
I like Dizzy without the puffed up cheeks but damn can he play.
Kenny G
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Foster Zygote;2134696 said:It boggles my mind that someone could have such great technique and yet be so utterly, paralyzingly, boring to listen to.

I remember hearing a recording of Kiri Te Kanawa singing a collection of songs usually associated with Ella Fitzgerald. Here was one of the best voices in the world singing some of the best popular music ever written, and it would put you to sleep. Or, as Sy Oliver told our parents in 1939, "It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it". I'm rather glad that Ella never attempted Madam Butterfly. (If she did, I really don't want to hear it.)
In Kenny G's case, however, it's more a case of "It ain't how you do it, it's what you're doing". He's found a niche that pays the bills very well. I have no doubt that he can play, and I would love to hear him stretch out and do something worth listening to.
Disclaimer and shameful admission: I have at least one Kenny G CD. Sometimes music just needs to be there as wallpaper.![]()
This reminds me of a fuzzy memory.
From a conversation/interview I saw on TV with Paul McCartney (I think it was him, it could have been him, George Harrison, or Eric Clapton).
"He" was relaying a conversation of he had with Muddy waters saying, something to the effect, "Man, I wish I had your emotion and ability of expression." And Muddy replied, "I wish I had your tecnical skills, but we have what we have."
Please note that this is a fuzzy fuzzy memory, but the intent was accurate and seems to be a classic musical imbalance.
Another account of this "grass is greener" game was between Steve Vai and Frank Zappa. Steve had commented in an interview how during a zappa concert he was reduced to tears over a live performance of watermelon in easter hay. Vai said to zappa something to the effect of, I would kill to play that song like that. And zappa was like, and I'd love to play (Some crazy shredding vai song) but that's how it goes.
I can say, I've never had this problem. I have neither emotive capacity nor technical skills, which saves me from this musical struggle. I just wish i had a little of either.
I saw a clip on Public Television from an old TV broadcast in which a young Dizzy was playing with Louis Armstrong. They were trading off solos and after each one played the other would smile, shake his head in amazement then launch into his own solo.
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I would love to have that in my collection. I will defiantly be on the look out for it.
I'll keep my eye out for that also. He was truly a great man. Damn, I miss so much.They did a documentary (last year?) about Louis Armstrong that was just fantastic. It may be available on DVD now.
I'll keep my eye out for that also. He was truly a great man. Damn, I miss so much.
Django Reinhardt.
People who know me will understand why Django is of special interest to me right now. People who don't know me just have to think of the words "pruning", "secateurs", "index finger", "left hand", "guitar", "getting better", and "very lucky".
I have a request. Please do not make jazz into a metaphor. It really doesn't deserve such sloppy handling.
The only allowable metaphor for jazz might be an old baseball game, but only given orally, and in proper vernacular. Otherwise, please don't.