty relevant despite the musical excesses which haven't quite stood the test of time. I think it was mr Improv who msde the comment on the old board that this music was rather like what happened in the Swing Era where the music suffered as it became increasingly commercial. I would tend to agree with this position. What has been interesting is that the Weather Report era material frequently gets refashioned by the new quartet with no indication that the compositions enjoyed a more fusion-orientated beginning.

That said, during the 1980's his music seemed old-fashioned and stranded by the way that jazz looked back to an earlier acoustic tradition or headed off in entirely different directions whether it was offered by the downtowners, ECM , the former-loft scene musicians or even someone more "popularist" such as John Scofield. I had no interest in his music when I was getting in to jazz in the 80's but hearing him perform live in 2001 with the quartet made me want to check him out again. I've got all the quartet albums but, as I commented earlier, "Hi life" has some terrific writing on it which is suggestive of the orchestrated "Pegasus" on the recent disc. It also includes "on the milky way express" which is one of his catchiest themes.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

Don't you think that Shorter saw "Weather Report" as the cutting edge of jazz in the 1970's? They were one of the few bands in jazz that appealed to a younger audience and seemed pretty relevant despite the musical excesses which haven't quite stood the test of time. I think it was mr Improv who msde the comment on the old board that this music was rather like what happened in the Swing Era where the music suffered as it became increasingly commercial. I would tend to agree with this position. What has been interesting is that the Weather Report era material frequently gets refashioned by the new quartet with no indication that the compositions enjoyed a more fusion-orientated beginning.

That said, during the 1980's his music seemed old-fashioned and stranded by the way that jazz looked back to an earlier acoustic tradition or headed off in entirely different directions whether it was offered by the downtowners, ECM , the former-loft scene musicians or even someone more "popularist" such as John Scofield. I had no interest in his music when I was getting in to jazz in the 80's but hearing him perform live in 2001 with the quartet made me want to check him out again. I've got all the quartet albums but, as I commented earlier, "Hi life" has some terrific writing on it which is suggestive of the orchestrated "Pegasus" on the recent disc. It also includes "on the milky way express" which is one of his catchiest themes.

Not so long ago Bruce O Tenor provided an extensive breakdown of Weather Report's albums. It didnt make me like them anymore but I don't doubt the sincerity.

Bruce's detailed piece complete with Utube references is a good guide for anyone.

BN.

[charles t]

Wayne's upcoming 80th celebration - Big Night At The Bowl:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-wayne-shorter-hollywood-bowl,0,5059354.story

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

hi Chas

Tenor O Freak's thread on Weather Report

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

hi Chas

Tenor O Freak's thread on Weather Report

That's a really good survey. I think. Bruce was trying to raise the level of the bored. FAT chance of that!

BN.

[Serial_Apologist]

Only Suffolkcoastal's valiant survey of 20th century symphonies compares with it.

[Quarky]

A convincing survey of music that is, ultimately, unconvincing. An interesting stop on the way, however. But I don't blame Wayne for that. Anyhow in a fit of enthusiasm, I have booked for his concert at the Barbican in November. Fast selling out!

Was intending to go to Cafe Oto to hear Sun Ra - but the Web is telling me it is a sell out. Is there any chance do you think that if I turn up at the door, they might squeeze me in?

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

yep this bored's level is seriously too low, we will all drown as the seas rise ...

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

yep this bored's level is seriously too low, we will all drown as the seas rise ...

WE are not worthy.

Although this a bored about the BBC and WE ALL know they would pimp their mothers for a corner office.

BN.

[Tenor Freak]

Not so long ago Bruce O Tenor provided an extensive breakdown of Weather Report's albums. It didnt make me like them anymore but I don't doubt the sincerity.

Bruce's detailed piece complete with Utube references is a good guide for anyone.

BN.

And you lucky people have the chance to sample the brilliance again on JRR this Saturday as I have requested Wayne's composition "Lusitanos" off the Tale Spinnin' LP, innit. Complete with anecdote about jazz workshoppin' back in teh 1980s.

[Tenor Freak]

That's a really good survey. I think. Bruce was trying to raise the level of the bored. FAT chance of that!

BN.

"Pearls before swine" as my old headmaster from junior school once said when, during assembly, the school wasn't impressed with the Haydn symphony he'd just played us on disc.

Then again, that was in Hounslow.

I was thinking about doing a similar series on the Azimuth LPs on ECM just for El Senor's delectation.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

"Pearls before swine" as my old headmaster from junior school once said when, during assembly, the school wasn't impressed with the Haydn symphony he'd just played us on disc.

Then again, that was in Hounslow.

I was thinking about doing a similar series on the Azimuth LPs on ECM just for El Senor's delectation.

What about one of your fine surveys on Evan Parker? I like the idea of Evan more than the reality.My bop sogged taste. SO an informed overview would be handy. With a 45 minute warning.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

What about one of your fine surveys on Evan Parker? I like the idea of Evan more than the reality.My bop sogged taste. SO an informed overview would be handy. With a 45 minute warning.

I have this problem with Messiaen. Very keen on EP, though.

[Serial_Apologist]

I have this problem with Messiaen. Very keen on EP, though.

Evan Parker did a very good series on himself for Radio 3, titled "Lines Burnt in Light: the Music of Evan Parker", as long ago as 2004. Seems like yesterday. I wonderful if it got to iplayer???