Artie Shaw - The Blue Room of The Hotel Lincoln, NYC - NBC Radio, December 6, 1938 (2.21 MB .mp3 file)
Not bragging, just stating the facts. And succinctly too.
BTTT
A true classic. What a talent -- and a character!
It wasn't until the Vietnam era that Armed Forces Radio catered to the younger generation. As a young soldier stationed in Munich, Germany in the early 60's, I listened to lots of music from the Big Bands played over the network. Didn't really appreaciate it then. Do now. Thanks for that link.
http://www.artieshaw.com/bio.html
My mom's sorority hired Artie Shaw's orchestra to play their spring formal in the 1940's. Her scrap book has the original dance bid card from the party.
"...She knows exactly how many times everybody's been divorced and why, how much every picture for the last twenty years has grossed, and how many Warner brothers there are. She even knows how many times Artie Shaw has been married, which I'll bet he couldn't tell you himself. She asked if I had ever married Artie Shaw, and when I said No, seemed to think I was pulling her leg or must have done it without noticing. I tried to explain that when a girl goes to Hollywood she doesn't have to marry Artie Shaw, it's optional, but I don't think I convinced her. A very remarkable old lady, but a bit exhausting after the first hour or two..."
But I studied everything I could get my hands on and learned and listened. One of my favorite artists was Shaw. I had articles written about me and my knowledge of the music at such a young age (amazing who you can sound authoritative when scanning books and record jackets) and the local PBS station would invite me to pitch for their station when they aired Big Band themed shows.
I was reading earlier this week in our newspapers year in review that Billy May died earlier this year. My first thought was he had to be the last of that era to be with us. Why I forgot about Artie, I'll never know.
Yes, he was a bit eccentric, but man was his music just a little bit of heaven. RIP Artie.
Artie Shaw......My dad didn't admit it but he loved his music....As a kid, I heard those old 78's from the forties which our family still has. More recently, I came across Artie Shaw on the internet and downloaded some of his music....It's awesome how the digitally reproduced music compares to those scratchy 78's. God Bless you Artie Shaw.
Arshawsky! I had no idea he was still alive.
My favorite of his is "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody." It's intoxicating, much like a pretty girl.
I have loved Big Band since I was in Highschool and the kids my age thought I was nuts. I never stopped loving it and I loved to hear Artie Shaw's clarinet solos. I hope his last days were peaceful and painless for him.
May Big Band Live Forever!!!
I recently read about Bob Snyder the `musical director` at the Grand Hotel Mackinac Island.
He has a Medley of Artie`s music on one his CD`s maybe more,
`Show Time at the Grand`
It is fabulous clarinet and sax!
Here is `Misty` if you have your sound on ~ this is also a story, a bit bitter~sweet, but a nice story.
http://www.dobhran.com/greetings/GRinspire257.htm
Happy New Year 2005!
Celebrate Life!
my melody
Told you!
btttttttt
This will probably get only passing notice, while human debris like Yessir Assfat and Susy Sontag are eulogized.
Sad.