 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2003-03-23 04:34
Just received my ebay purchase of Acker Bilk's "Memory" CD. Bought it because as a kid I had his "Stranger on the Shore" LP, and liked the title song.....I mean it was a "hit". Another cut I remember was Cilento Lindo or something like that. It was pretty "cool" for a student of the clarinet in the early 60's. As far as trying to learn styles.
But....and it's a big but.....this guy has a terrible sound. Is it just me or does he "overblow"? Almost sounds like a soprano sax, not a clarinet. Don't know what it is. I mean there are moments when it's "okay", but 99 percent of the time it's "is that a clarinet?".
Wondering what "BRAND" he's playing. Bet it's Boosey and Hawkes. 10-10? Or?.......Anyone know?
I've read bad reviews of "Mr" Acker Bilk on this board, and would like to get a "refresher". thanks
John
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Author: Ralph
Date: 2003-03-23 12:05
I too had a copy of the Acker Bilk LP when I was younger. I can only believe that his sound is "cultivated" for this stlye of playing. On prior posts others have stated that he actually prefers playing jazz. He has a website:
http://www.ackersmusicagency.co.uk/acker.html
Ralph
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Author: allencole
Date: 2003-03-23 13:07
Maybe he's a Sidney Bechet disciple. If you want to get a real dose of this, rent Wild Man Blues and listen to Woody Allen practicing long tones in his car.
Allen Cole
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Author: FrankM
Date: 2003-03-23 15:09
John, I think you and I were bidding against each other on that CD! I finally won one , but I haven't got mine yet. I've heard so much about him, I wanted to check him out. Anyway, I suppose his sound is appropriate for what he wants to do....and he sells plenty of CDs. Now, a question I've always wanted to ask someone....Where does the "Mister" monicker come from? Is it a name or title or what??
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-03-23 17:23
I was going to bid but decided to wait until it showed up on the :Essential CD's List" thread. [groan] ![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
Bob A
Post Edited (2003-03-23 18:24)
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Author: tinminer
Date: 2003-03-23 19:40
Acker Bilk and his 5/6 piece band have been playing 'traditional jazz' as it's known in the UK - our version of 'dixieland' - since the sixties.
He occasionally puts out CD's with mellower orchestral arrangements possibly to appeal to a wider market, but his tone has always been raw from having to compete (unamplified) with trumpet and trombone on stage.
Sophisticated he ain't, good-time jazzer he certainly is ! I was playing his 'Stranger on the shore' in school concerts in the early 60's, trying to emulate his tone, accompanied by a bemused classical pianist....
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-03-24 02:42
FrankM: The "Mister" in Mister Acker Bilk was assigned by his manager, who insisted that Bilk be billed that way.
And Allen Cole said: "Maybe he's a Sidney Bechet disciple." Good words. I've often thought Sidney became a soprano sax player largely so he could cut through everything else, especially on the old acoustic recordings.
Regards,
John
who wouldn't want to play like Bilk but would not object to the money
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Author: allencole
Date: 2003-03-24 04:49
Mr. Acker Bilk is a painful reminder that the public seems to love clarinet sounds that would cause most of us to throw the horn in the fireplace. Go figure...
Allen Cole
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Author: graham
Date: 2003-03-24 08:12
He has played on a variety of instruments. None of the makers should be held responsible.
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Author: ned
Date: 2003-03-24 08:22
Geez - yer a bit tough on old Acker some of you lads!
He was one of the people I looked up to when starting out on my jazz "career". I thought his tone was quite earthy and very jazzy - his roots are pure New Orleans [you know - that place in America where it all started]. Jazz didn't start with Goodman, Shaw and etc, as some possibly believe...............excellent as these were of course, it started "down home" in New Orleans - where many good toned clarinet players originated.
Of course lately, Acker has recorded some sentimental mush, but don't let that blind you - he's a very very good player. His tone comes from jazz, not textbooks and written scores - so don't expect a classical approach.
I have expounded on this issue in other posts - so I'll get off my soapbox now [New Orleans jazz forever].
Cheers
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Author: tinminer
Date: 2003-03-24 09:51
Thanks John
- I was beginning to feel adrift in all these 'purists', and meant what I said about (quote) "Sophisticated he ain't, good-time jazzer he certainly is ! I was playing his 'Stranger on the shore' in school concerts in the early 60's, trying to emulate his tone, accompanied by a bemused classical pianist...."
I spent my teens listening to the likes of Ball, Barber & Bilk in UK West-Country jazz clubs and wouldn't have missed it for anything. Can still taste the atmosphere, and the cider. Good on yer, mate !
Regards, Alan
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Author: avumback
Date: 2003-03-24 20:22
I think that tone is a matter of individual taste. I also havent heard a more popular clarinet solo since stranger on the shore was a big hit back in the sixtys. I think that Acker Bilk meant to appeal to the majority that didnt have a clarinet background and he did just that. I wish he would make more of that terrible sounding stuff. I thought it was great, but I would also like to hear his latest CD.
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-03-25 02:35
"His tone comes from jazz, not textbooks and written scores - so don't expect a classical approach."
I love jazz clarinet, but I can't stand a *really* spread tone - There were plenty of fine jazz clarinetists, even New Orleans guys, who had fine tone and actually sounded like clarinets instead of sop saxes.
Now, I'm all in favor of using different effects (heck, I even like Pee Wee Russell ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) ), but when someone's entire concept of tone is very spread, I just don't like listening to that.
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