# Did Kenny G respond to Pat Metheny? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 4, 2012, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746 "2012-03-04T20:58:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/81 "2012-03-13T03:15:45Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > To the extent your comments are more to support your “this is silly” bottom line, cool. But there are answers to your questions: > > - Pat Metheny has done more accessible stuff, but is a very sophisticated jazz musician. If you like jazz, a bit of research would show he has covered a lot of territory, some accessible, some more out there, some more Latin flavored, etc. > > - Kenny G does circular breathing - it is a physical feat that can be hard to master, but is a trick in the way he uses it. Mariah Carey can hit helium-high falsetto and melisma like a wobbly jello mold - and it’s basically a trick the way she uses it. Same with Yngwie Malmsteen and his shredding. Musician’s tend to refer to this technique-for-the-sake of flash as wanking. > > - Richard Thompson may play mostly in the folk world, but he is one of the most respected musicians and pure guitarists in the world today. Seriously, read his [Wiki entry for a sketch](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Thompson_(musician)). He flies under the radar - I assume because he has a prickly personality - but from an insider’s insider perspective, he’s like Peter Gabriel, Prince, Jeff Beck and a few others in terms of deep respect for his craft. His taking a shot at Kenny G, even a prickly-funny shot, is…not good. > > - Wonderful World - I think the feeling was that Kenny G was kinda hoping he could skirt this one past - I mean, hey, it’s a sentimental bullshit-little song that Louis sang to cash in when he was in that Philadelphia-story-based musical with Bing, Frank and Grace Kelly (the Country Girl?). Natalie Cole just did it with her dad’s tune - what’s the harm? As you can see from this thread, a lot of folks still feel this way. I see him as Ke$ha overdubbing onto Maria Callas. YMMV. You have to admit Kenny G has talent. It’s a question of how he applies that talent. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/82 "2012-03-13T03:32:25Z")
> [@GreenElf](#): > > You have to admit Kenny G has talent. It’s a question of how he applies that talent. You have to admit Snooki has talent, too, in that case. And Pia Zadora. And [Jonathon, that zombie kid who likes turtles](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y). And [Caitlin Upton](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y). Talent is just spewing out of all these people! ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/83 "2012-03-13T07:11:11Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > You have to admit Snooki has talent, too, in that case. And Pia Zadora. And [Jonathon, that zombie kid who likes turtles](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y). And [Caitlin Upton](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y). Talent is just spewing out of all these people! You put Kenny G in the same category as Justin Beiber, but I see him as more of a Liberace, someone with talent but not much taste. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/84 "2012-03-13T13:39:58Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > I think one basic musical truth is that a lot of people like simple music that’s familiar to them, and I think Kenny G understands that. And a lot of great musicians hate simple stuff that’s cliche. This. People appreciate songs that are “comfort food”. They like what they know. They like what they have memories associated with. And dancing is about feeling the music and moving with it. Simple rhythms are better for that. > [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > In bars with a live band, it was the women who would jump up and run out on the dance floor (sometimes dragging their men behind them) when the band played the kinds of songs you mentioned. Women are more likely to dance then men. _Real men_ don’t dance. They just watch hot ladies dance. That’s the attitude that many men have. And knowing a song, and being able to follow the rhythm and anticipate the music, and feeling emotionally connected to the song are all important things for dancing to music. Complicated songs that change beat patterns and rhythms constantly aren’t great for dancing. You have to know the song well to be able to anticipate, and much of dancing is carrying the rhythm forward. > [@gaffa](#): > > Estate, not family. The “Robert Johnson Estate” money does not go to members of Johnson family. It’s a legal fiction. I think you missed the joke. **AnalogSignal** ’s comment was a joke on the line that referred to Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole. > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Imagine if it had been like this: > Pressure (aw yeah!) pushing down on me (like a stone!) > Pressing down on you (feel that yo) no man ask for (not me nuh uh) > Under pressure (Under pressure fo shor) - that burns a building down (the roof the roof the roof is on fire!) > Splits a family in two (whoa no!) > Puts people on streets (on streets yo!) > It’s the terror of knowing (I’m showin’!) > What this world is about (get it goin’!) > Watching some good friends (my homies yo!) > Screaming let me out (somebody! everybody! make some noiiiiiise!) > Pray tomorrow (pray today!) - gets me higher ('cause I’m smoking that J) That’s awesome! No, I wouldn’t like that as an actual song, but good job. > [@GreenElf](#): > > You put Kenny G in the same category as Justin Beiber, but I see him as more of a Liberace, someone with talent but not much taste. I would say that description applies to Justin Beiber as well. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/85 "2012-03-13T14:25:44Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > If Ke$ha overdubbed her vocals over a Maria Callas aria, someone like Placido Domingo would probably feel justified in reacting like Metheny did. Just a guess. People don’t want to acknowledge this statement, but to me, this cuts to the heart of the matter, and I believe justifies Metheny’s outrage. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/86 "2012-03-13T14:38:00Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > People don’t want to acknowledge this statement, but to me, this cuts to the heart of the matter, and I believe justifies Metheny’s outrage. I want to acknowledge your acknowledgement. 😉 Thanks, and yeah, to me that is the musician/artist perspective here. \*\*GreenElf \*\*- Kenny G is an accomplished sax player, sure. I didn’t comment on the “does he really play sharp?” question upthread because I don’t play reeds (is \*\*Beware of Doug \*\*hanging in this thread at all?). I think the situation is that he doesn’t regulate his notes and at his peak breathing, some of his notes blow sharp. That would be an example of nitpick to the craft of this playing. And I agree with your comparison to \*\*Liberace \*\*- i.e., technique + no taste. I haven’t listened hard to Liberace (for some reason) but IIRC he was considered a truly excellent pianist. I would argue that Kenny G is a very good sax player, with a limited melodic range and predictable phrasing who knows how to sell to an audience. ---
