charlie haden

[bassface5]

Please check out the recording of Haden with Paul Motian, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba. The playing on this particular recording is very refined. It still sounds like Haden, but has a much more supportive texture. The other Montreal tapes do have a much more free vibe, but it was this particular record that I was using as my reference. Sorry I will be a little more specific next time.

[Marcus Johnson]

Someone asked him what he felt were his best recorded performances awhile back, and he mentioned "Death and the Flower", with Keith Jarrett, Motian, Dewey Redman, et al. Regardless of how you feel about this group, it stands as one of the best examples of Charlie's approach. The sound of the bass is gorgeous. I personally like some of those old Keith sides, like "Backhand".

[bassface5]

I feel that another good representaion of Haden's playing is on Change of the centry( Ornette Coleman). I am especially fond of Ramblin. I love how Charlie is constantly implying a blues through out the tune, but never really plays the changes. It is almost an attitude thing rather than a harmonic approach. I also must say that the solo in this particular cut taught me the lesson of simplicity in my soloing. If your on to something good, hold on to it till it you need to grab something else.

[markr]

Its interesting to me to hear others perspective on this. I love Charlie Haden's playing. What has been described as the big heart in his music, is kind of daring in a way. You could listen to Haunted Heart, the gospel stuff with Hank Jones, the duets with Pat Matheny, and call them nostalgic, sentimental or corny. But to my ears they are really profound. I also love his compositions.

[bassface5]

Charlies playing on the Hank Jones album is to say the least gorgeous. He seems to shine the best when the harmonic aspect of the song is at a minimum. Not to say he can't play changes, but it is absoultely astounding what he does in wide open space. The way he approaches, navigates, and tempers his improvising is proof that the man is a master musician ( not Just a player ).

[roswell1965]

I found an excellent article/interview in the archive section of the BP magazine site - just click on "artists"

http://archive.bassplayer.com/

Mark

[mcbassdude]

Charlie reminds me of Ry Cooder in the sense that he is such a monster and so REAL and PURE. Although he is capable of ripping of the mega runs he chooses to play the spaces. He is one of the great unsung heros of american music. I'd love to here Ry Cooder and Charlie do some Blues...
-sigh-