Toots Thielemans

[Scotty]

I've earlier given my reason for liking the 'like' button. It has zero to do with 'scoring' likes, but everything to do
with letting someone know that their post resonated with me, even if I was unable at that time to respond. That's
all. (I do write lengthy responses and posts--mea culpa), but at other times my severe hand arthritis doesn't allow
so I've been purely frustrated and could only then ignore someone's post ofttimes. THIS gives me the opportunity
to let the writer know that someone in SlideMeister World did enjoy or appreciate their thoughts. This is especially
important for new people to our forum, I believe - who might otherwise leave, thinking they don't fit or aren't
welcome.
scotty

For what it's worth, I fully agree with Scotty on this "like button" discussion.  It's not a popularity contest!  Just a way to let folks know, "I hear you, and what you said had value to me."

Thank you. Appreciated.
scotty

[Scotty]

Scotty, Thank you for posting Emmanuel by Toots. 
That just stops me in my tracks every time I hear it.
Purely Amazingly Mesmerizing...
We've attended 8 funerals of good friends in the
past 9 weeks and this just tore me down.

Ed: I'm so glad you have the same reaction as me. I can hear it over and over and each time the tears leak--I have no
control over my reaction to the beauty and pathos of this piece.  Wouldn't it be lovely to be able to play it as Toots does - at the funerals of good friends? I'm so sorry you've lost so many recently. :'(

I'd wish someone really skilled could play it at mine!

scotty

[Gautam]

I know that I have the LP of George Shearing Quintet with Toots as the guitarist but I can's locate it. However I did find it in YT !
It has a rare track by Toots playing harmonica introduced by George Shearing.
Enjoy Toots playing "Caravan"...

[wolfman]

Very nice.Thanks for posting that.

  Roman

[SlideMeister]

Yep! Dat's da man! Looks like him on the top right with the guitar.

[Gautam]

I was enquiring about Toots recording of "My Yddishe momma". Several members sent me links to find the track and after subscribing to Usenet I finally managed to get that elusive track !
The membership of Usenet also helped me to access the full discography of Toots and guess what ! I have managed to download the full discography now ! Then I discovered I have some more recordings of Toots which are not in that "complete" discography.
As you all know Toots started his career as a guitarist with George Shearing quintet and in one of their live performances George Shearing introduces Toots as Jon Tillman their guitarist playing harmonica ! The year was most probably 1958 or thereabouts.
I do have that LP but I also found it in YT ! So, enjoy Toots playing "Caravan" with George Shearing Quintet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yPRPPO03OY

[SlideMeister]

Here's a little whippie I wrote about the Tootster just after we lost him.
https://www.SlideMeister.com/toots.html

[Scotty]

Yeah....I love that, Age. Well said, well thought out - and right on the money about originality and talent.

He was such a class act - and a master. I came to the knowledge of his playing late in the game and am still
catching up.  Still sorry we lost him. but listening to his stunning playing of Emmanuel every day softens the
blow just a wee bit. What a gift he was.

scotty

[Gautam]

Gautum, do you have a commercial recording of Toots playing his own composition 'Latin Quarter'? The best I've come up with from my internet research is a photo of the cover of the sheet music but nothing to indicate that he ever made an actual recording of it. There are some YouTube videos of others playing it, but none of Toots.

Hi LH,

Are you by any chance also looking for the sheet music of Latin Quarter? (Note that not all can of us can send personal messages). I would be happy to help you with that.

Thanks. I've just sent you an e-mail.

[Gautam]

Here is the 78rpm recording of Latin Quarter by Toots and also his live performance in London in 22 Sept 1964

My sincere apologies for the delay in posting these tracks.

[The Lone Harper]

Here is the 78rpm recording of Latin Quarter by Toots and also his live performance in London in 22 Sept 1964

My sincere apologies for the delay in posting these tracks.

A very sincere thank you for this. It's not an exaggeration to say that these tracks are pretty much impossible to access without your help.

[Gautam]

I am glad to know that you finally received Latin Quarter.
I also have several other quite rare recordings of Toots, all from 78rpm records.
If you are interested I can send them to you.

Gautam

[Scotty]

I listened to the first one - and to be absolutely honest, I would not have recognized Toots' playing from it. Haven't
listened to the second, yet. I admit to not remotely being an expert or aficionado of all of his music and playing but
have heard (and loved) lots, so is it me?

scotty

[harp_unstrung]

I listened to the first one - and to be absolutely honest, I would not have recognized Toots' playing from it. Haven't
listened to the second, yet. I admit to not remotely being an expert or aficionado of all of his music and playing but
have heard (and loved) lots, so is it me?

scotty

I also had no idea he had those kinds of classical chops - makes perfect sense, though ...

[Scotty]

I listened to the first one - and to be absolutely honest, I would not have recognized Toots' playing from it. Haven't
listened to the second, yet. I admit to not remotely being an expert or aficionado of all of his music and playing but
have heard (and loved) lots, so is it me?

scotty

I also had no idea he had those kinds of classical chops - makes perfect sense, though ...

Sorry, for some weird reason I missed this response of yours. I didn't really mean his 'classical chops' when I mentioned not
recognizing the playing as Toots. It's more the style of playing and - oh, so much more. I'd have been more inclined to accept
the player was Larry Adler (or one of those who emulated him) than Toots, for that matter! It simply doesn't sound like Toots to my ears. Is it just me, or does anyone else hear what I hear? (I admit to having weird hearing, lol).

scotty

[Gnarly He Man]

It’s the tune.
He sounds more “Toots like” on the live recording, but the piece requires a certain approach.

[Scotty]

It’s the tune.
He sounds more “Toots like” on the live recording, but the piece requires a certain approach.

Thanks, Gary!

So, we're sure it IS Toots and not someone else? (You know how people will post something on Youtube as if they're
a particular artist--to get clicks and it's only after you begin listening it becomes obvious it isn't the artist you thought
but someone else playing their tune - was that kind of thing done back then?)

scotty

[Gnarly He Man]

The announcer mentions Toots by name on the live recording, and it is similar enough to the first recording.

[Scotty]

The announcer mentions Toots by name on the live recording, and it is similar enough to the first recording.

I guess that's pretty much definitive! Thanks, Gary.

scotty

[SlideMeister]

Goto Pandora (get a free account) and grab the Toots channel. Waaaaay kewl!