[Dixielandjazz] Dixielandjazz Digest, Vol 81, Issue 15

[Stephen G Barbone]

On Sep 14, 2009, at 3:00 PM, dixielandjazz-request at ml.islandnet.com  
wrote:

>  cebuisle2 at aol.com (Ted) wrote:
>
>
> I just revisited a CD I have of Condon's band-and saw for the first  
> time he was playing a 4 string guitar. Believe this is a tenor  
> guitar? I always thought he played a conventional guitar.
> The 4 stringer has a rather thin tone-which accounts for the fact I  
> can't really hear him on recordings. Is it tuned the same way as the  
> banjo he used to play? I remember visiting his place in NYC many  
> years ago, and it seemed he was doing more table hopping than  
> playing. Given that he never soloed? how did he get a reputation as  
> a top flight jazz player??? I know his wit couldn't be beat--but his  
> playing???????

Hi Ted.

Condon switched from banjo to a Gibson L7 Plectrum guitar in the 1930s  
and continued playing it until his death. That guitar neck is about 3  
inches longer than a conventional Tenor Guitar. I'm not sure how he  
tuned it, but probably either CGBD or DGBD, similar to the Plectrum  
banjo.

He was a solid rhythm player, but as Bob Ringwald says, his real  
strengths were putting great bands together and getting lots of media  
coverage for his music. He kept Dixieland alive and well in NYC until  
his death. All kinds of show people, media types and goodfellas went  
to hear/see him at his joint. Something seemed to go out of the OKOM  
scene there when he passed.

If fans didn't like chatter between songs, Condon's was NOT the place  
to go. When Condon was there, they'd have a drink and talk between  
songs, sometimes only playing 3 songs in a set. On the other hand,  
sometimes the music really took over and at closing time they'd lock  
the doors so no new customers could get in, and continue playing for  
themselves and the customers already inside. Those, like me, who were  
lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, heard some of  
the greatest OKOM ever at Condon's. Nothing like it around today.

BTW, the spelling Bob questioned (of his partner's name) is "Pesci",  
just like the actor.

For more than you want to know about tenor or plectrum guitars, see:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R7AQCUEXNYLLJ



Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband