Charlie Haden's Burden

[charles t]

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-charlie-haden-speaks-volumes-at-redcat-20131211,0,1094818.story#axzz2nJUYncfk

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

Chas, MANY thanks for posting that. I had no idea. I've heard a few interviews where he sounded maybe a bit strained but...

One of the VERY good guys in every sense.

BN.

[charles t]

You're so right, Bluesie. I have heard some freebie's at Cal Arts of Charlie leading his (student) Liberation Orchestra - and - of course never suspected anything so potentially life-altering.

Always remember Charlie's stance as he played - his head aligned parallel to the instrument - with a fixed point-of-view, off to the side.

[Ian Thumwood]

I love Charlie Haden's bass playing and he has one of the most distinctive sounds on this instrument in jazz. His approach to bass lines seems unique to me as he seems to "feel" where the harmonies are and the pulse within the music as opposed to laying down a deep-rooted foundation as is the case with someone like Christian McBride who I also like. I suppose his approach is quite controversial and there was a semi-pro bassist who I used to know very well in the Southampton area who was critical of Haden's style - perhaps Haden is not suited to all styles of jazz but with sympathetic musicians he is hugely compelling to my ears. I don't know anything about bass playing but the supposition from my friend was that his technique was very unorthodox. Seeing as this friend had studied with Dave Holland, he probably knew what he was talking about even if I strongly disagreed with his assessment, Years ago I saw him perform an acoustic set with Geri Allen and Paul Motian which was incredible. This is the apogee of the jazz trio in my opinion and the Bley / Haden / Motian trio f the same time is also an essential listen if you can get hold of that recording.

Having previous been a big fan of ECM recordings, I feel Charlie Haden's "Ballad of the fallen" still would have to sit within the Top Five of the records Manfred Eicher has put out. Sad to see that so many of the great musicians on that record are no longer with us.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

He always struck me as being very like Wilbur Ware who a lot of other musicians found unorthodox.

Great players.

BN.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

yes Chas thanks for the link - poor Charlie Haden [he has my complete sympathy as i have a racking sore throat cold at present]

i love the Liberation Orchestra but his work in Quateret West always tickled me most

[Serial_Apologist]

"This next number is dedicated to the people's liberation movements of Mozambique.....................................and Angola!"..............

..........followed by that audience reaction in Portugal.

Phew! One of the best moments on that Duos album. It was only later I found out it was from an Ornette Coleman concert, and about Haden's subsequent arrest by Caetano's police. Was an recording of that concert ever released?