BIRDLAND - QUINCY JONES (1989)

1989, Michael Jackson vient de quitter Quincy Jones. Alors Quincy Jones sort la bombe Birdland, histoire de montrer qui est le patron.
Un casting de musiciens extraordinaires, soutenu par une composition fabuleuse, Birdland de Quincy Jones (sur l’album Back On The Block sorti en 1989) nous rappelle en quelques instant l’âge d’or des musiciens de talent, peu de temps avant que l’influence des majors ne vienne s’étendre trop sur l’industrie de la musique. La soustrayant ainsi – peut-être – à son exigence de qualité instrumentale et des arrangements.
Sur la base directrice du train Birdland mené par Quincy Jones se trouve une multitude de riffs et de solos qui viennent pimenter ce mastodonte de la musique. Malgré son brio, l’air entraînant de ce titre qui nous transporte au coeur des années 80, reste inconnu d’une grande partie de la nouvelle génération.
Si le son semble peut-être vieilli à un grand nombre d’auditeurs aujourd’hui, la beauté des arrangements n’en reste pas moins formidable. Dans ce mélange unique, rappelant par moment le jazz-fusion de Steps Ahead, chaque musicien du groupe est un titan dans son domaine, personne ne brillant plus qu’un autre. Basse, batterie, guitare, cuivres : tous s’expriment pleinement. C’est sans doute cette alternance respectueuse de parties solistes variées qui rend ce morceau si fort.

source : http://indeflagration.fr/chronique/quincy-jones-birdland-tomorrow-tevin-campbell/

1. Quincy Jones

Imprésario, chef d'orchestre, producteur de disques, arrangeur, compositeur et trompettiste.
L'une des plus grandes légendes de la musique. Il a travaillé dans tous les styles de pop, soul, hip-hop, jazz, musique classique, musique africaine et brésilienne, et avec tout le monde de Louis Armstrong, Dizzy et Ray Charles à Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder et Ice T.

2. L’album Back on the block et la reprise de Birdland

Cette version est un cover song / cover version (une reprise). La pratique du cover est incontournable sur les albums des années 80’. Il y a toujours une reprise !

L’album Back on the Block sera le dernier enregistrement studio des chanteuses vedettes Ella Fitzgerald et Sarah Vaughan.
Le casting est extravagant et digne d’un film hollywoodien !

Sur la piste “Birdland” sont mentionnés :

Arranged By [Horns] – Jerry Hey, Quincy Jones Arranged By [Rhythm] – Ian Prince, Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton (il a composé Thriller de Mickael Jackson, mort en 2016 à l’âge de 66 ans) Guitare Bass – Nathan East Handclaps – Ian Underwood, Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton Keyboards – Ian Prince, Larry Williams Sampled Synthesizer : Joe Zawinul Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Michael Boddicker, Michael Casey Young Drum Machine : Michael Boddicker

Saxophone – Larry Williams Soloist, Guitar – George Benson Soloist, Saxophone – James Moody Soloist, Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis Trombone – Bill Reichenbach (2) Trumpet – Gary Grant, Jerry Hey Lead Vocals [Featured] – Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan Written-By – J. Zawinul

Le morceau “Birdland” est introduit par un “rap” scandé et entrecoupé de solos de jazz : Jazz Corner of the World (Introduction to Birdland).

Texte de Jazz Corner of the World (Introduction to Birdland)

https://genius.com/11149055

(It had to be sweetness) (...'Cause I'd been in New York all the time, and he brought Charlie Parker in this hotel room, in the Booker Washington Hotel) (There was nothing to do but play, you know, and we had a lot of fun trying to play, you know) (...That man, Charlie Parker, was mine) (That was the first time I ever had the pleasure to meet Dizzy Gillespie) (I can remember Miles) (Miles was in my original band) (And Charlie Parker created the sound, and the moment I heard him I said, 'that's how music should sound') [Verse 1: Kool Moe Dee] A tribute to the Birdman, the father of Birdland A masterpiece that release the horns, words and The musical greats, salute the late Mentor, inventor of a sound of days back From bebop to pop and pop to hip hop Infuse the times of jazzing rhymes and got Kool Moe Dee and Big Daddy Kane To bring on the legends; Kane, hit the names [Verse 2: Big Daddy Kane] I kick a rap to what you can relax to A jazz soloist, play away with the sax to Get the job done, next one up to do his duty Ladies and gentlemen, mister James Moody [Saxophone Solo: James Moody] [Verse 3: Big Daddy Kane] No one goes the mile like Miles Davis Watch how he plays this trumpet and pump it Just like a mechanic handles a tool Here's the rebirth of the cool [Trumpet Solo: Miles Davis] [Verse 4: Big Daddy Kane] What kind of noise can a string bring Making you swing and sing things of a musical fling Well listen to this star, next up is our... Oh, George Benson bringing the guitar [Guitar Solo: George Benson]

[Verse 5: Big Daddy Kane] A voice of choice used just like an instrument So magnificent, I'm proud to present Divine, Sassy One, A.K.A. Sarah Vaughan Honey you're on [Scat Solo: Sarah Vaughan] [Verse 6: Big Daddy Kane] I'm introducin' a bop revolution In jazz that has pizazz, he is one player usin' it As who is, his first name's Dizzy Last name Gillespie, now watch him get busy [Trumpet Solo: Dizzy Gillespie] [Verse 7: Big Daddy Kane] Allow me to tell a story about Ella Fitzgerald, who's sound can never be sterile A woman with flexibility of range Making octaves change, go ahead and do your thing [Scat Solo: Ella Fitzgerald] [Verse 8: Big Daddy Kane] This is a shoutout to one more man Joe Zawinul, the writer of Birdland [Organ Solo: Joe Zawinul] [Verse 9: Kool Moe Dee] In the fifties, this was the place to be From the bands down to the maitre'd Now, who could forget the MC on the set The emollient voice of Pee Wee Marquette (Ladies and gentlemen, as you know we have something special down here at Birdland this evening) A sound so profound it's come back around 52nd Street is now world-renowned With horn licks with kick, and swift riffs to stick Today bebop makes the hip hop pick These musical genius's souls are so clever They changed the face of music forever And if you can't understand Here's a past and present Birdland