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Pat Metheny Eviserates Kenny G

Written by:Chris Mitchell.

“But when Kenny G decided that it was appropriate for him to defile the music of the man who is probably the greatest jazz musician that has ever lived by spewing his lame-ass, jive, pseudo bluesy, out-of-tune, noodling, wimped out, fucked up playing all over one of the great Louis [Armstrong]’s tracks (even one of his lesser ones), he did something that I would not have imagined possible. He, in one move, through his unbelievably pretentious and calloused musical decision to embark on this most cynical of musical paths, shit all over the graves of all the musicians past and present who have risked their lives by going out there on the road for years and years developing their own music inspired by the standards of grace that Louis Armstrong brought to every single note he played over an amazing lifetime as a musician. By disrespecting Louis, his legacy and by default, everyone who has ever tried to do something positive with improvised music and what it can be, Kenny G has created a new low point in modern culture - something that we all should be totally embarrassed about - and afraid of. We ignore this, “let it slide”, at our own peril.”

Music to my ears. (See what I’ve done there?) [via Reddit]

Posted on July 17th, 2006.


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Kenny G is no worse than ageing corporate types who think they are still hep because they play jazz music at the weekend. Or for that matter, florridly wastecoated men who bob their ponytailed heads in time with their meaningfull jazz licks. Oh have I mentioned the “intellectual” who likes jazz because it makes them feel superior, and cleverer than the masses who like rock, rap, reggae, or even the sisters of mercy.

All he did was elevate the self congratularly, high note of onanism, the saxophone solo (note: its at least a semiquaver above the guitar solo), into something that shifted units.

No worse than Jim Morrison really. But then I’m not a great fan of him either.

Anonymous
July 19th, 2006

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About Splinters

Splinters is a blog about books and other good stuff. It's currently written by Ben Granger, Greg Lowe and Chris Mitchell. Former contributors include Steve Mitchelmore, Ismo Santala and Nick Clapson.

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