Some reasons why you
might
want to own Jellyroll Morton's Library of Congress recordings:
Sipping whiskey and narrating in what Alistair Cooke described as his "billiard ball baritone," Morton speaks of spirituals, blues, jazz, ragtime, opera, symphonies, and overtures. He airs his own theories of harmony, melody, discords, rhythms, breaks and riffs, scat singing, swing, and the value of jazz when played slowly so as to enhance its bouquet. He speaks of musical origins, antecedents and precedents, originality and piracy; of nocturnal entertainments, musical cutting contests and impromptu fisticuffs, 24-hour honky tonks and street parades.
With all the descriptive power of a Zola novel, Morton describes horses, fine food, alcohol, narcotics, body lice, card sharks, pool sharks, prostitutes, pianists, hoodoos, race riots, funerals, gang violence, and cold-blooded murder. He tells stories of hitting the road and scuffling to get by, even selling bogus patent medicine door to door. He plays Miserere from Verdi's Il Trovatore, explains the use of tangos, waltzes, and habanera rhythms, traces the quadrille origins of "Tiger Rag," sings Mardi Gras Indian chants, and describes the circumstances that led to his being called "Jelly Roll."
Loosened by liquor and encouraged by Lomax, Morton even revives the smutty songs he used to perform in the sporting houses of Storyville. Morton's scatological lyrics to "Make Me a Pallet on the Floor" and his own cheerfully lewd "Winin' Boy Blues" are almost as bracing as his version of the ever-popular "Dirty Dozen," peppered with references to inter-species copulation. Even the epic-proportioned "Murder Ballad" contains its share of overt sexual verbiage.
Hey, you know what's evocative?
"Child Ballad No. 243 aka the Daemon Lover"
What's your favorite Child ballad title?
I think Teppy loves #38 "The Wee, Wee Man."
I see Tommyrot as a #185 "Dick o the Cow" man.
Cor is clearly all about #230 "The Slaughter of the Laird of Mellerstain", while tina clearly favors #248 "The Grey Cock, or, Saw You My Father?"
The NY Times finally allows negroes to listen to rock music. Free at last!
I don't even have to click on the link to know what article you are talking about. The BF and I stared at it in disbelief on Sunday morning. Seriously? "Blipster"? SERIOUSLY???
It's like it was an Onion story or April Fools joke or something. Except it wasn't.
coffee and an egg.
Just back from seeing M. Ward at a "rare solo performance" at Park West. My friends had to drag me. I just saw him. I don't looooove the new album.
OHMYGOD. Fan-fucking-tastic. Solo. Acoustic. (w/ awesome, wonderful Freakwater opening) It was all about Daniel Johnston, and he invited some dude from the audience to play piano (dude says two words into the microphone the whole time: "holy.shit."). He encores with "Carolina" and "Let's Dance."
That
was a good time.
The next show I have tickets for is the The Thermals in about a month. I went through a period there when I kind of felt done with going to shows. But I just hadn't been to a good one in a while. I think.
Sounds fantastic, Tina!
w/ awesome, wonderful Freakwater opening
I thought I'd read that they'd thrown in the towel. Glad to hear that they're still playing.
Hec and Corwood, I picked up the 33 1/3 anthology that came out recently. Haven't actually read anything in it yet (I bought it today), but I'm looking forward to dipping into several of the pieces.
The Police are going to be performing at the Grammys, Feb. 11.
t on edit
They\'ll be opening the awards show: [link]
I'm at work so I can't watch this at the moment
Ditto. That guy's site is awesome and addictive. Look near the lower right corner for links to previous entries, grouped by month.
I first visited after James Brown died. I think Tom Scola linked to one of the FMU deejay's blogs which linked to Dante Fontana. I don't think this is the Love Power Peace show, but it's the same band in Paris, probably the same week.
Bo Diddley for Hec. Check out the Duchess! Yow!zah!
I'm not a huge fan of jazz guitar, but I do love Jim Hall. And Bob Quine loved him so much he stole his look. Okay, I made that up, but I wouldn't be surprised if Quine loved his playing. Hall backing Sonny Rollins around the same time as the Bo Diddley clip.
Anyone who's listened to my Buffistamixes knows I love Spike Jones. Well, the City Slickers had as many visual jokes -- including banjo player Freddy Morgan just being kinda goofy looking -- as aural ones, it's great to see them as well as hear them. Dig the guy with the paddleball!
