[Dixielandjazz] Fwd: Igor's Question

Mon May 12 19:19:55 PDT 2008

-----Original Message-----
From: edmetzsr at aol.com
To: igorsjazzcowboys at yahoo.com
Sent: Mon, 12 May 2008 2:19 pm
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Igor's Question

Hi Old Buddy, Hey, you raised quite a fuss?with your question. I've been holding off in responding until I got myself reorganized, having just returned to PA after wintering in FL. So here goes:
?? 1) I've always tried to include some new/original stuff in my programming, both with the Bob Cats as well as with other groups that I've been associayed with. A number of my tunes have been recorded by bands that are active on the festival circuit. Some we play with the Bob Cats but other bands but as an example, Buck Creek plays at least a half dozen Ed Metz compositions regularly and has recorded at least that many - virtually all written during the past 15 or 20 years.
?? 2) With the Bob Cats, I try to incorporate into our library a new tune every year to commemorate 100 years old tunes (e.g. Bedelia 1903 & Ida 1903); 90 years old (e.g. Marcheta 1913), etc. as well as tunes written in the 50s and 60s. For example, we recently played for a 50 year College reunion, and I did arrangements for our four horn front line on "Gonna' Get Along Without Yoa' Now" and "Tonight You Belong To Me" - tunes from your time in the late 50s.
?? 3) Every once in a while the Muse comes to visit and the spirit moves me to do a chart for some tune like "What A Day For A Daydream" done by Lovin' Spoonful in 1966. Of course, the original Bob Cats did a ton of recordings both for Decca and also as airchecks that were written by their band members both before and after WWII. Little by little, many of those tunes are making it into our book. I'm adding (and removing) upwards of 30 tunes each year. At this point, we've got nearly 75 tunes in the library that have never been played - tunes like Matlock's "Catalina Jump" from 1941 and Alberta, Alberta recorded by one of the Rock groups in 1963. We'll play them all ultimately, but we still have to play "Big Noise" and "South Rampart" and several other Crosby all time hits at every concert.
?? 4) I realize where you're coming from though and it's a good question. Too many bands are content with the same old, same old, same old. But it's not a brush to be used to tar every group. Some do take the time to add new tunes and they are recognized and acclaimed for it. Take Buck Creek for example. They do a ton of original tunes written by band members. Although they are hanging it up after this year, they are still going strong - and still adding new tunes to their book. There's one there written in 2008.

There's a lot more to say but I'll take a break for now. Looking to see you out there on the festival circuit somewhere.
Best regards to both you and Barbara,
Ed

-----Original Message-----
From: Igor Glenn <igorsjazzcowboys at yahoo.com>
To: Edmetzsr at aol.com
Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Thu, 8 May 2008 3:37 pm
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Igor's Question

I had asked a question about meeting younger generations halfway by playing 
songs other than those from 1920-49.  What if we picked specific songs that have 
a similarity to specific established Trad songs?

  I'm not suggesting trying to force any and all tunes into a Trad style; that 
can be awkward to the point of being ridiculous.  However, there are a few 
widely-recognized songs that already have an intrinsic character of "Trad".  
This is based on a similarity of rhythmic pattern, melodic contour, chord 
progressing and lyric.  

  From and for the "Boomers", I submit the following alternatives: 

  Saints Go Marching In  -  Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man Who Stilled the  
Waters
  St. James' Informary Blues  -  House of the Rising Sun
  Birth of the Blues  -  King of the Road
  Closer Walk with Thee  -  We Shall Overcome
  Bill Bailey  -  Riding on the City of New Orleans
  Georgia Camp Meeting  -  Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport (!)
  Ain't Misbehaving  -  When I'm 64
  Tin Roof Blues  -  Night Life (Ain't no good life but it's my life...)  
  Sleepy Time Down South  -  Blue Bayou
  Naughty Sweetie Blues  -  Those Were the Days

  Some songs from the "Boomer Era" actually were or became Trad:

  Midnight in Moscow
  San Francisco Bay Blues   (My typist loves the Eric Clapton version)
  Hello Dolly
  Cabaret
  Entertainer Rag
  Winchester Cathedral
  See See Rider
  Washington Square (banjo solo)
  Mardi Gras Mambo

  Also note that recognizable lyrics can help the un-initiated connect to "our 
style" of music.  (My typist detests the "OKOM" term.)  What are some other 
alternatives from other eras?  Why did we stop being eclectic?

  IGOR

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