|
|
Post by andrewh on Jun 2, 2006 20:25:15 GMT 10
Anywho: Ive been listening to Evanescene. Defintely my most favourite of Maria’s albums. Especially My Lament. I love Rich Perry’s and Rick Margitza’s beautiful tones (why aren’t tenors flouted as often as altos I wonder?). I just love the title Dance you Monster to my soft song. What a kak! LOL Indeed. It's the name of a Paul Klee drawing, in one of the Guggenheim collections, and can be seen in a portion of its glory at www.dana.edu/jolsen/arthistory/ArtHistory/Arthistory%20Semester3/Destijltosurrealism/page9.htm |
|
|
|
Post by shaggaz on Jun 4, 2006 17:38:57 GMT 10
Re: Maria Schneider
The thing I like about her tunes (whether it is deliberate or not) is that they take on a distinctly different sound when played by different bands.
Last year I was taking a good high school band for a semester and they played Dance You Monster... The way they approached it was incredible and it allowed them to be very creative. You can't do that with a Maynard chart from the 70's. I think.
Hi sammo.
|
|
|
|
Post by alimcg on Jun 4, 2006 19:23:34 GMT 10
Mr Di Sario raises some good points about the nature of this board and some of its pitfalls. Nothing could be more dull than a board of people slapping each other on the back, but it is also true that a board of carping and whining does nothing for us either. Considered and well articulated criticism is a must, but balance is also needed (ie, a little bit of back slapping).
The question of anonymity is also an interesting one. Some people here haven't responded well to criticism in the past, and we've seen people criticised for having contrary positions, or negative comments. Having someone jump down your throat for making such a comment is hardly an environment conducive to continuing constructive criticism, or using one's real name. We also work in a fairly small community (the jazz community, that is), and most of us here have or will play alongside each other at some point, or be reviewed by a member here, or be booked/promoted by a member here, etc etc, and I think a lot of people are led to post with caution under their own name, or to post annonymously. I'd rather have people use pseudonyms than not, if it means that proper debate is actually stimulated. Fair enough, some people use aliases to post crap and malice, but surely the serious members here are smart enough to ignore that stuff.
Now, Kenny was well within his rights to criticise Vinnie Colaiuta, and Mark's chosing of him, but the timing was, well, not so good. If Mark's actually gone to this much trouble in the first place, I'm sure he's put some thought into who to hire (as I said in an earlier post). We may disagree with his reasoning, but it is his choice. Perhaps it would have been better to actually ask for the reasoning behind Mark's choice first. Kenny's comments came across as a bit "shoot first, ask questions later." I'm not here to stick up for Mark (I'm sure he's old enough and ugly enough - or pretty enough if that photo hasn't been photo-shopped!), and I'll admit I found it an interesting choice of drummer too.
The more general question of Australian players recording with "big name" American players is also grey area. Part of me says "hang on, don't we have enough fantastic musicians in this country to play this material." But at the same time should we begrudge someone in our community of potentially higher sales? Is our own musical environment enriched by these cameos, or lessened? Is it improving our international exposure? I'd think the Australians involved would learn heaps from the Yanks, but should we be outsourcing?
Another point here is the development of bands in Australia. We've produced many great bands, but at the same time we see a lot of gigs just thrown together, or "projects" that only ever get one or two airings, and many big names have been brought together for such things, only for the results to be a let down. I'd rather see a great band than a random bunch of great players any day. Just look at how many All-star failures there have been here and overseas. Finally is the question of taxpayer money (grants) being used to pay overseas players. Is this a great way of building our standards and reputations up, or should we be channeling the money towards supporting Australian bands playing more overseas festivals? Should our taxpayer money be lining the pockets of already well-off "stars", or are we actually getting good value for money? I don't know for sure, but it's a topic to be debated...
|
|
|
|
Post by glean on Jun 5, 2006 0:03:31 GMT 10
aussies playing with o/seas artists is good for a number or reasons its new its fun it can validate them in their own right can help you get more funding in Australia it is something to talk about on radio to andrew ford great for networking the aussie musician (soon hopefully+, realises that o/seas i.e. USA doesn't necessarily mean better thereby giving them extra confidence it exposes our music to new audiences who might buy our cds cos they recognise a name on it for a change it makes the americans sound much better  & you get to play w musicians who dont rabbit about Ozjazzforum /Sima /Albert Dadon /Bennetts/Shand etc |
|
|
|
Post by alimcg on Jun 5, 2006 1:27:10 GMT 10
ding ding ding... we have a winner!
|
|
|
|
Post by ladylex on Jun 5, 2006 11:15:15 GMT 10
LOL I dont have to answer any questions: because Glen has articulated my thoughts quite beautifully. AliMCG & Frank: if you are SOO keen to discuss this: why not start a thread on it? Im under the impression that you dont really give a rats arse and just want to air your own thoughts. Good for you.  So I love Vinnie. It has nothing to do with his being american and all to do with his phenomonal talent. Just like I love Joe Zawiunul to death because he is a wikkid and inspiring keys player - and nothing to do with his place of birth, where he is now living or how he likes his wimmen. None of that concerns me. But it seems to concern you. A great deal. Yes. hmm. BTW: Thank you AndrewH! Awesome LOL I like to chuckle about the name though. |
|
|
|
Post by ladylex on Jun 5, 2006 11:36:09 GMT 10
Re: Maria Schneider The thing I like about her tunes (whether it is deliberate or not) is that they take on a distinctly different sound when played by different bands. Last year I was taking a good high school band for a semester and they played Dance You Monster... The way they approached it was incredible and it allowed them to be very creative. You can't do that with a Maynard chart from the 70's. I think. Why do you think this is so? just curiously.. would it have to do with the note selections or the arrangements? Or the conductor even? hmm.. interesting. I find Maria quite inspiring. I love her musical textures immensely. |
|
|
|
Post by alimcg on Jun 5, 2006 11:40:09 GMT 10
I'm not sure that I follow... don't really give a rat's arse about what?
Fair enough, plenty to love about Vinnie, and Joe naturally, but your last two sentences I found a bit puzzling. Whose comments were you referring to?
As for Frank and my posts being the start of a new thread, why not. I just replied here as this was a direction that this thread had spent a bit of time discussing, even though it's ostensibly a "Maria Schneider" thread. Let me make my Maria Schneider comment now then - at least she gave balance to us hiring Americans for recordings by hiring Aussies when she came out. Some may gather from my previous post that I'm against Aussies going to the US and hiring Americans, but that's not the case. I think it's a good thing, as long as there is sound reasoning behind it. That's what my long post was getting at - a debate on the pros and cons of this approach.
|
|
|
|
Post by ladylex on Jun 5, 2006 11:48:29 GMT 10
Sorry then: i totally misunderstood you. It no longer matters really. Mark's gig is going ahead - and dammit! I wish I was a fly on the wall for this! *gah. BTW I introduced Joe because he wasnt born the states, though I think we can certainly assoc him with the US. None of it matters really.. WE JUST WANT GOOD MUSIC! |
|
|
|
Post by alimcg on Jun 5, 2006 11:50:53 GMT 10
No worries.
Yes, quite so.
|
|
