[78-L] EARL HINES.

[Julian Vein]

Spats wrote:
> Hi!
> 
> I couldn't disagree more. I saw him play live and he was one of the 
> most exciting pianists I've ever heard. He was way ahead of his time 
> and certainly a great partner for Louis Armstrong in the early days. 
> Try playing 'Weatherbird' and the Savoy Ballroom 5 records of the 
> late 20s. His big band was likewise ground-breaking!
> 
> (This is not just because I share his name!). ;-)
> 
> Earl Okin.
==============
Once again, I'm talking about his piano playing, not his bands. I do 
like the Decca band sides quite a bit. I agree his playing was often 
inventive but, it seems to me, devoid of emotion. "Weatherbird" is a 
rather bitty performance. And I'll reiterate his work on the Cozy Cole 
and Charlie Shavers Keynotes is chaotic--he keeps jumping from one idea 
to another without any logical connection.

During his "come-back" years, his playing seems terribly bland and 
formulaic--tying himself up in harmonic knots then extricating himself.

      Julian Vein


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