Maybe it comes down to language.
I guess that, at this point, everyone has noticed that I'm not a native English-speaker. That should be taken into account sometimes. Maybe not so much in this case but in the KIND OF BLUE mention below.
Efren's dismissal of Dave's new work >as "clumsy", "unnatural" "so worn" and words like "he does" and "this is" undercut any implication that he's speaking about his own personal taste, and instead is making a pronouncement as if to Dave's current abilities as an artist. And his remarks make almost no reference to anything subjective, ie "this is not the DD record for me".
Until here I must agree that my appreciations may have sounded somewhat dogmatic, which wasn't my ultimate goal. So let's say that Douglas' application of electronic music in his new compositions APPEARS TO ME as something "clumsy" and the results I FOUND a bit "worn".
We get something a lot less objective from someone who I believe dismissed KIND OF BLUE, if I remember correctly. Not liking things is one thing. Dismissing them -- especially in such terms -- is another. If you're gonna not like something, fine. If you're gonna dismiss, do it better.
You don't remember correctly. What I said and keep on saying is that "Kind of Blue", like "Ascension", "Sgt. Peppers" or "Blonde on Blonde" will probably never have the same impact on a 20-something year-old guy than on older listeners. I think it's pretty obvious. That's the reason why I recommeded SY's "Dirty" instead of, say, "Evol" some days ago. Don't expect the new generations to go mad about "White Light/White Heat", because they're probably expecting a contemporary musical breakthrough. It's good to know where it all comes from, but looking back all the time is something I simply can't stand. Also, considering your long explanation and your arguments, I might be entitled to tell you: Who are you to tell me "do it better"? It's not the case. However, you seem to be setting rules of behaviour, and that I like less.
As for doing it better than Dave Douglas, good luck.
I never said such a thing, so please try to stick to my actual words to avoid misunderstandings (like the aforementioned "Kind of Blue" thing). Secondly, the phrase oozes some kind of fanatism which I usually never subscribe. Sooner or later, Douglas or some other hero of yours will release something that sounds like shit to you. Everyone is subject to criticism when they make their work public and they should be ready to read good and bad things about what they do. The argument they normally use about journalists being just assholes is tiresome and, again, worn. I suspect there are some who know what they're talking about.
I've heard very little on his general level of craft in the last decade, and the products of his commitment to creativity are wonderful to hear. His conceptual imagination is widely informed and deeply felt, and his execution is spotless. If you're smart, you don't speak dismissively of someone like that. You chalk it up to what he wants to play/write is different from what you're enjoying, and you move on
It's a possibility I won't argue but I insist I always try to get away from negative reviews. Best, Efrén del Valle n.p: Death Ambient "Synaesthesia" (Tzadik) ___________________________________________________ Yahoo! Messenger - Nueva versión GRATIS Super Webcam, voz, caritas animadas, y más... http://messenger.yahoo.es