OK, arguably a shameless bid to drum up ears for my new favourites, Bear’s Den, but don’t you love a bit of maraschino trumpet? And, yes, I mean mariachi, before you correct me, but Mrs Path seems unable to ever recall the right name, always calling it this.
I used to be frightened of trumpet, associating it always with the 60s production of pop groups on TOTP, drowning out any sound the supposed band were playing, usually Dave Dee, Beaky, Mick and Tich. And I didn’t like jazz, which to me then meant Acker Bilk and Kenny Ball, especially when they put that way-wah device on the end. I think I slowly got it in the pairing with other brass is soul and R&B, with the Caledonia Soul Orchestra first making a trumpet solo seem bearable. Dick Cuthell, playing alongside Rico Rodrigues on trombone, which, oddly, I have always loved, on all those Specials single made another leap into my credibility consciousness. Next the judicious parping of Chumbawamba and the floodgates were open. But I particularly came to love the pure choral tone of the maraschino style, hoovering up the Calexico catalogue. Hell, I am now a sucker for those are they spoof/are they homage acts, Mexrissey and Mariachi El Bronx. I also belatedly got jazz and can fall prostrated at the temple of Miles like the most of us. (Still hate mute, mind)
Anyhoo, here’s the task. Find your favourite horn, preferably outwith the expected, where the appearance is contrary to the usual mix of instruments
Maraschino Trumpet
by 16 Comments
On a related front (parp!), I have been prompted to also comment on Mrs Path’s daughter having likewise a tendency to muddle her words, memorably commenting, one morning how hard those jehovahs witnesses had made her fart. Jerusalem artichokes was what she meant, roasted for a sunday lunch addition the day before.
Mariachi is a type of liqueur made from cherries.
Maraschino Trumpet is such an obvious TMFTL that I just can’t resist it.
Surrender to the trumpet!
(An extract from the Moose Compendium of Solid Gold Chat-Up Lines)
The new (excellent) Teeth of the Sea album has tons of trumpet, in amongst the electronics and guitars and noise. Sounds at points like Kid A-era Radiohead, at others like a Morricone soundtrack, usually somewhere inbetween.
Wow, that I love, totally new name to me.
Thanks, double Wilson.
Excellent. Totally new name to me when it came out, too – must check out their other albums.
The flugelhorn is the trumpet’s deeper-toned brother. Hugh Masekela was the master.
Would argue that Chuck Mangione was the master – had several of his albums in 80’s and 90’s – not to detract from Masekala of course.
Regarding Mariachi check out Jenny and the Mexicats if there is anything on Youtube. Caught them at SXSW a couple of years ago and they were brilliant live.
Fareham’s much-missed The Dawn Chorus featured Paul Butler, a one-armed trumpet & keyboard player who really brought something to their indie/Americana sound. I could pick any number of their songs, but here’s the title track of their debut album, The Big Adventure:
Thanks for that, exactly the sort of thing I was searching for. Knowing it was coming I nearly spilt too soon in the anticipation. 7 posts and I have already made 2 purchases;-(
Which ones?
Latest Teeth of the Sea and first Dawn Chorus. I have some Masakela (and trumpet and/or flugelhorn is anyway exactly what I would expect to hear in South African jazz)
The second TDC, The Carnival Leaves Town, is also great, if a bit more Levellers-like. Currently available from Music Magpie for £1.98.
See also the incomplete third album at Name Your Price:
https://thedawnchorus.bandcamp.com/releases
And, yes, that’s me in the credits.
Nice to know that my banging on does not go to waste.
Don Cherry was the best maraschino trumpeter.
Bravo, that man!!