Bill Watrous, Body and Soul

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Kingfan
Posts: 1371
Joined: Apr 11, 2018

by Kingfan »

<YOUTUBE id="d0YUHLtWd0E">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0YUHLtWd0E</YOUTUBE>

Sounds so smooth and effortless, but the transcription says otherwise. Wow!
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Kbiggs
Posts: 1768
Joined: Mar 24, 2018

by Kbiggs »

Thanks for posting that. Beautiful. Helped me restart my day.
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AndrewMeronek
Posts: 1487
Joined: Mar 30, 2018

by AndrewMeronek »

I haven't been a huge fan of Watrous' playing, but this recording is great.
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Posaunus
Posts: 5018
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by Posaunus »

Bill Watrous, apparently known in his younger days as being "difficult" to work with, seemingly mellowed a lot as he aged, and was a delight to have around for a variety of events, amateur and professional. His playing in his last year was still wonderful, smooth, melodic, and inspiring as ever. He became a good friend of Bones West in Southern California. (https://www.boneswest.org/)

As a result of this relationship, Bones West will be hosting a Bill Watrous tribute, involving many of his well-known associates from the LA studio and jazz scenes around the U.S., on Saturday, September 29, 2018 from 9:30am - 11:30am at the Musicians Association (AFM Local 7) Rehearsal Hall - 2050 S. Main St; Santa Ana, CA. All are welcome to celebrate the artistry of Bill Watrous.
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baileyman
Posts: 1169
Joined: Mar 24, 2018

by baileyman »

One of the great things to do with a transcription like this is to chart out the slide positions used, recognizing that Bill was not sawing wood. They illustrate useful pathways to build ideas on, playable pathways. If one can limit their imagination to what can be played on them, much progress can be made, and less time spent trying to find a way to play often impossible ideas.