Re: JEWISH-MUSIC digest 1279/Mezz

[Kame'a Media <media...>]

Ingemar Johansson wrote:

> It should also be remembered that Mezz fought for authentic jazz at a time 
> when
> rather superficial swing was the thing. Without Mezz Tommy Ladnier, that
> amazing New Orleans cornetist, wouldn't have had the chance to record anew at
> all (although he died a few years later). Not to speak of that true genius
> Sidney Bechet, if he is known (he has in these circumstances the disadvantage
> of not being a Jew).
>
> And why have you people now, 50 years after, a need to belittle Mezz?

I think things like this are representative of a larger "cultural war"that has
been going on forever and has become particularly acute in our times.

If it's not race, class or religion, it's unacceptable, opprobrious 
individuality.

People erroneously equate outlaws with criminals.

I think Mezz makes for a perfectly good "hero"
considering his times and the world he inhabited.


Rollin' and tumblin',


Wolf

>
>
> One never knows, does one? Or one knows...
>
> Ingemar
>
> --------------
>
> Kame'a Media wrote:
>
> > Kame'a Media wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > farfl's house wrote:
> > >
> > >> >
> > >> > Subject: Re: JEWISH-MUSIC digest 1278/ in defense of Mezz
> > >> > Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 13:10:59 -0400
> > >> > From: "Kame'a Media" <media (at) kamea(dot)com>
> > >> > To: World music from a Jewish slant <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
> > >> >
> > >> > > because he actually believed that he was African-American, or
> > >> > > rather he had physically metamorphosized into an African
> > >> American,
> > >> >
> > >> > I  beg to differ.Mezzrow preferred Black culture to his own, and,
> > >> given his career
> > >> > choice,
> > >> > spent a lot of time with Blacks on their turf.
> > >> > As a youngster, he spent  a lot of time the reformatory and
> > >> became, as have
> > >> > others,"transcultural".  (I think that's a good thing, by the way,
> > >> in this case).
> > >> > In prison Mezzrow insisted on being housed with the Black guys, --
> > >> and he was.
> > >> > I believe he married a Black woman.  So?
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >> Whether you beg to differ or not, Wolf, Mezzrow really believed that
> > >> he turned
> > >> physically into an African-American. Read his book if you have time
> > >> to waste. He
> > >> believed that he could feel his lips getting thicker, and his hair
> > >> becoming kinkier.
> > >> These are not my imaginings.......these are by his own admission!  I
> > >> don't know why
> > >> you're defending him.....there's alot better "misunderstood"
> > >> musicians out there to
> > >> champion!
> > >
> > > All I ask is that Mezzrow and all musicians  be judged on the merits
> > > of their playing/singing, composition and *musical* contributions --
> > > first.
> >
> > > Then, after we've all learned a little, -- you can deride political
> > > affiliation, personal appearance or drug-of-choice.
> >
> > Your posting served up nothing about Mezz's music,  only tabloid-style
> > sniping.You write him off completely as a human being!  (Your remark
> > about finding him a stairwell in hospital).
> >
> > I champion Mezz because it is not right that you dismiss him so
> > discourteously.
> > I acknowledge his struggles and salute his achievements;  you would make
> > us see him as worthless.  And not based on his musicianship, but rather
> > his personality and predilections.
> >
> > That isn't right.
> >
> > Can you educate us about his music first and them proceed to tear him
> > down?
> >
> > >> > I think he was passable. He was not the premier practitioner of
> > >> his istrument
> > >> > in his era, but I'm not qualified to lecture on the subject.
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >> Exactly, Wolf; read his autobiography if you're in the mood for some
> > >> real science
> > >> fiction. All of my opinions expressed in my last post were gleaned
> > >> from his
> > >> autobiography, interviews with his peers regarding his career, and
> > >> the tracks I've
> > >> heard him play on.
> > >
> > You didn't mention any of his music;  just anecdotes that would serve to
> > disparage him.
> >
> > >> Waste money and time on his book, and then enter into some sort of
> > >> rebuttal with me.
> > >
> > I have a copy.No problem,; first you have to present something I can
> > rebut.
> > Not character assasination, though.  The Music.
> >
> > >> As a recording artist, you should know how ludicrous his claim that
> > >> he whispered the opening phrases into Armstrong's ear for him to
> > >> repeat on "Hobo, You
> > >> Can't Ride This Train" while they were recording, are. Especially
> > >> when there are
> > >> interviews with Armstrong and other players on that session that
> > >> refute Mezzrow's
> > >> claim.
> > >> I wasted precious hours of my life reading his swill.......allow me
> > >> the priviledge to
> > >> vent, at least!
> > >
> > Musicians' lore is not to be taken as <toyre>, 'tho anything is
> > possible. The vagaries of memory, not to mention self-interest, color
> > all attempts at accurate recollection.Venting, I understand;  lashing
> > out is destructive.
> >
> > No matter what kind of "weirdo" or "character" Mezz may have been or was
> > perceived to have been, his memory deserves respect.
> >
> > Deconstruct his music, if you will; don't pick him apart.
> >
> > Beneath the underdog,
> >
> > Wolf
> >
> > >> >
> > >> > > Regards,
> > >> > > Lederman
>



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