The Chant of the Weed

March 28, 2003 1:01 AM

The Chant of the Weed. "Think of the received image of the jazz musician, the young man with a horn or the tortured singer with the gardenia in her hair. And think what baggage they carry, along with the reeds and the valve oil and the spare mouthpieces. Somewhere in the flight case or purse, tucked away out of sight but still seemingly essential to the image, a little something for after the gig, maybe weed, maybe white powder, maybe a discrete bottle of pills. Like it or not, drugs are very much part of the history and still more of the mythology or jazz." And you gotta hear the clip of Cocaine Habit Blues.
posted by theplayethic (12 comments total)

Superb - thanks, theplayethic!
[Making a big effort not to derail this to writers and booze here!]
posted by MiguelCardoso at 1:27 AM on March 28, 2003

Yep. This is good.
posted by plep at 1:35 AM on March 28, 2003

Also, you have to be on drugs to enjoy jazz.
posted by MarkC at 4:15 AM on March 28, 2003

A very interesting article, thanks for the link.

markc, I'm sorry you feel that way - you are quite possibly missing out on one of the better musical experiences you might have in life. I hope you've given jazz a chance before you've decided you don't like it.
posted by ashbury at 5:49 AM on March 28, 2003

Just as we lost Janis and the like, so we have Bird and the others.

MarkC, you may need drugs for the jazz, and if that's your gig, so be it. I'll be at the bar hanging with Bad Plus while you swing out to Britney Spears (kidding bro', I just don't see the need for what you said).

Speaking of which, I'll have a live interview and in-studio performance with Bad Plus at work this coming tuesday at 2:00 pm eastern time.

(And drugs is against station policy by the way).

There are several of you here who like their new album. Since MeFi is my addiction while on-air (even the boss peeks in now and then), if you email me before then, I'll fetch some signed copies and the like for those of you who are interested. I can't guarantee how many (depends on how many Sony mgmt brings to the studio), but I will make a point to comp you fine MeFi o' jazzsters.
posted by bluedaniel at 6:08 AM on March 28, 2003

And Bach was addicted to the opium of the people. Everybody has something.

The words are just some writer brothe r earning a living. But thanks for the clips.¸
posted by anewc2 at 6:28 AM on March 28, 2003

awww don't go picking on Mark...I feel the same way about electronica. I never liked jazz either until I fell in love with New Orleans and it's jazz legacy. The bohemian history just makes it better.
posted by oh posey at 6:42 AM on March 28, 2003

You don't have to be on jazz to enjoy drugs, but I heard from a reliable source that it helps. Ditto electronica.
posted by walrus at 7:24 AM on March 28, 2003

This was a fascinating read. I own quite a few old jazz albums, but I'm not very well versed on the history of the era. Can anyone recommend a good, thorough but concise book on the subject? One that's not specific to a particular musician would be preferred.
posted by Ufez Jones at 8:31 AM on March 28, 2003

Don Redman? and his Orchestra? Chant of The Weed?
posted by y2karl at 8:31 AM on March 28, 2003

Ufez, the Musichound series is a pretty good place to start. They are available from B&N and there is a book on most genres of music. Some of them even come with a free cd inside. It's geared for those who are just getting their feet wet and need a place to start.
posted by reidfleming at 11:39 AM on March 28, 2003

great post, theplayethic - thanks!
posted by madamjujujive at 10:09 PM on March 28, 2003