[Dixielandjazz] practishing drunk

[ROBERT R. CALDER]

It is very refreshing that nobody suggested our friend looking to find means of guidance for a dixieland ensemble (maps might be as good a word as charts) should follow the example of those who rehearsed blotto.

There is small musical guidance in the tale of Mr. Condon, medically imperilled without alcohol, incapacitated by stomach ulcers, and being plied with an enema, offering to buy a round for the whole ward. 

He would presumably be in the position, face down across a bed, but dressed, from which he offered to answer questions from the press when he first arrived in England. Asked to assume a position from which his speech would be more clearly audible he is said to have responded, "I'll try, but I'm no athlete!" 

Exactly to the musical point was Mr. Condon's entry into his own club while young Master Wilber was rehearsing, and his response to the sound:  "make some mistakes!"  (This is Bob Wilber's story!)

Drinking does you harm, but outside special fields like medicine a dread of making mistakes can harm lots of other folks. 

Slainte!
Robert R. Calder