[Dixielandjazz] Taste in Jazz - Was Reinhart CD

[Steve Barbone]

Gary Kiser <gary at kiser.org> wrote (polite snip)
 
> Steve et al,
> 
> I'm glad you used the word 'some' before the words 'Americans' and
> 'Europeans' in you comments.  Alas, I still feel a hint of
> generalizing. . .  snip to
> 
> Now, in the States, there is a HUGE division between what I used to call
> the 'band fans' and the 'all-star fans.'  At the LA Classic, this rift
> was often very hot in meetings.  Members have even stomped out of
> meetings.  At many of the larger festival, where there are both 'bands'
> and 'all-star groups,' I have noticed that many in the audience for one
> style won't go near the other. . . . snip to
 

> As for europe, I see the same thing.  Tastes, or better, differences in
> tastes are pretty much the same.

I think you nailed it shut. I was trying hard not to generalize.  Fan tastes
whether in the USA or Europe vary considerably. And why not? There are so
many different styles of OKOM (much less generic jazz) that I guess many, if
not most folks (trying not to generalize again) are going to choose one or
two styles over the other. The way I hear it, there are at least 10
different Dixieland styles these days.

That really sparked an earlier beef about critics, which was reinforced by
the critical review of Reinhart's CD that Cees posted by way of example. I
think that reviewer is not a fan of Chicago style and so becomes critical of
the overall sound, while ignoring the musicality of the soloists and their
swinging presentation. I think  many critics do this. They review from their
own "tastes" rather than whether the CD is a good example of the style in
which the band plays.

E.G. Like Cees, my favorite style is described as Chicago, and/or New York,
and or Chicago/New York/Kansas City Dixieland. The sound typified by bands
at Condon's, Nick's and by Conrad Janis' Band in the 50s. The Reinhart CD is
pretty close to that sound in feel.

If a critic neither likes, nor understands the style, he/she might be very
careful to explain in the review, his/her personal concerns. IMO it is not
enough to just review something without explaining where you are coming
from. Kind of like listening to Charlie Parker and trying to emulate him, or
critique him without listening to, or knowing about those classical
composers/musicians who influenced him. Such as Paul Hindemith. Bird was
paying tribute to Hindemith et al, before bebop became popular.

Same goes for music fans. You either like it or you don't. Fine. But to
condemn a piece of music as if one is speaking for everybody else is
presumptuous.

Several years ago, the Gota River Jazzmen send me a CD of American and
Swedish Hymns done in authentic New Orleans Style. Not my favorite style,
however musically the CD was SUPERB. And for folks who like that style, it
is a MUST have, while for the rest of us, a might have if we are broadly
interested in Dixieland Music. I still listen to it when the mood strikes
and recommend it highly.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone