Channel 6072

[amicus]

I usually put on Channel 6071, when I write. 'Smooth Jazz', sophisticated, but easy to listen to.

But, this night, I read again my novel, "Billy", posted here, thinking of where of if I should publish it, inspired perhaps by the thread about Epublishers, and what not.

The music didn't suit me, so I changed channels to 'Classic Jazz',(6072) and concentrated on my reading, editing, revising, as writers do.

But the music got to me; brought back memories.

I share this here, as I have no where and no one else, but perhaps one or two...


I played records on the radio for many years, for hire...at radio stations here there and everywhere. I played what they told me to, play lists, genre's, I did a job, I loved it.

But I began to discover preferences of my own besides my teenage rock and roll and, 'MOR' Middle of the Road, Sinatra, Bennett, Doris Day, Peggy Lee venue.

I discovered Jazz.

Tonight, I relistened to Miles Davis and John Coltrane, Ben Webster, Dizzy Gillespie, and and Les McCann and Cannon Ball Adderly, and Nina Simone, and Sarah Vaugh, and many, many others.

I am of a bygone era, I know that, accept it, deal with it; but...


I met these people, those musicians and composers and singers, in person, live, on stage, in performance.

I could recognize by sound, (there were no video's). every jazz pianist, guitarist, flute, trombone, drummer, or sax player, just by his or her style. I knew them all and was seldom if ever wrong.

I could hear Oscar Peterson, or Ahmed Jamal, or Brubeck or the MJQ, and know instantly who was playing, trumpet, sax, flute, guitar, Charlie Byrd, Django Rheinhardt, a single note from Billy Holiday, I knew who was performing.

As I was reading to the music this night, I turned and smiled to confirm that, that was Jimmy Smith or Wes Mongomery on Organ, That it was Herbie Mann on Flute, or,I forgot his name on valve trombone, or Gerry Mulligan, or Chet Baker....the memories came rushing back of when I was very good at what I did.

It is sad in a way that I cannot give to you, or even share with you, that which I have learned and cherished.

Channel 6072 does a fair job of sharing the music, but I could do better, knowing what I do...but I am too tired to give you what I have learned, and that too is a sadness for me.

So be it....


Another side of Amicus...that you may not have suspected...you will miss me when I am gone...

 

[tickledkitty]

Are you planning to leave us soon, Amicus?

 

[glynndah]

I usually put on Channel 6071, when I write. 'Smooth Jazz', sophisticated, but easy to listen to.

But, this night, I read again my novel, "Billy", posted here, thinking of where of if I should publish it, inspired perhaps by the thread about Epublishers, and what not.

The music didn't suit me, so I changed channels to 'Classic Jazz',(6072) and concentrated on my reading, editing, revising, as writers do.

But the music got to me; brought back memories.

I share this here, as I have no where and no one else, but perhaps one or two...


I played records on the radio for many years, for hire...at radio stations here there and everywhere. I played what they told me to, play lists, genre's, I did a job, I loved it.

But I began to discover preferences of my own besides my teenage rock and roll and, 'MOR' Middle of the Road, Sinatra, Bennett, Doris Day, Peggy Lee venue.

I discovered Jazz.

Tonight, I relistened to Miles Davis and John Coltrane, Ben Webster, Dizzy Gillespie, and and Les McCann and Cannon Ball Adderly, and Nina Simone, and Sarah Vaugh, and many, many others.

I am of a bygone era, I know that, accept it, deal with it; but...


I met these people, those musicians and composers and singers, in person, live, on stage, in performance.

I could recognize by sound, (there were no video's). every jazz pianist, guitarist, flute, trombone, drummer, or sax player, just by his or her style. I knew them all and was seldom if ever wrong.

I could hear Oscar Peterson, or Ahmed Jamal, or Brubeck or the MJQ, and know instantly who was playing, trumpet, sax, flute, guitar, Charlie Byrd, Django Rheinhardt, a single note from Billy Holiday, I knew who was performing.

As I was reading to the music this night, I turned and smiled to confirm that, that was Jimmy Smith or Wes Mongomery on Organ, That it was Herbie Mann on Flute, or,I forgot his name on valve trombone, or Gerry Mulligan, or Chet Baker....the memories came rushing back of when I was very good at what I did.

It is sad in a way that I cannot give to you, or even share with you, that which I have learned and cherished.

