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Posts Tagged ‘Kenny G’

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 34

by Dave Steed

I’d bet that most people right now would say “Welcome back” to all of you. But I’m not, because the false “Welcome back” is just a little pet peeve of mine. You didn’t really go anywhere — I did.

I’ve loudly stated my hatred for this phrase for many years now, like when I’m watching a live TV show and they come back from commercial and say “Welcome back.” You went somewhere, not me. I didn’t ask you to promote Always (with wings) or the 2009 Prius. I simply asked you to give me a live television show, but you had to go and interrupt it with commercials.

So, I can’t say “welcome back” in this case because it’s me that went dark for five weeks. I will, though, say “hi there,” or thank your office manager for letting your production slack off again as you spend time reading Bottom Feeders. So as I say thanks for letting me back into your brain once again, we start back up with the ass end of music in the ’80s.

For those of you joining me for the first time, each Wednesday we take a look at 20 or so “Bottom Feeders” – tracks from the Billboard Hot 100 chart that made it no higher than #41. And we’ll do it alphabetically by artist until we reach ZZ Top. We start 2009 off with the letter G.

Kenny G
“We’ve Saved the Best For Last” – 1989, #47 (download)

Well, we certainly didn’t “save the best” for the start of 2009, did we? Mr. Kenneth Gorelick (easy to see why he shortened this to “G” now, isn’t it?) starts us off with some jazzy R&B from his 1988 album Silhouette. The vocal stylings of Smokey Robinson actually save this song, which ends up being not exactly terrible. Sorry, “not exactly terrible” is the best compliment I can come up with for any Kenny G tune. Talk to me again when I’m 60 and we’ll see if I still say that. (more…)

Tags: Art Garfunkel, Bottom Feeders, Crystal Gayle, Dave Steed, David Gates, Gamma, Gap Band, Kenny G, Leif Garrett, Peter Gabriel, Siedah Garrett
Posted in Bottom Feeders, Music | Comments

Saturday, April 1st, 2006

The Popdose Guide to Kenny G

by Jeff Giles

It’s April at last, and spring is officially in the air. What better time to devote an entire Idiot’s Guide to my favorite jazz musician of all time, Kenny G?

You know, we talk about a lot of music here, and a lot of different opinions are expressed, but I just don’t think I’ve ever met anybody who didn’t love the music of Kenny G. It’s smooth, sophisticated, and relaxing — just the thing to listen to if you’re enjoying a Bartles & Jaymes or doing some light calisthenics. Or doing anything, really. There aren’t many artists you can say this about — particularly artists who have been recording for as long as Kenny G — but every song on every album is just full to the brim with talent. The guy can play, write, and — rumor has it — even sing a mean tune.

And let’s not forget the whole circular-breathing thing. That’s talent.

But anyway, let’s get down to business. You probably own most or all of these albums already, but why not take a fond look back?

Kenny G (1982)
purchase this album

Right from the eye-catching cover shot, featuring Kenny G’s winsome smile and flowing mane, this album draws the listener in. A brilliantly seamless collection of uptempo numbers and gorgeous ballads, Kenny G gave old fans everything they could have hoped for, while still managing to bring millions of new listeners into the fold.