[JPL] I gave this article five stars.

[Jackson, Bobby]

We all have our favorite protest recordings and I do as well (Charles
Minguses "Fables Of Faubus" comes to mind instantly as I write this) but
that is not my point.  My point is that there IS merit to Wynton's
recording that is not given a fair shake by the critic who gave it one
star. The critique has a mean spirited tone that doesn't fairly address
what Wynton was reaching for artistically or politically.  I'm not
debating whether or not Wynton's piece is angrier, better or whatever.
I'm not comparing it to Billie's or Armstrong's or Abbey's or Max's
protest songs.  They have their place in the scheme of our cultural
fabric.  

In a world where we see little conscious raising music in the current
cultural landscape, there is absolutely nothing out here that is
"timelier".  If that doesn't merit any consideration by a "critic" then
I'll give that critic no stars.  

Bobby Jackson

-----Original Message-----
From: jazzproglist-bounces at jazzweek.com
[mailto:jazzproglist-bounces at jazzweek.com] On Behalf Of Lazaro Vega
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 1:36 PM
To: Jazz Programmers Mailing List
Subject: Re: [JPL] I gave this article five stars.

This Week's JPL Sponsor: Voluntary Donors

Hi Eric,

> I'm curious as to how you measure that they did "more musically with
these
> themes." And of the works you referred to, do you also rank them in
terms of
> which is more musical? If so, I'd be curious to hear your list and why
you
> place them that way.

"Max & Abbey been there, done that, timelier, angrier, and better."

Abby screaming from "Prayer/Protest/Peace" is often the sound track to
films of the fire hoses and attack dogs being turned loose on the
black population.

The music's impact was on the level of the visual image, of real life.
In real life today I doubt "Plantation" will have much of an impact.
Would that it did but doubts rule hope.

And, yes, "Plantation" is a touch point in an on-going musical
commentary.

Louis got "in trouble" for saying in effect that if 'Jesus were black
and marched today they'd beat him, too.'  Folks sure enough didn't
want to hear that truth from their Entertainer. That was when Dizzy
and Miles turned around on Louis and embraced him for what he was, not
for what they thought he was.

John Hammond was just a big chicken about "Strange Fruit."


As far as today, well, yeah -- people will beat your fanny black and
blue for saying anything critical. I mean, they'll out a spy for
getting some truth in the way, and the Dixie Chicks sure were beat
down for stating what was on many people's minds. They recovered, but,
yeah: they got a taste of what Hunter S. Thompson called "The Shit
Hammer." Yuck!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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