Channel 6072 does a fair job of sharing the music, but I could do better, knowing what I do...but I am too tired to give you what I have learned, and that too is a sadness for me.

So be it....


Another side of Amicus...that you may not have suspected...you will miss me when I am gone...

All those performers figure heavily in my husband's huge collection of music, primarily jazz. He, too, knows the musicians by their style of playing and can, upon hearing a few bars of the song, immediately tell me the artist, the members of the group and much more. Me, I remember the tune and can sometimes I recall the name of the group and have a sense of recognition of hearing the song before.

 

[amicus]

All those performers figure heavily in my husband's huge collection of music, primarily jazz. He, too, knows the musicians by their style of playing and can, upon hearing a few bars of the song, immediately tell me the artist, the members of the group and much more. Me, I remember the tune and can sometimes I recall the name of the group and have a sense of recognition of hearing the song before.

~~~

Thank you glynndah, please give my regards to your husband...we are both becoming an extinct minority, I think....


amicus...

 

[glynndah]

~~~

Thank you glynndah, please give my regards to your husband...we are both becoming an extinct minority, I think....


amicus...

He's lively enough, most of the time.

 

[amicus]

..."a wink and a smile..." (now...where did that originate?)

ami

 

[tickledkitty]

..."a wink and a smile..." (now...where did that originate?)

ami

'A Wink and a Smile' is an older song written by Marc Shaiman and Ramsey McLean. Its most recent popularity is due to being recorded by Harry Connick, Jr. in 1993 and used in the movie 'Sleepless in Seattle.'

But you already knew that, didn't you?

 

[Verdad]

As an ex DJ myself, albeit from an era considerably after yours, I'm deeply moved by your post. Thanks.

Verdad

 

[amicus]

'A Wink and a Smile' is an older song written by Marc Shaiman and Ramsey McLean. Its most recent popularity is due to being recorded by Harry Connick, Jr. in 1993 and used in the movie 'Sleepless in Seattle.'

But you already knew that, didn't you?

~~~

Thank you tickledkitty, again, I have found that trusting my memory has its limits anymore, I thought it might be "You've Got Mail", the same actors (I think) Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, as in "Sleepless".

A little strange, I had first just pasted a 'wink' at a previous comment, as an understanding of the intended humor...then I thought of adding the smile and there it was, 'a wink and a smile' and I found myself humming the song.

A pleasure, thanks again.

ami

 

[ccnyman]

Thank you. A lovely post.

My taste in music is for the Classical. When I was a teenager, there was an announcer on WNCN in NYC started at mid-night. He talked little, just put on the record and let the piece play without interruption - symphonies, Wagnerian operas, whatever. Many a late night I'd listen while working on an assignment. It seems that my life then was one continuous cool, deep Spring night filled with mystery and excitement for wondrous things to be learned, for wondrous things to be discovered.

 

[amicus]

As an ex DJ myself, albeit from an era considerably after yours, I'm deeply moved by your post. Thanks.,

Verdad

~~~

Thank you Verdad. Those were very special years for me. I began, as many did, in the wee small hours of the morning, the midnight to 6am shift. I often thought that out there in the city, Honolulu, it was, with quiet in the streets, the red aircraft warning beacons on the taller buildings, the occasional patrol car going by, that I was alone in the world, ready to pass on news of import if necessary and to entertain those few souls still awake.

I am sure you know the feeling, thanks again.

amicus...

 

[amicus]

[QUOTE=ccnyman]Thank you. A lovely post.

