I think this poll would have us take into consideration not only an artist's singing or instrumental prowess (which would slough off half the list right there), but their overall presence, sense of theatre and ability to truly own a crowd.

My brother above mentioned Miles, and while I'm sold on the fact that man was a GENIUS on that horn, wasn't it true he often performed with his back to the audience or let his accompanying musicians lead with their solos, etc? I'm truly ignorant, so educate me.

On the other hand, we have these new-school pretty girls and boys who can dance and give good face, but couldn't carry a note in a bucket and would downright RUN from an instrument!

I have to agree that Sammy should be up top as a universal master, and I'd maybe put MJ second. Prince was ferocious in his heyday, but I recall seeing girls screaming, fainting and suffering nosebleeds at MJ concerts! I don't know what it is about him, but brother has some sort of otherwordly gift of charisma.

I'd maybe tie Prince with James Brown in third. And I'd definitely put Patti LaBelle in with them.

As an aside, my parents always told me Little Richard, believe it or not, was NOTHING to play with live. The Jimi footage I've seen has also been impressive, but I wonder if an entire concert of him would be breathtaking only if I had dropped some acid.
[Edited 6/26/07 13:01pm]

In terms of a multi-faceted performer, Sammy Davis Jr. is hard to beat.

Name someone else who...

Acts well (stage & screen)
Sings well
Dances well
Does impressions & comedy
Multi-instrumentalist

...has all those bases covered.



tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

I'm just now getting into Miles (Yeah, I know...I was marooned in Princeland for just a little too long! ) and from what I've seen so far the man could move a crowd to tears without uttering a single word or acknowledging them in any way! That takes some real mf'ing skill,talent and BALLS baby! Half of the folks on BET's list aren't fit to wipe up his drool!

My brother above mentioned Miles, and while I'm sold on the fact that man was a GENIUS on that horn, wasn't it true he often performed with his back to the audience or let his accompanying musicians lead with their solos, etc? I'm truly ignorant, so educate me.

The Jimi footage I've seen has also been impressive, but I wonder if an entire concert of him would be breathtaking only if I had dropped some acid.

Lammastide said:

Part of the genius that is Miles was the fact that made his musicians raise their game thereby creating some of the best Jazz/Progressive music bands ever. With Miles you were there to see great music being created on the spot not someone mugging and putting on a circus act for the audience.

I've seen Jimi Hendrix in concert twice (almost 3......don't ask).
Both times without benefit of acid and both times were incredible concerts front to back.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

I'll definitely take your word on both of these.

What happened that third time with Hendrix? Did you drop acid before that show, maybe?[/i]

Lammastide said:

You had to ask.

I had tickets to...



...Band of Gypsys at The Fillmore East.


However being as it was New Year's Eve, my partner and I had started in on our party favors early (no acid, just high grade hashish).

Combine being so lit up with the oppresive cold of that evening, we decided to avoid the hassle of the subway ride from Brooklyn to Manhattan.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Lammastide said:

You had to ask.

I had tickets to...



...Band of Gypsys at The Fillmore East.


However being as it was New Year's Eve, my partner and I had started in on our party favors early (no acid, just high grade hashish).

Combine being so lit up with the oppresive cold of that evening, we decided to avoid the hassle of the subway ride from Brooklyn to Manhattan.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

oops!

But yeah I think what made Jimi early in his career wasn't just what he played, but the way he played it, which was a whole visual presentation that nobody had ever really seen.

The showmanship (playing with his teeth, behind his head, etc.) was something that he wanted to break free of later on, but it's something people are still copying and wowing bar patrons with.

And on top of it all, setting fire to his guitar is one of the all time great moments in rock performance. But it was everything that led up to it, too, playing an amazing version of Wild Thing (weaving Strangers in the Night into his solo!?), rolling around on the stage, smashing the instruments, and finally, the burning sacrifice.

definitely a force to be reckoned with onstage!!

This was the show where he pretty much decided I'm not here to clown, but stand still and just throw down.

I think this poll would have us take into consideration not only an artist's singing or instrumental prowess (which would slough off half the list right there), but their overall presence, sense of theatre and ability to truly own a crowd.

My brother above mentioned Miles, and while I'm sold on the fact that man was a GENIUS on that horn, wasn't it true he often performed with his back to the audience or let his accompanying musicians lead with their solos, etc? I'm truly ignorant, so educate me.

Lammastide said:

Yeah, I heard that Miles story about his back to the audience. And several people have told it. I don't know much else after that.

But I'll reiterate. We (including ) forget about jazz when we talk live performances.

Duke Ellington's performance at Newport in 1956 was so ecstatic he nearly caused a riot.

Trane, Monk, Miles, Ella, Billie could inspire you, sadden you, enlighten you, all at the same time.

We shouldn't forget them when talking about great live performers.

End of rant.

Janet and Michael can barely sing live.

Shit... as far as performing goes, MC Hammer was better than anyone on that list , except 4 JB and Prince.

I believe if most of the kids of today saw the Housequake performance from the Sign of the Times film, many of them would see Prince in a new light in terms of performing. That was a classic performance.

VelvetJ said:

Kids would say, he impersonates James Brown.

I love Miles, Coltrane, Monk and the more avant-garde luminaries, but I'd like to hone a more nuanced familiarity with the genre overall. I do suspect we (including ) have not given the genre or its artists half the recognition they deserve -- both with respect to performance and cultural impact across the arts.

Lammastide said:

The only nuance I can offer begins and ends with this. I bought a lot of jazz CDs, including a lot of live sets, and they are miles ahead (pun intended) of even the most progressive stuff being put out today.

I often call The John Coltrane Quartet the greatest rock band in history, because they were nothing short of amazing.

Other greats like Dexter Gordon, Horace Silver, Wayne Shorter et al. have made classic albums. Take for example, Steely Dan. They "sample" Horace Silver's classic intro to "Song For My Father" for the unforgettable intro to their song, "Rikki Don't Lose That Number." Wayne Shorter also appears on their classic album Aja.

My preferred "era" of jazz is the "hard bop"/"post bop" era(s), but I'm starting to explore the artists that came to the forefront in the late 60's/early 70's, such as Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Bobbi Humphrey et al.

This is a disjointed post, I know, but we should start remembering what may be black America's crowning cultural achievement, and the legendary artists that made it and make it go.

i stopped taking BET seriously years ago when they put that ghetto cartoon chick on to host a video show.

Lammastide said:

You had to ask.

I had tickets to...



...Band of Gypsys at The Fillmore East.


However being as it was New Year's Eve, my partner and I had started in on our party favors early (no acid, just high grade hashish).

Combine being so lit up with the oppresive cold of that evening, we decided to avoid the hassle of the subway ride from Brooklyn to Manhattan.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

I recall a thread some time ago on the Ken Burns Jazz retrospective. Any personal reviews on that? I've been conserving checking it out.

(By the way, LBC, sorry to jack your thread. )

Janet and Michael can barely sing live.

Shit... as far as performing goes, MC Hammer was better than anyone on that list , except 4 JB and Prince.

Giovanni777 said:

Mike didn't just start performing in 1995. Have you ever seen dude between 1968 and 1992?