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Music Lane It's all about the music, dude! Sit down, relax and listen to some tunes. |
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Music Lane It's all about the music, dude! Sit down, relax and listen to some tunes. |
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In Reply to: Re: Jazz Reference posted by Dmitry on March 14, 2000 at 08:42:54:
Speaking of books for a jazz beginner, I'm just recalling that I've seen one of those "dummy" books on the subject - "Jazz for Dummies". Might be just the thing for the newcomer, but I've only leafed through it. Very superficial info, from what I gathered at a glance.BTW, I have a few of the other books recommended in the thread including Gioia's and Gidden's, but felt those to be more weighty than a newcomer would appreciate. I recommended the AMG guide for it's quick reference format. As far as the reviews, and my analogy - my point is that as long as one knows where one is, the review's rating can be meaningful. Once you read the characterization of Kenny G as being "outside of jazz", "not much improvisation", principly melodic", etc, and you see he was rated 4 stars - it does indicate that he fairly excels at that typr of music. In fact, for what he does, he does do quite well! You or I may not consider it valid jazz, but the guide even gives that disclaimer. As long as they're clear about the artist's style the reader can read between the lines and get an idea of what to expect, and again - I think AMG does a fairly decent job with that.
I'm even thinking that a newcomer to jazz has to experience a lot of "growing pains" along the way. He has to sample a lot of stuff in order to find out what really excites him. If every listener who came to jazz began and ended their explorations with Coltrane and Miles (who I picked only for their high recognition names) their perspective would be as limited as it is for those who think Brubeck or Getz is the definitive jazz sound. God help anyone from falling into any one pidgeonhole; there's just too much diversity out there. And how can anyone discern the good from the really *great* except by hearing it and learning to recognize the differences. Even with a book as a guide, I guess a learning curve is inevitable, and some (unfortunate) people end up as "smooth jazz" or "contemporary jazz" fans anyway. To each their own.
Well, lets not argue about it, Dmitry - the music is more important than what book is best to read about the music, and we seem to be in agreement about that, at least.
Mike M
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- Re: Jazz Reference - Mike M 11:24:00 03/14/00 (0)
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