Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 9033 Location: Hawai`i - Texas
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 11:41 am Post subject:
James (Hans) Last is German shtick, IMO. But, he's had an interesting life and has really been successful. He worked hard at it and applied himself. Kind'a like Herb Alpert - you might not love him but there's no doubting his success. If there are any German-language readers out there, Last's bio is very interesting.
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Regarding the music, if I remember correctly, he has said that the only two albums of his that were not really successful were the ones he made in NY with American musicians. I guess they swung too hard, LOL. _________________ "If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
Well, I appreciate you posting it. I know this is trumpet country, but you never know what'll connect when music is involved.
It made me remember with love my wonderful father-in-law. He won the Georgia state fiddle championship one year playing Orange Blossom Special. I guess all bluegrass fiddlers can play it, but his technique was uncanny. Entirely self-taught. _________________ Craig Mitchell
I can't believe that some people have never heard of James Last.
He's been famous since the 70's at least. The world over.
He used to have Derek Watkins on a retainer should he ever be double booked when there was a James Last concert.
Most of the band are British and American musicians, with the rest being Europeans.
Joined: 13 Nov 2001 Posts: 9830 Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 2:52 pm Post subject:
Oh God, the audience clapping on 1 and 3 totally takes me back to my Gala Band days in Germany playing Schlager Musik until 5 in the morning (or later), only to hear at the end of the night, *"Zu Gabel, Zu Gabel!" chants over and over followed by "You don't just do this for the money, do you?" (in heavily accented English).
I SO wanted to reply to them with the signature line someone here on the Trumpet Herald used to run with: "Actually yes, I do this just for the money. I hate music."
Here's what I think is actually a great James Last recording featuring Chuck Findley subbing for Derek Watkins:
The above might not play in certain countries due to YouTube's copyright filters.
And to those who knock James Last around here: Poop on you! The guy has a successful band, employs a lot of musicians and brings happiness and entertainment to many, many people in Germany and the rest of Europe.
Cheers,
John
P.S. * "Zu Gabel" roughly translated means "Encore".
Joined: 13 Nov 2001 Posts: 9830 Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 3:01 pm Post subject:
Ha! I just watched that Orange Blossom video and the pretty blonde violinist who tosses her hair at 0:48 on the video is a friend of mine, Alexa Logothetis! She played in the Pit Orchestra for Disney's "Der Glöckner von Notre Dame" back in the day.
That "toss-toss" (think "Wicked") makes the watching the entire video worth it.
That said, aside from that, seeing Chuck drowning his sorrows at 1:48 and of course his ahem... amazing dance choreography, the rest of the video is pretty cringe-worthy...
Last edited by John Mohan on Thu Sep 26, 2019 3:07 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 8914 Location: Orange County, CA
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 3:07 pm Post subject:
PINCHUNO wrote:
I can't believe that some people have never heard of James Last.
He's been famous since the 70's at least. The world over.
He used to have Derek Watkins on a retainer should he ever be double booked when there was a James Last concert.
Most of the band are British and American musicians, with the rest being Europeans.
James Last, also known as Hansi, was a German composer and big band leader of the James Last Orchestra. Initially a jazz bassist, his trademark "happy music" made his numerous albums best-sellers in Germany and the United Kingdom, with 65 of his albums reaching the charts in the UK alone. Wikipedia _________________ "I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart
Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 9033 Location: Hawai`i - Texas
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 3:16 pm Post subject:
John Mohan wrote:
Oh God, the audience clapping on 1 and 3 totally takes me back to my Gala Band days in Germany playing Schlager Musik until 5 in the morning (or later), only to hear at the end of the night, *"Zu Gabel, Zu Gabel!" chants over and over followed by "You don't just do this for the money, do you?" (in heavily accented English).
Been there, done that. But the solitude of the ride home through the open fields when everything is quiet and peaceful is wonderful. _________________ "If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
Joined: 13 Nov 2001 Posts: 9830 Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 3:43 pm Post subject:
kehaulani wrote:
John Mohan wrote:
Oh God, the audience clapping on 1 and 3 totally takes me back to my Gala Band days in Germany playing Schlager Musik until 5 in the morning (or later), only to hear at the end of the night, *"Zu Gabel, Zu Gabel!" chants over and over followed by "You don't just do this for the money, do you?" (in heavily accented English).
Been there, done that. But the solitude of the ride home through the open fields when everything is quiet and peaceful is wonderful.
Not to mention driving from places such as Essen back up to Lübeck in about three hours at Warp Nine on the Autobahn in the wee hours didn't suck, either.
I also noticed Bob Coassin playing. Bob is originally from New Haven, Conn. I live fairly close to New Haven. I heard Bob years back with Stan Kenton at Lake Compounce. I think Bob may have been Stan's last lead player.
I remember hearing about Bob from a friend who played Bari Sax at University of Bridgeport's Jazz Ensemble. He told me that Bob sat in with the band at a rehearsal one evening. He told me he was a beast of a lead player. Neal Slater was the director of UB'S jazz ensemble at that time.
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