[Dixielandjazz] Mickey Mouse and Cartoon Music

[Gary Kiser]

Robert S. Ringwald wrote:
> In the States, to call music Mickey Mouse, is a put down.  It means very
> simple, corny music as played by some of the dance bands of the 30s and 40s.
>
> In my opinion, calling great Jazz "Cartoon music" is an equal put down.
>   
The kind of pissing match going on right now is why I leave the DJML 
from time to time.  Jeez, and you guys aren't even interesting in your 
put downs.  Go to YouTube and watch an Ann Coulter or Al Franken clip, 
then read the comments beneath.  Now there we are talking some serious 
(but, utterly useless and brainless) insults.

My father used 'Mickey Mouse' as a verb.  "The garage door broke, but I 
Mickey Moused it open."  This implied a quick fix, or a not-serious 
repair.  Yes, with all due respect to Mr. Disney, 'Mickey Mouse,' when 
used as an adjective, has evolved into something unflattering.  Yet, 
when applied to music, other ambiguities arise for me.  For one, the 
term 'cartoon music' nowadays conveys a sense of 'rinky tink' or 
simplistic in nature.  Yet, for me, the cartoon music that I hear when 
Bugs is smashing Yosemite Sam's head with an anchor or Daffy is tricking 
Elmer to shoot himself in the head, is quite rich and complex.

To further Bob's statement using this idiomatic vernacular, I'd say to 
call cartoon music 'cartoon music' is also a put down.  I spent many an 
afternoon in Rosy McHargue's living room.  On one visit, I played him 
the "Carl Stalling Project: Music from Warner Bros. Cartoons, 
1936-1958."  He was enthralled.  I quote him; "This is the proof that 
the best fucking musicians never played on stage."

So, what does this have to do with the current spat between 
understandably incomprehensible differences in opinions and tastes?  
Nothing really.  But, the rift does remind me of a recurring question 
Judy Carmichael asks her guests on NPR's 'Jazz Profiles.'  For the life 
of me I can't understand why she asks her guests if Mel Tormé or Tony 
Bennett are jazz singers.  I don't care a huss where Judy (or anyone) 
would put Mel's or Tony's CDs in the record shop, I would find them, buy 
them and listen to them.

I wish you all the very best whether it is jazz or otherwise as long as 
you get your rocks off to it, Gary


Gary Kiser
www.sacapulses.com
www.mojobrassband.com