when it isn't downright fumbling?
The album was savaged by the press, especially Martin Williams:"When it isn't downright fumbling, most of Baker's playing on this record sounds like that of a man almost stalling until his solo time is up,"wrote the critic in Down Beat.

I can't understand "When it isn't downright fumbling".

Question

when it isn't downright fumbling?
The album was savaged by the press, especially Martin Williams:"When it isn't downright fumbling, most of Baker's playing on this record sounds like that of a man almost stalling until his solo time is up,"wrote the critic in Down Beat.

I can't understand "When it isn't downright fumbling".

Answer

Is this about Chet Baker? If so, then the instrument is trumpet or flugelhorn.
"downright fumbling": "downright" = complete, utter. "downright" is used to emphasize the "fumbling" = to grope clumsily; in this case it means groping at the keys/valves/buttons on the instrument, thereby producing notes that don't sound nice, at least so it seems to the writer.
Rephrased: "Most of Baker's playing on this record sounds like it is either clumsy groping at the keys or stalling for time."
You can listen to Chet Baker's music here: http://music.baidu.com/artist/6285?pst=sug

Answers · 1

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