As the year winds down and we attempt to catch up after a rough patch, Rifftides is revisiting posts from the past.
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THE POWER OF MUSIC
Posted December 22, 2005
Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul, on which they mightily fasten, imparting grace, and making the soul of him who is rightly educated graceful, or of him who is ill-educated ungraceful—Plato
Any musical innovation is full of danger to the whole state, and ought to be prohibited . . . when modes of music change, the fundamental laws of the state always change with them—Aristotle
The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
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What an exquisite recaptured audience shot at 0:59, perfectly illustrating the sentence above the clip. A remarkable amount of rhythmic tension develops beginning with the...Jim Eigo on Happy Fatha’s Day
Had the good fortune to see Fatha Hines in 1973 at the New School in NYC. There's a nice live recording of this concert too.Dick Unsworth on Happy Fatha’s Day
Haven't heard "Fatha" Hines and bassist Pedersen for ages. Thanks for the treat.Terence Smith on Happy Fatha’s Day
Earl Hines made every day Fatha's Day every time he played. Thanks to Doug Ramsey for this inspired choice of an inspired "Memories of You." ...Brew on Happy Fatha’s Day
Thanks for posting this gem. The Earl's rhythmic punch is always stunning. He could easily switch between smoothness and roughness like no one else. Like...