Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Straight, No Chaser


We know exactly why we like some things, but other likes are more mysterious. I really like jazz, especially the type played by John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk, two North Carolina-born dudes. But why do I like jazz? It's difficult, messy, complex, intense, and very urban. It transports me somewhere (but where?) and it can be too much at times. I can't listen to it all the time -- but I love it when I do listen to it. I prefer it live, or recorded live. That's all I can observe about jazz at the moment. Oh and -- it's Thelonious Monk's birthday.


John Prine has a more rural sound, usually. He can be funny, but even so, ultimately he seems to carry a baleful tune, something tragic and heartrending at the core. It's his birthday, too.


I don't know about Stephanie Cheung's musical approach, but she definitely has visual appeal. Shanghai Night, indeed.


Bai Ling is a wild one. Nothing wrong with that -- as long as I don't have to learn anything new about Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, or Britney Spears today. Heaven forbid.


Today's Rune: The Self.

Birthdays: Jean-Antoine Watteau, Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi, Robert Gould Shaw, Helen Hayes, Alberto Giacometti, Thelonious Sphere Monk (Rocky Mount, N.C.), Ed Wood, Harold Pinter, Peter Coyote, John Prine, Ben Vereen, Midge Ure, David Lee Roth, Tanya Tucker, Kirsty MacColl, Chris Penn, Brett Favre, Bai Ling, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Mýa Harrison, Stephanie Cheung.

3 comments:

Cup said...

I really enjoy the Coltrane/Monk era of jazz. Don't listen to much of the modern artists; any recommendations?

John Prine is just one damn amazing songwriter. He's way up on my list.

Pythia3 said...

I know what you mean - I love jazz - but I can't listen to it all the time. There is a particular mood...it is a sexy, laid back, jazzy mood.

Danny Tagalog said...

Man you've got great taste in the ladies. Stephanie Cheung's fantastic!

Hoep the telecom towers aren't continuing to sprout up!