Charlie Haden performs “Speak Low” in this stylish video.
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Yeah! In a way, Charlie Haden is and will probably always be the one who keeps reminding us of one thing: the fact that you play a lot of notes doesn’t necessarily mean you have a whole lot to say. And if you have to say something (which I’m convinced he does, all his „self-quotations“ and tried-and-true licks nonwithstanding), you don’t necessarily have to blare it all out, there’s so much implied in between notes. I keep coming back to the man and his music time and again, it’s helpful to re-evaluate one’s own means of expression whenever one of these technique-and-dexterity-ridden
practice phases draw to an end. Much like in the old tale of the hare and the tortoise, wherever you arrive, Charlie with his sparse lines and almost complete lack of glitzy technical display seems to be there already. And that dark, luminescent sound that he gets out of his Vuillaume is irresistible anyway. As a matter of fact, the last time I got on the Haden trip seriously (in the early weeks of 2007), I sat down and turned my listening results into a twenty page article. In a slightly modified version that bears the musical layman and/or jazz novice in mind, it’s now posted in the German-language Wikipedia (and will be featured article there on Charlie’s 70th birthday (August 6, 2007). Those of you who know the language a little bit are welcome to check out the article, I’m always glad to improve things or correct mistakes (you know, Wikipedia is a tricky affair 😉 ).
I definitely share your views, and look forward to reading your Wikipedia article. Along with BB King in blues he is one of the few who dares to play less and getting more. Eric Slowhand Clapton has learned it from King. Common for both is Charlie’s law for his musicianship: “Risk your life for every note”. He sure does.