The classic Condon band really wails on this 1952 broadcast with Edmond Hall, Wild Bill Davidson, Cliff Leeman, Cutty Cutshall, Gene Schroeder and Bob Casey.
Probably my favorite Condon band. I played and recorded with Wild Bill and he is one of my alltime favorite trumpeters anyway. But then, so are Edmond Hall, Cutty Cutshall and especially drummer Cliff Leeman.
If ever there was a video clip to stop all arguments about what is jazz and swing v dixieland v bebop v fusion this is it! This is great jazz, great music beyond category. And we get to see Cliff Leeman in action, the drive behind "Rock Around The Clock". I can't wait to show this to my drummer. An absolute gem. More please.
Just Wonderful ! . I recorded with "Wild Bill and Bud Freeman" many years ago. How can you have a better swinging sound than this . How can "some People " decry Condon. Just listen to the "Rythm Section" during Ed Halls solo. Despite a "chance Recording" on an Aircraft Carrier, you Can Hear The Guitar ! ! .and it's contribution to the back bone beat. Marvellous !. Ghastly so many "Aficionados " , comment when they have Tin Ears" ! . Condon was a Master of "moving Chords" . I Despair.
Pee Wee Russell liked to rag Condon sometimes; I think he was the one who said, "I've worked with Eddie Condon for twenty years and never heard a note he played."
All true. And with that said, on some of the radio shots and Summa Cum Laud sessions (like 'Tia Juana', Eddie's chugging rhythm can be heard peeking through -- and it's great.
One sad thing about growing old, like me, is I heard/watched over the years as Bill went from strong to weak before he died. He loved playing so much he continued on anyway.
Back in the day--- Life Magazine did a big photo piece about Condon's joint in Greenwich Village and played up the drinking aspect. It talked about how many fifths of whiskey went down per night. In their time Condon's bands had quite an "ethos" surrounding them.
Eddie Condon was a rhythm player - not a soloist. It was never his intention to be "heard." He felt his job was to fill out the rhythm section and assist in maintaining a swinging feel to propel and support the horns, who are the important voices in a band like this. He was, however, the leader and organizer. He considered THAT his main job. The guitar playing was incidental. A lot of times at his club in New York he wouldn't be playing, but socializing with customers.
Sorry Cutty's solo got cut by the vid somehow. This is the real hot stuff! Leeman is comparable to George Wettling as a master of this flavor of Jazz imo.
@IgnatzBarnes .."Plectrum" is the latin word for the earlier Greek term "Plectron"...both mean a thin piece of metal, bone or plastic used to strike the strings on instruments like a guitar.......in other words, a pick.
I'm sure FlierFrank172 was referring to live performances. In recordings, any given musician could bring oneself nearer to the phonograph to ensure they would be loudly registered into the recording, which was commonplace for them to do during solo segments. Although with that recording technology being so mid range focused, the guitar wouldn't have difficulty standing out, due to its equally mid range focused timbre. Regardless, I hear Condon just fine on this. c:
I can't be sure but I think it is Edmund Hall. My wife and I spent a wonderful evening with him about 50 years ago. We happened to walk past a small bar that had the door open in East Providence, RI and heard an announcer say "The great Ed Hall..." We went in and we were about the only people in the audience. He sat with us at our table during breaks. He was such a nice man. What an evening!
Why is Condon bothering to play his guitar? I mean you can't hear a thing; I know it would have been different for that audience, but still it's a shame.
@FlierFrank172 -- Well, not actually. The amazing (unamplified) Eddie Lang is prominent on every record he's on... Django, etc. Besides, Condon is a rhythm player, not a soloist like Paul. Lester is, of course, incredible...but it's apples and oranges...
![[TH] VALORANT Champions Seoul - Grand Final - EDG vs TH](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/WvObMc9VelI/mqdefault.jpg)
Probably my favorite Condon band. I played and recorded with Wild Bill and he is one of my alltime favorite trumpeters anyway. But then, so are Edmond Hall, Cutty Cutshall and especially drummer Cliff Leeman.
This is the music that introduced me to Jazz almost 60 years ago, and my interest has never waned. Thanks a million for sharing this great post.
Years ago I adopted "Fidgety Feet" as my "theme" and if the wife don't play this at my funeral then,
"I ain't dyin'"!!
It doesn't get much better than this!
If ever there was a video clip to stop all arguments about what is jazz and swing v dixieland v bebop v fusion this is it! This is great jazz, great music beyond category. And we get to see Cliff Leeman in action, the drive behind "Rock Around The Clock". I can't wait to show this to my drummer. An absolute gem. More please.
Yare. Leeman compares with Wettling--- a master of this kind of music.
Marvellous, simply marvellous. The most exciting dixieland band ever !1
Uno degli splendid brani di area dixieland che non si suonano più !