My taste in music is for the Classical. When I was a teenager, there was an announcer on WNCN in NYC started at mid-night. He talked little, just put on the record and let the piece play without interruption - symphonies, Wagnerian operas, whatever. Many a late night I'd listen while working on an assignment. It seems that my life then was one continuous cool, deep Spring night filled with mystery and excitement for wondrous things to be learned, for wondrous things to be discovered.[/QUOTE]

~~~

Perfectly said CC, wonderful. While attending college in Kentucky, I listened also to a late night Jazz DJ from Rochester, New York. Could only pick the station up for a few hours late at night, but his selection of music was magnificent and his banter, always just right concerning the music and the performers.

I miss those days.

amicus...

 

[Verdad]

It was the graveyard shift for me too. Never again was it as sweet.

 

[SeaCat]

Ami,

I grew up listening to stations that played what is now called Classic Country or Blue Grass. My father could identify the group or artist soon after they started. I got so I could as well.

To this day I can still do this with the old style.

I miss the old stations and their selections.

Cat

 

[amicus]

Ami,

I grew up listening to stations that played what is now called Classic Country or Blue Grass. My father could identify the group or artist soon after they started. I got so I could as well.

To this day I can still do this with the old style.

I miss the old stations and their selections.

Cat

The radio business has changed greatly over the years. Now, it is rare to find a 'live' DJ anymore, the programming is all automated and comes in by satellite. Just like a McDonalds, you can drive from town to town and hear exactly the same program.

Sad, in way, I suppose, but then, nothings seems to stay the same.

amicus...

 

[R. Richard]

You did just forget to include Ornette Coleman in your list of jazzmen, right?

 

[amicus]

Orenette Coleman was just one of perhaps a hundred that I did not mention, RRichard, I pretty much just took those whose songs were playing at that time, they list the artist and the a.lbum on the screen. I t was pleasant to see if I could recall from memory who it was and then confirm it by looking.

There were a lot of spin off quartets and quintets from the Big Bands, like Benny Goodman, that I just adored.

I am somewhat surprised to realize that much of the music from even the 30's is still very listenable today.

amicus

 

[cloudy]

Not into jazz much. It tends to put me to sleep.

Old blues is another story. Just love it. Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and newer: BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan.

 

[slyc_willie]

I've always had a thing for jazz and Big Band music. My library includes both Frank and Tony, as well as a pretty good mix of Satchmo, Duke, Ella, Benny Goodman, and the later efforts of Bobby Darin.

Yeah, an awful lot has changed, Amicus. Not all of it for the better. But if the media gurus have proven nothing else, it is that repetition and sameness sells. I guess it's the 'comfort' thing, as in, wherever you go, you can be assured that any chain restaurant will serve up the same dish you had in a different state.

It's the idea of 'Wherever you go, there you are' taken to penultimate levels.

 

[slyc_willie]

Not into jazz much. It tends to put me to sleep.

Old blues is another story. Just love it. Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and newer: BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Ohh, Stevie.

God bless him.

I still remember seeing him play at the Gruene Music Hall, here in Texas, with a very young Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Those were the days . . . .

 

[cloudy]

Ohh, Stevie.

God bless him.

I still remember seeing him play at the Gruene Music Hall, here in Texas, with a very young Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Those were the days . . . .

Yep, love 'em both. No one will ever play like Stevie, but Kenny Wayne Shepherd comes damn close.

 

[slyc_willie]

Yep, love 'em both. No one will ever play like Stevie, but Kenny Wayne Shepherd comes damn close.

First time I ever saw the kid, he was sitting on a speaker in Gruene while Stevie was warming up. He couldn't have been more than 8 or 10 years old. The guitar he held was bigger than he was. But I could see him mimic the way Stevie was playing. He had that look in his eye like a worshipper seeing his God in the flesh.

I wore out more than one Kenny casette. "Aberdeen" was always my favorite.

 

[cloudy]

First time I ever saw the kid, he was sitting on a speaker in Gruene while Stevie was warming up. He couldn't have been more than 8 or 10 years old. The guitar he held was bigger than he was. But I could see him mimic the way Stevie was playing. He had that look in his eye like a worshipper seeing his God in the flesh.

I wore out more than one Kenny casette. "Aberdeen" was always my favorite.

I think he was around 14 or 15 first time I saw him, and he just blew me away with the way he played.

I think "Every Time It Rains" is probably my fave, but its hard to just choose one song.

 

[slyc_willie]

I think he was around 14 or 15 first time I saw him, and he just blew me away with the way he played.

I think "Every Time It Rains" is probably my fave, but its hard to just choose one song.

True. Talent like that is hard to pin down by selecting just one song for representation. But I love the movement of 'Aberdeen.' 'Phone Call' was pretty good, too. A little quirky, a little moody in that dusty-Texas-highway kind of way.

 

[glynndah]

Orenette Coleman was just one of perhaps a hundred that I did not mention, RRichard, I pretty much just took those whose songs were playing at that time, they list the artist and the a.lbum on the screen. I t was pleasant to see if I could recall from memory who it was and then confirm it by looking.

There were a lot of spin off quartets and quintets from the Big Bands, like Benny Goodman, that I just adored.

I am somewhat surprised to realize that much of the music from even the 30's is still very listenable today.

amicus

My husband does that, too. He's always right. It's amazing.