“Wichita Lineman” by Flea feat. Nick Cave, from Flea’s album ‘Honora,’ out now on Nonesuch Records: https://flea.lnk.to/Honora
Flea — Flumpet
Nick Cave — Vocal
Anna Butterss — Upright Bass
Deantoni Parks — Drums
Jeff Parker — Guitar
Mauro Refosco — Percussion
I've now listened to a number of cuts from this album. I hear that some jazz critics have been going batshit over it because, well, Flea wouldn’t be playing trumpet on a nationally promoted album if he weren’t Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Flea the trumpet player couldn’t have gotten the deal. I think that’s true. The trumpet player alone would not have gotten the deal.
Still, the tracks aren’t bad. His trumpet’s better on some tracks than others. Worth listening to.
What’s interesting is that the different settings the Flea has created for his trumpet, and their stylistic range, they’re better than the trumpet playing itself. That’s worth the record deal and the promotion.
What I think is that the music business is and has been badly skewed for years. There are local and regional groups and musicians that are, on their best days, competitive with national acts. And if they went at it full time, they’d have more best days. There’s more to being a national act than talent and ability. There’s an element luck, and also sheer will, desire, and determination.
And yes, there really a some NAME acts that really are a cut above the rest. But not all. More than a few, approaching many, but not most, not by a long shot.
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