Solos you dislike

Vince Kargatis · September-18th-2008, 02:53 PM

A couple that came to mind recently:

Eric Dolphy - "Out There" (Out There, 1960)

Dolphy's solo here sounds completely stuck in a rut of a riff he works over and over again. But not in an challenging, Roscoe-Mitchell-type exploration, but the kind that sounds like it's just under his fingers, and he doesn't realize it or know to move on. Really gets on my nerves. I can't find the exact comments, but iirc, Greg Osby has dissed Dolphy's soloing - this solo came to mind when I heard them (though I don't remember the specific comments).

Ken Vandermark - "Feet Music" (Design In Time, 1999)

The reeds/2-drummer trio album, in this track Vandermark plays a really clunky solo on an overtly funky Ornette tune. I find it tiresome and uninspired throughout. I don't recall Vandermark sounding so off in any other piece I've heard, and I enjoy the bulk of the album.

shrugs · September-18th-2008, 02:56 PM

I am brainfarting on this one but I can predict there will be some mIles Plugged Nickel slams and a slam on Paul Gonsalves' Diminuendo and Crescendo solo.
And Coltrane in Japan...

clinthopson · September-18th-2008, 03:00 PM

Coltrane's Chasing The Trane is incredibly boring. Same goes for Love Supreme, self indulgence at its utmost.

For that matter, if I never heard Favorite Things again, it would be too soon.

Pete C · September-18th-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrugs

I am brainfarting on this one but I can predict there will be some mIles Plugged Nickel slams

Miles was having medical problems at the time, I believe, but Wayne and the rhythm section are amazing.

I once saw William Parker do an interminable 20-minute bass solo with Dave Burrell--I think a similar solo is on the trio album they did a couple of years ago.

Some of Clint's moldy fig post solos are pretty boring

clinthopson · September-18th-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete C

Some of Clint's moldy fig post solos are pretty boring

A one-a and a two-a

shrugs · September-18th-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete C

Miles was having medical problems at the time, I believe, but Wayne and the rhythm section are amazing.

Actually, I don't really have a problem with most of Miles' playing on the PN set. I just know how it irritates a lot of folks.

Any David Budbill solo(if you can even call it that).
Wasn't there a drummer in NYC named D-pop or something? He was awful.

clinthopson · September-18th-2008, 03:20 PM

I will refrain from mentioning any electric bass solo.

Derek Taylor · September-18th-2008, 03:22 PM

D-Pop was much much better as a promoter/presenter than a drummer.

The one that sprang instantly to mind when I read Vince’s ? is one I’ve mentioned before: Ronnie Boykins’ solo on “Rocket Number Nine Take Off for the Planet Venus” from INTERSTELLAR LOW WAYS. My ex-girlfriend coined the phrase “the objectionable bass solo” & it stuck. "Cat claws on a chalkboard" works too.

Clint’s figness continues to surprise, but I think his A LOVE SUPREME comment above takes the (fruit) cake.

Jesse · September-18th-2008, 03:27 PM

Derek Taylor · September-18th-2008, 03:31 PM

Writ large? I'm pretty much w/ you.

Jesse · September-18th-2008, 03:34 PM

That long slide coda to Layla alone makes me wish he'd fallen out the window.

stonemonkts · September-18th-2008, 03:37 PM

Solos I dislike (to the point of stumbling into furniture to reach the volume knob on the stereo) are any and all taken by the bassist Major Holley.

Also my vote for the "Most Annoying Things in Jazz" thread.

I recall one morning the unbearable WKCR announcer Phil Schaap focused his show entirely on solos by Major Holley.

My idea of torture. Just bend me over a fucking chair and do me that way, I'd prefer it.

Derek Taylor · September-18th-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse

That long slide coda to Layla alone makes me wish he'd fallen out the window.

For me, it's the "I Shot the Sheriff" cover. The original is pretty much ruined too by too many forced LEGEND overdoses in college.

Derek Taylor · September-18th-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonemonkts

Solos I dislike (to the point of stumbling into furniture to reach the volume knob on the stereo) are any and all taken by the bassist Major Holley.

I'm trying to remember what he sounds like...

Pete C · September-18th-2008, 03:43 PM

Dee Pop's a nice guy. His background was in the world of "no wave."

Jesse · September-18th-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

His background was in the world of "no wave."

shrugs · September-18th-2008, 03:57 PM

murderous

I'll list who it is seeing this is Vince's thread.

Donna Jean Godchaux, vocalist with the Grateful Dead

me wag · September-18th-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Taylor

I'm trying to remember what he sounds like...

He plays arco and hums along with it. He probably don't like Slam Stewart much either.

Jesse · September-18th-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrugs

murderous

I'll list who it is seeing this is Vince's thread.

Donna Jean Godchaux, vocalist with the Grateful Dead

If we were discussing vocalists who spoil the gestalt of an ensemble (we're not), I'd add Terry Jenoure, the single souring element of the great John Carter Octet(s).

Jesse · September-18th-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by me wag

He plays arco and hums along with it.

Depends on the "humming."

clinthopson · September-18th-2008, 04:05 PM

Major Holley was a very poor substitute for Slam Stewart.

Lynn Seaton does a much better job.

Derek Taylor · September-18th-2008, 04:06 PM

Thanks me wag, the only dates I could remember w/ Holley were Stanley Turrentine's NEVER LET ME GO and Kenny Burrell's MIDNIGHT BLUE, both good records by memory.

Derek Taylor · September-18th-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse

If we were discussing vocalists who spoil the gestalt of an ensemble

Nobody mention Irene Aebi, please!

Jesse · September-18th-2008, 04:11 PM

Call me perverse, but I'd only mention Aebi's vocals in a positive thread.

I get it, though. My first wife registered murder when I'd spin the 80's Lacy stuff with sweet Irene.

Derek Taylor · September-18th-2008, 04:13 PM

I dig Irene too... I just didn't want another broken record performance from her (numerous) detractors to ensue.

shrugs · September-18th-2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse

If we were discussing vocalists who spoil the gestalt of an ensemble (we're not), I'd add Terry Jenoure, the single souring element of the great John Carter Octet(s).

I can't seem to remember not liking Castles of Ghana in any respect but it's been years since I heard it and the others.

Clapton was/is a thief of all styles.

shrugs · September-18th-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Taylor

I dig Irene too... I just didn't want another broken record performance from her (numerous) detractors to ensue.

has Hat ever put Tips on cd?
Might just be my favorite Irene.

Jesse · September-18th-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrugs

has Hat ever put Tips on cd?
Might just be my favorite Irene.

That's a motherfucker, among my favorites in my 60+ Lacy releases.

Derek Taylor · September-18th-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrugs

has Hat ever put Tips on cd?

Not yet, but hatOLOGY will probably get around to it eventually.

Vince Kargatis · September-18th-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrugs

I can't seem to remember not liking Castles of Ghana in any respect but it's been years since I heard it and the others.

Jenoure just has a wordless vocal on that one, quite lovely ("Theme of Desperation"), iirc. I'm guessing Jesse's referring to the final three, where there are songs. I don't mind her myself, but can understand the dislike.

Anyway, great records (the last essential jazz records!**), pull 'em out, shrugs.

(** a reference here, not a fresh claim to discuss)