Comments on: In Search of An Obscure Article https://jazzcollector.com/booksmagazines/in-search-of-an-obscure-article/ For those who love jazz Mon, 02 May 2011 16:29:11 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Mike https://jazzcollector.com/booksmagazines/in-search-of-an-obscure-article/comment-page-1/#comment-118102 Mon, 02 May 2011 16:29:11 +0000 http://jazzcollector.com/?p=3634#comment-118102 I’m learning things about Les Paul I didn’t know. I do think that sometimes when Tal played standards that he would stray from the Melody but I don’t see that as bad. He didn’t stray like say a late era Coltrane would or anything. I guess Les is coming from a different aesthetic.
I’m just a little taken aback, I always found Tal to be on a different level than Jimmy Raney. One problem I have with Jimmy is that he covered the gauntlet of jazz idioms and played some stuff that I just can’t get into. Tal touched other idioms but I primarily think of him as a Bebop guitarist. I haven’t heard much by Tal that I couldn’t enjoy. This is not to say that I don’t enjoy many of Jimmy Raney’s albums as well. I just get flustered by baseless comparisons. I understand the need to compare A to B, so one familiar with B can better understand A, but don’t like the comparison Les made.

]]> By: Mattyman https://jazzcollector.com/booksmagazines/in-search-of-an-obscure-article/comment-page-1/#comment-118083 Mon, 02 May 2011 15:51:23 +0000 http://jazzcollector.com/?p=3634#comment-118083 Oh, and Dan: how about scanning the entire copy of your Down Beat from Dec. 29, 1950 and maybe share the scans through Al so he can publish them on the site? This whole conversation has made me a curious person 😉

]]> By: dan axelrod https://jazzcollector.com/booksmagazines/in-search-of-an-obscure-article/comment-page-1/#comment-118045 Mon, 02 May 2011 12:54:08 +0000 http://jazzcollector.com/?p=3634#comment-118045 Bingo Big Bear! Thanks for being on the case. Success!

And to Mike- it was a blindfold test, Jimmy Raney was playing and Les says this:

“I would say this is Tal Farlow. or maybe Jimmy Raney. Tal copied Jimmy a lot. He idolized him. But they both stray too far from the melody. Once in a club, I heard Tal. He was playing “How High The Moon” but I was the only one who knew it. Case closed”

]]> By: Mike https://jazzcollector.com/booksmagazines/in-search-of-an-obscure-article/comment-page-1/#comment-117715 Sun, 01 May 2011 20:47:36 +0000 http://jazzcollector.com/?p=3634#comment-117715 Dan, I look forward to your Tal memoir.

]]> By: dan axelrod https://jazzcollector.com/booksmagazines/in-search-of-an-obscure-article/comment-page-1/#comment-117607 Sun, 01 May 2011 15:32:59 +0000 http://jazzcollector.com/?p=3634#comment-117607 “I’m just surprised that Les Paul would say something like that.”

Not surprising to someone who knew him Mike. He was a character who despite acclaim and fortune, could be intimidated by musical innovation… since’s Les’ own innovations were primarily in electronics and peripheral areas.

I delve quite a bit into this in the Tal book, with personal anecdotes that a jazz fan would find no less than captivating. But in a memoir, you tell the truth and don’t look back.
Dan Axelrod

]]> By: dan axelrod https://jazzcollector.com/booksmagazines/in-search-of-an-obscure-article/comment-page-1/#comment-117595 Sun, 01 May 2011 14:56:41 +0000 http://jazzcollector.com/?p=3634#comment-117595 Amazing community here. I already received the 1950 Downbeat Rob dug up…and began to chase down BigBear’s helpful link. Will report back soon.
a million thanks-
Dan Axelrod

]]> By: BigBear https://jazzcollector.com/booksmagazines/in-search-of-an-obscure-article/comment-page-1/#comment-117388 Sun, 01 May 2011 00:22:14 +0000 http://jazzcollector.com/?p=3634#comment-117388 Dan:

There was an interview with Les Paul in April 1992 per this link.

http://www.jazzhouserecords.co.uk/booksmagazines/magazines.html

]]> By: Mike https://jazzcollector.com/booksmagazines/in-search-of-an-obscure-article/comment-page-1/#comment-117386 Sun, 01 May 2011 00:16:12 +0000 http://jazzcollector.com/?p=3634#comment-117386 I think there are a few albums where on the surface Jimmy and Tal sound somewhat alike but I would say they are quite different. I think Tal was unique due to his tremendous technical abilities. I’m just surprised that Les Paul would say something like that.

]]> By: dan axelrod https://jazzcollector.com/booksmagazines/in-search-of-an-obscure-article/comment-page-1/#comment-116865 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:27:35 +0000 http://jazzcollector.com/?p=3634#comment-116865 Since this bit of obscurity panned out so well, I’ll place a second request.

In the early to mid 90s, Les Paul was featured in a Down Beat article. In it he states that Tal “stole his style” from Jimmy Raney – a bit of obvious nonsense, but not an unusual comment from the king of pop guitar regarding the king of bop guitar.
If anyone out there has a 90’s down beat collection and can take a look at the date,I’d be grateful
Dan Axelrod

]]> By: dan axelrod https://jazzcollector.com/booksmagazines/in-search-of-an-obscure-article/comment-page-1/#comment-116856 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:09:48 +0000 http://jazzcollector.com/?p=3634#comment-116856 Good question Rob- I pulled a partial still shot from a documentary film about Tal, but even the filmmaker didn’t have the original article anymore.
If there’s an ironic capper to this tale, it’s that after a second look at that Down Beat cover, I realzie I own it, but my house is so full of collectibles and crap, I have no idea where my Down Beat collection is! But the ebay issue will be here soon and once again Rob, I thank you-
Dan Axelrod

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