l agree,he was very very clever in doing what he did.He was aware of everything he did...However my moans about him are purely viewed over the passage of time..Lewis knew what the public wanted and pitched his style around that and not above that
Lewis knew his public very well and exploited that very well.When his band came to London they were an instant success.However his musicians did not particularly enjoy being in his band,as they were so overshadowed by his showmanship..Whenever they wanted to leave he just kept upping their salaries.His vocals and his playing were an utter disaster.l don't blame Jimmy Dorsey smashing his clarinet over Lewis's head..(However,this is all a matter of opinion) He did out sell Whiteman in the 1920s
Ted Lewis may not have been much of a clarinet player but he knew good jazz when he heard it and was able to tempt the top musicians to work for him. This side is typical of the band's output of the time, with Benny Goodman, Muggsy Spanier and George Bruni(e)s doing the honours and creating that terrific swing. Lewis always manages to make you smile with his wry sense of humour as in the lyrics here. Been listening to this stuff for fifty years or more and it never gets stale.
l agree,he was very very clever in doing what he did.He was aware of everything he did...However my moans about him are purely viewed over the passage of time..Lewis knew what the public wanted and pitched his style around that and not above that
davidglow3 4 months ago
Now,a man who put such a band together cannot have been ALL bad!Surely?Delightful music by a wonderful bank.Thank you for the contribution.
Squarerig 4 months ago
This was heavy music in its time. The man was a true musician. History has already judged that.
Micelli1947 5 months ago
Lewis knew his public very well and exploited that very well.When his band came to London they were an instant success.However his musicians did not particularly enjoy being in his band,as they were so overshadowed by his showmanship..Whenever they wanted to leave he just kept upping their salaries.His vocals and his playing were an utter disaster.l don't blame Jimmy Dorsey smashing his clarinet over Lewis's head..(However,this is all a matter of opinion) He did out sell Whiteman in the 1920s
davidglow3 8 months ago
Ted Lewis may not have been much of a clarinet player but he knew good jazz when he heard it and was able to tempt the top musicians to work for him. This side is typical of the band's output of the time, with Benny Goodman, Muggsy Spanier and George Bruni(e)s doing the honours and creating that terrific swing. Lewis always manages to make you smile with his wry sense of humour as in the lyrics here. Been listening to this stuff for fifty years or more and it never gets stale.
althejazz 8 months ago