August 12, 2006

Someone left the cake out in the rain

Crooks and Liars has their late night music clip up, of a young Maynard Ferguson. I am waiting for the haters to start up in the comments.

The thing about Maynard, though, is that even with the kitschy stuff (the Rocky theme) and the covers (MacArthur Park), it's hard to hate him the way it's easy to hate Kenny G. I've been to a show or two in my time, and to this day one of the best (if we exclude the Flaming Lips, of course, and the Pink Floyd show where they came on promptly at 8pm and played until midnight, with only one short break and two - count 'em two - long encores) was seeing Maynard Ferguson at the Florida Theater in something like, 1986? 1987?

Hey, it was college. A few things are a little hazy.

Most of the time I was developing an interest in "progressive" music, listening to the Cure and the Smiths, or still hanging on to my Pink Floyd/Led Zeppelin roots, but I also traveled in serious band geek circles. And having dated a trumpet player or hmm, let's say two, in my time, I can still remember the way people talked about Maynard in hushed tones. Did you hear his version of Country Road? or I heard he had all his teeth pulled so he could play higher or Dude, I am so going to buy a jet tone. Dating someone who had a beautiful, melodious tone was a long exercise in hearing about the Jet Tone, because, of course, one needed to wail like a motherfucker to be a real trumpet player. *cough* Because when they spoke about Mark Zauss at the All State Band, they talked about how the director wouldn't let him play down an octave during practice, and they got to hear him... a kid our age, play like Maynard.

Anyway, even back in the 80s Maynard was an old dude. And he rocked. Seriously, there was no "Fat Elvis" going on. The guy was up there putting on a show. And he was gracious, and acknowledged all the kids in the audience and encouraged them. I was kind of stunned, because I was sort of "in tow" with my brass buddies (you know, sax players couldn't be really into it or anything) but I was blown away. For a smallish crowd in a dinky(ish) college town, he brought the show.

Maybe there is more to the connection with the Flaming Lips, because one of the things I appreciate about them is the professionalism and dedication in putting on the show, but also the sense that they are still having fun and are glad to be there. Why else would you still be on tour like this as you approached your 80th birthday, if it wasn't for the love of music?

Posted by binky at August 12, 2006 12:15 AM | TrackBack | Posted to Music


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