Compatible Quotes

I think Monk and Prez both were using the term "tell a story" as a metaphor for musical form in the sense that one statement leads to another in a logical succession to resemble a "story" being told. Ornette's "Lonely Woman" more or less "paints a picture," IMO, supplied by the listener in a more subjective reaction to the musical sound effects.

I still enjoy Paul Desmond's assessment of "free" jazz: "It's like walking into a room where everything is painted red."

Though I believe that Ornette Coleman has contributed important jazz compositions, such as "Lonely Woman" and "Turnaround," his playing has little appeal to me. The work of Eric Dolphy is far more compelling to my ears.

In any case, even the most far out free jazz is more listenable than the caterwalling vocals of Yoko Ono...

Looking back now, what's not to understand about Ornette? And does anyone seriously think a tune like "Lonely Woman" doesn't tell a compelling story?