Drop That Bass: Presenting Ron Carter

I've always adored that sound of the double bass. Deep tingling sounds, keeping pace with the rest of the instruments, sort of a rhythm maker. To me though, that sound that was always in the background, always stood out to me the most. I think that's why I like jazz a lot. It's that prominence of the bass that gets articulated in jazz unlike in an orchestra.

Am I trying to be too sophisticated? Well yes I am. Trying to shake my boorishness off. Welcome to my blog my pretties.

So here's Ron Carter, a double bassist now in his 70s. Man of style, and class, and most of all, music.

I've just never heard a double bass being played like that. It's so novel, it's so fluid, and it's just simply magical how it all fits in perfectly. Plus his beard is quite one of the most fantastic collections of facial hairs I've ever seen in my life. That's not due to my being Asian and not being to grow one of course. I just really envy people who can grow beards.

In that one, not only is Ron Carter amazing, but everyone else is. The thing about Jazz is that not one in a band would lack skills for simply playing on. I've tried jazz it's not something that everyone could do. I'm not saying that it wasn't my incompetence, probably, but gosh jazz musicians have that extra 'kick' in them.

This next one sounds more like be-bop, almost comical, sort of like something that Al di Meola would play. Just shows his flexibility.

But then, it's always good to have good 'ol jazzy jazz. Yes I have no clue how to differentiate between different types of jazz, so please, hold your comments on my lack of knowledge. I know already dammit.

And this one that really reminds me sweet days of watching Disney movies.

Anyways, I hope that I enriched your musical horizons. Mine certainly has been. Like I said, I'm as much as in an exploratory position as you are. Let's hop off the musical safari jeep though, camp out, and wait for the next ride to begin. Until then, enjoy Mr. Carter, I know I will be. Ciao!

Sometimes Digging Through Youtube Gets Tiring (Presenting Eddie Higgins Trio)

So that's why I take recommendations and plaster it on this blog. A good friend of mine let me in on a band called the Eddie Higgins Trio. Eddie Higgins was an American jazz pianist, recently passed away in 2009 at the age of 77. Obviously, if you want to be bored with the biography, be my guest. I'd rather jump into the music. Here's one that strangely sounds familiar.

Bits of classical piano in the middle here and there. It's probably likely that he was classically trained. Most professional pianists, regardless of genre they end up in, do start with classics. That's why they're called classics mind you.

Anyways, this guy Eddie Higgins is definitely quite the jazz pianist, very elegant and versatile. I just wonder why I haven't discovered him yet. Hats off to my friend whose initials go SMO. That might be a new nickname. High five Smo.

Let's continue shall we?

So good. My hands can't keep still because they want to dance along to the tune. Let's pop up another one. I want to go on turbo mode with this.

So, damn, smooth. Like a good glass of whiskey accompanied by a cigar. Not that I'm a particular enthusiast of either, but I do enjoy them from time to time, and it just paints the scene perfectly with this sort of music. I really need to seek out a jazz bar.

Here's one with his band as a quartet with Scott Hamilton, a jazz tenor saxophonist.

The sax is just so right in here. I almost clapped at my laptop before looking like an idiotic seal to my cup of tea here.

Here you go though. Any of you planning a chill night, include this guy in your playlist won't you? Or a romantic evening with a lady (or a gentleman) and you just don't want to sit there without saying anything, you can always turn this on, mood it up, and recite the wikipedia article on Eddie Higgins from top to bottom to show off your superior jazz knowledge. Unless he or she's an actual jazz musician and bounces your brain, in which case I'd say: tough luck chap/darling.

Now here's the hour video of the Trio's bebop-y sounding, A Portrait In Black and White, the full album. I hope you enjoyed today's selection. My name is Alex, and I'm getting arrested for eating a succulent Chinese meal.