I was chatting to a buddy on the weekend, and he mentioned that he didn't "get" Jazz. Fair enough I thought, maybe he never gave it a go, maybe he associates Jazz with experimental fusion, or beat. Then I realised that I was talking to a man who I KNOW understands music. He likes Hip Hop (as well as a huge swag of other music) He actually REVIEWS music. Theres no reason not to at least appreciate some Jazz. I thought I'd explore this concept a little - Why should someone with a varied musical background write off a huge branch of music.
1. Jazz can be weird.
No Doubt. I actually listened to Miles Davis fusion behemoth last night - Bitches Brew. I've listened to it several times, and I'm probably only just coming round. I enjoy it at times, but its hardly accessible. Despite Miles making some of the better Jazz of the last 40 years, helping to bring be-bop out of swing, and make jazz that was still relevant in the burgeoning music scene of the 60's. In the 70's he just plain old went weird. To the uneducated this would be an obstacle, but plenty of music goes weird. Rock turned all Hair Metal in the 80's. Hip Hop still seems caught up in Crunk. Trance and Electro used to be Happy Hardcore. Weird doesn't mean its not good.
2. Jazz is dead.
OK so thats just plain wrong. "Straight" jazz may not be so popular currently, but its still around. A lot of the better hip-hop comes from jazz. Jazzanova, Blue Note Trip, Shades of Blue, and The Verve Remix all push forward the genre, albeit with a more modern, dancey slant. You've just got to listen to Café Del Mar or St Germain to here where jazz lives in the contemporary realm.
3. Jazz turned to shit in the 80's
...and for that Kenny G must be punished. Every second prick in a band was hiring a saxophonist to make up numbers, but that ain't Jazz. Thats rock with some prick on a Sax.
4. Jazz isn't cutting edge.
Jazz by its very definition is cutting edge. Check out the latest break-beats. Check out Madlib. Check out Giles Peterson. Jazz is fucking cool.
5. I just don't get it.
Theres no argument against this. For me, I just don't get Opera. But I say, give it a go. Jazz is worthwhile and rewarding.
Besides... what do you think Fat Freddies Drop are influenced by? Huh?
Feb 19, 2008
Feb 13, 2008
Just a Quickie
Just a quick wee post today - pretty busy for some reason.
A video by Okkervil River, who are coming to Auckland on the 4th March. Enjoy.
A video by Okkervil River, who are coming to Auckland on the 4th March. Enjoy.
Feb 11, 2008
Over-rated. Yeop.
In todays music scene, its hard to see why so many reviewers and critics get swept along in the hype surrounding a new release. Surely the market isn't so lacking that when lack-luster albums come out the industry types fall all over themselves to praise a less than spectacular piece. Surely? Theres a huge stack of great music that gets over looked, for sure, but thats bound to happen. We're effectively spoilt for choice in most branches of the musical tree. That doesn't excuse anything less than stellar having praise heaped upon it by every music reviewer around. I'm going to look at a few recent over-shoots, and maybe even suggest an alternative...
Exhibit A: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Rising Sand.
This so-so release surprised me by rocketing up the charts and into end of year lists. Any fan of Alison Krauss should feel let down by her contributions, considering the strength of her work with Union Station and the way her albums seemed to have jumped from strength to strength. Any fan of Robert Plant should be asking then what the fuck he thinks he's doing. Ok, I'm not going to begrudge him some indulgence, he's earned the right to dabble in anything, but that doesn't excuse the enormous ass-kiss this CD received upon release. It lacks the spirit of bluegrass, and the catchiness of pop. Lost in a void. NOT genre breaking. OK, so it stands up to repeat listens, and it is an OK album, no doubt. Nothing More. Suggested Alternatives. $olal - The Moonshine Sessions. Gillian Welch - Time (The Revelator)
Exhibit B: Gnarles Barkley - St Elsewhere
I was so disappointed when I heard this that I wanted to cry... and punch. No doubt, Crazy (despite being played to death on radio) is a brilliant track, showcasing Dangermouse's mastery of production and Cee-Lo's vocal talents and lyricism. But what happened to the rest of the album? Over-indulgence in the production and hit and miss vocals lost me after the first listen. This should have been a musical masterpiece. I still hold high hopes that they get together to do it again, and get it right. Suggested Alternative's. Dangerdoom - The Mouse and the Mask, Freddie Cruger - Soul Search
Exhibit C: Jack Johnson
Ok, so maybe he's not exactly a critic favourite, but his enduring and mystifying popularity has lead to sub-par album after sub-par album. Jack Johnson's appeal lies in his accessibility. Hes safe and he's easy. After Ben Harpers success the industry would have been trying to catch this new wave of soft alternative fans. But Jack "Every Song Sounds The Same" Johnson is a one trick pony, and should never have been given a multi album contract. He's makes the kind of by-the-numbers fire-on-the-beach sing alongs that any stoner with a guitar can bash out in minutes. He's the kind of musician that you'd only ever pay to listen to because hes the friend of some chick that you were trying to score and she'd promised to support him. And he has the audacity to call himself a singer/singwriter. Pah. Suggested Alternatives - Matt Costa - Songs We Sing, Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans, Elliot Smith.
