Um, No, That's Jazz
Heard today that Miles Davis will be inducted into the RnRHOF. Now, I'm gonna stand on a soap box for a sec here. This is an area of which I will humbly claim some expertise. Most things in the world I'm pretty confused about. Music? I've got cred in this area.
This is not complicated. Miles Davis was not, ever, never, wasn't, never was, never claimed to be, a rock musician. Wasn't. Was. Not.
Jazz. He played jazz. Trumpet. Jazz trumpet.
Brilliant, yes. Visionary, yes. Genius, yes. Changed music, yes. Irreplaceble in the pantheon of all musical history, yes. Indespensable as a writer, yes. Remarkable eye for talent, yes. 50 years of top-line performing, yes.
Not rock. Not.
And don't give me that shit about Bitches Brew, cause it ain't a rock record. Rock journalists love to say shit like, "Bitches Brew melded jazz and rock in a way that had never been done before or since, and Miles had his finger on the pulse of what was happening in both jazz and rock and captured the essence of rock from a jazz framework." Pablum, by the way, and bullshit. It's a fusion record. Fine. Rock, it is not.
Miles listened to Jimi Hendrix. Fine. So did everyone. Just 'cause he liked Jimi, doesn't mean he's a rock musician. Still jazz. He made a fusion record. Fine. Still jazz. Changed much of modern music. Fine. Still jazz. Embraced pop music throughout his career by covering everything from Broadway showtunes in the 50s to Cindi Lauper tunes in the 80s. Fine. Jazz.
I haven't read the press releases about this, so I'm on record right now with disagreeing with the press release before knowing it's content. They're wrong.
Feel free to post the press release and make your arguments in the comments. I'm on my soapbox. Jazz. Not rock. Jazz.
Line up your soapbox if you dare.
posted by Teodoro Callate @ 3:58 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
And by the way, Coltrane was more rock than Miles ever was. If we are going to start saying that jazz is rock, then start it where it should start. Shit, Dizzy Gilespe was more rock than Miles. Dizzy played as fast as he could (a rock thing) and Trane spent five years making as much sound as he could (a rock thing). And Ornette broke all of the rules (a rock thing). Miles touched on all of that shit, but Miles was Miles, and Miles was not rock.
I'm sitting here arguing with myself. This is odd. Somebody, please, make a point besides me.
Uh, Teo, I hate to break it to you but I too am being inducted into the RnRHOF. Some Cleveland connection or something. I'll let you know how it goes...tata for now!
Peobus - Well said, my brother. Cold as Ice! Doubt that will make the hall.
DNA - You know, I was wondering when your baroque ensemble would be enshrined. No doubt, last I saw you play, you definitely rocked the house.
Miles Davis in the R&R Hall of Taint? Well I will be a spicy chicken leg.
Stranger things have happened. For instance, Felicity once received an Honorary Doctorate from Hollywood Montessori. Let's just say I did some amazing things with colored blocks and temper paints. People notice. All sorts.
But that is not the topic at hand. The topic at hand is MF Davis and the MF Hall of Taint.
For perspective, here are some recent inductees......U2.....AC/DC....Bob Seger....The Self Righteous Brothers.....and......Sting.
Feh. With all due respect to Kalamazoo's finest son, I would invoke a Felicity rule: I refuse entry in to any club that would have my member.
However, while my member is admittedly spectacular, it is MF Davis that is under consideration, not MF Taint. I mean, Phil Rudd is a fine man, and certainly worthy of an evening in the back seat of the Felicity DeVille, but come now! Is he an artist?
Shall we consider the Artist? Let's compare MF Davis to, say....Sting.
Sting wrote "Roxanne". Miles Davis changed music four times. Sting played in several venues. Miles Davis played in several decades. Sting changed his hair color for a bubble gum advertisement. Miles Davis put a gun to Charlie Parker's head for his fucking money. Sting played with Branford Marlasis. Miles Davis played with Bird, Dizzy, Coltrane, Roach, Monk, Jones, Jamal, Shorter, Evans, Corea, Handcock, Mingus, Mulligan and more. And last but not least, Sting called “I want my MTV”. Miles Davis called the wife of a sitting president a "Fucking Bitch" to her fucking bitch face.
There
Is
No
Restraint
With the facts at hand, there is only one solution.
By the Taint invested in Felicity, I hereby bestow upon Miles Davis: THE LIFE TIME "THERE IS NO RESTRAINT" FELICITY TAINT ONE SPICY CHICKEN LEG OF ACHIEVEMENT.
Inaugural membership, mother fucker. There is no restraint.
oh you do NOT get better than that.
no you don't!
He wore a cape late in his career. He should be in the superhero hall of fame.
YES! I agree.
Peobus...I believe I was actually at the hall of shame with...you? I think I was. No, really. I'm serious.
Post a Comment
<< Home