MONDAY
August 17, 1998
A Second Swing Era?
Toni posted a message on the RCR list
from a Buddy Blue, music critic for the Orange County Weekly.
In the article that was written for the OC Weekly, neo-swing bands
are blasted for not living up to the artistry and musicianship of the musicians
in the 1930's and 1940's Swing Era. Here is the article:
The
Incomplete Guide to Roots Music
I wrote a reply to this article which is:
Y'know folks...
I'm really sick 'n tired of the media putting
down
the swing revival and dismissing the whole
scene
as a bunch of poseurs and pretenders.
Think about
it... we're Americans,
this is OUR musical heritage!
And even though today's musicians don't
supposedly
match up to Duke, Cab, Basie, et al.,
who does? I
mean those guys were geniuses, no
doubt about
that; but all us musicians of today
DID NOT grow
up in that FIRST SWING ERA.
We grew up in
a newer era, so our brand of swing
simply reflects
our version, our hybrid of the swing
of the old era. I
believe our ERA is the SECOND SWING ERA!
It's something that can not be denied,
nor dismissed
lightly. For someone like Buddy
Blue to dismiss
a lot of the what's going on is total
stupidity on his
part! From what I've seen,
this swing scene is
growing by leaps and bounds. Instead
of Buddy
implying negatively that the original
proponents
of the NEW SWING ERA (RCR and BBVD)
had
come from a "punk" based background,
he fails to see
the greatness of this manuever!!!
And the sheer
balls & gutsyness of bringing
back an American tradition, OUR TRADITION,
back into the limelight. Swing is
here to stay because it is embedded in Americana.
We may be looked upon as poseurs and pretenders,
but at least we're carrying the torch
and running
with it. To hell with all the critiques!
I don't care
what they say anymore! This is our
heritage and
we're getting it back... It's as
simple as that!!!!!
I propose that all swing bands unite to
fight back
the negative media that our swing movement
is
receiving! This is the real
McCoy kids, this is
your Swing Era! Don't let em' take
it away from
you.
And that's my take on the matter... ;-)
Carlos Rull
Drummer for
Big Time Operator
I don't know why I snapped and vented
my concerns over the media trying to put down this neo-swing movement.
I guess I somehow had enough of all this BS. I just wanted
make sure everyone was clear on what was trying to be accomplished.
CDs Played Today:
Carlos Rull - If By Chance We Meet
Big Time Operator - High Altitude Swing
Fourplay - Greatest Hits
Poncho Sanchez - Salsa Hits!
Last Movie(s) Seen:
Saving Private Ryan
There's Something About Mary
Return To Paradise
The Big Lebowski
Last Book(s) Read:
The Gramophone Jazz CD Guide
Web Pages That Suck!
Tonight's Gig:
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