I've got Fusion-Fatigue

There was a time a few years ago where I couldn't imagine getting enough Vinnie stuff. But I've got enough of the Jazz-Fusion stuff now (by which I mean Karizma etc.)- unlike a lot of people on here I don't find it at all inspirational, and all much of a muchness. It just seems to be an outlet for talented musicians to blow (albeit very tastefully for the most part), and that doesn't always lead to music all that fulfilling (for my taste). Also I REALLY dislike keyboard solos with horrible brass sounds and basically anything David Garfield typifies.

I really enjoy the other stuff where its not like that: Warren Cuccurollo (rock!), Live Sting (perfect), Jon Beasley (really jazzy and sometimes VERY funky), Randy Waldman (a real piano!), Jing Chi (rock!), Queen of the Damned (he can do anything!) Soundtrack etc. In these, because its more solid, the moments of genius shine more clearly and impressively. And if there's keyboard solos they sound like pianos or rhodes, not 80s brass.

I love his playing on anything, pretty much, but I don't really listen to my Karizma, Abe Laboriel etc @ Baked Potato, Pattitucci, Alan Holdsworth more than once in a blue moon - I just don't enjoy the music enough.

Anyone esle have fusion-fatigue?

You know, i've never really liked Karizma. I've got a load of there stuff, but it's never really... struck a chord with me. I like the funkier side of fusion myself - Herbie Hancock, Grover Washington, Zawinul's stuff etc. Vinnie's playing is great, dont get me wrong, but i just prefer him on clear cut stuff like the Allan Holdsworth stuff he did or Sting, or even Zappa. Plus, I'm really getting back into Jazzy weirdness now anyway. I listened to Bitches Brew ALL THE WAY THROUGH the other day and it really was great to do. I think musical tastes to fluctuate and change - it's the healthy part of being a listening musician.

I wasn't going to respond to this topic either, but i just couldn't resist...

You mean, there's actually other musicians on that Karizma shtuff? [img]wink.gif[/img] I jest...

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Plus, I'm really getting back into Jazzy weirdness now anyway

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">UH-ohhh, better be very careful, there... [img]wink.gif[/img]

But seriously; nothing wrong w Bitches Brew though.

Best to seperate the "blowin'" from the "tasty, musical," understand it, & leave it at that. [Sometimes we get "lucky" & they can be one in the same.]

Those blowing fusion discs are just there for indulgence-enjoyment for those who will...& to keep the egos out there in the real world in check... ;-P

Actually, i haven't listened to any *name incredible OTT musician/band/player here* such as much of that referred VC, DW, or VD stuff for about 2, 3 months now. I'd OD'd on it.
Normal.

But if i want the heavy fix, it's there.

Just remember - they're not a toy...to some peeps it's like a shot of *name a substance here* [sounds like you guys are on the downswing]..."use discretion if desired." ;-]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ November 02, 2005 05:45 PM: Message edited by: got_a_match_grip? ]</font>

Hi Ned,

I know what you mean Man, but in same time nobody force you to listen this music...
And why alway assimilate Vinnie with the fusion's music ?
Yeah he sure does a lot of sessions for this music, but he does so much stuff too...

I'm with you too about the band Jazz Ministry, they are some great musicians between my favorits, even some pure music legend, but I alway thought that the music that they play is very boring with some theme very poor...
But Vinnie is alway on top !!!

Again, there is so much music to listen, classic, african, arabic, jazz, pop, rock, electro...

I think that we might listen the music not only by the drumming side, I think that it's one of the key for us drummer for to become better musician/drummer.

Peace.

[Homer S.]Mmmmmm... Jazzy Weirdness... Art Ensemble of Chicago... Ahhh... Ornette Coleman... Mmmmm... Tord Gustavsen Trio...[/Homer]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ November 02, 2005 05:51 PM: Message edited by: LDGuy ]</font>

I think this means you are maturing as a musician.

Great playing is wonderful. Great music is even more so.

A good composition will stand by itself -- it'll virtually play itself. Consider the writing of Wayne Shorter, Milton Nascimento, Dori Caymmi, Gershwin, Etienne M'Bappe, Jack Bruce, Herbie Hancock, Billy Stray Horn, or Joe Zawinul -- many of their tunes sound good as they are. They don't require virtuosity to get over. That's not to say that sensitive, musical virtuosi can't take them interesting places, just that the tunes are not dependent upon the skill of the players to get over.

I appreciate craft as well as anyone, but craft by itself doesn't nourish. Otherwise, we'd all be inspired by jingles and cartoon music, many of which are very hard to play. But music needs more than difficulty of execution to be rewarding.

David Garfield OR Greg Mathieson = bad composition and/or clich? ridden solos with very 'tired' sounding key patches.

Just my opinion....

Jan Hammer all the way!

Oddly enough, I've been inspired by lots of jingles and toons - but I know what you're saying.
Some music will get my attention if I can see it happening, via vid, or (better yet) live. It could even put a special "stamp" on something forever in my mind. It's possible I might hear something in the confines of home and not quite get tapped by the juices of inspiration, unless I have a visual of the actual music. It's not always the case, however.

Its funny you should bring this up today. I think we all have to go through cycles of liking certain types of music. For years I was only listening to fusion and jazz-funk type stuff then I started getting into straight ahead jazz heavily, and decided that I'd had enough of fusion, for the time being. For the last few months I've become obsessed with 60s post-bop, hard-bop, contemporary acoustic jazz, and I've only been practicing on my little 4-piece bebop kit with one ride cymbal. Then today I was on weckl's site checking out these videos of his band, and feeling stunned, and I decided that i've gotta get back into this, my fusion chops are getting lazy... so I set up my big 6 piece fusion kit with lots of cymbals since I won't be gigging it for a while. I intend to start listening to and practicing lots of fusion and funk and r&b orientated music for the next week or so and give the bebop a rest for a while.
I feel healthier already [img]smile.gif[/img]

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Originally posted by Riddim:
But music needs more than difficulty of execution to be rewarding.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Very true, very true. I can't listen to fusion all the time either. The same goes for prog rock actually. Sometimes the odd-time signatures and excessive amount of notes are not what I want. At the moment I am listening to a lot of old Toto material, plenty of latin stuff, clapton, bob marley, kansas, nine inch nails, the police...etc...the list goes on. Fusion can never touch me on an emotional level like that.