Why music critics hate Jazz Fusion

Andy is a drummer, producer and educator. He has toured the world with rock legend Robert Plant and played on classic prog albums by Frost and IQ.

As a drum clinician he has played with Terry Bozzio, Kenny Aronoff, Thomas Lang, Marco Minneman and Mike Portnoy.

He also teaches drums privately and at Kidderminster College

[ericarmstrong]

Robert Fripp once said that critics review themselves, not music. Good video.

[aindriubradleymarshall]

“Pay no attention to what the critics say: no statue has ever been erected to a critic.” Jean Sibelius.

[Stretchwreckedem]

You don't have to understand words in order to enjoy music. Really, it's all a matter of closing your eyes, listening to said music, and then continue to interpret how what is being played makes them feel.

I'm the furthest thing from a classically trained musician, i can't even read sheet music. However, i can tell you that Jazz Fusion makes me feel music on a very intimate level. While it's not something i listen too regularly as my favorite genres of music consist of Metal, Punk, and Hip Hop, Jazz Fusion scratches an itch that i don't get from Metal, Punk, or even a lot of newer Hip Hop artists of my generation. Jazz Fusion is able to paint pictures in someone's mind in ways that only the genre itself really can, and that is something that more critics should consider in regards to it's approach to structure, tempo, and instrumentation.

[mattiasorre]

The British band IF were right at the forefront of all this, often noted as possibly being the very best early jazz fusion band

[tonypeake]

Thanks Andy for another great vid. I haven't found alot of jazz fusion on YT, so your discussions and nominations of great album/bands/musicians are greatly received. And yes the Trad Jazz lot are in the main snobs

[ganazby]

Andy, you are a tonic. Thank you. I’m recommending your channel to all my pals. You’re spot on about music critics being music illiterates. They haven’t a clue.

[mycle]

critics are light years away from what is happening in music in general and jazz/fusion specifically because improvisation and physicality in music(anything around a backbeat ) frightens them. one more good video!

[Johnny]

Thanks Andy, this was a really great vid and I really enjoined it, you made me think and I think that your discussion on it was very easy to understand and really fun to watch and listen to . ..

[carlharvey]

Nicely done, Andy! It should also be pointed out to the 'straight' jazz crowd that the very best fusion artists from the early-70s heyday raised, rather than lowered, the bar for musicanship and virtuosity overall, contrary to the more standard narrative.

[HudsonValleyVHS]

The genres I listen to the most are Metal (Black Metal being my favorite), Jazz (Fusion and Pulp Soundtracks), and Classic Progressive Rock. If I ever I started to care what Rolling Stone or critics in general had to say about anything, I would hope someone would run me over with their car. Good video.

[yanncarduner]

Thanks Andy Edwards!I've been a jazz fusion/prog/psych head for years and I never got all the hatred for bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra .John Mc Laughlin is one of my heroes and so is Billy Cobham.I will see him next month.Many cool bands like Fermata, Energit, Modry Efekt, Mahagon .Banquet by Lucifer's Friend is cool too

[capslock]

You provide really insightful analysis. Good to see you help set the record straight.
Rolling Stones list of 100 greatest drummers of all time not surprisingly has Ginger,
Neal, Moonie and Bonzo in the top five. And I give them some credit for having Steve
Gadd, Elvin Jones and Tony Williams in the top 25. But they have Billy Cobham all the
way down at 45, Vinnie Colaiuta at 49 and Narada Michael Walden didn't even make
the list! There is no justice.

[AlmostEthical]

Yes! Over time I gave up on Melody Maker and Rolling Stone critics because it was clear that they were just posturing and politicising the music. They were so focused on the social world that they couldn't understand the appeal of good design. It reminds me of people who are so focused on the human world that they disregard other life forms, not appreciating how profound and interesting they are because, being frank about it, that won't help them get laid or land a promotion.

[nickfryearson]

Subscribed! Thank you for your succinct and eloquent summary of a subject that has bothered me for years. I'm not a musician just a lover of music. I would really like to hear your view on Cream, one could argue the first jazz rock fusion group. The blueprint of rock and jazz is here, and the influence of British jazz, blues and rock on the genre. Looking forward to your future content. All the best.

[twinpeaksVVV]

I had a crappy book called The Encyclopedia of Jazz and when it got to Miles' fusion period it ended his chapter saying something like: "After 1969 Miles Davis produced music that can not be considered jazz." I think I was only 14, but I threw that book down in disgust.
On the Rolling Stone Guide, I never used it, but let my instincts direct me, rather than trusting some critic's opinion. A friend would sometimes come over with another mediocre record and tell me, "Its a 5 star album." My immediate response, "According to who?"
One of my favourite music journalists was Lester Bangs, but his idea of a 5 star album was very different to mine. He thought Metal Machine Music was Lou Reed's best LP. I could never agree, but I enjoyed hearing him express his opinion.

[Rick-jgvx]

It is interesting that you show the second edition of the Rolling Stone record guide. The first edition, with the red cover, came out before punk really had made its impact and so was much kinder to Prog and fusion. And then, when the second edition came out, it had downgraded the music we love. Those record guides help me discover a lot of great music, but they also held me back on my discovery of more complex music because of their bias. I had to discover fusion on my own And I actually hold a lot of resentment towards those pricks for wanting me to just listen to blues and punk my entire life


So I agree with your general assessment. I love a lot of punk rock. The clash is one of my favorite bands. But simple music should not be held in higher regard of complex music. That is an unfair and actually pretty darn ridiculous standard that was set up by critics who use the new wave to set up new guard, rails and box out more complicated music that’s denying many people, who need to have more complexity in their ears.

[vrdubifonk]

Hello Andy !
I can't agree more about what you said in this video. People (and critics) always want to put anything into boxes and jazz is the complete opposite of that. Fusion is trying to move it further. Welcoming all kind of electric instruments in the narrative to create something new. Unfortunately, the world we living it is always reducing the power and the opened path created by those creative musicians. I didn't know your channel two days ago but I'm glad to listen to someone like you. Keep doing that, it's so refreshing and enlightening !

[henrycrinkle]

Excellent points. You've opened my mind to a lot of ideas.

[seannolan]

Great analysis..with regards to the jazz snobs, guitarist Jim campilongo has a great quote.. “when I listen to Louis Armstrong I don’t hear an ES175 through a polytone amp”.

[musicaldiscovery]

Excellent observations, as usual, Andy. However, I think the bigger question should be, why does a profession like "music critic" even exist? Since the interpretation and like/dislike of a particular song or genre is so innately personal and individual, why should anyone have the ability to determine what is "good", or not. I've felt that way about media critics as well. It's a ridiculous concept implemented by the elites because they loath the masses and their "pedestrian" sensibilities.