[Dixielandjazz] LA Times Review of Woody Allen

[Dan Augustine]

DJML--
     For the record, here's what Steve left out (below), saying that 
the reviewer was only 'complaining' about Woody's 'tone'.

         "In the first few numbers, it was difficult to tell whether 
he was having
      reed problems, embouchure difficulties or simply taking a while 
to warm up.
      The sound of the clarinet is generated by a single reed mouthpiece, and
      both the relative stiffness of the reed and the flexibility of 
the player's
      mouth control can have a striking effect upon that sound.
          "The notes emanating from Allen's instrument suggested the kazoo-like
      characteristic often associated with a soft reed or an out-of-practice
      embouchure. In some phrases, the lack of sustained sound produced vibrato
      that was little more than a series of staccato notes. His bottom notes, in
      the clarinet's low register, had the sort of flabby, sharp-edged tone
      produced by young players in their first attempts at mastering 
the instrument."

     Dan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2006 23:33:49 -0500
>From: Steve Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
>To: DJML <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
>Subject: [Dixielandjazz] LA Times Review of Woody Allen
>
>Here is a snip from the LA Times review in case you are not registered with
>them. After complaining about his tone, this is what the reviewer said.
>
>On the other hand Judie, you said Woody Allen "Stank". BIG DIFFERENCE.
>
>Cheers,
>Steve
>
>
>Allen has demonstrated an impressive familiarity with the New Orleans style
>of clarinet that traces back to masters such as Sidney Bechet, Johnny Dodds
>and Buster Bailey. Although he has tended to view himself as a dedicated
>amateur, his talent and his long-term emergence in the music, combined with
>the opportunity to interact with excellent players, have produced some
>first-rate performances. His work in the concerts represented in the 1998
>documentary "Wild Man Blues" clearly affirms that Allen is much more than a
>musical hobbyist.
>
>And the odd part of his appearance at Royce was that - despite the sometimes
>squawky quality of his tone - the musical content of what he played was
>generally well-done. Although repeated passages in his solos tended to imply
>memorization rather than improvisation or, perhaps, a limited vocabulary of
>phrases and riffs, Allen played with an enthusiastic sense of swing and a
>convincing compatibility with New Orleans style. But he needs to give some
>serious consideration to what's going on with his sound - either via his
>chops or his reeds.

-- 
**--------------------------------------------------------------------**
**  Dan Augustine  --  Austin, Texas  --  ds.augustine at mail.utexas.edu
**    "Christmas, n. A day set apart and consecrated to gluttony,    
**     drunkenness, maudlin sentiment, gift-taking, public dullness  
**     and domestic behavior." -- Ambrose Bierce                     
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