[Dixielandjazz] Tributes and copying

[Harry Callaghan]

Marek:

Admittedly, "Nightmare" was rather morbid.

It is rumored that Shaw named it that to descirbe any one of his many
marriages and subsequent divorces.

I believe that a guy named Tommy Manville might have been the champion in
that category but I'm pretty sure that Shaw and Mickey Rooney were pretty
close runner-ups.

And, quite concidentally, both Artie and Mickey could name Ava Gardner among
there exes.

I'll let you know what others Gray fashioned numbers after the next time I
come across the album.  My place is in a bit of upheavel at this time but at
least I can find the refrigerator.

Tides
Harry


On 8/5/10, Marek Boym <marekboym at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On 5 August 2010 03:38, Harry Callaghan <meetmrcallaghan at gmail.com> wrote:
> > The first time I ever heard the Ted Heath orchestra, more years ago than
> I
> > care to remembet, it became evident to me that, while not attempting to
> copy
> > any one, he was obviously influenced by the many bandleaders of our big
> band
> > era.
>
> The Heath band was organized after WWII.  of course it was influenced
> by Ameican swing bands.  But it did swing like hell and employed many
> excellent and original soloists,  It gained some popularity in
> America, enough to have most of its records issued there.
> >
> > On the other hand, while making no attempt to conceal his efforts at
> > duplicating the original arrangements, Glen Gray made a series of albums
> > paying tribute to those who came to prominence during that period.
> >
> > He initially went with the most popular, Dorsey, Goodman, Miller, Shaw ,
> > etc.and tollowed that with those not quite so popular.
>
>
> Much less original than the Heath tribute.  The latter indeed bring
> the former to mind as an example of copying.  I did not mention the
> Gray efforts in order no to put him down.
> >
> > Then, after pretty much exhausting eforts at imitating them,in what one
> > might call their "natural habitat" he did something I considered
> > rather unique.
> >
> > He recorded an album of tunes that were current but in the styles of
> those
> > big band leaders.  I have the album but it's not convenient to get to
> right
> > now.
> >
> > One number that immediately comes to mind is "Washington Square" which
> was a
> > major hit for the Village Stompers. However, Gray performed it in the
> style
> > of Artie Shaw's "Nightmare"
> >
> > Quite interesting to say the very least.
>
>
> Now THAT is new to me and indeed sounds interesting, albeit
> "Nightmare" is not my favourite Shaw.
> >
> Cheers
>



-- 
Some men see things as they are and say why....I dream things that never
were and say why not            -
                        -George Bernard Shaw