Jon Batiste — 5th Symphony in Congo Square
Album: Beethoven BluesAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 929
Length: 4:19
Plays (last 30 days): 6
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Despite having a reasonable vocabulary, I can't find words to describe how awesome and necessary this is. I hear Beethoven, Jarrett and so many great piano players in this actualization of a 'classic'. Beethoven would have been gladly shocked to observe how his music is transformed and renewed in contemporary times. Thanks Jon Batiste for this present and thanks RP for playing!
Balthazar_Wobbly wrote:
There is Loussier on RP. I hope William digs out these tracks again.
If you like this (and quite probably even if you don't) you should check out the late, great Jacques Loussier and his "Play Bach" series of jazz interpretations of Bach.
Considerably more enjoyable than this example of Mr Batiste's work, IMO.
There is Loussier on RP. I hope William digs out these tracks again.
For me it’s a nine - outstanding! Good to hear, good to play. Make something different with this symphony requires courageous
Stride Beethoven.
genius
genius
I've listened to many brilliant jazz and classical pianists; as far as I can tell there is no classical pianist who can play jazz music and vice versa. To my ears the jazz in this song is mediocre and the classical is really bad.
smartn1 wrote:
It helps if you love jazz. I didn't always.
But if you don't like piano. ;-)
It helps if you love jazz. I didn't always.
But if you don't like piano. ;-)
sfoster66 wrote:
Just came here to say the exact opposite...my rating is diving faster than Tesla stock...
It helps if you love jazz. I didn't always.
Just came here to say the exact opposite...my rating is diving faster than Tesla stock...
It helps if you love jazz. I didn't always.
If you like this (and quite probably even if you don't) you should check out the late, great Jacques Loussier and his "Play Bach" series of jazz interpretations of Bach.
Considerably more enjoyable than this example of Mr Batiste's work, IMO.
Considerably more enjoyable than this example of Mr Batiste's work, IMO.
I can't hear the technical issues that others have pointed out - maybe ignorance is bliss but I like it.
TC1 wrote:
You. Really. Don't. Get. It.
Do you?
What is it that he's massacring? He's obviously not trying to recreate the original. It's his own interpretation and variations on the theme from the original.
Your comments follow an obvious pattern... I suggest you pull the stick out of your ass.
Gotta love dissent that's rooted in a personal attack...takes so much effort /s...
You. Really. Don't. Get. It.
Do you?
What is it that he's massacring? He's obviously not trying to recreate the original. It's his own interpretation and variations on the theme from the original.
Your comments follow an obvious pattern... I suggest you pull the stick out of your ass.
Gotta love dissent that's rooted in a personal attack...takes so much effort /s...
smartn1 wrote:
Just came here to say the exact opposite...my rating is diving faster than Tesla stock...
Stick with it. It gets more brilliant the more you listen.
Just came here to say the exact opposite...my rating is diving faster than Tesla stock...
Stick with it. It gets more brilliant the more you listen.
As someone who grew up playing these songs on the piano, I love his adaptation and modernisation of these classics. Thank you Mr Batiste... thank you very much.
Congo Square in my hometown of New Orleans is the name given to the small area just beyond the French Quarter where enslaved Africans were allowed to mingle on Sundays under French rule. It is said that the various ethnic groups would congregate to play their music and that this cacophony of sounds laid the basis for what would eventually become Jazz. Amazing things happen when diverse people come together to share their passion, and even in adversity the human spirit can create new and sublime means of expression. It's so heartwarming to hear this rendition, played in Congo Square by our native son, bringing it full circle again, masterfully. Laissez les bon temps roulle!
Edweirdo wrote:
Yes, I'm serious. Despite having great chops, he's noodling away on a badly-tuned piano with absolutely not a clue about the music he's massacring. The words Epic Fail could have been coined for this travesty. Thank god and RP for the PSD button.
You. Really. Don't. Get. It.
Do you?
What is it that he's massacring? He's obviously not trying to recreate the original. It's his own interpretation and variations on the theme from the original.
Your comments follow an obvious pattern... I suggest you pull the stick out of your ass.
Yes, I'm serious. Despite having great chops, he's noodling away on a badly-tuned piano with absolutely not a clue about the music he's massacring. The words Epic Fail could have been coined for this travesty. Thank god and RP for the PSD button.
You. Really. Don't. Get. It.
Do you?
What is it that he's massacring? He's obviously not trying to recreate the original. It's his own interpretation and variations on the theme from the original.
Your comments follow an obvious pattern... I suggest you pull the stick out of your ass.
mikegrinker wrote:
are you serious? haters gotta hate...
Yes, I'm serious. Despite having great chops, he's noodling away on a badly-tuned piano with absolutely not a clue about the music he's massacring. The words Epic Fail could have been coined for this travesty. Thank god and RP for the PSD button.
are you serious? haters gotta hate...
Yes, I'm serious. Despite having great chops, he's noodling away on a badly-tuned piano with absolutely not a clue about the music he's massacring. The words Epic Fail could have been coined for this travesty. Thank god and RP for the PSD button.
Naffo.
Edweirdo wrote:
are you serious? haters gotta hate...
Despite having a reasonable vocabulary, I can't find words to describe how awful and unnecessary this is. Beethoven would have been glad to be deaf rather than having to listen to this sonic dreck.
are you serious? haters gotta hate...
Jon Batiste is super-talented and I generally like his music, but this comes across as a little too much flex-slash-masturbatory-hey-everyone-look-what-I-can-do-ish for my taste.
Edweirdo wrote:
Agree. The performer makes mistakes while playing. This isn't jazz or modern interpretation. To me, it sounds as a terrible performance!
Despite having a reasonable vocabulary, I can't find words to describe how awful and unnecessary this is. Beethoven would have been glad to be deaf rather than having to listen to this sonic dreck.
Agree. The performer makes mistakes while playing. This isn't jazz or modern interpretation. To me, it sounds as a terrible performance!
paloeguevo wrote:
i imagined the smirk on his face :)
Beethoven would be proud
i imagined the smirk on his face :)
Despite having a reasonable vocabulary, I can't find words to describe how awful and unnecessary this is. Beethoven would have been glad to be deaf rather than having to listen to this sonic dreck.
Stunningly beautiful and not at all what Sonny Landreth described.
paloeguevo wrote:
Perhaps. I like your sentiment, but I think if he heard this, he might be scratching his head wondering "what's happening here?". Since Blues and Jazz came later, he would really be in the dark on this one.
Beethoven would be proud
Perhaps. I like your sentiment, but I think if he heard this, he might be scratching his head wondering "what's happening here?". Since Blues and Jazz came later, he would really be in the dark on this one.
Hi Bill -- playing Mr Batiste twice today, eh?! If I may suggest, checkout another (multi-talented) modern pianist, ELEW (Eric Lewis). https://elewrockjazz.com/
Or even watch ELEW and Batiste go head to head at Newport Jazz Festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIn66dpDoNs
Or even watch ELEW and Batiste go head to head at Newport Jazz Festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIn66dpDoNs
Wow! A fantastic rendition of this classic in my humble opinion.
I very much enjoyed listening to Jon Baptiste on the occasions that I tuned into the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, BUT I had no idea how truly talented this young man was, until he started to get airplay on RP! So, once again, thank you, thank you, thank you, William and company for constantly continuing to expand my music appreciation horizons.
Radio Paradise has provided my wife and myself with our daily background (and foreground) music for a few years now. I hope my monthly donation helps ensure that it stays that way for years to come. I can't think of a better station to be listening to when my soul fades from this world.
I very much enjoyed listening to Jon Baptiste on the occasions that I tuned into the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, BUT I had no idea how truly talented this young man was, until he started to get airplay on RP! So, once again, thank you, thank you, thank you, William and company for constantly continuing to expand my music appreciation horizons.
Radio Paradise has provided my wife and myself with our daily background (and foreground) music for a few years now. I hope my monthly donation helps ensure that it stays that way for years to come. I can't think of a better station to be listening to when my soul fades from this world.
surfool wrote:
I don't mean to single you out but it's become a pet peeve of mine: Bill has been called William for a couple of years now. (It's William and Alana now, not Bill and Rebecca.) Just FYI.
time for a new pet?
I don't mean to single you out but it's become a pet peeve of mine: Bill has been called William for a couple of years now. (It's William and Alana now, not Bill and Rebecca.) Just FYI.
time for a new pet?
Beethoven would be proud
If you haven't checked it out, watch his documentary, "American Symphony." It shows hime to be a wonderful person, as well a a deeply gifted talent. Highly recommend.
JamesBentley1 wrote:
I don't mean to single you out but it's become a pet peeve of mine: Bill has been called William for a couple of years now. (It's William and Alana now, not Bill and Rebecca.) Just FYI.
Second.
and an outstanding take on a classic.
Bill and crew always impress!
I don't mean to single you out but it's become a pet peeve of mine: Bill has been called William for a couple of years now. (It's William and Alana now, not Bill and Rebecca.) Just FYI.
And here was me, thinking he was an annoying one-trick pony.
Happy to be wrong.
Happy to be wrong.
Second.
and an outstanding take on a classic.
Bill and crew always impress!
and an outstanding take on a classic.
Bill and crew always impress!
First.
And this is interesting....
And this is interesting....