[Dixielandjazz] Condon WBD, Fire in the Belly.

[Stephen G Barbone]

John Petters wrote: (polite snip)

> Unlike you Steve,  lucky to be around at the time in the place it  
> was happening, most of us have to rely on recordings. The few times  
> I worked with the American legends, WBD, Hodes, Lawson, Butterfield  
> Al Casey, Davern & Slim Gaillard during the '80s were precious  
> moments of being connected to a source of inspiration, no longer  
> available today, except through recordings. How much would I have  
> benefitted from hearing Bechet or Louis live?
> Keep swinging

I was indeed lucky to be there to hear Bechet live, and even play with  
him a couple of times. (He loved to have reed players around who were  
nowhere near as good as he was <grin>). What a fiery player and quite  
a ladies man. When he saw a gal in the audience he fancied, he would  
wave that fish horn at her and make love, musically. Wow. I still try  
and do that even at my age. Connecting with young ladies is what makes  
the gigs. Get them on your side and the young men will follow. To me,  
its all about the personal eye contact, smiling, sexy songs, fire, and  
connecting.

Also lucky to have been there when Condon's was swinging. It was still  
visceral and vibrant throughout the 50s. The records are excellent,  
but still don't do it justice. Occasionally I dig out the Mosaic  
reissues, turn the volume up, and marvel at what they were doing, even  
though as Bob Wilber has said, it was by then, formulaic.

Louis live was also a treat. Nobody could touch him for putting on a  
fiery show. Muscrat Ramble on "Ambassador Satch" gives you the fire  
and feel, but seeing Louis and that band do it was another matter  
entirely. I met him after a gig with Alec Templeton, over 50 years  
ago. We left and went and saw Louis perform at a nearby High School in  
Connecticut later. What an experience to talk to that man and soak up  
his enthusiasm and genius.

Few of us have that magical ability he and Bechet had, yet many today  
are such incredible musicians. They want to be cool, and introverted.  
What's missing is fire in the belly and showmanship.

My thought about listening to Condon, WBD, Bechet, Yerba Buena et al  
is turn the volume up. <grin>

Keep swinging.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.barbonestreet.com
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband