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Esperanza Spalding : You gotta watch this

#124
image.jpeg
Looks familiar...
 
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#125
I played the whole show from the BRIC. I am not a hardcore jazz guy so this doesn't polarize me the way it does some folks. For me it has its moments - Good Lava, Noble Nobles and One stand out, and I really like her voice. The rest of it did not really turn my crank, but this is not the kind of music I can absorb in one listen. Might like it better if the kick drum and backing vocals weren't so in your face (talking about the live show not the album).
 
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#127
Have any of you how aren't digging the video performances actually listened to her Emily D+ Evolution album? It's insanely good! Perhaps the songs don't translate as well in the videos (I agree that the NPR performance of Good Lava was a bit, um, out there - although the Late Night performance was a little more straightforward). The album however, is phenomenal IMHO. Seriously, give it a whirl. It's great on so many levels, there's something for everyone (songs, melody, arrangements, bass lines!).

As for the other comments in this threads regarding only liking Esperanza/Emily's due to her looks - yes, she is attractive - it's hard for most people to deny that - but with her talent, I wouldn't care if she weighed 500 lbs. and wore that BK crown and goofy glasses 24/7 - I would still be just as much of a fan.

AngelCrusher said:
What makes it tougher is you listen to her prior stuff and how good it was, and then you fire up this....
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#128
This. I like Esperanza's music. The fact that she plays both upright and electric bass extremely well is just icing on the cake. I'd still buy her albums if she only sang on them.

Dr. Cheese said:
Who said the music was good because she plays bass? I know I said I am more interested in bass guitar projects than upright projects, but I would certainly have no problem saying I didn't like her new CD if that were the case. I think her stage show is weird, but I really enjoy the music itself.
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#130
ArtechnikA said:
Yes.

That's your opinion, to which you are entitled.
Mine is different. I don't like it at all.
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Wait! I thought everyone on the planet liked Esperanza???! You mean there are other people with different opinions than my own?!

Seriously though, it's cool. I thought it went without saying that I was expressing my own opinion. How can I express anyone else's opinion? That's your's and everyone else's job (which you just did by replying to my post). It's all good. At least you gave it a whirl.
 
#131
japhy4529 said:
Wait! I thought everyone on the planet liked Esperanza?
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I can't speak for 'everyone' ;-) but I like her previous work.
So her latest left me quite disappointed.
I understand that artists need to evolve, which concept I support.
In her JazzTimes interview, she mentions that a goal is to keep doing what it takes to afford to do what she wants.
If her 'popular, commercial' work is not commercially successful, she may have to re-evaluate something.
I'm glad she's growing and evolving as an artist - but I'm not going to support products I do not like with my purchases. This is commercial reality.
 
#133
Whousedtoplay said:
Clef,
Check this song from Esperanza's new album.
Do you think it's "weird stuff?"
To me, it's a beautiful slow pop song with an interesting bass-line.

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OK I think I know what it is. Unfortunately I don't care for her singing style.. I do really like the music.. reminds me of a lot of Jazz I like. My favorite Jazz/Bass music is nearly always instrumental. I like that song, but not the vocals in it. I liked the feel of the song. She has amazing rang and control of her voice.. it just isn't my thing. I'm not sure why I feel better liking one of her songs. To be honest, I don't like not liking things. Maybe I don't like to be seen as negative.. not sure. I may see if she has any instrumental stuff out there. That one was pretty cool.
 
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#135
Whousedtoplay said:
I think you are probably the ONLY one in this thread who kept his/her "cool" :thumbsup: without getting into our "infamous" PERSONAL:rollno: attacks while talking about things that are SO FAR AWAY from our regular daily lives.
I, on the other hand, ALWAYS tend to provoke :banghead:, AGAINST my sincerest intentions:crying:, a lot of unnecessary emotions :spit: and even personal hate :rage: :thumbsdown: just by talking about MUSIC.
I envy you.
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Once I accepted that it is cool for people not to share my tastes in music, it became much easier to read criticism of my favorites.

It also pays to think about how somebody might take what you write before you post.
 
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#136
japhy4529 said:
Have any of you how aren't digging the video performances actually listened to her Emily D+ Evolution album?
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I've been working through it as cuts are posted here. Much better, but still not doing it for me -- yet. Maybe it'll grow on me through osmosis, but I'm pretty sure I won't buy it. She already has plenty of material out that I really like but don't own. I would also seriously consider going to see her play this material even though I haven't really dug any of it very much so far. I've never been into music video nearly as much as live performance, and over the top theatrics tend to be a turn off more than a bonus most of the time in my world. But there have been occasional exceptions, like going to see the Ziggy Stardust show even though I didn't like the album at all at the time. The material won me over, not the flash, just as with acts like Sun Ra and Pink Floyd. So for right now I'll just hope the next album shows the growth that I expect it will.
 
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#137
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#138
japhy4529 said:
Wait! I thought everyone on the planet liked Esperanza???! You mean there are other people with different opinions than my own?!

Seriously though, it's cool. I thought it went without saying that I was expressing my own opinion. How can I express anyone else's opinion? That's your's and everyone else's job (which you just did by replying to my post). It's all good. At least you gave it a whirl.
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Well, I'm with ya. I haven't played the CD yet, but I heard the whole album played live last night. Unreal. Just freakin' unreal. I feel like I witnessed musical history in the making. She is a visionary on par with the greats like Ellington, Mingus, Zappa and Wilson. I am both humbled and inspired.
 

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