Posted on 08/17/2012 11:29:21 AM PDT by a fool in paradise
Speaking of Beatles’ covers, I still prefer Wes’ version of “Eleanor Rigby.”
That's too bad. I have the same problem: I inherited your father's looks.
I never heard that before! Thanks so much.
Very nice arrangement, and Mr. Montgomery's musicanship is evident in his phrasing.
Listening to that, I realized something...
I don't think young people today can possibly imagine the richness of the musical scene of the '60's and '70s. The piece you referenced is an example.
The Beatles, to pick just one, were far more than just a top-notch rock band. The compositions of Lennon and McCarthy were covered by countless bands, orchestras, and vocalists. They were on television, at concerts, in elevator music and airports, and in movies. They were interpreted by important jazz musicians like Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, and Buddy Rich.
The same was true of music by Simon & Garfunkel, the Stones, Bert Bacharach, Sly Stone, and, of course, Sergio Mendes. I'm obviously leaving out many more.
Can the same be said for R.E.M., or Kurt Cobain, or Cheryl Crow, or Alanis Morrisette?
In the Wes Montgomery treatment of Elenor Rigby, note how the arranger pulls so much musical depth out of the countermelody, and uses it to keep the (very simple) melody from becoming boring. The only reason that could be done is because the depth was there in the first place. What music of the last 15 years or so has that characteristic? Can anyone name even one memorable piece?
Is there anything like that today? I think we were so lucky to have grown up in such a time.
And as far as "rap" goes, what can I say? There's nothing there that's memorable, as far as I can tell.
It would be interesting to see what Lady Caca, ke$ha, Fergie and other similar, ahem, artists look like 1/2 a century from now. Or not.
Fool on the hill used to be my fave:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEHckjjbE8I
So long ago. I was twenty. Don’t know why I’m tearing up.
So do I. And it was the first time I ever went to California. I was 29, as was Dolores. I'm still 29, but somehow she's gotten to be 76.
It was a long time ago, and that time is unrecoverable. As is the past always.
A few years back, I was driving somewhere with my son (who was about ten at the time) and we got on the subject of my youth. I was telling him about what it was like... the war in Vietnam, the riots, the music, the movies, the space program... the radical changes in society and technology that were going on like a whirlwind all around us.
I may have gotten a little carried away with myself, and when paused for a moment, my son said "I wish I could grow up in the '60s!" He said it with real emotion, too.
Wow. Great find.
The cover is so timeless and so often parodied. For some reason, Jazz artists often had the most sexy cover art.
One of my all-time favorites is “The World of Boots Randolph”
http://image.betamonline.com/sdimages/upc01/664140096325.jpg
but you can’t really enjoy the picture unless you see the braless top the model is wearing in the “back cover” half of the photo.
So do I...my technics direct drive is shot and my wife is planning on one for my birthday present. Will be one of first albums up when it gets rotating again.
I confess, I own three of the this album.
Awesome stuff. Thank you.
Indeed. But, there many more back then as opposed to now. Maybe I’m just too partial and fuddy-duddy.
utube some bossa nova for Coolness , good Brazilian stuff,
here is a newer one by Nicola Conte - Jet sounds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZQV7kwi1_c
utube the Nicola Conte stuff for other cool.
Basia is great too.
“but you can’t really enjoy the picture unless you see the braless top the model is wearing in the “back cover” half of the photo.”
This one?
http://retrotrash.org/images/jazz&dixie/worldofbr2.jpg
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