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Artist Kudos - Issue 1
Some recent letters from artists, regarding reviews about their current releases, interviews and other articles.
You can send us your feedback by clicking here .
See also recent responses from:
To: John Kelman
From: Henry Heillig
Subject: Review of Heillig Manoeuvre Inmotion
Date: April 6, 2004
Hello John, Thanks so much for the kind review. I'm glad you appreciate my sense of music, as it were. All support appreciated. I will check in at AAJ from time to time to see what's noteworthy.
Regards, Henry Heillig
To: John Kelman
From: Kris Davis
Subject: Review of Kris Davis Lifespan
Date: March 21, 2004
Hi John, Thanks for the great review and beautiful writing. I have put a copy of it up on my website. Best, Kris
To: John Kelman
From: Suzanne Cloud
Subject: Review of Jim Miller Time If It's Not One Thing...
Date: February 14, 2004
Dear John, Jim emailed me your review yesterday and I find myself doing something that I've never done before—responding to a critical review. To Jim's surprise, I liked what you wrote because you were able to convey the disjointedness and unease you felt over the last two cuts. You were honest.
You wrote:
"The majority of If It's Not One Thing , in the final analysis, pales behind the final two tracks, and these pieces, in their attempt to convey a deep set of emotions, are at the same time successful as pieces of art and quite possibly exaggerated and unnecessary."
It's hard to think of art as exaggerated and unnecessary, but your phrase really conveys your ambivalence. Believe it or not, I was hoping reviewers would go deeper as you did.
As for your claim of possible exploitation. This was something I worried about at first, but as I thought through the problem, I realized that the people watching the horrifying spectacle on TV (as I was) were also mentally in those buildings imagining the horror and weeping for the tragedy of the moment. Now people talk about the 3,000 that died there, but forget that these people had names, children, lovers and they desperately wanted to see them again. Art sometimes can be unbearable and I agree with you that it's very difficult to listen to the piece more than once. (Lots of tears in the mix down!) But art is humankind's response to emotional events and needs to say its piece. It may be exaggerated (as was the drama of the actual event), but it is always necessary. To paraphrase Gary Giddens, "Art doesn't always give us what we want, but it gives us what we need."
Thanks and take care,
Suzanne Cloud
To: Rex Butters
From: Joe Giardullo
Subject: Review of Joe Giardullo 4tet Now Is
Date: October 9, 2003
Many thanks for your thoughtful, considered and kind words about NOW IS.
It's a special recording for me-I think the first time that the sound of McPhee's soprano and mine has really been captured. And the overall feeling touches on the things that made me a musician in the first place.
And thanks to AAJ for covering all the music, and doing it so well -not an easy thing to do, for sure.
Best regards
Joe Giardullo
To: Walter Kolosky
From: John McLaughlin
Subject: Thanks
Date: August 11, 2003
Dear Walter-Just a word of thanks for all the time and effort you have put into the special section reviewing my work over all the years. Please tell your friends at Allaboutjazz to keep up the great and important work of supporting the music.
John McLaughlin
To: Mark Carroto
From: Joe Giardullo
Subject: Thanks
Date: August 6, 2003
Thanks for your close listening and kind words. I couldn't be more happy with your thoughts on freedom.
You know, the anarchists (Emma Goldman, et al) didn't espouse chaos. What they said was -what can government do for me that we cannot do for ourselves?
In free improvisation, perhaps it's why do I need order imposed from outside, when I can impose all I might require from inside (individually and collectively).
Best regards
Joe Giardullo
To: Roger Crane
From: Karrin Allyson
Subject: Review of Karrin Allyson In Blue
Date: July 30, 2003
Dear Roger Sometimes one even learns something from a review (not always if they like what you do or not) I appreciate your love & care for the music & who you write about. You are also a great source for tunes! Thanks Roger. Karrin Allyson.
To: Roger Crane
From: Jackie Ryan
Subject: Review of Jackie Ryan Passion Flower
Date: July 29, 2003
Dear Roger, Thank you for the wonderful review you gave to my CD, Passion Flower in All About Jazz . I love the quote, "In a rational world Jackie Ryan would be considered a national treasure!" ! Thank you! You are so knowledgeable about obscure tunes and you have such a musical ear. It is so refreshing to read your reviews in general because they are so well written. Your writing is like the best jazz!! A real pleasure!
Yours truly, Jackie
To: Dr. Judith Schlesinger
From: Marvin Stamm
Subject: Shrinktunes Are-ee-ess-pee-EE-cee-tee
Date: July 26, 2003
Bravo, my friend! You always say it like it is ... as rare in Jazz journalism as it is in the news realm. Thank you, Judith -for all those who are so much less fortunate than am I! Thank you!
