Jim McNeely , anyone ?

graypencil · September-28th-2004, 03:59 PM

As a writer, I've recently gone on an extended McNeely kick ..basically because I think he's been doing much of the best large ensemble writing around for the past ten or so years ( as well as being afirst class jazz pianist as well ) ..however, I never have seen him mentioned much on these jazz boards ..

So, whaddy'all think?

McNeely is "out" that I can appreciate ..

Pete C · September-28th-2004, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graypencil

McNeely is "out" that I can appreciate ..

Excellent writer, but I never thought of his work as "out." As a pianist he's solid, but I've never heard anything that makes him stand out.

groover · September-28th-2004, 05:02 PM

I only have one album with McNeely as a leader, East Coast Blowout, and it's worthwhile. However, as noted, McNeely's contribution is primarily in the composing and arranging. The instrumental highlights are largely provided by John Scofield, Marc Johnson, Adam Nussbaum, and, of course, the WDR Big Band.

Steve Reynolds · September-28th-2004, 05:12 PM

in what way is McNeely's playing or music "out"?

He plays nicely on a couple of Stan Getz dates I have - but his playing sounds pretty straight to me......

Pete C · September-28th-2004, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Reynolds

in what way is McNeely's playing or music "out"?

He plays nicely on a couple of Stan Getz dates I have - but his playing sounds pretty straight to me......

I think the "out" referred to his charts, not to his playing. Still, I'd only call them "out" by 40-year old standards.

groover · September-28th-2004, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Reynolds

in what way is McNeely's playing or music "out"?

He plays nicely on a couple of Stan Getz dates I have - but his playing sounds pretty straight to me......

Not that there's anything wrong with that! He's a harmonically advanced post-bopper, but he's not truly avant-garde.

"Flowers for Hodges" is another worthwhile set I have in my collection, and McNeely's playing is much more up-front in the duet setting with Phil Woods.

kenny weir · September-28th-2004, 07:04 PM

Jim perfomed at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival here a few years ago - and it was fabulous stuff.

He performed music from his Omnitone album, Group Therapy, in two shows with a medium-size combo led by Sydney saxophonist Gai Bryant. It was brilliant, and I like the album itself a lot.

He also did a solo concert, which was also fantastic and well received.

Other than that, I only have a few sideman appearances by him - but from what I've seen and heard, Jim rocks plenty.

McNeely outside? Not in any way, as far as I can hear.

Steve Reynolds · September-28th-2004, 07:07 PM

that's the one I want

btw, Kenny - I've been working my wayy through some of the music you sent me - after my move, I'll have some comments in a few weeks

some interesting stuff

Dr Dave · September-28th-2004, 08:33 PM

I enjoy this one, with the Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra.

graypencil · September-28th-2004, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete C

I think the "out" referred to his charts, not to his playing. Still, I'd only call them "out" by 40-year old standards.

his writing was pretty much my original point ..he's"out" in ways I can appreciate as a writer ( coming from a 40 year ago background in the George Russell /Brookmeyer /approach..

I'm aware there is a lot more "out" stuff from the viewpoint of the prevailing opinion here ..and some of the genre( i.e. the Either /Orchestra, The LJCO, Vienna Art Orch and the Brueker Kollectif, Instabile etc ) is also in varying amounts interesting to me.

I think what got me started on McNeely here was the recent thread on Maria Schneiders new CD ..which, while I do like it , and respect her craftsmanship, I get a more visceral reaction to McNeelys writing ..

Rob Damen · September-28th-2004, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graypencil

I think what got me started on McNeely here was the recent thread on Maria Schneiders new CD ..which, while I do like it , and respect her craftsmanship, I get a more visceral reaction to McNeelys writing ..

Yup!

Cheers,

Rob

lazy · September-30th-2004, 04:04 PM

Good to see a thread dedicated to him. I like his writing no matter what. He is a good pianist when functioning under Phil Woods but surprisingly I didn't like his solo set in the Maybeck recital series. My recommendation is this Woods album with Mcneely's compositions (he doesn't play there, which also shows the respect for his writing by itself, independently of his playing).

clinthopson · September-30th-2004, 05:00 PM

The only things I have by Jim McNeely are the VV Big Band discs. I think what he has done with the band is excellent.

We've seen him with the band twice and were knocked out.

james harrigan · October-1st-2004, 10:24 AM

McNeely's "Group Therapy" got a lot of press when it was released a few years ago, and I believe it was discussed quite a bit at JC. I was very disappointed by it: the writing seemed excessively clever, more interested in showing off tricks than communicating. I agree with gp that the comparison to Maria Schneider is instructive, but I'm on the other side: her "Concert in the Garden" moves me emotionally far more than "Group Therapy" did.

Ennis Snavely · October-1st-2004, 01:22 PM

I Like "Lickety Split - The Music of Jim McNeely" by the Vanguard Jazz Orch. It's on New World and is a very strong date. "Group Therapy" is very good as well.

I'd say that his stuff is "out" in that it's not completely out of the Basie New Testament bag. It's also not very much out of the Brookmeyer/Mulligan thing either and it's not Kenton-ish at all. It swings but it also makes use of some odd colors and shades here and there. I think that's more apparent on "Group Therapy" than "Lickety Split".

Phil: I'm waiting for your "Suite for No-Input Mixing Board and Jazz Orchestra". How's it coming along? That should satisfy our local sine wave fans.

graypencil · October-1st-2004, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ennis Snavely

I Like "Lickety Split - The Music of Jim McNeely" by the Vanguard Jazz Orch. It's on New World and is a very strong date. "Group Therapy" is very good as well.

I'd say that his stuff is "out" in that it's not completely out of the Basie New Testament bag. It's also not very much out of the Brookmeyer/Mulligan thing either and it's not Kenton-ish at all. It swings but it also makes use of some odd colors and shades here and there. I think that's more apparent on "Group Therapy" than "Lickety Split".

Phil: I'm waiting for your "Suite for No-Input Mixing Board and Jazz Orchestra". How's it coming along? That should satisfy our local sine wave fans.

I hear more BB in McNeelys stuff than you do apparently ( particularly the Group Therapy stuff ), but I also hear some spiky non triadic voicings more common to Stravinsky or Bartok than usually found in the jazz writing vocabulary. I also hear traces of early George Russell linear stuff as well.

As for the "suite" ..I have some fairly **out** filmscore music for some PBS science specials that rely heavily upon the combination of electronics and live players ..including such outre stuff as water gongs, buddhist cup bells on tympani, chains of paper clips in the piano ..it aint "jazz" ..but it IS weird!