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Andrew Homzy's avatar

The Delta Rhythm Boys recording is wonderful. I’ve never heard it before - they were so smooth and hip. The bass solo made me laugh certainly the first bass solo in vocalease . Wouldn’t it be something to do a vocalize on Steve Brown’s bass sort-of-solo in “Dinah” or “My Pretty Girl?

Lambert, Hendricks and Ross did a tribute to bass players in one of their songs, but I don’t recall the title. I do remember they included Mingus. And here is an excerpt from his second Downbeat blindfold Test. You might find it interesting.

Mingus on Lambert, Hendricks and Ross.

“The group? I think they’ll make a lot of money. They’ll always make money—more than I’ll ever make.

(L.F.: Don’t you think the group’s different?)

Different from what? King Pleasure? I heard some little bitty young kids singing like that in Chicago. When Bird first came up, they used to stand up by the jukebox and make up words to the songs. It’s not that original, man. Ten years ago people were doing that. I remember some words the kids wrote for a song of Hamp’s: Bebop’s taking over, oo-wee; better bop while you’re able, see; open your ears, bop’s been here for years"—something like that; and that was 11 or 12 years ago.“

LYM,

Andrew

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Daniel Peterson's avatar

Tangentially related to the first few paragraphs. A few years ago, while teaching one of my History of Popular Music classes, I played a Gospel Quartet, I think the Swan Silvertones, followed by the Beach Boys (I don't remember which songs) and then after hearing some surprising similarities created a play list of vocal groups by year from Barbershop/Gospel on up to current Boy Bands and KPop. Any Popular groups with 3-5 singers who are featured and harmonize over about 100+ years. Really wild connections in arrangements, performance, style etc. throughout the years, but also several hours long - so not particularly shareable (Like who really wants to take that ride with me!). Those influences flow strongly through all styles of music.

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