[Tradjazz] Tradjazz] Pee Wee Russell

[Bruce McNichols]

Wellsir.  Ya sure can't say that this discussion group doesn't bring out the thoughts of a bunch of us from all over the globe.

Yes Steve, I know whatcha mean about an acquired taste (especially regarding good whiskey, or in my case, gin).  I don't know about bass saxophones, but sure soprano saxophones (and banjos) are eligible for the Acquired Taste list.

I expect that my enigmatic love of Helm and not of Russell leaves me open for criticism.  Especially because of the two, Helm is probably the rougher of the two.  

I will continue to listen to Pee Wee Russell and I will continue to try to learn to appreciate his playing, though I must admit, I doubt if I will (but then, I turned around on Helm, after more than 20 years of not trying).

~~~
For Gerry Mulligan to say that Pee Wee was "Further out than  am"  doesn't strike me as very odd at all.  I submit that Pee Wee was further out than just about anybody I can think of.

As for Bix's genius, I concur.  I gather that Bix was VERY out there compared to his compatriots.  His modern playing (and composing) strike me as being influenced by the European classical masters, but then, I'm not a schooled musician, so my comments may be on very thin ice.

McN

      To: <tradjazz at list.okom.com>  
      Subject: [Tradjazz] Pee Wee Russell  
      Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2006 22:52:19 -0400  
      From: Steve Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>   
     
"trevor rippingale" <trevrip at bigpond.com> wrote


> Bruce my dear chap,

> "One never knows.....do one?"  Maybe Charles Ellsworth and Bob Helm are

 a bit

> like drinking good whisky ...they're an acquired taste........like bass

> saxophones(?).....and even banjos (?).....and flageolets(?).........and all

> the best things in life.

> I certainly share your love of Bob Helm's playing : its stylistically sincere

> and original, and it suits perfectly the context of the Watters/ Murphy groups

> and their repertoire. Like Pee Wee, Bob has his own sort of "chops" and

 fresh

> ideas to burn. What more can we ask ?

> But I do hope you'll also keep listening to Pee Wee and I'll just  keep hoping

> the light will dawn for you one day......'one never knows.....do one?"

> Trevor


I'm with you Trevor.

Another thing I love about Pee Wee Russell is what Gerry Mulligan said in an
interview long ago:

"Harmonically, Pee Wee Russell is further out than I am."

And the fact that he was a certified character. Who else ever played with
both Bix and Monk? And BTW, what he did with Bix was pure genius.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone 


     


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