I made a flippent remark in response to TracyK saying that she has a hard time with jazz, the Princess suggested that Bill Evans 'Waltz for Debbie' might be a good starting point to expose someone to jazz and asked if not that, what? I'd like to suggest this one; it's a piece that's been mentioned quite often on RR but I've never seen a reference to this version. It's the Charlie Haden 'Liberation Music Orchestra' and it's from the CD, 'Not in our Name'. It's a jazz orchestration of a classical piece arranged by Carla Bley. If this works there's plenty more where it came from.
10 comments:
I think I like it better than the original.
Has the same effect on me as that version of the Concierto d'Aranjuez (Orange juice) played on the flugal horn in 'Brassed off'. You can't believe it wasn't written for this medium - it sounds so good.
It wouldn't have been mentioning Barber's Adagio either, I'm afraid, as it doesn't do much for me. (BURN HER!) I honestly don't mind not liking jazz. I can manage the kind of New Orleans trad jazz played over the black and white credits of the latest Woody Allen, but those 2 minutes are enough for me. I shared a room in my first year of uni with a jazz-and-Nebraska-era-Springsteen-fan. How I survived I'll never know. I think the problem is simple: my favourite music has to a: have lyrics (I'm a habitual singalonger) and b:be danceable. If it's freeform instrumental, its got no chance!
I don't like deserts either, I've never made it all the way through Lawrence of Arabia. Desserts is a different story.
*awaits pumelling*
Before nilpferd suggests it, I think one way into jazz might be through a jazz fusion band like Weather Report. But I like GF's approach to helping TracyK - i.e. extrapolate from what she already likes. Jazz is a broad church, and it's inconceivable that there isn't something for Tracy in there somewhere. I started with Dave Brubeck, but that was back in the days....I find it hard to imagine someone not liking Unsquare dance, or Take Five, but then again, I don't 'hate jazz'. Somethimes it's the psychological barrier that has to be overcome, like my partner Glasshalffull, who thought opera was just dreadful screechifying until I took her to see Turandot at the ROH...
@Tracy - I hadn't seen your explanation when I posted. Back to the drawing board...
And as for jazz fusion...Let's not even go there! Unsquare Dance and Take 5 are okay, just not my kind of thing. Though it's very sweet of you all to care so much that I should, well, it's not going to happen. Others have tried and failed. I like my music with corners. Leave me in my ignorance!
You shall be saved from eternal damnation Tracy!!!! Are you coming to the social so we can perform an exorcism on your lost soul!!!
So you don't even like a little early Sinatra, Nat King Cole or Sarah Vaughan now and then? I understand that you want lyrics, but there's a lot of vocal jazz out there for you to be force-fed, like a geese before the holiday season. Often it's a case of liking a particular genre, just not considering it part of that genre. If you know what I mean.
I like Nina Simone, though her more jazzy stuff leaves me cooler! I like the soundtrack to High Society (surely a musical you can enjoy?) But on the whole it doesn't do anything for me, there's so much stuff I'd rather listen to. It's like being forced to eat your greens because you should like them, just so you can have pudding, it makes me resentful.
I love greens. Not at the Social, my chief unbridesmaid is coming up to finalise hen-do arrangements (you met her in Manchester,Kirsten). Dorian accepts this as a valid excuse!
As hinted at, this is more brass band than jazz IMHO.
I have some other Charlie Haden stuff which is completely different. More gospel. TracyK et al I will post a list of 'Not into Jazz, try these' which worked for me.(Well I bought a Bill Evans record and like John Coltrane, though not with the fervent ardour some jazzers would expect of me.)
Post a Comment