Comments on For The Love Of Mingus

Yes, we have stick insects here, at least on the East Coast, along with leafhoppers and other bugs disguised as various parts of plant anatomy. They're really cool and I don't mind being one.

But yeah, Mingus is amazing.

Judging by his appearences in Miles' autobiography, as well as the very little I was able to get through of Beneath the Underdog, I'd say hate had as much to do with Mingus's mightiness.

much like vonnegut's harmoniums

The ears that hear are a crucial part of the instrument being played. We may admire the genius which is the music's source, but in so doing let us not ignore the vital role the listener plays in creating music. Attention occupied in to the fruitless observation "I will never be capable of producing such things" (however true that statement may be) is attention diverted away from experiencing the music as it unfolds. Giving one's full attention is the highest compliment one can pay and is the ideal towards which true artists strive, over and above the desire to be admired or envied by their audience.

Also, stick insects are way cool!

Eric's not wrong. Hate and anger were major motivating forces for Mingus, but so were love, God, and an endless devotion to the church of Duke Ellington. The man was infinitely complicated (Did you know he wrote a book about training your cat to use the toilet? It's true! http://www.mingusmingusmingus.com/Mingus/cat_training.html) and his music reflects that. He is larger than life, and his compositions are timeless. Yeegads I love this man's music.

The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady is superior to A Love Supreme, but hardly anybody wants to admit it. Why is that?

Who drank my Mingus Dew?