Old Wine in New Bottles

So, I'm interesting in old things done better. There's something about the concepts of revision and artistry that go hand in hand in my mind. Maybe it's my love and study of jazz that points me in that direction, but I find other things filling the niche as well. Take teaching for example. Teachers have been doing the same thing for years and years. However, you get to my generation of teachers and we seem to be all about reinventing the wheel. Tell us it's already been done and chances are you'll get an idealistic attitude and the impression that, while it might have been done, it was done a bit half assed, if you must know.

Anyway, that's a bit of a long way around the point here. And the point isn't anything big, to tell the truth. The big post is simply that I've found a new recording that has allowed a few ideas of my own to find a happy home. That the things that have been percolating up there are beginning to find brethren and it's been rather inspiring to me.

First off, is a incredible disc called Rock Swings. I heard this little gem during a set break at a gig a few months ago and had to ask who it was. After receiving the answer, picking myself up off the floor and allowing the words "No way in hell" to come out of my mouth, I began to realize the truth had, indeed, been told to me. It was Paul Anka. Paul Anka. The 60's icon himself had made a big band/orchestra album of pop tunes from the 80's and 90's. Featuring songs such as Everybody Hurts and Eyes Without a Face among many others, my mind was blown. Mostly because these arrangements are so damn good! It's like Nelson Riddle came around and decided to see what he could do with some four chord tunes that had good hooks. Damn. It's impressive and I don't want to be impressed by Paul Anka. Yet, here I am. Being taught a lesson that a good song is a good song and that a good arrangement can do anything. And that even a man who's by all rights passed his musical prime can still put new ideas out there and teach us young punks a thing or two.

In addition to Mr. Anka's offering, Chris Potter has a new CD out that does a couple of fantastic covers of Yesterday by Lennon/McCartney and Mourning Bell from Radiohead. Strange how music that is considered non jazz speaks so well and so powerfully in that context. I had to play Yesterday about 10 times just to get my fill. I suppose this should point out how truly American our art form of jazz is. How flexible and willing to embrace change it can be. Me? I'm just impressed that someone out there is taking some chances. I, for one, have thought of doing something like that for years, but never had the guts to put it out there. These guys sure have. It's nice to know that it can be done and done well. That's inspiring. Maybe I won't put that idea of a Radiohead big band set of arrangements out to pasture just yet.

So, while my world is comprised of revealing the magic of Ellington and Bach, I find myself unable to get "The Closer I Get To You" out of my head. So much so that I end up putting it into every tune in the third set at my last gig. Trouble. That's all that is. Trouble. And maybe it's better that way.