Jazz : A Film By Ken Burns
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Movie Reviews of Jazz : A Film By Ken Burns
Movie Review: An excellent introduction to a broad subject
Summary: 5 Stars
It would be easy to criticize Ken Burns Jazz for any number of reasons. But when one looks at the breadth and depth of the subject, it would seem petty to do so. While the documentary certainly is in the Ken Burns style, which could be accused of sentimentality and personality worship, but one has to keep in mind that this is only a style.
Burns doesn't go out of his way to make certain individuals like Ellington or Armstrong into saintly figures, their influence and body of work accomplish that by themselves. Also keep in mind that Burns can't focus on every artist that comes along, but those that had the largest impact on their generations. While some may accuse the series of suffering from the "Marsalis" treatment, I would disagree in most instances. It could be argued that Armstrong got a lot of play throughout the entire series, being as his influence and impact was mainly in the 1920's and 30's. On the other hand Armstrong reamained the face of jazz for many mainstream listeners who were not delving deeply into Bop, Cool, Avante Garde et al. It must be pointed out that he did influence everyone since his time in one way or the other. You really can't criticize Burns for referring to some the main figures as "heaven sent" as he's quoting some of the top musicians who were influenced by them.
If one criticism can be leveled at the series it would be the lack any coverage of the 1970's and 1980's, when jazz was at it's lowest ebb. The series seemed to pick up at Marsalis' entry into the scene as the beginning of a new crop of musicians who brought the music back fromt he brink. This does a certain dis-service to those artists who continued to tour and sometimes reach very high levels of popularity. Some examples were Spyro Gyra, the Jazz Crusaders who scored some charting hits and established artists like Maynard Ferguson and Buddy Rich who not only kept the art popular in the high school and college circuit, but also acted as the training ground for many musicians who helped re-popularize jazz and are among it's elder statesmen today.
For musician and casual observer alike, it's a good introduction to the art form as well as a reminder of where the roots of the music came from. It gives those beginning an interest in America's popular music, whether as a listener or a dedicate musician, and starting point from which to begin.
Movie Review: Ken Burns gets it right! The true history of Jazz
Summary: 5 Stars
I find it incredible that there are a few negative reviews because Ken Burns left out the "free-jazz" era or the fusion-jazz-rock era. Well, he just kinda glossed over it. It is far more interesting to see the early history and development of jazz including the likes of Buddy Bolden, who dates back to 1895, Freddie Keppard and through the early New Orleans' Storyville and the riverboats. The sections on the Original Dixieland Jazz Band (1917), King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbeck, The Swing Era and the observations from Wynton Marsalis are especially interesting. Regarding the dismissal of modern players like Rashad Roland Kirk, Ornette Coleman etc. I hate to say this, but that music is virtually unlistenable. Even a lot of Coltrane's later stuff is "sax squawking" to many ears. The fusion "let's be like Sly Stone" jazz- wah-wah sound of say like Bitches Brew and all rock fusion from the 70's, sounds today hopelessly dated and boring. When I was in high school I listened to Brubeck, Miles, MJQ, Monk and Oscar Peterson and most of my allies thought it to be weird music. Can you imagine how anyone in their right mind could listen to Roland Kirk and really enjoy it? Don't forget, you can't beat a good song, but you can ruin it. Burns got it right. He focused on the historical development dating as far back to 1820 in Congo Square in New Orleans and early blues as well. After 1970, most jazz became product to please the young rock audience, who really didn't understand jazz anyway. I'm glad that a lot of jazz today has returned to its acoustic roots. Wynton Marsalis, actually was at the vanguard of reviving the acoustic sound of jazz during the late 80's and early 90's, so he is the best spokesmen who appreciates what true jazz history is really all about. An excellent epic. One that you will watch many times, if you really love jazz history.Movie Review: Jazz History
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a fun introduction to the history of jazz. This series is not the last word on jazz. It focuses alot on the "life and times" of jazz, but that is what the average viewer will enjoy. Ken Burns knows his audience.
For those people who are real jazz fans, there is plenty of more recorded material to listen to and books to read to further their knowledge and enjoyment. I agree that Wynton Marsalis is conservative in his approach. I would also agree that the series itself largely ignores the avante garde and fusion. I am okay with that. Most avante garde is largely unaccessible to most listeners. That is why it still involves a very small percentage of listeners. Fusion jazz mostly plays to a rock style rhythm which makes it more rock anyway.
Unfortunately for jazz as an art form, most jazz fans really are "historians" in their listening tastes and collection proclivities. This tends to make it more difficult for living jazz musicians that really want to do something new. Popular taste moved from swing and bebop to rock and roll because the development of jazz moved to more difficult music that demands more from its listeners than so many casual listers are willing to give. As jazz became less "danceable" and less "humable", it became less popular and less influential in popular taste. Jazz became less fun for the casual listener.
Movie Review: There is more to Jazz than just on Bourbon Street
Summary: 5 Stars
After 7 years of stalling, with the help of a coupon, I finally completed the Burns' boys cycle by buying this set for myself for my birthday. I had only watched it in spurts previously, but after watching the first 30 minutes of Episode 1 uninterrupted last night, I had to ask myself, "Pregosin, What the hell took you so long?" In that half hour alone I learned more about the New Orleans atmosphere of the late 19th early 20th century that I never knew before. And now with Louisiana still in recovery from the scars of hurricanes in 2005, it's important to know about that city's history as well as the music that was born there. This epic of our man Ken tells both stories at once and well worth the view for anyone (but especially those who like his work in general). Gerald Early was right back in Episode 1 of Baseball when he said that in 2000 years when the American civilization is studied in detail 3 things will standout; The Constitution, Baseball and Jazz. Although I think Kenny might have grinned if instead of the Constitution, Jerry would have said The Civil War. I'm glad I finally bought it, have since bought "The War" and "National Parks" and am looking forward to the follow up on "Baseball" that covers from when the box set ends (1994) to the present.Movie Review: Simply Incredible
Summary: 5 Stars
I knew NOTHING about Jazz. I lived in Paris for 20 years and hated anything that the French called "Jazz" because, ultimately, the French call Jazz anything that isn't rock and roll. So I stayed away from Jazz.
I stumbled on to KB's Jazz purely by chance. I didn't even know it was Ken Burns until I popped it in - and then I couldn't get enough of it. I've read all the reviews and the debates about this series. "Social agendas;" "Not enough of the last 30 years or so;" etc. None of it matters: if you are a jazz novice as I was, run out and get this collection. I can't help but think that this set - even for the Jazz educated - is motivating. Forget about ". . .saving your money and buying the recordings. . ."! Buy the recordings; buy the DVDs! I've even dusted off my clarinet and sax and am probably going to buy a Soprano Sax for the hell of it! Whether intentional or not, Ken Burns' work inspires me and makes me thankful to live in an age when such a documentalist exists to document the rich, rich musical heritage that is/was Jazz. You will discover this richness on both the DVDs and the audio, 5 disc set that was released.