[Dixielandjazz] Darktown Strutter's Ball

[Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis]

I completely understand.  There aren't many places here where they object to 
DTSB but I thought that some funny words might smooth things a bit for the 
couple that do.

I'm sure that these people haven't a clue as to the origins or history of 
the song but the instant they hear the word Darktown it's like waving a flag 
in front of a bull.
Larry
StL
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marek Boym" <marekboym at gmail.com>
To: "Larry Walton" <larrys.bands at charter.net>
Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2008 4:26 PM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Darktown Strutter's Ball


> "Politically correct" is travesty of the language!
> Cheers
>
> On 25/08/2008, Stephen G Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> I don't understand why "Darktown Strutter's Ball" should be a problem in 
>> its
>> original form. It is a historically correct song written by a black 
>> composer
>> that describes "black music", and "black social events". It is about the
>> fancy dress balls in "Darktown"  where invites were sought by both blacks
>> and whites. Perhaps even a parody of white fancy dress balls and the 
>> uppity
>> folks who attended them?
>>
>> The song crossed racial lines and was an enormous hit, in the teens and
>> 1920s, loved by both races, and remains a classic song today.
>>
>> There are some who theorize that Brooks was writing about a "hookers" 
>> ball
>> in Chicago and that the leading socialites and politicians of both colors
>> were very pleased when they were invited, and they attended. Either way,
>> note well the verse:
>>
>> I've got some good news honey,
>> An Invitation to the Darktown Ball
>> It's a very swell affair,
>> Highbrows will be there.
>> I'll wear my high silk hat and a frocktail coat,
>> You wear your Paris gown, and your new silk shawl.
>> There ain't no doubt about it, babe,
>> We'll be the best dressed in the hall.
>>
>> Who can say why Turk Murphy changed the words? Those were days well 
>> before
>> the political correctness mania hit. Remember too that someone changed 
>> the
>> words of Shine in 1927 or so to include shining one's shoesies.
>>
>> Barbone Street plays Darktown (and That's Why They Call Me Shine) just as
>> they were written. We do explain what the tunes really mean and we've 
>> never
>> had a problem with either blacks or whites, both in our band and in the
>> audience, or self-styled political correctness police.
>>
>> Damn, if we are going to be super sensitive, we should also re-name Jazz 
>> Me
>> Blues because it sure as hell didn't originally mean "Kiss Me Blues", (or
>> play me some music) if you get my drift. The title was just a prettified
>> vulgarism.
>>
>> Interested listees may wish to see what one 5th grade music course 
>> teaches
>> about Darktown Strutters Ball at:.
>>
>> http://www.cstone.net/~bcp/5/5MrMusic.htm
>>
>> If 10 year old kids can take it, why can't we older folks?
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Steve Barbone
>> www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> To unsubscribe or change your e-mail preferences for the Dixieland Jazz
>> Mailing list, or to find the online archives, please visit:
>>
>> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
>>
>>
>>
>> Dixielandjazz mailing list
>> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> To unsubscribe or change your e-mail preferences for the Dixieland Jazz 
> Mailing list, or to find the online archives, please visit:
>
> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
>
>
>
> Dixielandjazz mailing list
> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
>