I've never been much of a movie watcher, and less of a fan of movie soundtracks. But back in 2000 I rented the then-new release Finding Forrester, a movie that featured Sean Connery. And while the movie itself was good, I couldn't help but to notice what an outstanding and adventurous collection of songs were chosen to adorn the flick. There was the music of early-fusion Miles, Ornette Coleman and Bill Frisell playing all over the film (Connery frantically tapping out prose on a typewriter while Coleman's "Happy House" played was a pretty cool pairing of whack jazz and cinema). It was as if the job of picking the songs were left to our very own Mark Saleski.
Shortly after watching the movie I immediately purchased the soundtrack, an act I've only done once before when I regrettably bought the ill-fated 1978 Sergeant Pepper soundtrack. It was well worth breaking the twenty-two year boycott over.
While there isn't a weak track in the lineup, one song in the middle of it nonetheless stands out because it's the one that doesn't follow the pattern of adventurous jazz, and it's the only one with sung lyrics. That would be the mini-medley divinely sung by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, "Over The Rainbow" and "What A Wonderful World", a song that would later show up in more movies and TV shows.
Prior to this movie, I never heard of Kamakawiwo'ole and his kind of music is one I normally wouldn't be inclined to explore. But this Hawaiian native had become something of a superstar in his state for his appealing brand of Hawaiian pop, his ukelele and most of all, that angelic voice of his. "Iz", as he is affectionately referred to in the Rainbow State, was already dead for three years when I made my discovery; his persistent morbid obesity eventually did him in at the age of only 38. But as I discovered in a trip I made out there last summer, he is still widely revered and his CDs are sold in every corner store on the islands.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
whack jazz. heh.
2 - Anna Creech
When I got to the Rick Flair part of your review, I suddenly realized that you're a damn fine writer. Thanks for the enjoyable read!
3 - Pico
I'm just too lazy to look up the correct spelling of "avant garde" every damned time I need to describe my favorite kind of jazz. Ergo, "whack" jazz. Mr. Seleski, you are most welcome to use this elocution at any time, royalty free.
And thanks for your props, Anna, I was actually into WWF way back when until whack jazz saved my soul.
But for now, I'm listening to some "sprout" jazz: Morning Dance by Spyro Gyra. I truly must be out of my mind.
4 - Mark Saleski
Morning Dance by Spyro Gyra. I truly must be out of my mind.
no, no. this was one of the first 'jazz' records i ever heard. a guy up the hall used to play it and Weather Report's 10:30 very, very loud. it's cool stuff. love those steel drums.
avante gard....avant garde....yea,i can never figure that either!
5 - Pico
Morning Dance came out in '79 and there probably wasn't a year in the eighties where I didn't play it at least twenty times. I also romanced my future wife with it on our first date. But I hadn't listened to it in about 12-15 years. I still ike the tropical flavor of it, too, but Weather Report holds up much better, IMO.
6 - Mark Saleski
10:30 is killer.
7 - Pico
Do you mean 8:30? I would have to agree.
8 - Mark Saleski
cripes, i must be tired. yea, 8:30!
9 - Holly Hughes
It seemed for a couple TV seasons that every show that prided itself on playing interesting music would end up working in this Iz track sooner or later. Every time it made me sit up and wonder who the hell he was. I appreciate getting the background scoop on the guy at last -- thanks, Pico.
"Sprout" jazz, that's good too. I guess I too would choose Weather Report over Spyro Gyra, but as far as I know NO ONE IS MAKING US CHOOSE, are they?
10 - Pico
Thanks for the comments, Holly.
"Sprout" jazz, by the way, was a term I first heard over twenty years ago just as smooth jazz was becoming popular. It means that the same people who are into this music are the same folks who like bean sprouts on their cheeseburgers. I probably wouldn't qualify but I do like me a refried bean burger on occasion.
You didn't ask, but now you know anyway.