To: C. Michael Bailey
From: Patti Wicks
Subject: Review of Patti Wicks Love Locked Out
Date: July 16, 2003
I wanted to thank you so much for the great review. I'm so glad you enjoyed the CD and I know that Richard McDonnell of MAXJAZZ, my producer, Joel E. Siegel, and all involved with the project will be very pleased. I got a kick out of your "politically incorrect" paragraph in which you said one would think I had a delicate, coquettish voice. My speaking voice on the phone is very deep and comes in handy for scaring off potential phone nuisance callers! :-)
Again, thanks so much.
Best,
Patti Wicks
To: C. Michael Bailey
From: Marcus Printup
Subject: Review of Marcus Printup The New Boogaloo
Date: July 8, 2003
Wow, thanks for the nice review Michael. I just ran across it for the first time. I am preparing my next recording and want to continue exploring the concept that we established in The New Boogaloo. God Bless,
Marcus Printup
PS: Hmmmm. I think you're on to something with your comment about the "trend"!!LOL
To: Nils Jacobson
From: John Butcher
Subject: Review of John Butcher Invisible Ear
Date: July 3, 2003
Hello Nils,
Thanks for sending the link to the review.
I appreciate it when someone takes the time to really listen to a CD -I think you caught my intentions well.
It's curious that, although what musicians like myself are doing is usually quite distanced from jazz (as most people understand it) it's the so-called jazz sites & magazines that often make the effort to follow it.
Best wishes, John
To: Roger Crane
From: Anna Callahan
Subject: Review of Anna Callahan My Ideal
Date: February 17, 2003
I want to let you know how wonderful your review of my CD was, and how much its appearance in the All About Jazz online magazine meant to me. First, you truly captured the essence of my CD and my music in the most flattering of ways. On top of that, many people have read the review, and it has really helped my career move to the next level. Without people like you and organizations like All About Jazz, we musicians would not be able to do what we do. Yours truly, Anna Callahan
To: C. Michael Bailey
From: Geoff Keezer
Subject: Review of Geoff Keezer Zero One
Date: November 27, 2002
I came across a review you did of my album "Zero One." I want to thank you personally for such kind words about my album, I really appreciate that you liked at and understood where I was coming from. I'll put a link to your review on my new website, geoffreykeezer.com which will be up in May. Happenings: I have a new record coming out on Telarc in May called "Sublime" which is all piano duets, me with Chick Corea, Benny Green, Mulgrew Miller and Kenny Barron, and we're playing all original music by Hank Jones. It's a fitting tribute to a great master and I feel one that's long overdue. If you are not on Telarc's list, please let me know and I will make sure they get a copy to you.
Again, thank you for your kindness and let's keep in touch. All best regards, Geoffrey Keezer
To: C. Michael Bailey
From: Skip Heller
Subject: Review of Skip Heller Homegoing
Date: November 26, 2002
Dear Mr Bailey, Thank you for such kind words. Kevin Calabro, my fantastic publicist, just emailed it to me, and I just can't believe my eyes on this one. I'm not usually in the habit of emailing reviewers about this stuff, but, in this case, YOWSAH!
BTW — let's hope nobody calls Uri the East Coast Skip Heller. He'd never let me hear the end of it.
best and then some — sh
To: Mark F. Turner
From: Greg Osby
Subject: Review of Greg Osby St. Louis Shoes
Date: August 6, 2002
I've been following your writing for a while and I dig the way that you see/hear what's happening in the music. Please be mindful that I'm not jocking you for praise or for further favorable reviews but your observations are always keenly observant of exactly the right elements. You're usually on point and clue in to the particulars of the music that the artists surely intend to be noticed. Much too often matters are discussed in reviews that couldn't be further from the intentions or focus of the players. All in all, even if your impression of the work wasn't agreeable, it was plainly evident that you had honored us by listening carefully before your opinions were made public. Thank you for being blessed with good ears and not wearing blinders. It's a pleasure to find when cats are paying attention.
All the best,
Greg Osby
To: C. Michael Bailey
From: Claire Daly
Subject: Review of Claire Daly Movin' On
Date: April 15, 2002
Hi! I just got home from playing a jazz party in Scottsdale, Arizona, and read your most delightful review. You have made my day and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Naomi from Koch forwarded this to me, and I am really touched by your words. It's late and I must sleep but thank you again, I hope we meet someday.
Warm regards, Claire Daly
To: Roger Crane
From: Tierney Sutton
Subject: Review of Tierney Sutton Something Cool
Date:
Roger's insights are so valuable because of the depth of his knowledge and experience. It's always special to read something written by someone who actually KNOWS about the subject he's covering. We're lucky to have him. Tierney Sutton
To: Gregory J. Robb
From: Matthew Zachary
Subject: Review of Matthew Zachary Scribblings
Date:
Are you kidding? This was one of the most professional, intricate, detailed and profoundly insightful editorial coverages I have ever received. I can't wait to see what you do with Every Step if you plan to do a write up for it.
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