Leave it alone smooth jazz. Just leave it alone.
I recently heard a smooth jazz version of what sounded like Charlie Parker’s ‘Ah-Leu-Cha’. I was so disgusted. They keep going back, desecrating this music’s finest moments with this crap. Like the recent smooth jazz album “re-imagining” John Coltrane’s work. Everything is up for grabs it seems. Smooth jazz can’t leave things alone. It has to smear its crap everywhere it goes.
Who in their right mind thinks “I like Trane & Bird. If only there was a way to make their music cheesy, dumb & dull, I’d like it even more!” I can’t think of anything more unimaginative than this. Who is buying this crap? What is wrong with Coltrane and Bird as they were?
I remember hearing a smooth jazz version of Lee Morgan’s The Sidewinder a while ago. Is it not catchy enough? A part of me died when I heard it. Not just because they had the balls to do it, but because it was so terrible. Just awful. Completely void of the upbeat, fun and catchy vibe of the original, making it even more pointless. Why do they insist on peddling this garbage? For the love of all that is good, why?
Carve out an hour of your time to watch this documentary on Charlie Parker.
BIRD LIVES!
Miles Davis plays Al Cohn, circa 1953. Kenny Clarke is brilliant on this 10” LP. I’ve been revisiting old Miles Davis albums, back to his stints with Charlie Parker and Benny Carter. I could listen to this stuff all day, and I often do. This period of Miles is his most neglected for some reason.
Sonny Rollins discusses the other side of Charlie Parker.
When it comes to Bird, the narrative is usually about his vices, and tales of excess. In this video, Mr. Rollins talks about the positive influence Bird had on younger black musicians, and most notably, his dignified presence. A presence he feels John Coltrane also had.
Charlie Parker and Red Rodney watching a performance by Dizzy Gillespie, Barbara Carroll, Chuck Wayne, and Clyde Lombardi.
Photo by William Gottlieb (Source)
Listening now:
Klactoveesedstene - CHARLIE PARKER (w/ MILES DAVIS)
For Bird Fans: Charlie Parker at Storyville.
This LP was originally a broadcast for a Boston radio station in 1953. It was later released on Blue Note records. It should be noted that Parker was never signed to Blue Note records. They just had the rights to the broadcast.
This LP is a great way to listen to a live recording of Bird’s later period.
