My Reflections On Jazz

It's early April here in Berks County and the long winter is finally yielding to spring's gentle advances.  But spring's much appreciated arrival also means the beginning of a Berks County tradition, Jazz Fest.  With the scintillating sounds filling the air of our small county it's hard not to get captivated by its allure.  I had been floating the idea of taking a month to listen to the work of the drummers presented in "The Great Jazz Drummers."  Since Jazz Fest is on, there would seem there is no better time to start than now! 

Before I get started with this journey through the Mount Olympus of jazz I wanted to get some of my feelings about the genre on paper.  Most musicians have cut their teeth by playing along to their favorite albums and it's an important part of the growth of any musician.  It gives the young musician a chance to test his chops in a musical setting, and "fill the spot" of one of his influences.  Even as one grows past the basics as a musician playing along with records can be a way to open your mind to new possibilities.  

Despite, or maybe because of, my admiration for jazz I have never played along with a jazz record.  There is something almost otherworldly about the playing of greats like Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Buddy Rich, Tony Williams and others (This doesn't even cover those outside of the drumming spectrum.)  These are the giants whose shoulder we as drummers stand upon, and these records are the hallowed grounds on which they made their mark.   

Listening to these records is, in a way,  like walking through a place with historical significance.  They say if you walk through a place like Gettysburg or Lambeau Field you can feel the gravitas of events that have happened there.  Since jazz is generally an improvised art form when you listen to a record it's capturing a moment that will never happen again, no matter how many times that song is played.  When I listen to a record featuring Elvin, or Philly Joe, or any of the greats I can feel the spirit of the player and the moment exuding from the record.   

So attempting to play along with these tracks, to interject myself into that moment, is something  I find completely daunting.  As much as I understand the benefit of playing along to records, I feel it is almost arrogant to try to interject myself into that moment.  These songs are the playground in which some of the greatest musicians of all time came together to play.  Much like children in a playground the sheer imagination and ingenuity creates some truly special moments.

Which leads me to what I'm hoping to get out of this little experience.  By listening to all these drummers I'm hoping to get a better understanding of jazz drumming and the players that shaped the instrument.  To me jazz drumming is one of those rare things that the more I understand the more magical it becomes.

An Honest Critique

An Honest Critique:

I sit here watching “Tales of Mere Existence” on youtube, when I have the moment of inspiration that leads to the essay. The subject is advice about art, which is “just do.” Fuck the world and do what you want, whether it has a grandiose message that speaks to man’s deepest inner turmoil, or a piece of shit that you whipped up in 5 minutes. This message really spoke to me, for a variety of reasons.

The amount of unfinished projects I have can at least one barn, or several trash cans, or any number of other storage containers, however you want to imagine it. Be it half finished concept art for two comics, drum books I glean one thing from then leave to gather dust in the basement, almost inhabitable fantasy worlds that I crafted, or the sheets of paper filled with lyrics that kind of go somewhere, I have a lot of unfinished stuff. Either that or there is a good idea that “will totally happen” but never does, because it never gets started. There are a variety of reasons for this.

First is the total and paralyzing fear of failure. I’ve tried to think of where this comes from, and I think I’ve come up with a few reasons. From the time I was young, I’ve been able to pick things up easily. The note my grandfather sends me almost every year of things I could when I was 2 verifies this. The issue with this is most everything seemed to come easy. When everything seems to come easy, there is a certain set of expectations that accompany it. One of these is that you’re so smart that most things will continue to come easily to you. If you struggle with something that means you’ve failed to live up to these expectations of being great and picking everything up easily. I know this is bullshit and working towards a goal and accomplishing that can be far more rewarding than just instantly with little effort. But there is that part in the back of my head that believes if I’m struggling with something, it means that I’m not good enough to get it, so why bother?

It’s especially difficult with drums. It’s one thing to go through these doubts in your mind, but it’s another when everyone can hear you failing. I’m a good drummer, but I could be better. I know if I put in the time, great things await me, as I feel I have barely began to scratch the surface of drummer-dum. At the same time, there is that fear that if people hear me struggling with something I’m supposed to be good at, they will think “We’ll he’s just not good.” These are all internal things of course, none of these fears will play out like I think they do, and if they do why should I care?

But there’s something about being able to grasp things easily that sort of spoils you and kind of ruins you. I have this almost arrogant notion that I can grasp ideas with minimal amount of work. It’s not quite that bad, but I know if I put some time in I’ll get it. Not as much as everyone else though, because remember, I’m smart. I get used to this though, and instead of using this ability to do something wonderful I get lazy.

Conversely, my sister always had a harder time with school than I did. She preserved and worked through her issues and did well in school. It also instilled in her a pretty good work ethic. She has her life in order much more than I do, knowing what she wants to do and where she’s going, while I’m lost in a ‘where is my life heading? funk’ I am incredibly proud of her, as well as kind of jealous.

