There are a handful of contemporary musicians who have tracked through my life … Charlie Haden was one.
He was prolific, would not be defined by style or shape; a gentle soul who played a remarkable range of music despite a debilitating illness; attracted talent, a man whose family surrounded him with love and children remarkable musicians in their own right. Pat Metheny -- a longtime collaborator -- gets credit for David Bowie's, "This is not America" (the song was featured in the 1985 Sean Penn film, "The Falcon and the Snowman"), but to me it is all Charlie. I wonder if Charlie would have considered the song one of his lasting ones, but how wonderful that a musician of such diverse range could have this one particular iconic pop hit in his pocket. Here is both Bowie's and Charlie's jazz instrumental version:
And Charlie's instrumental:
Closer to his heart, Charlie recorded a wonderful rendition of American classic Shenandoah, on his album "Rambling Boy". Not long ago, I drove through Shenandoah National Park and in the morning mist, felt such gratitude listening to Charlie along the way.
He was prolific, would not be defined by style or shape; a gentle soul who played a remarkable range of music despite a debilitating illness; attracted talent, a man whose family surrounded him with love and children remarkable musicians in their own right. Pat Metheny -- a longtime collaborator -- gets credit for David Bowie's, "This is not America" (the song was featured in the 1985 Sean Penn film, "The Falcon and the Snowman"), but to me it is all Charlie. I wonder if Charlie would have considered the song one of his lasting ones, but how wonderful that a musician of such diverse range could have this one particular iconic pop hit in his pocket. Here is both Bowie's and Charlie's jazz instrumental version:
And Charlie's instrumental:
Closer to his heart, Charlie recorded a wonderful rendition of American classic Shenandoah, on his album "Rambling Boy". Not long ago, I drove through Shenandoah National Park and in the morning mist, felt such gratitude listening to Charlie along the way.
1 comment:
Haden's work with Metheny will live with me the rest of my life.
Thanks for noting Charlie's passing.
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