On Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 6:22:46 AM UTC-4, John Williamson wrote:
On 11/04/2018 04:35, Brassplyer wrote:
This is off a Direct To Disc album - Doc on trumpet and flugelhorn. The link takes you to just before he comes in.
https://youtu.be/fn70ehqENYw?t=1m12s
That even sounds good on the laptop. :-)
As amazing as he sounded on recordings when I heard him live for the first time it was even more so. Which I guess is always true when someone is a real player. He's not a big guy - maybe 5'8" or so with a slender build but he had incredible power.
Doc's musical being is a convergence of various factors. He was born with ideal physical tools for the instrument - the structure of his lips & teeth, superb physical vitality, keen musical sense and he came along at a time when there was a wide variety of burgeoning musical styles that he was able to absorb. He had an obsession with improving his craft - he's legendary for being a practice-aholic. Other musicians in his professional orbit describe how on recording dates when other guys were taking a break he'd be in the corner with a mute working on something. And he came along at a time when there was a popular entertainment environment to showcase his unique talents and the kind of personality that shined under the spotlight.
He's approaching 91 now - the technical razzle-dazzle and extreme range isn't there anymore but he still has a big, resonant sound as long as he doesn't try to overextend himself.
Here's a short solo during a performance by Kid Creole and the Coconuts back in the 80's. Damn.
https://youtu.be/-lt5xOHDqPY?t=2m21s