tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6853772569125614798.post2566384884217946435..comments2024-03-29T00:34:36.221-07:00Comments on JazzProfiles: Hank Mobley - So Talented, So Often Overlooked [From The Archives]Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6853772569125614798.post-44277068568705401512020-07-06T15:12:45.703-07:002020-07-06T15:12:45.703-07:00Yes, Mobley was melodic, lyrical, and also a very ...Yes, Mobley was melodic, lyrical, and also a very subtle musician, whose impact has been sidelined because his albums and compositions often became formulaic: post-bebop, ballad, and funk. I think his tunes and his legacy have to be appreciated on their own terms; he was as laid-back and undemonstrative as Prez, but he always left a statement, even if he didn't make it with the force or impact of Coltrane, Shorter, or Rollins.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09706784578222306391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6853772569125614798.post-79569871254268061752020-07-05T11:06:07.346-07:002020-07-05T11:06:07.346-07:00At around 1"30 on 'no room for squares...At around 1"30 on 'no room for squares' HM attempts a use of 4ths melodically and has to quickly drop the idea, which indicates an inability to advance his tonality-based style. In effect, he couldn't HEAR that different kind of melody, and more broadly, couldn't accomodate new developments. Perhaps this contributed to the coarsening of his playing thru the 60s to the point of final oblivion. Yes, 1959-61 is the best Mobley period by far. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6853772569125614798.post-21232132393247061982020-07-05T07:51:54.889-07:002020-07-05T07:51:54.889-07:00It’s irritating to read all these comments from ja...It’s irritating to read all these comments from jazz pundits who insist on comparing Mobley to other saxophonists and claiming he comes out short. For all I know, you can compare musicians in some sense but what is your tape measure: speed, loudness, complication, variability, contrast, surprises, harshness? How does a musician measure up with repeated listening? Mobley is simply THE most enjoyable saxophonist. No one else has his confidence, his razor sharp acuity, while at the same time being thoughtful, not overly wordy. Qualities that frankly no other sax player possesses. No one else quite reaches Mobley’s artistic height. Listen to ‘Ultramarine’ for instance, an amazing display of dreaminess and a surefooted walk on a rickety jungle bridge at the same time. Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03873176455484384464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6853772569125614798.post-22247114508570322052018-01-13T13:29:05.859-08:002018-01-13T13:29:05.859-08:00Thanks for this much-deserved tribute to Hank. Wh...Thanks for this much-deserved tribute to Hank. While not as extroverted or flashy as other famous tenor saxophonists of his era, there is no one I'd rather listen to. In my opinion he was the most melodic tenor since Lester Young and his music offers all of the beauty and catharsis of the greatest masters of this music.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249456244798193751noreply@blogger.com