The second is, ironically, fear of success. I remember a few months ago, when the prospect of me getting a girlfriend seemed like a real thing. I worried about how my lifestyle would change, even though I felt I was ready for a relationship. I thought to myself “well will I still have time to do ______?” or, and this one really makes me feel like a terrible person, “If I get a girlfriend what will I complain about?” I know that a real shitty attitude and I felt terribly just typing it, but we’re being honest here and that thought did cross my mind. It’s an identity thing, I’ve set myself up as a love-loran, down on his luck kind of guy. If I suddenly succeeded that all changes. It’s the same with everything else, if I succeed then everything changes. I could move on to the next challenge but I’m kind of comfortable in my rut. The realization I’m coming to is that I really just don’t like change.

The third thing is I like starting things; check the amount of new games I’ve started in Skyrim. There’s an energy, excitement, and just good feeling about starting something new. It’s an endless sea of possibilities of were this could go. Of course once I make the first decision I feel locked into a path, despite the fact that that’s not true, just the way my brain works. Unlike most people, I get less excited the further along it goes. It goes from that open feeling of experimentation to trudging towards a goal so I can start something new. Of course since there are no implications to any of these projects, I don’t finish them and start something new. Mostly so I can get that excitement back. Thus leading to the pile of kind of finished stuff lying around.

I always vow I will get back to them, but once you leave the headspace you started in it’s hard. I can occasionally channel it, which is great, but more often than not that doesn’t happen. This is the point where real artists buckle down, argue with inspiration, and make something work. Me, I start something new because it’s fresh and exciting and has a spark that I perceive the previous project no longer has. The previous project is closer to that “pay off/reward” stage, but my brain doesn’t seem to care about that. It’s kind of frustrating, which is one of the reasons why I’m writing this.

I’m not trying to be funny or insightful by writing this, I’m just trying to be honest. Hopefully someone will read this and say, “hey he makes some good points” even if it’s just me. I guess by getting all of this out in the open, in writing, and in a place where people can see it, I’m calling myself out. Now it’s time to shit or get off the pot. It’s time to do.

On The Arthur Remake: Hobson

I've just read that Warner Bros. is planning a remake of one of my favorite movies Arthur. For those who don't know Arthur is the story of a drunken millionaire playboy named Arthur Bach (Dudley Moore). His family wants him to marry a girl to solidify a business partnership. Even though Arthur doesn't love her 3/4 of a billion dollars is too much to give up so he goes along with it. Of course once Arthur finally accepts his fate he meets a city girl named Linda (Liza Manelli) who captures his heart. The story goes from there.

As amazing as Dudley Moore is as the character of Arthur, my favorite character is Arthur's butler Hobson (John Gleglund). This is where my real beef with the remake comes in. Before I go on, I know there is nothing I can do about the remake and my best course would be to just not watch the movie. I can enjoy the original for what it is and forget that the remake ever happened. That being said the internet gives every untalented hack with access to a computer the ability to rant and rave about whatever they want. Here's where I come in MWAHAHA!

Back to the point, the studio has replaced Hobson with Helen Mirran. Not to knock Mirran but she is a woman and Hobson was a man. Now on the surface this doesn't appear to be a big deal. Studios do this kind of thing all the time switching a physical aspect of a character. From white to black, male to female, son on and so forth. The examples I can think of now involve comic franchises. The Justice League cartoon swapped Hawk Man for Hawk Woman, the Daredevil movie had Michael Clark Duncan as the Kingpin (who is usually a white man). The majority of the time this has little to no impact on the core of the character, so while its something to nitpick it isn't a huge deal. The new Hobson is a prime example of when this kind of change really does ruin a character.

Hobson is not only a butler to Arthur but also a father figure. Now again this doesn't seem like a big deal, just switch it to a mother figure. Easy right, think again. Throughout the movie Arthur has interactions with both his biological father and Hobson allowing the viewer to see the differing ways they treat him and Arthur treats them. Arthur's father is a business man through and through. Over the course of the movie it seems like Mr. Bach doesn't give a flying crap about Arthur outside of how his marriage will effect the business.

The only real dialogue between Arthur and his father in the movie is at Mr. Bach's office. Considering that this is Arthur's father one would think they would meet somewhere outside of his office to talk. Maybe at Arthur's place, or his mansion, maybe even some restaurant for lunch. This is the only major meeting between characters in the movie that takes place in an office. Even the meeting between Arthur and his soon to be father-in-law (Burt) takes place in Burt's trophy room. The fact that every other major character has interactions with Arthur in a more personal environment than his father shows the distance between the two characters.

Also take note that I haven't referred to Mr. Bach by a first name throughout this article. That's because he doesn't get referred to by his first name during the film. I had to go to IMDB to find out his name is Stanford, so maybe it's better that they didn't use his name in the movie. The point is if the characters didn't even bother to refer to him by his first name, only shows how empty the characters relationship is.

