First thing’s first: thank God for the Muppets. I mean that less in a religious sort of way and more as a way of acknowledging that if it weren’t for the Muppets, I might have spent my spare time watching The Facts of Life or Silver Spoons. Or the news. Anyway, the Muppets rocked for a bunch of reasons, not the least of which is the seemingly endless cast of uber-hip musicians appearing on the show.

Ok, so go with me on this, since it a bit multi-layered. Today, my friend Pat Donaher posted something about the Muppets on his blog visionsong. His post was about a piece published by The Phoenix about the 20 best Muppets moments.

So back to the Muppets. Yes, as Pat says, the Buddy Rich/Animal moment is “already legendary,” and really that’s an understatement. But who remembers Dizzy Gillespie on The Muppets (number 14)?

[flash http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIvCJC8oAIE]

I think Dizzy should have ranked much higher. He’s way better than Elton John, even though the only time Crocodile Rock could ever be good is on the Muppets. And he definitely should have been above Florence Henderson, not just because he never shilled for a cooking oil, but also because he is a better singer AND a better dancer.

The Dizzy clip is also great because this version of St. Louis Blues is pretty disco, and therefore undermines all definitions of jazz that revolve around “swing” as the omnipotent groove. Note, too, the riff at the end. Even though it’s not Manteca, it sure has a Manteca feel to it, especially the version on The Giant (which I only have on LP – Prestige two-record set – P24047).

Thanks Jim Henson. Thanks Muppets. And thanks Dizzy.

Rick McLaughlin