 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2002-03-08 12:46
This morning there was an interview with clarinetist and band leader Artie Shaw on <i>Morning Edition</i> on NPR. An extended version of his interview can be heard on their Web site at http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2002/mar/shaw/index.html. They also have links to some of his music. Apparently, he is releasing a five-CD set of his recordings. (Yes, he is still alive and well at age 91, but hasn't actually played in decades.) Check it out.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-03-08 13:38
TKS, Don, after hearing it, Begin the B, Stardust and that fantastic cadenza [what in??] , I was going to post about it ,glad you beat me , and have the NPR URL ! GREAT, ah, memories! Don
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2002-03-08 14:59
I like his quote "That's the clarinet I used to use... but it's just a piece of wood, you know, with holes in it and they put these clumsy keys on it and you're supposed to try to take that and manipulate it with throat muscles and chops... and try to make something happen that never happened before. And when you do, you never forget it. It beats sex, it beats anything... "
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Author: Ginny
Date: 2002-03-08 15:14
Gee thanks, I just turned on the radio exactly as the story started this morning.
Ginny
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Author: Paul
Date: 2002-03-08 15:16
I just been learning to play Begin the B from a Artie Shaw CD so what a omem to turn on my radio this morning and here Artie Shaw. Some of the stories brought tears to my eyes. Also, my wife bought me the Ken Burns DVD of JAZZ. I was getting sick of Ken Burns and just never felt like watching JAZZ. But boy was I wrong. What a great documentary. I know he leaves out many great players and plays the race issue a bit too much but still, the stories that are told are great. Including the interviews with Artie Shaw. Paul
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Author: Jim S.
Date: 2002-03-08 15:29
I heard it too. I was never a Shaw enthusiast (probably the result of hearing too much Begin) but the cadenza which, I had never heard before, has instantly changed my estimation of Shaw.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-03-08 15:42
I like the obervation, "Perfection can kill you." He should have followed up with, "if you let it get to you." He didn't--and I admire him for his resolve--but quitting should not be the ultimate answer for the inability to be the best or the natural decline of skills as we age. Imagine all of the great tunes Artie has missed playing since he said "enough, already." Too bad that he couldn't gracefully stop being "Artie Shaw" and learn to enjoy being "himself" and continue contributing to our musical heritage. I admire Artie for what he has done and respect his opinions on life in general, but give me Tony Bennett, or our local legendary jazz clarinetist Earl "Smitty" Smith, any day. "Smitty" contiued playing well into his eighties--his own, unique, marvelous style--and never missed a gig until a stroke ended his life, and silenced his music. I last saw Tony B. singing outside, on the NBC Morning Show outside concert series--during a cold autumn NYC morning. Way to go, Mr B.
But thanks for the posting, Don--Artie, the clarinetist, is one of our heros and it is good to hear his recordings and words of wisdom. To all, Good Clarineting!!!!! (and keep it up)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-03-08 17:14
I recommend y'all listen to the extended version, all 32+ minutes! Lots of "dance band" insight, and his own writing, arranging and lyric-ing, which was somewhat new to me. I recall hearing him and band in Flint MI, [armory, many one nighters, traveling thru] about 1938, my early college and jazz playing. Wish I could recall more. The cadenza [I gathered from the tape] was the end of "These Foolish Things". WOW, will listen on the CD. I thot I heard him say Selmer, am unsure, my'30's model doesn't play like that !! Don
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Author: Jean Adler
Date: 2002-03-08 20:01
Wow, thanks for bringing this up.. part of my master's project will be a brief discussion of Shaw and Goodman. I am sure there will be excerpts I can use for my project. I can't help but ask...Goodman or Shaw...who was the better clarinetist? If this doesn't get a zillion repsonses I don't know what will.
Personally, I like Shaw's sound better than Goodman's. I am sorry he hung it up, I have to wonder what his IQ is. Staratospheric, I'll bet. His head would be a good one to crawl around in.
Sorry, if I am rambling. I had surgery this morning and am kind of woozy, and bored!!!
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Author: Michael McC.
Date: 2002-03-09 00:15
Speaking of Artie Shaw, does anybody know where I can get a copy of his 1st Clarinet Concerto? I heard it last year when the Boston Pops were touring, and I seemed to like it.
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Author: Jean Adler
Date: 2002-03-09 02:54
I have the Shaw Concerto on a couple of cd's. One called Battle of the Bands Goodman vs. Shaw. Good luck finding it. And another I got at the Veteran's Museum in Madison, Wi of Swing Band music. Try amazon and see if you can get a list of pieces on the cd you are interested in.
If you are looking for the sheet music with piano reduction I think I may have gotten mine at JW Pepper, and I am sure they have it at Ward Brodt in Madison. For a copy with band accompaniment check
www.fest-musik. com
Aside from the glisses which I just can't quite do (yet) the piece is great fun to play. There are some fabulous cadenzas. Many of them have a klezmer feel to them.
Have Fun,
Jean
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Author: Sally Gardens
Date: 2002-03-09 02:59
Hey, thanks for that link. I'm listening now, and passing on the link to my family.
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Author: Jim
Date: 2002-03-09 09:41
According to Shaw, the rivalry with Goodman was all on the Goodman side. Reportedly, when Goodman was beaten by Shaw in a Downbeat poll, Shaw said, "Benny, don't get so excited. You take the east coast, I'lll take the west coast, we'll make money and then we can switch. Those votes can't play anything." Jim(M)
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Author: Don
Date: 2002-03-09 16:33
If Artie Shaw couldn't get worked up about comparisons between himself and Goodman, neither can I. Which do I like better? Blonds or brunettes? Love 'em both!
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