[Dixielandjazz] FW: Benny Goodman

[Don Ingle]

Daniel Barrett wrote:
>  
>
>
> From: danpbarrett at hotmail.com
> To: vinnyn at verizon.net
> Subject: RE: [Dixielandjazz] Benny Goodman
> Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:41:10 -0700
>
>
>
>
> It seems fahsionable to indulge in Benny-bashing. His eccentricity, frugality, and admitted insensitivity make him an easy mark. However, let's not forget he was an iconic figure of the 20th Century, and did a lot of generous things for people behind the scenes. (For instance, I heard he quietly picked up a hefty hospital bill incurred by an ailing Gene Krupa).
>  
> Besides,as Oscar Wilde pointed out, the job of an artist is not to be a "nice guy" (I'm of course paraphrasing Wilde here). The artist's job is to create art, which even devout Goodman-haters would have to agree he did.
>  
> As Ruby Braff (who idolized Benny) once said, "Yeah..Beny Goodman: the guy everybody hates, and the guy everybody wants to play like!"
>  
> --Dan Barrett, a BG fan (And alumnus of BG's last band, 1985-'86)
> Costa Mesa, CA
>  
>   
>> From: vinnyn at verizon.net
>> Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:48:26 -0400
>> Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Benny Goodman
>> CC: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
>> To: danpbarrett at hotmail.com
>>
>>
>> Yes I had forgotten that Bob and I also misused the word spendthrift in
>> another note. 
>> Early warning signs of Geezerdom or the result of a misspent youth.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
>> [mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of Robert Ringwald
>> Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 4:53 AM
>> To: Vinny
>> Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List
>> Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Benny Goodman
>>
>> Vinny wrote:
>>
>>     
>>> A terrific bassist, Bill Crow, wrote a book entitled "Jazz Anecdotes" and
>>>       
>> in
>>     
>>> it are many wonderful and funny stories.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> In the early 60's when the BG quartette we're to record the lp "Together
>>> Again" the group would rehearse at BG's place 
>>>
>>> The heat was either on very low or off and it being cold, after a few
>>>       
>> tunes
>>     
>>> Gene mentioned how cold it was.
>>>
>>> BG said sorry or words to that effect, left the room and came back with
>>> three sweaters.
>>>       
>>
>> What you failed to say, according to what I heard, Benny was wearing the
>> sweaters himself, never turned up the heat and let the guys be cold. 
>>
>> --Bob Ringwald
>>
>> a
>>
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>  		 	   		  
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>   
Danny is right on target in regards to the Goodman bashing. Most of it 
ishearsay,someture, but unless you know the srouce you cannot pile on 
wihtout risking beingthe dupe.\
As yo his playing, this scribbler regards his earl early work, before 
being shown the ways of doulbing lipping, as his hottest, from the guy 
work of al. I recommend a litentotheRedNicols recording of China Boy - 
that to me is the end-all exampleof how to play a "hot" chorus. It was 
rough, edgy, woithout thesmooth Reginal Kell-trained tone, but it 
sizzled and in my mind confirmed that no matter the man's disposition 
with people or other players, the man could exite your senses with that 
single chorus if you heard nothing elsee afterwards. ( would nominate 
his side with Lady Day on "Ooh...What a Little Moonlight Can Do"as a 
solid second choice for me.
One man's opinion- that's all it is, but  get over the hearsay slams and 
just listen to what the man left us to hear. And thanks, Danny, for  
bringing some sense this thread.
Curmudgeonly,
Don Ingle