11 Comments
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Andie's avatar

These pieces make me stop and go listen to things I haven't heard in awhile, and to think about the things I hear all the time differently.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Just do you, your posts are causing me to put the songs on repeat. ‘Baker Street’ will be the only thing I hear for a few days. Though I wholeheartedly disagree with you about the sax.

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David Yaffe's avatar

Pearls beyond price, thank you!

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David Yaffe's avatar

This means a lot coming from you. This is my jazz snobbery revealing itself, ancillary to the song’s power.

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GD Dess's avatar

Such a great song, and as you note so full of loss, regret, an elegiac examination of a future foreclosed. Have it on my playlist. Underappreciated. While the saxophone riff is (perhaps) a little saccharine it punctuates the piece with a cry. I always think of this song in conjunction with the Eagles' Lyin' eyes that charts the same genre of melancholic life gone wrong, dreams dashed, the compromises made. Not really a fan of the Eagles but the song is evocative, and they are both from the 73-76 time period. Must have been something in the air.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDssX6e7vBM&ab_channel=DJEefSmies

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David Yaffe's avatar

I'd love to hear Brad Mehldau do it. Maybe he has done it! You get so locked into that groove that the misery is hypnotic!

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Rob Enslin's avatar

Wow, I must say that I'm pleasantly surprised. 'Tis a pretty faithful cover. Smooth backing track, to boot. Impressive. :)

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Rob Enslin's avatar

Great job, David. Your last few pieces are especially well turned. I don't know how (or when) you do it, but keep on doing it. ... True confession: I've loved "Baker Street" from day one, especially the Maynard Ferguson version, which came out months after the original. That song did for the sax what "Beginnings" did for the trombone. ... On a related note, I'm devouring Dylan Jones' "Witchita Lineman." (Yeah, I'm a Jimmy Webb fan.) I can see you taking a single song and riffing on it for 200-300 pages. Just sayin'. :)

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David Yaffe's avatar

Thanks, Rob! I recently discovered a David Lee Roth cover, and it doesn't sound anything like what you'd think.

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Rob Enslin's avatar

Really?!! ... OMG. Guess I have some listening to do. :)

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