The Official Ornette Coleman Thread
 

This is the official Ornette Coleman thread. Tell us about the great man.

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Well, I will admit I am an Ornette Coleman free and avant-garde Jazz enthusiast. When I first heard The Shape of Jazz to Come, it was part epiphany, part déjà vu. I remember a few criticism coming from MB members when the album was up for review in MB Classic Albums. Those wet blankets didn't speak my language man. I figured why I am more accepting than others is because I became a fan through osmosis, absorbing his style and ideas through those he had influence before I even I got a chance to hear him play. That's what I mean by part déjà vu.

I read but didn't entirely agree with the Benny Green article. It comes off bit sophomoric, and he throws in a couple of left-handed compliments - I felt.

ffs

It's hard to take, with any seriousness, a guy like Benny Green.
He's been dead for over 20 years and that piece was written around '65
when his love for Gershwin and Broadway was in full bloom,
so a grain of salt please. Believe me, there were no compliments.

Benny Green was one of two Grand Old Men of British jazz - the other being George Melly. In the 60s they were wheeled out as pundits any time the Brit media dipped its toe into the scary, mystifying waters of jazz. Benny Green's review is of an evening at Ronnie Scott's, and in fact I once saw George Melly playing there in the mid 70s. Don't imagine some sleazy jazz dive - it's an expensive, long-established night club with those special lamps on little tables, around which punters get waiter service, if I remember right. (At the time, I was there getting drunk at my office's Christmas party.)

As for Ornette Colman, I have tried but failed to enjoy his music. Although I have the cd, Ornette On Tenor , I always bale after about two tracks. :(

For Sale: Fabulous vintage Ornette Colman cd. Excellent condition. Offers.

Impossible. Part of unassailability is that it is a part of our shared humanity. You love his music. You’re just not in tune with that frequency of your delight. This is really one of the most loving things I can say to you. Listen again with 100% certainty that you love it. Let the genius of this man, who opened a door that allows a specific passage into free intellectual space for all humankind, to wash over you.

Yes, I'm just saying that just because people are rolled out as experts on jazz doesn't necessarily mean that they look at the whole picture. Melly, tho was a great jazz surrealist and wonderful character, so I wouldn't place him near Benny Green when it comes to scope. I mean, Ira Gitler, who recently passed, had some persuasive and insightful things to say (re: "Swing To Bop"), but he had blinders on when it came to large swaths of sound-making. In other words, the Ronnie Scott performance review comes from a guy who was ill-suited to review it. This happens today as well - online and in print.

^ Absolutely, rostasi. I wasn't taking issue with that idea at all - I was just filling in a bit of background about Benny Green's status, guessing that many MBers wouldn't have much clue.

I'm glad you have some kind words for George Melly. He was a colourful character that I grew to like, more for his books than his music:-


^ Well, this is touching concern for my wellbeing and development, OH ! In your honour I might give Ornette another go. I always imagine that he's best appreciated if you drink ten black coffees before listening, so I might try that approach.

The great Asha Puthli.

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