[78-L] was Obama quotes, now Books

[Mark L. Bardenwerper, Sr.]

Taylor Bowie wrote:
> Bud just made an eloquent plea, and I intend to follow him to Scotland via 
> the shortest route possible.
>
> I had intended to send the following earlier today,  but then thought better 
> of it,  but now,  in light of the latest round (and in solidarity with Bud 
> and others) I say to one and all:
>
>
>
> Oh,  PLEASE.............haven't we had ENOUGH of this without anyone 
> scratching his way back to earlier a mails on the same worn-to-death topic 
> and adding one more gratuitous reply?  The last post with "Dorothy Fields" 
> in the subject line was at least three days ago.  I would point out to the 
> last poster (here I'm trying to be a little funny and not mean) that 
> technology used "thoughtfully" and "responsibly" includes DELETING a mails 
> when they are old and clearly not in need of any more attention.
>
> ...
>
> I have gone through every stage here recently,  from mild irritation to 
> anger to sadness, etc.  Now I guess I am just reduced to begging:  GIVE IT A 
> REST,  PLEASE.
>
>   

I apologize.

Now, to something more interesting, at least to me.
I got 2 books on interlibrary loan last week.
"Sylvester Ahola, Gloucester Gabriel" by Dick Hill
and
"How They Became Name Bands" by Paul Specht.

As some of you may remember, I have been gathering data for a bio of Lou 
Calabrese.
The Hill book renders detailed descriptions of life as a musician in the 
20's in the Boston/New York area. Lou was a part of this and Hoolie and 
Lou were close until Hoolie left Specht in  Februrary 12, 1927. There 
are really good descriptions of recording in the acoustic days, 
indicating the Lou was in on that too. It adds a lot of flesh to this 
era. Fascinating!

"Work was hard, the travel tiring, and rows between members of the band 
were commonplace. Al Philburn gave his notice to Paul Specht, with 
Hoolie following suit the next day. An extract from Hoolie's diary 
emphasizes the tension that existed: 'August 21. Big night at the 
'Igloo.' Johnny Morris was going to beat up Phil. What a night. Al 
Philburn socked Phil.'"
So, I guess this stuff happens.
Anyways.... At the end of the book, there is a picture of the the later 
Specht band including Hoolie and Lou. It's the only one I have seen so 
far. A great find. Most other pics I see are earlier.

I found only one direct reference to Lou in the Specht book, but it did 
give me a lot of insight as to how Lou became versatile and durable. I 
now have a good idea how Lou obtained his business acumen and his 
technique. The book has a lot of self aggrandizement in my opinion, but 
I think Lou adhered to Paul's philosophy pretty close throughout his 
career. I also enjoyed his tribute to Dr. Lee DeForest. "Dr. Lee de 
Forest (sic) - inventor, 'the greatest musician of all times, because 
his 'instrument'. the AUDION tube, has performed the miracle of bringing 
the soul of music to the civilization of this world via the RADIO.'" One 
must agree that the invention of good amplification was key to moving 
the technology of radio, electric recording, sound film, and live 
performance off the stage and eventually into our living rooms.

Along with other causes, it led to the eventual demise of loud, strident 
instruments such as the banjo and the tuba and the rise of guitar and 
stand up bass. Despite Lou's talents, he knew that his musical career as 
on the line when the role of the banjo changed.

I found these books invaluable.


-- 
Mark L. Bardenwerper, Sr. #:?)
Technology, thoughtfully, responsibly.
Visit me at http://www.candokaraoke.com