No Bacharach News, so...

[Blair N. Cummings]

...I`m violating my promise not to go avant again since I only today came across a newly-leaked recording of Sun Ra at Squat Theater thirty years ago. I was there in that era and was among a very few who braved a brutal Manhattan winter in the wee hours to hear performances like this:
The only other Squat bootleg, Dance of Innocent Passion, is a must-hear but inferior to this.
For those who recoil, recall that Ra and Cecil Taylor WERE the jazz avant in the 50s and I`m sure Burt appreciates these musicians` contributions even if he doesn`t much listen to them now.

[An Enormous BB Fan]

I think Cecil Taylor is the absolute worst pianist I ever heard. I would be surprised if Burt didn't think the same. I mean, how can you put Cecil Taylor anywhere near the likes of Garner, Tatum, Peterson, Barry Harris, et al.?

By the way, had I written just "Harris," I don't think a lot of you would have known who I meant. Well, Barry Harris is a true genius at the piano.

I remember the first time I heard Cecil Taylor, which was years ago, and I remember thinking... WTF?!?!!

(Of course, the truth is that Cecil Taylor may have been a great pianist but simply decided to go way off in another direction. If that is, indeed, the case, then I would have told him to come back.)

Of course, I do realize that people have different tastes in art. But, my god!, listen to this, fellow Bacharach music lovers, and tell me what you think:



I happen to like good music and this ain't it!

[Blair N. Cummings]

Enormous, we are both comparing apples and oranges. I was doing so as an avant fan, you as a foe. But these musics exist in parallel universes; they are, of course, not twins. I can`t thank you enough for unearthing the Taylor clip, `though! Andrew Cyrille was a major percussionist who performed with the best musicians of the genre which happened to include the late, great Jimmy Lyons and Sam Rivers.
No, this is not melodic pop and you wouldn`t listen to it when the former is what you were in the mood for. Nevertheless, it`s simply incorrect to state that this isn`t "good music". I think it`s interesting, `though, that after half a century and more, the avant can still elicit reactions like yours.
BTW, I know perfectly well who Barry Harris is and have seen him solo and with a trio. You are absolutely correct in your assessment of his talent. Are you also aware that he was a protégée of Thelonious Monk, another avant genius accused of not being able to play his instrument? Next time Barry plays the Vanguard, ask HIM what he thinks of Cecil et. al. You may be surprised.

[An Enormous BB Fan]

Blair, obviously if I say something isn't good, it's obviously based on my taste. If people want to call Jackson Pollock a great artist, then that's their business.

I'm so glad you know and love Barry Harris. A true genius. By the way, I love Monk's piano playing and artistry. He was another genius at the piano, notwithstanding his mental condition. It wouldn't even dawn on me to put Monk in the same category as Cecil Taylor. As you can tell, Avant-garde anything is not for me. I can't imagine that Barry Harris would enjoy listening to Cecil Taylor, but if you say he does, then I'll believe you. But as for me, I hate listening to music that gives me a migraine.

[Blair N. Cummings]

I have no idea whether Professor Harris likes Taylor or not; I simply suspect that he wouldn`t dismiss him out of hand. BTW, I also saw Barry in a quartet that featured the ( alas) also-late Clifford Jordan who often accompanied my favorite jazz singer, Carmen Mcrae, in later years.
Did you ever get into the Frick for the Dutch masters exhibit before it closed? I was amazed at how jammed the place was after having been displaying this show since October.

[An Enormous BB Fan]

I have no idea whether Professor Harris likes Taylor or not; I simply suspect that he wouldn`t dismiss him out of hand. BTW, I also saw Barry in a quartet that featured the ( alas) also-late Clifford Jordan who often accompanied my favorite jazz singer, Carmen Mcrae, in later years.
Did you ever get into the Frick for the Dutch masters exhibit before it closed? I was amazed at how jammed the place was after having been displaying this show since October.

No, I never went to the Frick. I hate long lines and seeing the "Goldfinch" painting wasn't on the top of my list. However, Donna Tartt's book "The Goldfinch" is a masterpiece of writing. She's amazing and the book is amazing. And it is because of the book that people are lining up at the Frick to see the painting.