Thursday, October 2, 2008

How is it even possible?




Ok perhaps this is just rank sentimentalism, but after downloading Brubeck's Time Out and giving it a good relisten, I am just feeling all nostalgic. (See my Meadowlark post). SO I decided that it might be cool to have a copy of the print on the cover. I do a little research and find that it is a painting by S. Neil Fujita, who is apparently a legendary graphic artist. He also did the album cover for Mingus Ah Um, which is among the greatest jazz albums of all time IMHO.




SO I start looking for this guy online. I find all these articles and books that make reference to him and that he was this legendary, influential graphic artist, but I cannot find any prints. No websites dedicated to his work. Only one image. How is it even possible that this guy who was this legendary figure in his field has less of a web presence than I do. Maybe he doesn't own his art? Anyway here are cool images.
Oh and How is it that one of the most accessible to the mainstream jazz albums starts with a tune in 9/8 (Blue Rondo a la Turk)and the most familiar tune on the album is in 5/4(Take Five)? So complex and weird, yet not jarring in the least. And that drum solo that stretches and contracts to time signature? Solid gas and groove, daddy.
Here's Dave and the boys playing "Blue Rondo a la Turk" going back and forth from 9/8 to 4/4. Crazy. The 4/4 kicks in at 1:54.




And if you're interested, here is a clip from Jazz Casual of "Take Five" in 5/4.

3 comments:

Greg said...

I prefer Black Saint and the Sinner Lady to Mingus Ah Um. Black Saint is one of my favorite albums of all time. Time Out was one of the first jazz albums I really got hooked on, though. Have you ever heard Dave's Impressions... stuff? It's great.

Chap said...

Thanks for reading Greg. Black Saint is an amazing composition. Dolphy was such a cool addition to the Workshop. Mingus is perhaps my all time favorite. I think he is every bit the composer that Ellington was. His personal favorite was Tijuana Moods. It is also amazing. I think my favorite is a toss up between Blues and Roots and Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus. Mingus IMO recorded better with Impulse than with Columbia. I have heard Impressions, but do not own it.

One day I am going to do a full on writeup on Mingus--I am just not there yet. That has to simmer some more.

Jay said...

This is great stuff, Chap. I own music by quite a few of the guys I've been reading about here, but you are certainly adding a new level to my listening experience. I'm really diggin' this.