Just Wonderful ! . I recorded with "Wild Bill and Bud Freeman" many years ago. How can you have a better swinging sound than this . How can "some People " decry Condon. Just listen to the "Rythm Section" during Ed Halls solo. Despite a "chance Recording" on an Aircraft Carrier, you Can Hear The Guitar ! ! .and it's contribution to the back bone beat. Marvellous !. Ghastly so many "Aficionados " , comment when they have Tin Ears" ! . Condon was a Master of "moving Chords" . I Despair.
I've been trying to learn to play like 'Slick' on my Tenor Guitar and my Plectrum Guitar for 40 plus years. He was the best !
Pee Wee Russell liked to rag Condon sometimes; I think he was the one who said, "I've worked with Eddie Condon for twenty years and never heard a note he played."
you got it, Jazzbo -- I'll dig it up!
All true. And with that said, on some of the radio shots and Summa Cum Laud sessions (like 'Tia Juana', Eddie's chugging rhythm can be heard peeking through -- and it's great.
Love Wild Bill¨s way of trumpet playing: Full power!
One sad thing about growing old, like me, is I heard/watched over the years as Bill went from strong to weak before he died. He loved playing so much he continued on anyway.
My favorite Condon Joke: "The boppers flat their fifths.....we drink ours!!"
Back in the day--- Life Magazine did a big photo piece about Condon's joint in Greenwich Village and played up the drinking aspect. It talked about how many fifths of whiskey went down per night. In their time Condon's bands had quite an "ethos" surrounding them.
"if you have a bad hangover, i prescribe you two bottles of whiskey!" he said on another ocasion
i play this one everynight!!!!
Awesome! My Dad recommended this.
i'm so amazed... omg
an all time great here!!!
Best guitar
What a blast. Dixie at its best.
That's Wild Bill Davidson on trumpet.
No--- always cornet I believe.
SUPER!!
i like wild bill davidson
Genial, muchisimas gracias.
bigsidcatlett - yes, all that info is up on the right, under 'About This Video'. Bob Casey on the bass. Great, aren't they? Thanks!
all the personnel info is in the 'more info' box, folks
So it is! Makes sense considering that Condon played a banjo prior.
Eddie Condon was a rhythm player - not a soloist. It was never his intention to be "heard." He felt his job was to fill out the rhythm section and assist in maintaining a swinging feel to propel and support the horns, who are the important voices in a band like this. He was, however, the leader and organizer. He considered THAT his main job. The guitar playing was incidental. A lot of times at his club in New York he wouldn't be playing, but socializing with customers.
That's Wild Bill Davison on cornet.
CLIFF LEEMAN!
"Wild" Bill Davison on cornet.
Sorry Cutty's solo got cut by the vid somehow. This is the real hot stuff! Leeman is comparable to George Wettling as a master of this flavor of Jazz imo.
@IgnatzBarnes .."Plectrum" is the latin word for the earlier Greek term "Plectron"...both mean a thin piece of metal, bone or plastic used to strike the strings on instruments like a guitar.......in other words, a pick.
I'm sure FlierFrank172 was referring to live performances. In recordings, any given musician could bring oneself nearer to the phonograph to ensure they would be loudly registered into the recording, which was commonplace for them to do during solo segments. Although with that recording technology being so mid range focused, the guitar wouldn't have difficulty standing out, due to its equally mid range focused timbre. Regardless, I hear Condon just fine on this. c:
That looks to me like the legendary and great George Lewis on Clarinet
I can't be sure but I think it is Edmund Hall. My wife and I spent a wonderful evening with him about 50 years ago. We happened to walk past a small bar that had the door open in East Providence, RI and heard an announcer say "The great Ed Hall..." We went in and we were about the only people in the audience. He sat with us at our table during breaks. He was such a nice man. What an evening!
+Byron D You are correct: Ed Hall for certain. George Lewis never performed with the Condon group.
Edmond Hall did the most amazing clarinet solo for Louis Armstrong's Hot Five in Sweet Georgia Brown.
had a condon ep once,he let someone play electric guitar on it,i broke it and threw it out
Why is Condon bothering to play his guitar? I mean you can't hear a thing; I know it would have been different for that audience, but still it's a shame.
Wasn't Schroeder from 'Peanuts' based off of Gene Schroeder? I read that somewhere.
@FlierFrank172 -- Well, not actually. The amazing (unamplified) Eddie Lang is prominent on every record he's on... Django, etc. Besides, Condon is a rhythm player, not a soloist like Paul. Lester is, of course, incredible...but it's apples and oranges...
What do the flags say? "SMITH / SOLR" ..?
Wild Bill injured his lip as a kid.
That tenor neck looks thin as a toothpick...
Can I just correct you there.These men are not great.THEY ARE GOD'S!!!!