ABC ABC Jazz

I have heard Kurt Elling for the first time today (Sat 26th Sept '09).

I have always loved Johnny Hartman, Kurt certainly has a very smooth similiar style, A GREAT TRIBUTE to Johnny.

He's no Johhny Hartman

I would like to protest STRONGLY against the apparent new policy of ABC Jazz to put 'Albums of the Week' on High rotation.

Hell, I've heard tracks from this album HOURLY for the past week and I am SICK OF HEARING ABOUT IT.

How dare you abuse ABC's position as a public broadcaster by doing this sort of promotion?

Someone at the ABC is doing a very good job of DESTROYING the fine reputation and listener goodwill built up by Dig Jazz. This sort of promotional programing has NO PLACE at the ABC and if it continues ABC Jazz will very soon loose my patronage as well as the patronage of many others.

PS. Kurt Elling absolutely STINKS as a vocalist and the backing arrangements are MEDIOCRE at best. His record company employ's some fine musicians to play an 'easy-listening' style of Jazz so that you are forced to listen to the vocal style which is a cheap imitation of Sinatra's style, timber and key.

He might appeal to the 'Blue Rinse Set' still morning Frank's passing but has few redeeming features beyond those memories.

Further to my previous complaint.

I just noticed that the voiceover announced that your new 'Album of the Week' is 'Labyrinth' (Jacam Manricks). However what did you play? (11.35PM, Monday October 5)

You guessed it. "Nancy with the Laughing Face" by Kurt Elling!!! Am I destined to listen to Kurt Elling EVERY HOUR for the rest of my life?

Is there no end to the incompetence being demonstrated by the ABC Jazz team? If not for my sake, please think of the harm you are now doing to Jacam Manrick's career.

The announcement is so emphatic that the next track is by the artist "Jacam Manricks". Now everybody thinks he is a singer (who sounds suspiciously like Kurt bloody Elling) and sings stuff like "Nancy with the Laughing Face".

...OH MY GOD THE HUMANITY!

Tuesday, 6 October, about 2:35 pm.

It's still going on. Another announcement that your album of the week is 'Labyrinth' by Jacam Manricks.

You played "Dedicated To You" by Kurt Elling.

Poor, poor Mr Manricks.

That this situation can continue so long only demonstrates to me that ABC Jazz has no reach in the industry. Nobody is paying any attention to it. Not the staff, not the listeners. Nobody!

Tuesday, 6 October, 8:43pm.

Album of the week announcement - 'Labyrinth' by Jacam Manricks.

You played "They Say It's Wonderful" by Kurt Elling.

Obviously nobody listens to ABC Jazz anymore.

enjoying your Buble collection are we?

Dear Aztec

You seem to have a beef about many things, as well as no judgement about music.

Mr Elling is a genius, pity you don't get it (and I've been playing and listening to music for 45 years).

His live performances are amazing. I've seen him 3 times, twice last April when he played with the SSO (who were inspired by the man). His live performances are picture perfect - you should go to one when he's back - if you can open your mind and ears.

Clearly a lot of folk around the world have been "fooled" by Kurt, read his Wikipedia entry.

Happy listening!!!!

Here here Henschk

Mr Aztex does seem to have wax in his ears...........why is Sinatra 'the' benchmark ?...great and influential vocal phrasing yes...Elling himself would be the first to admit his respect and inspiration from the Frankie. But 'cheap' imitation is offensive to artists such as Elling who is a jazz historian and student of the jazz composition in his own right.........how many artists can claim similiar?.........keep spinning the Bubles.

Hear Hear Blackrun

So Aztec, what do you have to say for yourself?

Henschke

Congratulations and welcome to ABC Jazz.

Perhaps yourself and others should consider becoming the founding members of the "Inner Society for Safe Choices @ ABC Jazz" and help them build a little shrine to Kurt Elling.

Then, you could have hourly hymns sung out by Kurt Elling in a never-ending orgy dedicated to the mediocre of jazz artists. Kurt's next album entitled " The complete recorded works of Frank Sinatra, revisited ..again!" is sure to set your toes-a-tingling with anticipation.

I can hardly wait for that one.

If you are really interested in knowing what I am actually listening to (which I doubt) then view my recommendations and if you're really interested in knowing what sort of performances I attend, then view my downloads.

I rallied against the former ABC Jazz policy of 'Album of the Week' being on HOURLY rotation and they CHANGED IT.

I rallied against the damage being done to Jacam Manricks' career by the malfunctioning 'Album of the Week' playout system and THEY FIXED IT. Sadly not before probable damage was done to his placing at this years Wangaratta Jazz Festival. Many more people might have attended his performance if they were not already in possession of the preconceptions given to them by ABC Jazz about his music.

Sadly, both of these incidents have gotten tangled up with the Kurt Elling "Fan Club". It doesn't have much to do with him at all. I would have made the same protests irrespective of which artist was being FLOGGED TO DEATH by the ABC.

And now we have the coming reduction in Bandwidth to ABC Jazz to rally against. Not much hope on that one I am afraid.

Write to me again when you've been around for a bit longer and have worked out how this place works.

P.S. Who is Michael Bublé? I much prefer spinning my complete (all vinyl) recorded works of the Laughing Clowns. Been an LC fan for 30 years and I even brought along a member of 'The Go-Betweens' to their recent "Live at the Basement" sessions.

kurt is a genius

check out this clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEhIEbheMqo&feature=youtube_gdata

tasty :)

PLEASE, PLEASE STOP IT!

IF I HEAR ONE SOUR NOTE EMINATE OUT OF THE THROAT OF KURT BLOODY ELLING I'M GOING TO NECK MYSELF!!!

How much evidence do you want that this guy CAN'T SING for nuts. Listen to "Autumn Serenade". It is literally a CAVALCADE of MISSED notes.

How did ANYBODY get it into their heads that this guy was a great singer worthy of ENDLESS repetition on Dig Jazz?

Hi Aztex,
We appreciate all opinions here, set in a positive way.
Regards, the team at ABC Jazz.

well, for me the guy can sing. yeah let's just respect each other's opinions. it's like some people may like political writings over some shakespeare essays

Do you really, Mr. ABC Jazz?

I've been complaining about that problem in the right channel of your MP3 feed for NEARLY 2 YEARS now and YOU haven't even consulted the problem.

In fact, YOU haven't even acknowledged that 'a' problem exists.

Now, please do tell me how treating your listeners like mushrooms equates to "appreciating" their opinions. I would be fascinated to hear it.

Well, I've been a fan of Kurt Elling for years now and appreciate all sorts of singers. Nice to hear this version of 'Tight' which I know from the amazing and wonderful Betty Carter. Not always hitting the note spot on is the most important thing.

Had no idea liking Kurt would be such a contentious issue!!

Yes, neither did we Kate...
But we're glad to have some discussion, and thanks for your response!

His Norwegian Wood (tonight) is brilliant. Wouldn't mind a higher rotation of any Kurt Elliing.

First time i heard this Artist, Nice!

ABC JAZZ is fabulous and so many people enjoy it!

Instead of being negative, destructive and silly, anyone who doesn't agree should just simply tune in to another station. Easy. There is a huge choice of Jazz from all over the world at our fingertips. We are so lucky!