Now, "angelic" is not a term that's usually ascribed to a guy's voice, especially when the guy looks like he'd squash Ric Flair like a bug in the rasslin' ring, but that is just what his was. He possessed a soothing tenor like Aaron Neville, but it just seemed to flow out in a dreamy tone without any rough edges whatsoever. His relaxed vocal delivery matched the relaxed and gentle attitude of his native state.
Yeah, I know what you're thinking: if someone's going to tackle such over-covered standards like "Over The Rainbow" and "What A Wonderful World", it better be not just good, but out-freakin-standing. In this version, the absence of an orchestra and heavy arrangements takes out all the syrup from these tunes without any of the sweetness. Iz, armed with just a ukelele and his gentle pipes, makes an unadorned rendering in a Hawaiian lullaby style which puts all the focus on his effortless singing. Also effortless is the way Iz transitions from "Over" to "World" and back again. That said, I don't need to go on any further about it; you can listen (and look) for yourselves:
"One Track Mind" is a more-or-less weekly drool over a single song selected on a whim and a short thesis on why you should be drooling over it, too.
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.