Exhibit D: Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome, The Seeger Sessions
It pains me to knock an album by The Boss. In my opinion the man is a long standing genius, up there with Neil Young as a defining American Songwriter. Tragically, We Shall Overcome - Springsteens renditions of traditional folk songs written by Pete Seeger - lacks the execution to give these songs any real sensitivity. I'm disappointed that instead of the soft and emotionally complex Springsteen from Devils and Dust giving weight to these tracks, we have the more rocking Boss, blasting his way through in an almost rambunctious manner. Oh, hes clearly having fun, and the album isn't lacking any energy, but the material gets lost in the delivery. Not a bad album, but certainly nothing amazing. Suggested Alternatives - Rouges Gallery (Various), Southern Journey, O' Brother Where Art Thou (OST)
Right, thats me for today. I'd love to here from you if you've got any suggestions of your own.
Exhibit A: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Rising Sand.
This so-so release surprised me by rocketing up the charts and into end of year lists. Any fan of Alison Krauss should feel let down by her contributions, considering the strength of her work with Union Station and the way her albums seemed to have jumped from strength to strength. Any fan of Robert Plant should be asking then what the fuck he thinks he's doing. Ok, I'm not going to begrudge him some indulgence, he's earned the right to dabble in anything, but that doesn't excuse the enormous ass-kiss this CD received upon release. It lacks the spirit of bluegrass, and the catchiness of pop. Lost in a void. NOT genre breaking. OK, so it stands up to repeat listens, and it is an OK album, no doubt. Nothing More. Suggested Alternatives. $olal - The Moonshine Sessions. Gillian Welch - Time (The Revelator)
Exhibit B: Gnarles Barkley - St Elsewhere
I was so disappointed when I heard this that I wanted to cry... and punch. No doubt, Crazy (despite being played to death on radio) is a brilliant track, showcasing Dangermouse's mastery of production and Cee-Lo's vocal talents and lyricism. But what happened to the rest of the album? Over-indulgence in the production and hit and miss vocals lost me after the first listen. This should have been a musical masterpiece. I still hold high hopes that they get together to do it again, and get it right. Suggested Alternative's. Dangerdoom - The Mouse and the Mask, Freddie Cruger - Soul Search
Exhibit C: Jack Johnson
Ok, so maybe he's not exactly a critic favourite, but his enduring and mystifying popularity has lead to sub-par album after sub-par album. Jack Johnson's appeal lies in his accessibility. Hes safe and he's easy. After Ben Harpers success the industry would have been trying to catch this new wave of soft alternative fans. But Jack "Every Song Sounds The Same" Johnson is a one trick pony, and should never have been given a multi album contract. He's makes the kind of by-the-numbers fire-on-the-beach sing alongs that any stoner with a guitar can bash out in minutes. He's the kind of musician that you'd only ever pay to listen to because hes the friend of some chick that you were trying to score and she'd promised to support him. And he has the audacity to call himself a singer/singwriter. Pah. Suggested Alternatives - Matt Costa - Songs We Sing, Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans, Elliot Smith.
Exhibit D: Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome, The Seeger Sessions
It pains me to knock an album by The Boss. In my opinion the man is a long standing genius, up there with Neil Young as a defining American Songwriter. Tragically, We Shall Overcome - Springsteens renditions of traditional folk songs written by Pete Seeger - lacks the execution to give these songs any real sensitivity. I'm disappointed that instead of the soft and emotionally complex Springsteen from Devils and Dust giving weight to these tracks, we have the more rocking Boss, blasting his way through in an almost rambunctious manner. Oh, hes clearly having fun, and the album isn't lacking any energy, but the material gets lost in the delivery. Not a bad album, but certainly nothing amazing. Suggested Alternatives - Rouges Gallery (Various), Southern Journey, O' Brother Where Art Thou (OST)
Right, thats me for today. I'd love to here from you if you've got any suggestions of your own.
