Slog - The Stranger's Blog

Line Out

The Music Blog

« Going to Great Lengths for Und... | Trapped in the Closet, indeed »

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Broken Fingers

Posted by on July 20 at 9:48 AM

Last night, my upstairs neighbor, Angel, asked me for the name of the song I keep playing in the morning (he hummed the tune for me). It’s called “Oliloqui Valley,” the second track on one of the greatest jazz records of all time, Empyrean Isles by Herbie Hancock. The piano solo on “Oliloqui Valley” is utterly devastating. Hancock was only 25 when he recorded it in 1964, and every time I listen to the solo (usually after taking a shower) it just breaks my heart. He gave up all of this beauty for that fusion/funky chicken nonsense of the 70s. I wish a mobster would break Hancock’s fingers right now. In a world that is so dumb, it’s a sin to waste a talent of that size and depth.