Double Bass Arco solos of Ray Brown

#4
Jay Leonhart said in his "MusicMasterclass" video something along the lines of...'Ray Brown started to be a very good arco player once he reached his 60s.'

As for myself, I'll be happy if I can ever make a bass sound anything remotely as musical as either of those two gentleman...in this lifetime or any other.
 
#8
It's not snarky. He's out of tune. Tell me you can't hear that? I have not accomplished as much, and I never suggested I had. I know he's a great. I also know his arco technique isn't great and my intonation is better. It's not opinion whether someone is out of tune, or is this "alternative intonation"?
 
#9
I saw Ray play at the Blue Note many, many moons ago, and I remember he did a ballad arco. Wish I could remember what it was... I was just finishing high school then, so who knows how my ear was then compared to now, but I remember it sounding amazing. Could've been the novelty of seeing someone take a ballad arco, too.

Wait.. I think I MiniDisc'd that show. Whoops.. probably shoulda kept that to myself. :whistle:
 
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#11
What has respect got to do with it? In my opinion, it's a pretty poor performance. I don't like his sound, and I think the phrasing is lazy and flabby.
And objectively, his intonation is poor.
I have huge respect for Mr Brown. To suggest that respecting someone means you can't EVER criticise them is just ridiculous. Listen again to that tune. It's poor. I'm not suggesting he's a bad bass player. I'm saying he's out of tune and not a great arco player. I don't care who you are, if you're out of tune, you're out of tune.
 
#12
Neil Pye said:
I'm sorry, I know he was a great and all that, but his intonation sucks, and his technique with a bow is really very average
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Lol, come on dude. I've even heard questionable things from Gary Karr on occasion. Ray Brown generally had great intonation. Your post screams "arrogant classical bass player."
 
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#13
You know, Ray Brown was an amazing bassist. Seeing him live was transformative. His playing had such drive and direction that it was as if he were soloing all the time, and in fact he'd often play only one or two solos per set even when he was the leader. Sometimes he'd play a melody arco, and though he got better at it as he got older, it was kind of a tough listen. Acknowledging that is not blasphemy. No one's perfect. That's one of the great joys of choosing a life as a musician. There's always room to grow and stuff to learn even if you play as well as Ray Brown.
 
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#14
Ray was one of my two jazzheroes growing up as a bassist, NHOP being the second. My third hero, and the only one of the three still alive is a classical player. The last three years I have had the privilege to work daily with with him and I have learned so many things from him. The thing that stands out is how he never puts anyone down. He always talks to me as an equal, even when I say dumb things, or when I have just played in a boneheaded way. I only met Ray a few times, but my impression was that he was very much the same way.
 
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#15
Yes. One of the hallmarks of a true master is humility. Check out Ray's face at the end of the video posted a few back. He kind of looks away from the audience; no smile or acknowledgement of the applause; kind of a grimace actually. He knows he could've played it better. It was touching to see a master plunge into an area that he hadn't fully mastered. That vulnerability is part of what made him truly great. I agree with Jay that his bowing improved in his latter years, and I bet he would be sounding wonderful if he were still here.
 
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#16
Years ago I heard Ray Brown’s trio with Benny Green and Jeff Hamilton live in a small room (Top of the Senator in Toronto). I was maybe 10 feet from Ray who always was and remains my bass hero. He swung like crazy and the Trio was terrific. But you know what? His intonation was really iffy. That night I learned to relax about it (and that’s hard) and to focus on time and motion and structure in my lines. It’s not sacrilege to listen critically to the greats. My favourite recording of Pictures At An Exhibition is the piano version played live by Sviatoslav Richter. It’s a magnificent interpretation—and it’s got at least three real clunkers in it. So what.
 
#19
Seanto said:
Lol, come on dude. I've even heard questionable things from Gary Karr on occasion. Ray Brown generally had great intonation. Your post screams "arrogant classical bass player."
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I agree, and if someone had put up a clip of Gary playing out of tune, I would say the same. Ray Brown is a great, but he's not good with a bow. What's arrogant about saying that? I will never be able to do the things he did, but that doesn't change the fact that he was out of tune and his arco sound isn't special. I'm sorry if you think that's arrogant, I could say your post screams "chip on his shoulder jazzer".....but that isn't a helpful thing to say. I'm done, keep Mr Brown on your pedestal.
 
#20
Neil Pye said:
I agree, and if someone had put up a clip of Gary playing out of tune, I would say the same. Ray Brown is a great, but he's not good with a bow. What's arrogant about saying that? I will never be able to do the things he did, but that doesn't change the fact that he was out of tune and his arco sound isn't special. I'm sorry if you think that's arrogant, I could say your post screams "chip on his shoulder jazzer".....but that isn't a helpful thing to say. I'm done, keep Mr Brown on your pedestal.
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Everyone one should lighten up. Let's don't get started on Ron Carter
For years I've heard, "Gerry's intonation ain't much, but his time is bad."
 
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