• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Peacock Blows off Costello...

#21
Blueszilla said:
I don't know, I read both of the other posted links to get a different perspective. IMO, the NY times article seems written with gathered, second hand information. William Shunn seems the most reliable, in the way he was there for the pyrotechnics. The original writer claims he was in the room before Shunn to witness the sequence of events, though he says he did not hear the Peacock/Costello exchange.

I don't know much about Peacock, other than some recordings that a friend has (world class skills). I'm not a fan of Elvis Costello, but I'm hoping Mr. Peacock had some other reason for not wanting to play, and that it wasn't that the material or the artist was 'beneath' him. It was supposed to be one or two tunes, and a sort of thank you with the BD cake and all. Seems kind of egotistical and mean spirited.

On the other hand, we don't really know what went down and Mr. Peacock could well have had a good reason for doing what he appeared, by published accounts, to do.

As a hired bassist, IMO shouldn't you try to do whatever is asked? If it ends up you don't like it, you decline future gig offers. It's like we're missing some vital piece of information that might shed some light on this.

Oh well, lunch is ready!
Click to expand...

I don't think anyone calls Gary Peacock to "hire a bassist". You call him because he is a fine artist with a long record of integrity.
Clearly it was more important for Konitz to play with Peacock than Costello.
I don't believe in equality in music. Not for one second. Nobody is going to convince me that Peacock and Costello are artistic equals even if Costello is on the upper end of his Genre. Even if Peacock said it was beneath him, he has that right and that is how he got to be what he is.
 
#22
I don't have a side here. It would stupid to, since as someone pointed out, we'll never know exactly what happened and I think we can all agree it is..."unfortunate". I'm glad that I wasn't one of the patrons that night...or one of the musicians.

I do want to share an Elvis Costello story though. Although, I'm a jazz guy now, through and through, Elvis and a few others got me through high school, acne and trouble with girls. A few years ago the record store near my apartment has "Elvis Costello, free instore appearance" on thier marquee. I saw a line start forming a few hours before, so I went and got in a line that went all the way around a city block. Waited in line for what was probably 2-3 hours with the expectation of maybe hearing him play a song or two acoustically and then pimp his new album.

I had brought with me my copy of "My Aim Is True", but when 300 or so people packed into a record store, I gave up thoughts of having it signed.

Mr. Costello played and sang solo for a full hour and was great, with no band or sound guy to smooth anything out. I was prepared to leave with a full belly, when they announced that he would sign autographs for anyone who would like. I thought "no way", but stood in line and got my record signed and had a brief and very pleasent little chat with him, as did hundreds of other people.

He played a sold out show the next night to thousands of people. I saw him play outdoors in the rain the next year at a music festival. A full 90 minutes of great energy.

Whoever said you should never meet your heros clearly never met Elvis Costello.
 
#23
Did you guys read my last posted link?

It explains the context -- this event was planned, in advance, with the blessing of Konitz. Costello even rehearsed with Konitz, Frisell and Wilson. It's not clear whether Peacock knew the score ahead of time, but I have to assume he did.

Elvis had Konitz on his latest record at the time. And FYI, he had Chet Baker on an earlier record.

I understand the concept of "artistic integrity." I spent many years doing strictly free-form improvised music, not unlike what you're doing, Damon. I have turned a few gigs down knowing that the repertoire or the interpretation of repertoire would be "cheesy", for lack of a better word. I think it's fair to say Elvis himself has always been a strong proponent of that integrity. Take, for example, his famous SNL performance from 197-whatever, when Lorne Michaels asked him not to play "Radio, Radio" for fear that it would upset his advertisers or something. Well, he went on stage, started another song, and then said "f**k it, let's play Radio Radio", and they did. It pissed off Michaels something awful and he was not asked back on the show until 25 years later or something. Go check the lyrics for that tune if you aren't familiar with it. I think you'd agree with the premise.

But this is a clear case of elitism. From Peacock and, I get a sense, you (damonsmith). I don't say this to be combative, I say it only to point it out. You have every right to make your choices, but you display a bias. I suppose I do too, because I'm a big EC fan (and have never been crazy about Peacock, if only because I can't stand Keith Jarrett).

