[Dixielandjazz] Coney Island Washboard

[richard88jazz at att.net]

Bob Ringwald:

1.  While I don't have the original sheet music for "Coney Island Washboard", I do have two different progressions for measures 25 and 26.  Andersen has Eb7/Eb7 for key of G (E7/E7 for key of Ab).  The other one is C/Eb7 for key of G (Db/E7 for key of Ab).  I'm with you - the second one sounds better.  I think Turk used that one.  I also think that G is the original key for the song.  I guess if it sounds good, go with it, as long as the whole band goes along!!
2.  On "High Society", I'm going to stay out of the 'obligato' discussion - piano players' opinions don't count for much when it comes to horns/reeds.  What I WILL offer to the discussion is that, in my experience, most clarinet players only know parts of the Picou 'obligato' and then usually fake their way thru the rest, sometimes well, but more often, not!!  Since it has become a part of the song played by every jazz band I've ever heard, the clarinetist should really play it correctly, in my opinion.  For anyone interested, I have the clarinet solo (obligato??) written out from an old Norrie Paramour arrangement and would make it available.  Steve Barbone: Do you need it?

Thanks for listening - hope it helps out there!!

Rich Skrika
Albany, NY
richard88jazz at att.net