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Art Pepper

174.16.24.154

Posted on October 2, 2009 at 13:35:02
jefe
Audiophile

Posts: 1418
Joined: December 29, 2000
Listening to the Village Vanguard set. This is one of my favorites. His live stuff has that "smackin' good time" all over it. One in a long list of opiate tragedy.

RE: Art Pepper, posted on October 12, 2009 at 19:29:09
AGM
Audiophile

Posts: 289
Location: DC
Joined: January 14, 2002
Art got me into jazz, although my tastes have ranged far afield since. I was lucky enough to see Art in concert, perhaps a year or two before he died. The VV performances are quite good. Also check out, "Meets the Rythym Section," "Plus Eleven," and I have always liked the later Art: ""The Trip," Living Legend," "Straight Life." Some searing performances. I agree the Japanese performances were made to order, good but casual.

Not my favorite Art, posted on October 4, 2009 at 03:38:27
jimmyjames
Audiophile

Posts: 3176
Location: Raleighwood
Joined: February 20, 2001
but still good. I like the Hollywood Allstar sessions better and the Mosaic box is superb.

"E pur si muove...And yet it moves"

RE: Not my favorite Art, posted on October 4, 2009 at 05:18:13
jazz1
Audiophile

Posts: 959
Joined: October 30, 2000
The Hollywood all stars sessions are good but a little straight,
the Village Vanguard are more adventurous with a great rythm section.
The sessions on Mosaic with Chet Baker are excellent but again a little straight, I tend to prefer when musicians take a little more chances.
But I can well imagine that lot's of people will prefer the straigther stuff. I really enjoy the Japanse concerts as again Art play's from the heart and gut.

RE: Art Pepper, posted on October 4, 2009 at 00:25:56
jazz1
Audiophile

Posts: 959
Joined: October 30, 2000
If you like these sessions make sure you you listen to these

http://www.cdbaby.com/Search/YXJ0IHBlcHBlcg%3d%3d/0

Start with volume 1

Art Pepper is the jazz musician that gave me the most musical pleasure
over the last 30 years, the music is just so honest.

RE: Art Pepper, posted on October 3, 2009 at 07:02:59
suretyguy
Audiophile

Posts: 2153
Location: western Missouri
Joined: October 9, 2001
Warts and all, this is some great music.

RE: Art Pepper, posted on October 31, 2009 at 20:00:12
mikeyc8
Audiophile

Posts: 41
Location: Canada
Joined: April 13, 2008
I just picked up his autobiography "Straight Life" looking forward to reading it. Supposed to be gut wrenching but very well done, just like his music.

Unless You're Gullible, You'll Be Revolted, posted on November 3, 2009 at 09:31:04
Audiophile10000
He was a henious, despicable human being. Repulsive in almost every way.

He misspent his life staying intoxicated not only on the harderst drugs, but voracious amounts of alcohol.

That's not all. His greatest goal in life was to commit murder. He was sorely disappointed when, at a robery with hardened criminals, they wouldn't let him pull the trigger.

He was much more interested in commiting crime, especially robery, than anything to do with music.

You'll be struck with the disgusting nature of this -- thing -- when you realize that all of his criminal activity was completely unnessesary. He could've easy made a good living, even supporting his drug and alcohol habit, just playing music

Just playing music!!!

He was in high demand, and record producers felt compassion for him. They often offered him opportunities that other musicians of his time would've given a arm for.

Pepper just squandered it all, prefering instead to turn to crime and living in the streets, or partnering with some destructive, criminal minded female, rather than working in music.

After reading the book, I was profoundly. Pepper's final desire, as he was hospitalized and weeks from dying, wasn't to give something musical to the world, nor to himself.

What was it?

"To die loaded".

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