Feb 8, 2008
I'm not one to generalise...BUT...
Ok, so having just returned from a lil' international adventure I'm once again reminded of the some of the worst behaviour amongst other travelers. Ignorance.
Whenever I go abroad I endeavor to adapt and learn about other's cultures and customs - in fact I find it one of the many joys of experiencing other countries. Learning a little of the language, and respect for foreign customs goes a long way amongst the locals. It helps to experience the most of a new place. I am constantly astounded by those who seem to have the opposite attitude.
Those who travel to far off exotic locations, only to be obnoxious and disrespectful towards the locals. Those who treat their vacations as opportunities to drop common courtesy in favour of abusive and insensitive displays that I'm sure they would never consider at home. Every country has these. The English are known across Europe for being drunken louts. Aussies and Kiwis are renowned for behaving like animals on the fabled "OE". Germans and northern Europeans are renowned for hitting beaches nude at any opportunity, even if it deeply offends. Americans, aside from being loud and obnoxious have a nasty propensity for disrespect. You know the ones - they treat the locals like servants, or worse, slaves.
In my mind, the least you can do when overseas is treat the locals like equals. They're humans too. They might not speak your language, but that does not make them retarded. They might have strange customs, but believe me, your customs are equally as bizarre to them.
The beauty of strange places is that they are STRANGE. Enjoy that.
That aside, experiencing this big, amazing world is one of the most enriching things a person can do. Get out there, learn and love and respect all cultures and differences. Its our differences that make us interesting.
Whenever I go abroad I endeavor to adapt and learn about other's cultures and customs - in fact I find it one of the many joys of experiencing other countries. Learning a little of the language, and respect for foreign customs goes a long way amongst the locals. It helps to experience the most of a new place. I am constantly astounded by those who seem to have the opposite attitude.
Those who travel to far off exotic locations, only to be obnoxious and disrespectful towards the locals. Those who treat their vacations as opportunities to drop common courtesy in favour of abusive and insensitive displays that I'm sure they would never consider at home. Every country has these. The English are known across Europe for being drunken louts. Aussies and Kiwis are renowned for behaving like animals on the fabled "OE". Germans and northern Europeans are renowned for hitting beaches nude at any opportunity, even if it deeply offends. Americans, aside from being loud and obnoxious have a nasty propensity for disrespect. You know the ones - they treat the locals like servants, or worse, slaves.
In my mind, the least you can do when overseas is treat the locals like equals. They're humans too. They might not speak your language, but that does not make them retarded. They might have strange customs, but believe me, your customs are equally as bizarre to them.
The beauty of strange places is that they are STRANGE. Enjoy that.
That aside, experiencing this big, amazing world is one of the most enriching things a person can do. Get out there, learn and love and respect all cultures and differences. Its our differences that make us interesting.
Feb 7, 2008
Back in Business
Well I'm back. My summer has been awesome, filled with exciting personal events, some travel, lots of sun and booze.
So from now I'll attempt to keep this blog up dated a bit more regularly, hopefully gather a few more readers, and definitely rant on about some of the better music I've stumbled across recently.
On that note, I'd like to give a hat-tip to Colin, over at Lovers Waltz Records, firstly for running a brilliant blog, and secondly for posting me as a guest contributor for January. Its an honour. His site is great, with lots of great music in the Alt. Country, Folk, Rock and Indie realm, and thanks to him I've discovered a load of great new music.
Also - on the musical tilt, this Sunday at 7.30am (early, I know!) you'll be able to hear some of my musical selections as I hit the airwaves on George FM. Being a Sunday morning, and being a dance music radio station, I'll be keeping it light and bouncy, with a bit of funk and hip hop thrown in for good measure.
Peace, all the best for '08 and you'll hear from me soon.
So from now I'll attempt to keep this blog up dated a bit more regularly, hopefully gather a few more readers, and definitely rant on about some of the better music I've stumbled across recently.
On that note, I'd like to give a hat-tip to Colin, over at Lovers Waltz Records, firstly for running a brilliant blog, and secondly for posting me as a guest contributor for January. Its an honour. His site is great, with lots of great music in the Alt. Country, Folk, Rock and Indie realm, and thanks to him I've discovered a load of great new music.
Also - on the musical tilt, this Sunday at 7.30am (early, I know!) you'll be able to hear some of my musical selections as I hit the airwaves on George FM. Being a Sunday morning, and being a dance music radio station, I'll be keeping it light and bouncy, with a bit of funk and hip hop thrown in for good measure.
Peace, all the best for '08 and you'll hear from me soon.
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