[Dixielandjazz] Fwd: Humph

[Marek Boym]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Marek Boym <marekboym at gmail.com>
Date: 07-Sep-2007 01:17
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Humph
To: pat ladd <pj.ladd at btinternet.com>


Hello Pat,
humph switched to waht is called "mainstream" in Britain and "swing"
in the States in the 1950's!  I have some beautiful swing records by
his band.
Then, in the early to mid-60's he had waht, to my ears, sounded bland
"cool" modern band, with Tony Coe and another saxophone palyer.  I
heard taht band in 1964, and it was one of the greatest
disappointments of my life!
But later he became "penitent" and returned to swing, with Bruce
Turner (the "dirty bopper" of Manchester), Kathy Stobart, and various
other excellent musicians.  I heard Humph live again in 1976, and it
was great (but not dixieland), and on a few later occasions.
Recently I bought an LP (second hand), with music ranging from the
sublime (the best version of "Happy Go Lucky Local" I've ever heard,
and I've heard a few by the Duke) to ridiculous "fusion" (again, to my
ears, but I am, after all, a rather mouldy fig).
Cheers

On 06/09/07, pat ladd <pj.ladd at btinternet.com> wrote:
> Hi Bob,
> Some time ago you asked me to pass on your new CD to Humphrey Lyttlelton.
>
> I met him at a concert on Saturday, gave him your CD and reminded him that you had given him a CD of your old band when you visited the UK way back. Humph, born 1921, astounded me by not only remembereing the occasion, and you,  but also recalled that it was at the Bull at Barnes. An incredible memory. I eight years younger can`t remember what I had for breakfast this morning.
>
> I bought Humphs latest CD which he has inscribed `To Bob, I remember you at the Bulls Head, London when you gave me the favourite album in my collection. Signed. Humphrey Lyttleton Very kind regards`
>
> I will post this on to you  as soon as you let me have your snail mail address. A replacement for the CD I gave him would be nice too.
>
> The only problem is the music. I haven`t seen or heard Humph for some years and th stuff he is playing now bears  no relation to the dixieland /revivalist/New orleans type of music I associate with him. Maybe I am just out of touch. I must admit that Bad Penny Blues is probably the last thing I bought but this is modern in style and phrasing. A few old tunesWillow, weep for me, Makin whoopee, Trouble in mind but the rest rejoiced in titles such as A good buzz, Portugese folk song,Wicker Woman, Real heavy.
> The notes reveal that some of the tunes are re works of earlier stuff Humph has recorded but  you could have fooled me.
>
> Very musicianly, beautifully arranged, well played but I dont think i would go to another concert if I knew beforehand that this was the program.
>
> A thoroughly enentertaining evening, Humphs chat and jokes were still impeccably timed.
>
> For the same price as the CD I also bought Humphs latest book `It occurs to me` The CD and the book were the same price. I reckon the book is better value.
>
> Cheers
>
> Pat.
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