I also found another whole 8-page thread on the same subject. Very similar....
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#24
Interesting, TroyK... Elvis did something similar here once, at a show at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. The power went out at the very beginning of the show, and all attempts to restore it failed. The ticketholders were given refunds, and most of them were gone when EC and Steve Nieve appeared outside in the restaurant/courtyard, with an acoustic guitar and a melodica. The people that remained were treated to an unplugged show that most were very satisfied with.

Ultimately it comes down to one's personal standards vs. one's musical standards, I guess. I'm pretty happy with the way I play, but if I had to sacrifice my core as a human being to get there, I guess I'd probably do something else.

Besides, my Mom taught me to always be nice.
 
#25
What a great story. The man has my complete respect as a human being. I hope that I can manage the same level of personal integrity throughout my life.

And frankly he has my complete artistic respect. He's not a technical master, but doesn't claim to be. He has something to say, though and a very effective way to say it.

On top of that, he seems to be very human, giving and humble.

So, no disrespect to Mr. Peacock, who I know very little about, but Elvis has earned the benefit of the doubt from me.
 
#26
damonsmith said:
I don't believe in equality in music. Not for one second. Nobody is going to convince me that Peacock and Costello are artistic equals even if Costello is on the upper end of his Genre. Even if Peacock said it was beneath him, he has that right and that is how he got to be what he is.
Click to expand...

It is this kind of statement that reinforces the stereotype that jazzers are music snobs.
 
#28
damonsmith said:
I don't think anyone calls Gary Peacock to "hire a bassist". You call him because he is a fine artist with a long record of integrity.
Clearly it was more important for Konitz to play with Peacock than Costello.
I don't believe in equality in music. Not for one second. Nobody is going to convince me that Peacock and Costello are artistic equals even if Costello is on the upper end of his Genre. Even if Peacock said it was beneath him, he has that right and that is how he got to be what he is.
Click to expand...

Props to you for exressing your true opinion. I won't try to convince you of anything. I guess I don't believe in equality in music either, but what I believe isn't important. There are certainly types of music (songs really) and particular musicians I wouldn't want to play with for perhaps, it could be argued, the same reasons. I would never tell them though, and would always honor an agreement to play, regardless of the program.

To each his own, I guess...

I think I'll go brush my teeth and wash my hands.
 
#29
My 2 cents:

Costello could have done the tunes with the rest of the band without Gary Peacock. That way everyone is happy.

I think a lot of the 'blame' should fall on the Iridium for advertising the gig as some sort of Elvis Costello special guest night, when all he was ever going to do was play a couple of tunes for his mates birthday.
 
#30
fingers said:
It is this kind of statement that reinforces the stereotype that jazzers are music snobs.
Click to expand...

Yeah well, to quote the other Jeffery Lebowski (the millionaire) "Well arntcha?", most of us are. I have heard your clips and have seen your videos, you are a really refined player who clearly put a lot of work into what you do - you would not have done it that way if you didn't think it was the "better" way.
Cosequently many of us, myself included, are going to respect you more than musicians who don't put that kind of time and effort in.
 
#31
Thanks for the kind words Damon and backatcha.

Here's my opinion. I see musical taste as totally subjective. It is based on the taste of the beholder like art, wine, food, women, etc. The idea that someone is just on a higher plane of musical existence or "not artistic equals" is putting a qualifier on something (music) that can't be qualified. Some people are going to like Costello and some are going to like Peacock.

Also, trying to assess how dedicated someone is to music and then judging their music accordingly is not really listening to the music for what it is.

Damon, I definitely see where you are coming from but I try really hard to listen to all music with as fresh of an ear as possible. Of course there are things I prefer and, truth be told, I'd rather listen to Peacock then Costello.

This last statement is really true for free improv audiences. I just try to come at all music for what it is, music. I listen to a fair amount of free stuff and used to play it more than I do now. Without coming at music with open ears free stuff is all the more challenging to appreciate.
 
#33
I don't know, but wouldn't assume that Elvis hasn't put a lot of (maybe an equal amount of) work into what he does. It's just not the same thing. He's written maybe 100 published songs and album concepts. He's certainly spend his life in studios and on the road.

Technical virtuosity isn't the only thing to be accomplished with effort. He's not Britney Spears. Granted he's not Bill Evans either.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back