[Dixielandjazz] Vic Dickenson

[JimDBB at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/8/2003 11:12:14 PM Central Standard Time, 
charliehooks at earthlink.net writes:

>  Well--excuse me!  I had no intention of desecrating a shrine!  I had not
> listened to all those recordings, had never played with Vic before (nor
> since), so that I--ignorant one--was forced to listen to what I actually
> heard on the day I played with him.  On that day, whatever way, for 
> whatever
> cause I've no idea and no curiosity--on that day, standing on my right hand
> side where I could not mistake nor can I disremember what I heard: the guy
> sounded like a garden hose with a semi-attached mouthpiece.
> 
>   I am willing to take all you guys' word for it: Vic Dickenson is/was the
> greatest trombone player who ever lived (I'll even forget Jack); but ON 
> THAT
> PARTICULAR FUkkIN DAY he sounded like a guy with a garden hose and a
> mouthpiece.  You guys weren't there.  I was.
> 
> so shut my mouf'
> Charlie

  Well, at least you own up to it.  You have desecrated a 'shrine.'

  I can understand that one might not care for Vic Dickenson's sound or style 
but his musicality cannot be denied.  For whatever it's worth, Charlie,  
Wally Cheske, a fine trumpet player in Milwaukee years back, made an 
observation similar to yours.  Wally said that Vic sounded like he was 
playing a rubber hose.

  BTW, in the list of great artists that Vic has recorded with I forgot to 
mention Bobby Hackett.  Bobby had a five piece group with Vic and three 
rhythm that was outstanding.  Another fine group was the Saints and Sinners 
that had Vic, Norm Murphy, a wonderful Chicago trumpet player, pianist Red 
Richards, Barrett Deems and others.  Murphy and Vic together were superb.

 Charlie, be careful now of whose shrine you tip over.

 Jim Beebe