**Author:** ![Musky\_Moon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90db22/32.png) [@Musky\_Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musky_Moon)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/87 "2012-03-13T14:51:09Z")
Maybe it’s just me, but I’m surprised the song in question has created such outrage. I’ve always found “What a Wonderful World” to be a heaping pile of shit anyway. The song itself was unworthy of Armstrong, so it doesn’t bother me that Kenny G decided to put his stamp on it. Besides, people have been covering, rearranging and tampering with it for ages. Most times for the better (ala Joey Ramone or Israel Kamakawiwo’ole). I mean it’s not like he dubbed himself over Billie Holiday singing “Strange Fruit” or something to that effect. The way I see it is we have a lightweight fluff musician dubbing over a lightweight song. Perhaps Metheny should have saved his outrage for something a little more offensive. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/88 "2012-03-13T17:38:36Z")
Covering and rearranging is not the same as “singing over”/“playing over” the original. Just wait for my version Betthoven’s 5th when I take the 1984 von Karajan conducted version and add a C chord during the final chorus. I’ll be hailed as a piano genius. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/89 "2012-03-13T17:53:40Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > Covering and rearranging is not the same as “singing over”/“playing over” the original. That’s been pointed out several times - it is clearly a point of knowledge that leads to going with: [ul] [li]\*\*Team Metheny \*\*(Kenny G is a douchey, slimey sellout who is playing over someone else’s work)[/li] - Or - [li] **Team G** (Metheny is a bitter twit who wishes he had the foresight to record over a twee chestnut like that - and recording over someone else’s work is an artist’s/record company’s perogative)[/li][/ul] I can totally see Tyler Lautner putting on a Muppet wig to play Kenny G, and Pattinson putting on a blunt-cut mop of “serious artist hair” to play Metheny… ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/90 "2012-03-13T18:01:55Z")
I guess I don’t see the outgrage and therefore think it is just sour grapes because: 1. Armstrong’s version still exists. 2. No one has to listen to Kenny G playing over it 3. Unless Kenny G has publicly stated that he did this because he thinks he has equivalent talent to Armstrong, the “not worthy” comments are BS projection. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/91 "2012-03-13T22:02:34Z")
Yeah, I mean, even if you think you’re only an average to good player, if you’re going to overdub someone, are you going with someone else of average ability, or are you going with the best? ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/92 "2012-03-13T23:39:22Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > People don’t want to acknowledge this statement, but to me, this cuts to the heart of the matter, and I believe justifies Metheny’s outrage. I can’t come up with an great analogy because I’m not hep on mediocre contemporary popular musicans, but… If, say, Bryan Adams wants to overdub a duet with John Lennon on Across the Universe or Julia or Tomorrow Never Knows, then fuck the little blond Canadian twit. OTOH if Bryan Adams wants to overdub a duet with John Lennon on Happy Christmas (War is Over)… ehh, who cares. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/93 "2012-03-13T23:55:43Z")
> [@Musky\_Moon](#): > > Maybe it’s just me, but I’m surprised the song in question has created such outrage. I’ve always found “What a Wonderful World” to be a heaping pile of shit anyway. The song itself was unworthy of Armstrong, so it doesn’t bother me that Kenny G decided to put his stamp on it. Besides, people have been covering, rearranging and tampering with it for ages. Most times for the better (ala Joey Ramone or Israel Kamakawiwo’ole). I mean it’s not like he dubbed himself over Billie Holiday singing “Strange Fruit” or something to that effect. > > The way I see it is we have a lightweight fluff musician dubbing over a lightweight song. Perhaps Metheny should have saved his outrage for something a little more offensive. People like making fun of Kenny G, and this gives them the opportunity to do so. I’m disappointed that Richard Thompson piled on, he doesn’t really need to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/94 "2012-03-14T00:57:56Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > People don’t want to acknowledge this statement, but to me, this cuts to the heart of the matter, and I believe justifies Metheny’s outrage. And I don’t see why Placido should care. The originals are still there to be enjoyed. And discouraging people from doing this sort of thing might stop from creating a work like Danger Mouse’s Grey Album. ---
**Author:** ![Not\_From\_Here](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/2acd7d/32.png) [@Not\_From\_Here](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_From_Here)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746/95 "2012-03-14T02:09:47Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > If Ke$ha overdubbed her vocals over a Maria Callas aria, someone like Placido Domingo would probably feel justified in reacting like Metheny did. Just a guess. I have to admit that i would love to listen to that!😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kenny-g-respond-to-pat-metheny/614746.md?page=4)