[Dixielandjazz] Jeff Wayne

[Jim Kashishian]

Probably a name not often mentioned on DJML, but I came across this chap
(again) last nite on my one night off from playing...on my tv!  Playing in a
loud jazz club for long periods, one would think I would enjoy a peaceful
nite at home.  But, oh, no, this fellow Jeff came on my tv screen with his
live opera version of War of The Worlds.  Up went the volume on my surround
sound outfit so that the glasses on the shelves were shaking.  Two hours
later I was completely worn out, and thrilled!
 
If you get a chance to see/hear this now classic bit of music, it is a very
well put together show.  What it must have been like to have been there live
at Wembley?  The band, The Black Smoke Band, along with a large string
section played some really decent rock.  Yep, there IS decent rock out
there.  
 
The show saved me from the terrible Tom Cruise remake, which didn't once
even have the Oooooahhhh, or duii/duiii sounds in it.  Richard Burton's
young face hangs weirdly in front of a huge screen where film & real actors
are mixed into one show, with the musicians, the real stars, constantly in
view below the screen.
 
You can see a bit of this on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8JLqsbK5V0 but
your small screen & small speakers won't do it justice.  Find the best
setting for this particular music on your SS system, turn on your largest
tv, & don't be afraid to boost it up there to the skies!  Thrilling!!
 
What's it got to do with Dixieland?  It's music, it's putting on a proper
show, it's what we all strive to do.
 
p.s.  I found the electronic music on the stands of the musicians to be very
interesting.  No problem with poorly lit pages. 
No more page turning!  Your pages get turned in time with the SMPTE code of
the film on your own, small screen, which was curiously sitting on a
traditional music stand!  The opera is available on DVD.
 
Jim