Art Pepper:

[frank_johnson]

Ok! My patience has run out. Surely someone out there loves the cream of alto, the head on a pint of Guiness, Mr. Smooth, the sound that turned Muhammed Ali to jelly.
OK. You've got it! I love the man and will ever be glad I managed to see him at the Strathallan hotel in Brum before he died.
Favourite album: Among friends.
Reminds me of you lot!!
Frank
:x

 

[Linky Lee]

Yeah, Pepper is a fabulous player, perfect for later at night, or when you're a bit tired.

Though it's not the type of sound I move towards or the style I primarily like to play, I can't fault how good it and he is. Marvelous.

 

[frank_johnson]

Linky Lee you are a gentleman & a scholar!
Frank 😛

 

[Bobby G]

Yep, he'll do for me Frank, although I don't know him as much as dear old JH. I could do with a bit more Art, I'll try and check out Among Friends. Reminds me of you lot. Don'tcha go changin' now. Missing you already.....:vomit:

Cheers, Bob

 

[Saxlicker]

Yes, applause for Arts sentimental stuff!!

Me and Muhammed are obviously connected!

who wants a fight? 😛

 

[Throckmorten]

I especially like his recordings on the short lived Aladdin label.
I think he shines on blues ballads.

Have you read his autobiography, Straight Life?
Knowing that much about our heros isn't always pleasant.
The story behind the recording of "Meets the Rhythm Section" is worth the price.

 

[frank_johnson]

Yes, I 've read it. No gain without pain. He was practically a walking skeleton when I saw him. I don't remember the Aladdin label, but he also appeared as Milo ? ;can't rmember the surname (something east european)on an album "Blues for the Fisherman". Contractual reasons. Anything with Art & Chet Baker is also worth listening to.
Frank

'Slap that bass' 8)

 

[tengu01]

One of my sax teachers gave me a copy of "Straight Life" to read and I have to admit, he certainly wasn't an altarboy. However it did provide context to the music, so I went off to buy "Art Pepper meets the Rhythm Section" and it made for interesting listening.

I transcribed his solo on "Star Eyes" and I found it to be a wonderfully self-contained piece of work, even if he was a little strung out when he recorded it.

I like the logic of his musical thinking.

 

[Saxlicker]

Been around a while but just browsing and had another listen myself....
Thought you all may wanna have a listen..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhlpk-yEgzk

 

[frank_johnson]

Hi Saxlicker,
and thanks! If that didn't make anyone's neckhair stand up and give them a shiver, then , passion is lacking.
I haven't heard that for a long time. The phrasing, the gaps and the apparent ease of playing is mindblowing.

 

[Throckmorten]

Nice!
Thanks for posting.

Few can match Pepper on a ballad.
There was a compilation released a couple years ago called "Art of the Ballad" that was a pretty fair representation of his work.

 

[tootintune]

Inside the cover of his Autobiography "Straight Life" is the chart to the tune "Straight Life" check it out, have a go.....

 

[tengu01]

....and then check out how fast he plays it on the "Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section" album 🙂