1st: George Martin. This man's contribution to middle and late period
Beatles is not widely recognized, especially in the wake of losing John.
George Martin rocks! McCartney's amazing "Elanor Rigby" is what it is
because of George Martin.
2nd: Steely Dan. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have put everything from
Bop to Gospel into their eclectic gumbo but it always retains their
characteristic care and jump factor. Unlike bands whose debut represents
their creative peak, Donald and Walter haven't lost a thing. If anything,
"Two Against Nature" is funkier, more danceable than ever. I feel that it
is in a league with "Aja", and "Gaucho". Highly recommended.
3nd: Joni. Through the years, she has tried everything from an Appalacian
dulcimer to the ultra-modern (and unreleased!) VG-8 in search of a new voice
for the muse, a new texture for the canvas. Remember when "Harlem In
Havana" came out of left field?
4th: Billy Strayhorn: Okay, again, I admit I don't know what I'm talking
about but..... I also admit that I prefer the Ellington stuff to Basie's
too-smooth-for-me takes. Mr. Strayhorn was a respected gay man before gay
was cool in America. As a jazz neophyte, what I appreciate is that his
arrangments gave the wonderful soloists in Ellington's band room to
improvise (again, unlike Mr. Basie's airtight arrangements.)
5th: Brian Wilson. Amazing and subtle stuff on the Beach Boys albums. If
you've heard the hits and wonder what else there is, try a track called "In
My Room".
Jim L'Hommedieu
