The Art of Being Cool (Cool Jazz/Beatnik Bop)

Well, I am still on the journey in the center of my mind --- a fictional mental excursion down different musical paths.  As you might remember in my last posting:  I met a strangely familiar guy (Freddy Jim); we collaborated on a song ("Louise"); and both decided to explore these different musical paths together.  We continued on Rocking Road until we came to a corner leading to another path.  On this corner was a very cool looking cat carrying a bass guitar.  We greeted him and inquired as to where this new path lead and he informed us that that was the road to Coolsville.  He said that his name was Baldhead Fred (my apologies one more time for my dearth of creativity in creating names) and again I couldn’t help but feel that there was something strangely familiar about this guy.  As we talked further he stated that he had recently left his day job and that he also was a wannabe musician.  He asked if he could join us on our trip to Coolsville and we proceeded.  We all talked about a number of things as we walked and discovered that we had a common interest in the diversity of music that was around in the 1950’s.  A musical style that we spent a lot of time on was Cool Jazz.  You know the type that I am talking about don’t you (think of the early Mode Records label or think early Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Thelonius Monk, or my favourite Henry Mancini’s soundtrack from the Peter Gunn TV series (outstanding!!)?  This was an era in which the term “cool” became established but it had a different meaning than from today.  We discussed that at length.  These thoughts translated into lyrics and would you believe it ---- a song was given birth.  It was our intent to give this number a Mancini/Peter Gunn feeling ---you know  -- the feeling that it was being played by a small combo at Mr. Gunn’s hangout (“Mother’s”).    
 
This is our first real attempt at using midi (vibraphone & flute) and I am having to use a difficult process to do this as Guitar Pro doesn’t do midi.  There are probably a few timing issues and other stuff of which we are not aware.  So your comments, insights, suggestions, crit’s, etc. will be very much appreciated.           
 
We hope;  that you consider the sentiment in this little number; that it does not waste your time; and mostly that you dig it the most.  Crazy man crazy!
  
The Art of Being Cool
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=963481
 
Freddy J

This IS cool.  I'm digging this daddy-O. Mighty big vibe you've created in the soundstage...really sounds like a small club (beat-nik) setting. 
Your mental meanderings are taking you down some colorful roads.
Lots of fun!

Very nice defiantly got a vibe.

One minor observation, I found the ride cymbal just a little forward and a little flat sounding perhaps the odd variation with a bit of ride bell, just a thought.

Cheers enjoy the road you are treading.

So how are you doing midi?  And if you want to continue to use midi (I can't imagine life without it!), it probably wouldn't cost much to upgrade to something that does it. :-)

Anyway, very cool vibe here.  Sounds great!

In your defense, Fred has a long history of cool. You've got Freddie Hubbard, Freddie the Freeloader as well as Freddie's Dead. Not to be ominous. But the tune is seriously cool. I loved it. Let me blow the smog from my nostrils.
Mark

Freddy, believe me--it doesn't sound like you'll be doing much midi at all if it's that complicated!  Treat yourself to Sonar.  You'll be glad you did.  And I'll tell you all the tricks I've learned to make it smoother.  The learning curve I mean.  :-) 

Very nice. Good job, Freddy.

I enjoyed it.

Ha, man you're way out there.  This played in the ancient coffee houses when it was only 25 cents for a cup!!  Although it was still a couple years before I was old enough to appreciate it,  I saw the movies.  LOL!!  This is "tres cool" Freddy.  I think some of the sunglassed, beret wearing folk might have said that.  You're voice is really blossoming, my friend.

very cool Freddy!  this is probably the best I've heard from you so far!  I'd put a little more verb in, especially on the drums and I'd try to compliment that ride with something else - it's not bad, but it's a little too prominent in the mix, IMO. 

nice job!

Everytime someone mentions Mancini I can't help it. Inspector Clousseau. The pink panther is back!!

Very well done on the arrangement in general. You got some good mileage out of your midi instruments, you midi newbie you. Sounds darn good in the cans (ATH M50). Very good production Freddy! Bravo!

Er....Pink Panther? Great narrating voice, and singing, too. I don't think the voice was cool enough, though. It didn't sound dull and bored, or low, like cool sounds. It sounds too white-collar professional, to me.

Why so little singing? The singing--those two itty bitty parts of it--sounded good.

Funny idea. Interesting. And relevant--don't we all want to be cool? 

I had to test out midi first but now after a couple of attempts I think it could be a bunch of fun.  I love my GT Pro but- well, I can see Sonar it in my future.  Once I convince myself to get it (and convince my wife I should get one more toy), I will be counting on you to help me learn the doggone thing.  Thanks Janet.
 
Crazy man crazy  -- I diggin' it that you dug it.  Thanks Frank.
 
Hi NoKey!  Thanks for listening.  I'm very glad that you enjoyed it!
 
Thank you Scotty.  I appreciate your listening and the kind words.
 
Hi Warren.  Ya, I'm much to young to remember also (lol).  I had to get the feel from old TV shows and the movies (I wish).  Thanks a lot for the kind words and encouragement. I really appreciate it.
 
Hey Larry.  I watched a couple of old 1950's Film Noir movies before I did this recording -- you know, to help me get in the mood (lol).  Thanks a million for the kind comments.
 
Hey Reece.  You're right about the ride -- I'll have to pull it back a wee bit.  Thanks a million for listening and for the generous comments.
 
Hi Dave and thanks for the input! I'll have to go back and listen to get a handle on the vibraphone.  Thanks again.
 
I forgot got that Mancini did the Pink Panther.  That theme has a very cool jazz feel to it also.  I also love Peter Sellers in that character.  I have to smile every time that I think of some of the gag's in that series of films.  Thank you very much for your generous comments JC.  I do appreciate it.
 
Thank you James.  I very much appreciate that you listened and appreciate your comments.
 
Hi Peggy.  Thanks for listening and for your comments.  When I was first thinking of this song, I had intended to do no singing but was going on the idea of trying to recreate a beat poet reading to music.  Well, I got side tracked, got more into story telling, and couldn't help myself -- I had to put in a bit of singing even though it was just a wee bit (best laid plans etc.).  As for the voice not being cool enough, your absolutely right.  We all want to be cool but I gave up in frustration a long time ago.
 
Hey, Jim Stafford is a Florida guy also.  Must be something in the water that makes one a bit silly?  Thanks for listening and commenting Ron.
 
 
Freddy J