VOA常速英语2008年-Maceo Parker Revisits 'Roots & Grooves'

By Doug Levine
Washington
17 March 2008

Saxophonist and vocalist Maceo Parker was only 22 years old when soul legend James Brown asked him to join his band. Parker played on some of Brown's most-notable recordings¹ before embarking² on a successful solo career in the 1970s. As VOA's Doug Levine reports, Parker revisits his musical roots with a tribute to another R&B icon³, Ray Charles.

Long before his whirlwind tenure⁴ with "The Godfather of Soul" James Brown, Maceo Parker spent hours listening to Ray Charles' records. Parker explains how Ray's music changed his life.

"I had a concept that if Ray Charles recorded it I had to get it," he said. "I didn't care what it was - every, every, everything. And, from just listening to him all the time and being into him [a fan], and going to his concerts, I just really got into his style."

Parker shared his passion with his brother Melvin, a drummer who also worked with James Brown. He says their mutual⁵ appreciation⁶ for Ray Charles led to them becoming avid⁷ fans of all types of music.

"That was our thing. We tried to hear everything - every, every, everything," Parker said. "So that's what we did. We set out to try to get as much of a [record] collection as we possibly could."

Maceo Parker's new double-CD Roots And Grooves⁸, featuring the WDR Big Band, was recorded live during a 2007 European tour. One disc honors Ray Charles, while the other features Parker's signature soul and funk tunes⁹.

Parker says that after more than four decades of performing for audiences the world over, nothing compares to playing live.

"That's the beauty of performing and music," he said. "It's always touching¹⁰ somebody. That's what you always want to do. You always want to give somebody a smile, you know, to make them feel better than they felt."

Parker will crisscross the U.S. on his current tour, before leaving for concerts in Australia, New Zealand and the U.K.

1 recordings   

n.记录( recording的名词复数 )；录音；录像；唱片

参考例句：

• a boxed set of original recordings 一套盒装原声录音带
• old jazz recordings reissued on CD 以激光唱片重新发行的老爵士乐

2 embarking   

乘船( embark的现在分词 )； 装载； 从事

参考例句：

• He's embarking on a new career as a writer. 他即将开始新的职业生涯——当一名作家。
• The campaign on which were embarking was backed up by such intricate and detailed maintenance arrangemets. 我们实施的战争，须要如此复杂及详细的维护准备。

3 icon   

n.偶像，崇拜的对象，画像

参考例句：

• They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
• Click on this icon to align or justify text.点击这个图标使文本排齐。

4 tenure   

n.终身职位；任期；(土地)保有权，保有期

参考例句：

• He remained popular throughout his tenure of the office of mayor.他在担任市长的整个任期内都深得民心。
• Land tenure is a leading political issue in many parts of the world.土地的保有权在世界很多地区是主要的政治问题。

5 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

6 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

7 avid   

adj.热心的；贪婪的；渴望的；劲头十足的

参考例句：

• He is rich,but he is still avid of more money.他很富有,但他还想贪图更多的钱。
• She was avid for praise from her coach.那女孩渴望得到教练的称赞。

8 grooves   

n.沟( groove的名词复数 )；槽；老一套；（某种）音乐节奏v.沟( groove的第三人称单数 )；槽；老一套；（某种）音乐节奏

参考例句：

• Wheels leave grooves in a dirt road. 车轮在泥路上留下了凹痕。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Sliding doors move in grooves. 滑动门在槽沟中移动。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

9 tunes   

n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• a potpourri of tunes 乐曲集锦
• When things get a bit too much, she simply tunes out temporarily. 碰到事情太棘手时，她干脆暂时撒手不管。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。