This Train is perhaps best known as Rich Mullins' opening act for several of his final tours. Robertson also became a member of Mullins' A Ragamuffin Band. Following the "break up" of This Train, Robertson went on to becoming a founding member of The Legendary Shack Shakers, a punkabilly band based in Nashville. He also continues to produce Christian artists: specifically, a release by a man who lived through the accident that took Rich Mullins' life, Mitch McVicker.
Jazz
This Train Lyrics
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You know what this world could really use about now? Jazz. You're probably thinking "We already have jazz," but we don't have jazz, not real jazz, anyway. Don't be deceived by the false prophets of jazz: elevator jazz, doctor's office jazz, double-decaf skinny latte jazz, and, worst of all, jazz fusion. Simply owning a saxophone does not necessarily a jazz man make, my friend. Kenny G is not jazz, he is the anti-jazz. You may argue, "But his music is so relaxing." Since when was jazz supposed to be relaxing? We need to get back to real jazz, true jazz, 1967 Greenwich Village-type jazz: Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Roland Kirk, and don't forget the king of jazz, the Elvis, if you will, of jazz, Miles Davis. Was Miles here to soothe you, to relax you? No way man! Miles was here to challenge you, to expand your mind, man. And don't give me any of that "Miles played fusion" nonsense, Elvis went to Vegas, Miles went to fusion. The point is the bigger they are, the harder they fall, but Miles rose again from the ashes of fusion and back into the loving arms of jazz. And this is how we thank him?
[Background] Man, that was deep.
The spoken-word introduction to This Train's song "Jazz" is a commentary on the state of the jazz music genre. The singer laments the current state of jazz, claiming that what is currently being marketed and sold as jazz is not, in fact, true jazz. He argues that elevator music, doctor's office music, and other forms of jazz that are meant to be background music are not real jazz. He also calls out jazz fusion, stating that just because someone owns a saxophone, it does not necessarily make them a jazz musician. The singer emphasizes that jazz is not meant to be soothing or relaxing; it is meant to challenge and expand the mind.
The singer calls for a return to the true essence of jazz, citing examples of jazz legends such as Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Roland Kirk, and Miles Davis. He even goes so far as to compare Miles Davis to Elvis, stating that Miles was the king of jazz, meant to challenge and expand the minds of his listeners. The singer ends by questioning why Miles, and indeed jazz as a whole, is not more appreciated and honored.
Overall, the spoken-word introduction to "Jazz" is a call to action for listeners to re-evaluate what they consider to be jazz and what they want from the genre. It is a commentary on the current state of the music industry and a reminder of the power and importance of jazz music.
Line by Line Meaning
You know what this world could really use about now? Jazz.
The world needs real jazz, not elevator jazz, doctor's office jazz, double-decaf skinny latte jazz, jazz fusion, or any other false prophets of jazz.
You're probably thinking "We already have jazz," but we don't have jazz, not real jazz, anyway.
While people may claim jazz already exists, real jazz as it was in 1967 Greenwich Village is no longer around.
Don't be deceived by the false prophets of jazz: elevator jazz, doctor's office jazz, double-decaf skinny latte jazz, and, worst of all, jazz fusion.
One should avoid falling for and listening to fake or watered-down versions of jazz that exist today.
Simply owning a saxophone does not necessarily a jazz man make, my friend.
Playing jazz music requires more than just owning a saxophone.
Kenny G is not jazz, he is the anti-jazz.
Kenny G's music is not real jazz; in fact, it goes against what jazz should sound like.
You may argue, "But his music is so relaxing." Since when was jazz supposed to be relaxing?
While some may argue that Kenny G's music is relaxing, jazz is not supposed to be a relaxing genre.
We need to get back to real jazz, true jazz, 1967 Greenwich Village-type jazz: Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Roland Kirk, and don't forget the king of jazz, the Elvis, if you will, of jazz, Miles Davis.
To bring back true jazz, we should look to the jazz legends of 1967 Greenwich Village, such as Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Roland Kirk, and especially Miles Davis.
Was Miles here to soothe you, to relax you? No way man! Miles was here to challenge you, to expand your mind, man.
Miles Davis did not create music to relax people; instead, he wanted to challenge and expand their minds.
And don't give me any of that "Miles played fusion" nonsense, Elvis went to Vegas, Miles went to fusion.
Regardless of the fact that Miles Davis played fusion, he was still a true jazz artist.
The point is the bigger they are, the harder they fall, but Miles rose again from the ashes of fusion and back into the loving arms of jazz.
Although Miles Davis had periods of creating music that wasn't true to jazz, he eventually returned to the genre.
And this is how we thank him?
Despite all of Miles Davis's contributions to the genre of jazz, people nowadays do not seem to appreciate it as much as they should.
Contributed by Charlotte F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dooality
I'm a musician, and because of this bit, I always find myself yelling "HOT!" at the end of a good jam with people. It's not even conscious anymore. Damn it, Eric.
Tyler A Sweet
Bop boom boom bop boom… za dada DA
Gene Quist
Also a musician and I'm always like "One, two, three, ho!"
Sylvain Todd
I do the same thing, but I yell "Patti Smith!"
GetmeoutofSanFrancisco
Lol I literally do the same shit with my friends. Also, "I thought you were coming in on the eight, and you came in on the six!"
Johnny Luna
Larks Tongue. :)
Eric J
This might be the dumbest skit they've ever done and I die laughing every time.
Liam Cooper
if you think this is dumb, wait until you see the italian restaurant massage parlor
Al S
@DJ Kinney because real musicians would think thats funny
DJ Kinney
Simulation algorithm why is that funny?