(Leaving a disc on pause for more than a day is never good, but the mix picks up where it left off with neither skip nor scratch. 12. “Freejazz” – Envelopes) Our spirits were a bit dampened, or at least mine were at this point. Louke’s set was simply difficult to swallow enjoyably. Don’t get me wrong, the performance of music in a public setting will always be appreciated (to some degree) – seeing someone sing or a play an instrument will usually rub me the right way, and I was still wowed at the sheer grandeur that is Carnegie Hall. On the other hand, this whole experience was, as they say, a bit much.
I prepped mentally for more Jazz, but I was also awaiting my portion of Joni. I still haven’t heard the Rivers album, but back then this fact only increased my level of anticipation. Let’s get a few things straight though. Herbie Hancock is a living legend in his field. He is creative, accomplished, genre-bending, and a god on the keys. You will read nothing here that takes a shot at his musicianship; however, I will "fire at will" on his showmanship. The man cannot, or at least doesn’t try to, cater to his audience. Yes, he was cordial in between his songs, but musically he was distant. I understand that Jazz, especially improvisational Jazz (which there was plenty of), is not the most accessible of musical forms. Even so, there was nothing interesting about what Mr. Hancock did that Monday evening in June.
He played only two Joni Mitchel songs, featuring some nervous vocals from a pair of relatively unknown yet talented singers. Still, B-list voices on the microphone for “River” and “All I Want” did not live up to the treatment that such a critically acclaimed record deserves. They also sung on a few other covers of different artists' works, which I may have only partially recognized and did not care for. The rest of his show was instrumental filler – expositional Jazz. A ton of JAM and not enough toast to eat it with. Mr. Hancock's performance was the most self-indulgent display of musical talent I have ever seen. (Here’s an obvious one. 13. “We’ve Been Had” – The Walkmen) It seemed more like a competition in complexity and technique than a concert. Moreover, at one point Mr. Hancock presented the audience with what was clearly a contrived gimmick in which he took a keyboard guitar (made famous in the 80s) and proceeded to flaunt his genius in a funk-filled pissing contest of instrumental improv. It was a parade of his own musical skill that bordered on arrogant and frivolousness. Granted, Mr. Hancock was at his best alone on stage; when he seemed solely devoted to his piano, the pace slowed and there was space to breath. The man can play, and he was able to touch upon some quietly emotive moments as he meditated with his fingers to the keys.
I prepped mentally for more Jazz, but I was also awaiting my portion of Joni. I still haven’t heard the Rivers album, but back then this fact only increased my level of anticipation. Let’s get a few things straight though. Herbie Hancock is a living legend in his field. He is creative, accomplished, genre-bending, and a god on the keys. You will read nothing here that takes a shot at his musicianship; however, I will "fire at will" on his showmanship. The man cannot, or at least doesn’t try to, cater to his audience. Yes, he was cordial in between his songs, but musically he was distant. I understand that Jazz, especially improvisational Jazz (which there was plenty of), is not the most accessible of musical forms. Even so, there was nothing interesting about what Mr. Hancock did that Monday evening in June.
He played only two Joni Mitchel songs, featuring some nervous vocals from a pair of relatively unknown yet talented singers. Still, B-list voices on the microphone for “River” and “All I Want” did not live up to the treatment that such a critically acclaimed record deserves. They also sung on a few other covers of different artists' works, which I may have only partially recognized and did not care for. The rest of his show was instrumental filler – expositional Jazz. A ton of JAM and not enough toast to eat it with. Mr. Hancock's performance was the most self-indulgent display of musical talent I have ever seen. (Here’s an obvious one. 13. “We’ve Been Had” – The Walkmen) It seemed more like a competition in complexity and technique than a concert. Moreover, at one point Mr. Hancock presented the audience with what was clearly a contrived gimmick in which he took a keyboard guitar (made famous in the 80s) and proceeded to flaunt his genius in a funk-filled pissing contest of instrumental improv. It was a parade of his own musical skill that bordered on arrogant and frivolousness. Granted, Mr. Hancock was at his best alone on stage; when he seemed solely devoted to his piano, the pace slowed and there was space to breath. The man can play, and he was able to touch upon some quietly emotive moments as he meditated with his fingers to the keys.
Everyone on stage had talent. That wasn’t the issue. The talent simply wasn’t applied towards making an enjoyable show. It was a show that was interesting for 10 minutes and boring for the other 40. The look of the stage was bland to boot. Posturing can only get one so far. (To signify a normal reaction to Mr. Hancock’s performance, a steady beat and lazy melody slip into the air. We wrap up this mix with a new dark favorite. 14. “Half-Asleep” – Okay)
In our post-concert talk, David said two things worth noting. In regards to the show, “That’s what happens when a bunch of straight guys get together with nothing to do” (hilarious!). And in regards to our research, “Going to [Herbie Hancock’s performance at Carnegie Hall] reminds me that what I am doing is work” (true).
In our post-concert talk, David said two things worth noting. In regards to the show, “That’s what happens when a bunch of straight guys get together with nothing to do” (hilarious!). And in regards to our research, “Going to [Herbie Hancock’s performance at Carnegie Hall] reminds me that what I am doing is work” (true).
* * *
Most of our work concerns Broadway and Broadway only. This blog post and the day it concerned diverged slightly from that course, and it wasn’t a great experience, but it provided a different aspect of performance in New York. The posts that will proceed this one might not focus on something music related (in which case, I clearly saw a play that day), but 24 hours do not pass without me indulging in something musical, and to be sure, that something on those musically lacking days will be mentioned. And, of course, a mix will always be provided. I am a DJ after all. Here’s the June 23, 2008 track listing:
1. “A Day in the Life” – The Beatles
2. “Some Things Last a Long Time” – Beach House
3. “The Night Is Day Turned Inside Out” – Beulah
4. “Work” – Gang Starr
5. “Wrapped up in Books” – Belle & Sebastian
6. “The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth” – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
7. “Brainy” – The National
8. “Jazz (We've Got)” – A Tribe Called Quest
9. “The Wrong Way” – TV on the Radio
10. “The Conversation” – Joni Mitchell
11. “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” – Vampire Weekend
12. “Freejazz” –Envelopes
13. “We’ve Been Had” – The Walkmen
14. “Half-Asleep” – Okay
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