Any of you out there ever read Miles Davis’ autobiography, co-written with the incredibly patient and scrupulous poet Quincey Troupe? If you have, then you know that there’s no greater praise that the very eccentric Mr. Davis can give a musician than to call him or her (although in Davis’ case it’s more than likely a him) a “motherfucker.”
It is in Mr. Davis’ twisted but apt spirit that I offer for your delectation and appreciation these samples of the works of two quite significant motherfuckers, who passed away in recent days,in the hope that you’ll further explore their good and great works.
God bless Les, and Jim. And the lovely Mary, who passed in 1977. Motherfuckers all.
UPDATE: Damn, how could I have neglected to remember Rashied Ali? Thanks to several commenters for the reminders. Here’s a clip of Rashied with James Blood Ulmer and Don Cherry. Of the three, only Blood still walks among us. Saw him not too long ago, he’s still and absolute…what’s the word?…oh, yes, motherfucker.
Hear hear…heard about Les, but not about Jim. Was spinning ‘Sister Lovers’ about a week ago.
Jim? Oh, man. With Rashied Ali, we have the trifecta. Yes, the motherfuckers three.
What?!? Jim Dickinson died? For his contributions to Ry Cooder’s first few albums for Warners alone he deserves a seat in pop culture Valhalla. Thanks for the notification…
It’s worth mentioning that Jim’s contributions to Ry Cooder’s soundtrack albums went way above and beyond the role of sideman. I hope sometime his re-recordings of the Cooder soundtracks, featuring his (then) very young sons Luther and Cody, see some kind of release soon. Ditto, his autobiography, which a friend of mine has read and deems excellent. Like Jim’s self penned epitaph would have it, “I’m Just Dead, I’m Not Gone.”