Hobson, on the other hand, is everything a father should be to Arthur. He's loving but stern. He takes care of Arthur giving him advice and guiding him through life. If Mr. Bach is Arthur's biological father than Hobson is his "real father." At a point in the movie Arthur even admits to this himself (I won't spoil the movie so I'll be vague). Hobson is the reason why Arthur finally grows up, if that's not the impact of a father I don't know what is.

The point is Hobson serves as Arthur's father in the movie. One could argue that the new Hobson could be a motherly figure and still fill have the same effect. But Arthur already has something of a mother figure, his grandmother Martha (see she even gets a first name). Once Arthur meets Linda he appeals to Martha, not his father on the arranged marriage. In her home no less! Arthur is far closer to his grandmother than he is with his father, and since his biological mother is nowhere to be found, one can make the case that she is the matronly figure in his life. Again it's hard to explain while remaining spoiler free so watch the movie and you'll know what I'm talking about.

So if the new Hobson is to be his mother figure this completely invalidates two characters, Hobson takes the place of Martha who is now useless, and the contrast between Hobson and Mr. Bach is gone. I truly believe that the sex change removes a critical element from the movie; it's not just lineage that makes a family, its love. I guess we'll have to see how the movie turns out, but expectations are low at this point. If you haven't seen the original yet do yourself a favor and check it out.

Review: The Simpsons Season 5

I figure I'll start this off with a review of one of my favorite seasons of one of my favorite shows. This won't be an episode by episode review, that would be way too long and it's been done to death by people far more qualified than me. What I'll do here is look at the season as a whole and give my opinions and impressions on it.
The first thing to say is that this season has its own unexplainable charm. I don't know if its the animation, the pacing of the jokes, the writing or a combination of all three but whatever it is it's great and completely unique to this season. Whenever I watch a season 5 episode, it stands out as a season 5 episode.
The important thing to note about season 5 is that it is the first season with a new writing staff, so there definitely is a new take on things. The new writers are clearly trying to prove that they are capable of carrying on the series, yet make their own mark on it and it definitely shows. the plots are bigger (Homer in space, Bart gets an elephant, the Simpsons moving to Terror Lake, Homer being in a world famous, grammy winning band, among others), the jokes are more outrageous (two words: rake gag), and the pacing is perfect.
Not only are the jokes there but there are some truly emotionally touching episodes. In this season Homer is tempted to leave Marge for his new co-worker Mindy ("The Last Temptation of Homer"). Despite the ghost of Col. Klink revealing that everything would be better for both Homer and Marge if he married Mindy, Homer's love for Marge keeps them together. Grandpa also finds love this season in Marge's mother. Although it ends badly for Grandpa (Grandpa makes a grand romantic gesture at the wedding of Mrs. Bouvier and Mr. Burns only to have her turn them both down) you really feel for Grandpa.
We are also treated to some emotional stories from character's outside the family. In "Rosebud" Mr. Burns pines for his long lost teddy bear Bo-Bo (a symbol of Mr. Burns lost innocence, much like the sled from Citizen Kane hence the title of the episode). When the bear winds up in the hands of Maggie, it becomes a battle for the bear. In the end Maggie gives the bear to the beaten Mr. Burns, a sweet moment. Both Principal Skinner ("Seymour Skinner's Baadassss Song") and Apu ("Homer and Apu") lose their jobs and form bond with members of the Simpson family (Bart and Homer respectively) as they try to get them back.
But none of these compare the emotional climax in the season finale, in which Marge finally has had enough and kicks Homer out. Homer utterly falls apart without her, and when all hope seems lost they realize that despite each others flaws they need each other. It's an incredibly heart warming scene, one of the best in the series. I'm not doing it the justice it deserves, so your best bet is to watch the episode yourself ("Secrets of a Successful Marriage").
To me the character that really shines this season is Homer. The writing on his character is absolutely brilliant. A perfect blend of the stupidity, laziness, and good hearted nature that makes Homer so lovable combined with a sense of child like innocence. Of course only writing can go so far if the delivery of the lines is flat, which brings me to the performance of Dan Castellaneta. He has clearly found the character and brought him to life. This is Homer at the top of his game.
Here we see the focus of show is moving from Bart to Homer. A third of the seasons stories put Homer as the protagonist. Those he isn't the focus of he tends to play a big role, or at least delivers a classic, laugh out loud line (seriously he has at least one of these per episode). Unlike later seasons he isn't required to carry an episode. The episodes are strong enough that Homer can be absent for the majority of the show and you won't realize how much you've missed him until he makes an appearance.
I am well aware that this review sounds like nothing but mindless praise, but I truly think this is some of the best TV ever broadcast. I'll end with a list of my favorite episodes from the season, do yourself a favor and check them out.

Mark's Top 5 for Season 5 (in no order):

1) Secrets of A Successful Marriage
2) Bart Gets an Elephant
3) Cape Feare
4) Homer the Vigilante
5) Burns' Heir