[Dixielandjazz] Mick Mulligan

[Clive Smith]

Dear Marek - I have to agree with your comments on Burns' take on Mick Mulligan;
SHEER NONSENSE. During the 50's, we had a steady stream of British
bands coming to Liverpool, a time when to gain entrance to a party,
one had to take one's Jazz 78's which was the music we danced to,
exclusively. Mick Mulligan was, IMHO, way ahead of the herd and I
attended Sunday night concerts at The Picton Hall Library whenever
they were in town. Regrettably, I have only one short tape that
includes the band's on stage performance at the Royal Festival of
1950, and then some stuff recorded in 1956. The tape includes Savoy
Blues - Mick plays and holds the sweetest note I have ever heard by a
trumpeter just before the tuba entry to the clarinet solo. (Sorry, not
being a musician, that's the best description I can give). This band's
enthusiasm was totally infectious, and their attack.... wow!
Melly's antics and dress style helped put bums in seats, no doubt but
the music was the real thing. Any idea where I can get hold of more of
Mick's recordings? If you would like me to make a copy of the CD I
have made, please let me know where to send it.
Cheers
Clive Smith

On 9/19/07, Marek Boym <marekboym at gmail.com> wrote:
> "Having read Mick Burns' liner notes to the Semple/Cuff Billett CD, I
> must protest!
> Burns says about the Mick Mulligan band: "an organization better known
> for its alcohol intake than its musical output."
> SHEER NONSENSE!
> I mean, they might have been renowned for their alcohol intake, and
> that fits the image created by George melly in his hilarious "Owning
> Up," but there is one problem - there are the recordings, and they are
> excellent!  Mick must have been a favourite of the editor/presenter of
> the BBC Jazz Club, as his recordings were often featured on that
> programme; that's how his band became a favourite of mine.  I would
> have more of the band's records than I actually have, because I've
> never like the vocalizing of George Melly (same goeas for Bob Scobey -
> I hardly have any of his records, because I really cannot take Clancey
> Hayes in large doses).
> Well, the harm has been done, and the Mulligan band has been
> badmouthed - a sad thing when it happens to one of your favourite
> groups!
> The CD, by the way, is excellent - and surprising!  I have always
> thought of Cuff Billett and Bill Greenow as staunch traditionalist,
> because of their affilliation with Barry Martyn (and later - various
> "trad" bands not the least of which - the Oliver Centennial one).  It
> was therefore a great surprise to hear them playing "swing"
> ("mainstream" in British terminology)."
> This is a copy of my letter to Jazzology Records.  I believe that I
> have already referred to the CD in question on the list.
> While the CD is excellent, I'd like to hear (read, rather) listmates'
> opinins on the Mulligan band.
> Cheers,
> Marek
>
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