[Dixielandjazz] The Asylum Street Spankers was Western Swing as OKOM

[Stephen G Barbone]

> Marek Boym <marekboym at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
>
> On 8 January 2011 17:27, Stephen G Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net 
> > wrote:
>> Is Western Swing OKOM? Before reading the below, check out:
>>
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YUI15MuoRY&feature=related
>
> Beforehand, after their After You've gone, I answeed "yes."  Now,
> having listened to other numbers, Im' not so sure.

I don't disagree Marek. IMO, Western Swing as a definition has the  
same problems as OKOM or Dixieland as a definition.  Virtually  
impossible to really nail down the exact definition of them that would  
suit everyone.

Example, Bill Haesler doesn't seem to appreciate today's version of  
Western swing when he says that he stops at 1942, meaning (I think)  
that those prior to that are OKOM but perhaps not the later versions.  
If so, then he doesn't appreciate bands like The Asylum Street  
Spankers, even though they play "Tight Like That"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOQ2yBoDOVs&feature=related

or "T'ain't Nobody's Business"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ_AwAtB09M&feature=related

It certainly is MKOM though not necessarily anyone else's KOM

I draw a lot of inspiration from performances such as these, and the  
many other YOUNG bands that make this music relevant to young  
audiences. Asylum Street fills up the local Philadelphia venue (World  
Cafe Live) when they make their rare appearances here. I am always the  
oldest fart in their audience and can't help but wonder what would  
happen if they played at an OKOM jazz Festival, but I think they are  
about to disband.

Their biggest hit was: "Stick Magnetic Ribbons on Your SUV".   (which  
offends some, but is IMO great Satire)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmsOIjzQ1V8&feature=related

And then there is always the X rated "Scrotum Song". <grin>  Wot, says  
Haesler, I thought that was JaDa. Caution before listening. You may be  
offended.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkfJbsTOtqg&feature=related

Point being it is the message as well as the music that gets to  
today's young people.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband