...where the music is like water rushing through you ... your function is really like that of a hose
Showing posts with label Jazz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jazz. Show all posts

2.03.2011

Face Melting Music Oppression: The History of MANTECA

Listen to Dizzy Gillespie's Manteca



Manteca was co-written by Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo in 1947. It was one of the first examples of world music and Afro-Cuban influences being incorporated into mainstream jazz. The piece referred to racist tensions in America when Dizzy Gillespie is heard singing, "I'll never go back to Georgia" (Wikipedia). Ever since, a cloud of mystery and oppression has plagued the song and all who dare attempt to play it's infectious toe-tapping groove. As such, the tune remains the only Face Melting song with it's own Police Force and is kept far out of reach of today's pop music listening simpleton by sheer police intimidation.



Of course, the most historic image of Manteca oppression is the infamous 1962 picture of Elvis being whipped by a member of the Manteca Police after performing the afro-cuban hit live during the heat of Cuban Missile Crisis.



For these reasons, artists for decades have avoided playing the tune live. Even today, the 'man-teh-cu', is often found hidden by the band with balls big enough to play it in a Tweezer or Stash sandwich to avoid being noticed by authorities. Through the years the song has faced enthusiastic requests from Phanners, yet, the tune has only been played 11 times since 1990.



Check out this scorching version from the University of Central Florida Arena, Orlando, FL 11/14/1995 back in the day when the band apparently had two drummers and before everyone in Central Florida got hooked on meth. Proof



One last thing...

Dizzy Gillepsie practiced the Bahá'í Faith, which was created by this guy:



Tell me he doesn't look like a pretty h3tty fellow who loves him some Manteca jam?

1.18.2010

Jaco Pastorius Melts Himself



At first I thought this clip of Jaco Pastorius was going to melt me, however, it became apparent that Jaco started to melt himself around the 3:25 mark (Note: 1st self ownage of the blog). A couple slaps to the frets and Jaco slows down time. The trick though, is for all the mustacho's in the band to play faster. Later on, the keyboardist says, "Oh, what the heck" and starts whacking a drum. Not to be outdone, Jaco starts whacking his bass. BOOM! MELTAGE!

Let's analyze the meltage, shall we? When you just start whacking your instrument with reckless abandon and your technique is so good it works, your face is definitely on fire. How that drummer didn't have a "time to make the donuts" meltdown I have no idea, but for the rest of us, just another snapshot into Jaco's insane abilities.

Interesting point they make: why the hell would musicians want to get on stage and try to improvise? Don't they know nobody listens to that crap?

I'M PAYING FOR YOU TO PLAY IT LIKE ITS CUT ON THE CD SO MY WIFE DOESN'T GET BORED A-HOLE!!!!
Sorry, your wife is probably going to leave around the 6 minute mark.

Anywho, this classic recording sets a new gold standard for any young inspiring mustached musicians trying to play complicated jazz. Jaco Pastorius, the man, the myth, the chart

Looks like Alcohol is a 1.4 in harm and nearly a deuce in dependence. All the good ones...