hey, cats

[darren_stranger]

Okay, here's one where i really parade my ignorance, but i gotta settle this once and for all.

What is the proper name for that jazzy, slinky style of music that always goes with those old gangster / detective shows?  You know, lots of double bass, snare and high hat.  Brass optional.  I don't know if jazz is the right word - it seems a bit subdued for that tag.  Swing i'm sure it ain't.   Well, kinda sure.

I can't even think of proper examples for it.  Maybe the Peter Gunn theme?  Or even Get Smart?  (Dragnet keeps coming to mind too, but i can't actually remember it so i can't say).  I can name contemporary alternarock knock-offs of the style though - think The Cure's 'Subway Song', or the Cramps' take on 'Fever', even Electric Hellfire Club's 'Bitchcraft'.  Or the second half of Lydia Lunch's 'Queen of Siam' record, for a more big-banded example.   (I was going to add the Oogie Boogie song from Nightmare Before Christmas, but i think that's further into the swing camp).

So, any ideas?

Comments

[hasimir.livejournal.com]

No idea, but I could invent a couple of names, like Dark Jazz or Rhythm & Shadow.

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Snare'n'bass?

[hasimir.livejournal.com]

Nice, but I really like the Jazz Noir which slowlight mentioned below. I recommend you check out Barry Adamson's work, particularly Moss Side Story.

[hbdeath.livejournal.com]

I think jazz actually is an adequate description, cos that's basically what that sort of music is. Probably more bop than swing, though.

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Hmmm - seems its more expansive a term than i thought.

[hbdeath.livejournal.com]

Jazz encompasses a greater multitude of sins than Ken Burns would have us believe.

[horngirl.livejournal.com]

Ok, if you have some time to kill (and a broadband connection would probably help), try going here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz

I'd suggest looking at the Bebop section, around there. There's a few subgenres like Hard Bop you might want to look at. The individual entries have example files you can download and listen to. I'd do it here and test for you except I'm not on my own computer and the music files are .ogg which there's no player for on this PC.

If you also don't have a player, download Foobar 2000 that'll play anything: http://www.foobar2000.org/

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Thanks, i'll have a nose about.

[slowlight.livejournal.com]

...jazz noir?

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Works for me.

[slowlight.livejournal.com]

I love the theme from 'Get Smart'.

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Watching Get Smart the other day is actually what started this train of thought (though i have wondered about it before).

[reddragdiva]

Spy music.

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

*nods*

[nictoupee.livejournal.com]

if you take the smokier spookier end of it: Badalamenti and such, I believe the genre is Horror Jazz.

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Horror jazz? Well, i've heard of 'deathjazz' before, so why not?

[morgan303.livejournal.com]

The name I've heard for the music closest to what you describe is Bebop. As in Cowboy. The series took its name from the style of music Yoko Kanno wrapped around it, which is very much that style of "Spy Music".:)

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Cool. Helps to know a name for it if i want to investigate it more in the future.

[blackjewls.livejournal.com]

Have a look at this link too, scroll down
Jazz Styles (http://oror.essortment.com/jazztypesmusic_remi.htm)

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Seems 'jazz' covers a wider range than i'd thought.