Artist: Earl Bostic Album: Flamingo

Year: 2000
Duration: 0:0-1

Earl Bostic's Flamingo: A Critical Review

Earl Bostic, the American jazz saxophonist, was known for his great contributions to the music industry in the 50s and 60s. He has an impressive resume, with over 20 albums released throughout his career. One of his best-known albums is Flamingo. It was released in 1959 and was a great success both commercially and critically. In this blog post, we will review Flamingo in detail, discussing the artist's history, the music genre of the album, the best songs, the most innovative parts, and provide our critical opinion.

Earl Bostic was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1913. He started his career as a musician and arranger in the 1930s, and in the 1940s, he began to gain popularity with his big band music. Bostic's career reached its peak in the 1950s when he began to play the alto saxophone. He was a pioneer of the R&B genre and one of the first to take it into the mainstream. Bostic's innovative approach to music was what made him one of the greatest saxophonists in jazz.

Flamingo is an R&B album that combines jazz, blues, and soul. The album's 12 tracks showcase Bostic's saxophone skills and are a perfect example of his innovative approach to music. The album's title track, Flamingo, is one of the most famous songs on the album, with a beautiful melody and soft, gentle saxophone playing. Another standout track is Lover Come Back to Me, which is a great showcase of Bostic's virtuosity on the saxophone.

One of the most innovative aspects of Flamingo is Bostic's use of backup singers. He was one of the first to use singers in his music, which was later adopted by many other R&B and soul artists. The backup singers add depth and texture to the songs, making them more dynamic and exciting. Bostic's arrangement of the songs is also noteworthy. He was able to blend different genres seamlessly, creating a unique sound that was entirely his own.

As for criticism, some critics have pointed out that the album lacks a unified theme. They argue that the songs are disconnected and disjointed, making the album feel more like a collection of singles than a cohesive experience. However, this criticism falls flat when you consider how successful and influential this album has been.

In conclusion, Flamingo is a must-listen for any jazz or R&B fan. Earl Bostic's talent shines through in every song, and his innovative approach to music is on display. The album's blend of different genres and use of backup singers made it an influential work of its time. While there may be some criticisms, it's hard to deny that Flamingo is a classic and a testament to Bostic's greatness as an artist.