Now see Jeff, I am a touch opposite to you with jazz. I am ok with "straight" singers, Ella F say but not those that keep "anging it out" as the L.G. Ken Williams said. I have theory!
Growing up I ran home each day from school for lunch (but WE called it dinner!) The radio would always be on and I soaked up all the standard songs of perhaps over a decade from say 1958-1968+ and even before that I would have heard them at home. These were staight, original songs. Stardust, Mack the knife and many others. In fact I used to boggle my son when he was in his 20s (now 46) and starting to explore jazz because he would play the "Jango" chords and not know the original piece. I did though! And ususally most of the lyrics.
So...When I hear any jazz, no matter how "off the wall", if it is a standard I can follow it in my head (but most of the words have gone now. Like many an old fool, I THINK I know it but no, it's gone. But then, how many people ACTUALLY know Stardust?)
Dave.
Growing up I ran home each day from school for lunch (but WE called it dinner!) The radio would always be on and I soaked up all the standard songs of perhaps over a decade from say 1958-1968+ and even before that I would have heard them at home. These were staight, original songs. Stardust, Mack the knife and many others. In fact I used to boggle my son when he was in his 20s (now 46) and starting to explore jazz because he would play the "Jango" chords and not know the original piece. I did though! And ususally most of the lyrics.
So...When I hear any jazz, no matter how "off the wall", if it is a standard I can follow it in my head (but most of the words have gone now. Like many an old fool, I THINK I know it but no, it's gone. But then, how many people ACTUALLY know Stardust?)
Dave.