It's true. Kenny G has no soul.
Feb. 17th, 2005 12:17 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
poltr1I'm sure many of you have heard of Kenny G or his music. (The G stands for Gorelick, I believe.) He's the curly-haired soprano saxophone player who puts out many smooth jazz albums and a few top-40 singles. (Yes, it's an uncurved sax; it's not a clarinet.)
But is the music he makes smooth jazz, pop, or some other genre? I'd hesitate to call it jazz. New age, perhaps, or even R & B. But not jazz. I might want to listen to Kenny G if I'm trying to relax or to enhance the mood when I'm alone and snuggling with my sweetie. (So long as Michael Bolton doesn't sing. He has no soul in him either.)
Yeah, he can play a million notes, but most of them are nothing more than scales, and he can circular-breathe and play a note for three minutes. Big Fat Hairy Deal. To me, it doesn't sound or feel like there's any passion in what he plays. It's like eating white bread and mayonnaise -- where's the beef?
And he plays out of the side of his mouth. What's up with that?
But to compare Kenny G to the jazz greats like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Wes Montgomery, et al is an exercise in futility -- there is no comparison.
A few years ago, Kenny G released a version of Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World" where all he did was add his own sax track to the original tune. Some people called this sacrilege or even blasphemy. This single release inspired jazz guitarist Pat Metheny to write a scathing criticism of Kenny G. Read it here. (Warning: it's scathing! Don asbestos gloves and eye protection.)
To me, jazz is playing what you feel; to put your passion into your music, both in writing, playing, improvising. And to my ears, Kenny G just doesn't do that.
But is the music he makes smooth jazz, pop, or some other genre? I'd hesitate to call it jazz. New age, perhaps, or even R & B. But not jazz. I might want to listen to Kenny G if I'm trying to relax or to enhance the mood when I'm alone and snuggling with my sweetie. (So long as Michael Bolton doesn't sing. He has no soul in him either.)
Yeah, he can play a million notes, but most of them are nothing more than scales, and he can circular-breathe and play a note for three minutes. Big Fat Hairy Deal. To me, it doesn't sound or feel like there's any passion in what he plays. It's like eating white bread and mayonnaise -- where's the beef?
And he plays out of the side of his mouth. What's up with that?
But to compare Kenny G to the jazz greats like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Wes Montgomery, et al is an exercise in futility -- there is no comparison.
A few years ago, Kenny G released a version of Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World" where all he did was add his own sax track to the original tune. Some people called this sacrilege or even blasphemy. This single release inspired jazz guitarist Pat Metheny to write a scathing criticism of Kenny G. Read it here. (Warning: it's scathing! Don asbestos gloves and eye protection.)
To me, jazz is playing what you feel; to put your passion into your music, both in writing, playing, improvising. And to my ears, Kenny G just doesn't do that.
