I, of course, wanted to play real jazz. When we played pop tunes, and naturally we had to, I wanted those pops to kick! Not loud and fast, understand, but smoothly and with a definite punch.
Count BasieRead
I'll always remember when I first heard Lester [Young]. I'd never heard anyone like him before. He was a stylist with a different sound. A sound I'd never heard before or since. To be honest with you, I didn't much like it at first.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the unique impact of a musician's style and sound, even if it isn't immediately appreciated.
Count Basie's reflection on hearing Lester Young for the first time highlights how a distinctive musical style can evoke strong feelings and memories. The quote emphasizes the importance of originality in art, acknowledging that novel expressions may not always resonate immediately yet can significantly influence one's musical experience.
Themes
MusicStyleSoundOriginalityExpression
In practice
Example use cases
In a music appreciation class, this quote can illustrate the subjective nature of musical taste.
More from Count Basie
All quotes →All I wanted was to be big, to be in show business and to travel ... and that's what I've been doing all my life.
Count BasieRead
If you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night!
Count BasieRead
I'm saying: to be continued, until we meet again. Meanwhile, keep on listening and tapping your feet.
Count BasieRead
I never thought innovation as such was very important. Not when you have to think about it... If you're going to come up with a new direction or a really new way to do something, you'll do it by just playing your stuff and letting it ride. The real innovators did their innovating by just being themselves.
Count BasieRead
Of course, there are a lot of ways you can treat the blues, but it will still be the blues.
Count BasieRead
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Pearl Jam is a band I have a lot of respect for. Nirvana and Sonic Youth I feel the same way about. Mumford & Sons, My Morning Jacket, Wilco, Givers, and Foo Fighters are just some of my favorites. I respect bands that give me something of themselves that I can feel. ("Posing" bands turn me off generally speaking.) It all has to do with a feeling I have about them. That is what music is to me, a feeling. It's similar with people too.
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It's a gift, and a blessing, just to have a voice. And I'm proud that people do appreciate it, you know?
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If they played more blues, people would just get it - they try to hold it back but just about can't hold it back now because the blues is really going.
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