[Dixielandjazz] Obscure Songs - What the Audience relates to, or not.

[dwlit at cpcug.org]

A couple of folks have send me AJB's "Giant steps". Sounds like it might
be a worthy tune, but as far as I know I've never heard the original.
Gotta listen a few more times...

--Sheik

> In my reply to David, I forgot to mention that wonderful French band -
> The Anachronic Jazz Band - that played tw-beat arrangements of tunes
> by Charlie Parker, Monk, and even, if I am not mistaken - Ornette
> Coleman (Gary can tell us more about it, having been a member).
> cheers
>
> On 17/05/07, Steve Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> IMO, Jeannie Brei's point is well taken. As are David Dustin's and Marke
>> Boym's.
>>
>> The general audience, to which David plays (me too) wants to hear some
>> familiar songs. So by all means play "That's A Plenty", "Hello Dolly",
>> "Muskrat Ramble" (sometimes audience identified as "1,2,3, What are We
>> Fighting For" by Country Joe and The Fish) and the rest.
>>
>> So we play "Two Deuces", or "Hesitation Blues" etc., as well. They are
>> great
>> songs, and have the feel and audience appreciation because of their easy
>> to
>> follow melodic lines. They can be easily hummed by the average audience
>> member whether or not they are familiar.
>>
>> Like Jeannie, we mix our sets, typically eight songs. Six are familiar
>> to
>> the audience and 2 may not be. The common thread is simply that they
>> swing,
>> have easy to follow melody, and are played with energy.
>>
>> Plus, we expand the Dixieland repertoire to more current songs. For
>> example,
>> Beatles tunes are fair game, as are tunes like "St Thomas" by Sonny
>> Rollins,
>> or "Sister Sadie" by Horace Silver, or "Blue Monk" by Monk. Dixieland
>> prospered in the 20s-30s because current pop/dance, as well as "jazz"
>> tunes
>> were adapted to the style. Why should that be any different today?
>>
>> Depending upon the audience, even a tune like "At Last" makes a greatly
>> appreciated number when played in a funky, bluesy, Dixieland style.
>>
>> There are thousands of songs out there that can be, and/or are played in
>> Dixieland style. Shoot, Tex Wyndham's song book, used by his bands has
>> at
>> least 1500. Some amay suck, but most are fun to play and fun to hear.
>>
>> Marek, many bands have nothing to add to the war-horses, however just as
>> many do bring something new to the party. Depends upon whether or not
>> they
>> have their noses stuck in the charts, or whether they truly know how to
>> improvise, individually and collectively. Perhaps most festival bands
>> these
>> days are seeking to emulate past masters and sticking to the charts.
>> They
>> have their audience. Others are free wheeling improvisers and they too
>> have
>> their audience. Seek out the latter for a new look at old tunes.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Steve Barbone
>>
>>
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