[Dixielandjazz] Question: what ever happened to taking "modern"songs and making them OKOM?

[Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis]

About Mack the Knife - It's from the Three Penny Opera and as I was told was 
banned in Germany by A. Hitler who didn't like it.  I'm not a fan of some of 
the newer arrangements that migrate around the circle of fifths but It 
should make a good and somewhat authentic Trad jazz tune.
Larry
St. Louis
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Stephen Heist" <steveheist at earthlink.net>
To: "DJML Dixieland Jazz" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 6:52 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Question: what ever happened to taking 
"modern"songs and making them OKOM?


> Hi to all,
> Just a question I've been meaning to ask for a long time....  and perhaps 
> a suggestion....
>
> Back in the late 60's and early 70's, all the trad bands used to take 
> "modern" tunes and turn them into trad tunes.
> For example, Mack the Knife, Hello Dolly, Washington Square, Those Were 
> The Days, and a host of others.
>
> But now, I've heard a LOT of "convertable tunes", but nobody seems to be 
> playing them in our style...  I'm just curious as to WHY?
>
> I know there are a LOT of good songs today and in recent past that would 
> "fit" into our style...  (Yes, you REALLY have to look for them... :-)
> For just a few examples,
>
> The musical, Chicago is LOADED with songs that could be done by a trad 
> band.  (Especially Razzle Dazzle 'Em)
> The song, One, from the musical, A Chorus Line, has great possibilities 
> and an incredible non-standard chord progression.
> The song by Randy Newman, I Love to See You Smile (Toy Story, I think) 
> another great tune.
> The singer/actor from Third Rock, John Lithgow, did a "children's album". 
> He does "From the Andes to the Indies in his Undies", "Cod Fish Ball". and 
> loads of others.  There's a terrific song called, "The Mommy Song"  Check 
> it out!
> This is just off the top of my head, I'm KNOW there are TONS more...
>
> Here's the suggestion, why don't we do two things:
>
> 1. If YOU hear a song that could possibly fit in OKOM style, let everyone 
> on this list know about it, (a great way to share info here), AND
>
> 2. If the musicians on the list TRY some of these songs, and find out 
> they're great and work well - again, fill us all in!!!  (Tell us how you 
> may have altered it, etc.)
>
> All the VERY Best,
> Steve Heist
>
> You can NOW visit my NEW website and check my schedule at:
> http://home.earthlink.net/~steveheist/
> Drop on by today!
> _______________________________________________
> Dixielandjazz mailing list
> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
>