A loving look back on Dixieland Jazz

December 9, 2009 6:08 PM

"Men working on the river would move in time to the beat of the music. It was everywhere: on the street, in the church. In the tonks and barrelhouses where people went to be together. Like the beating of a big heart. It gave everyone a good feeling." The Cradle is Rocking is a delightful 12-minute film that, though somewhat damaged (Folkstreams has found what may be the only surviving print), is highly recommended viewing for anyone interested in American roots music: in this case, New Orleans jazz. The film's thoughtful and affable narrator is trumpeter George "Kid Sheik" Cola, who can be heard along with Captain John Handy serving up some fine old-school Dixieland jazz here and here.
posted by flapjax at midnite (13 comments total)

Thanks for pointing out that film - I really enjoyed it.
posted by periscope at 7:36 PM on December 9, 2009

Kid Shiek Cola - what a cool name. and what a cool post :)
posted by vronsky at 7:44 PM on December 9, 2009

Print quality aside, this is a wonderful film and we're fortunate to have this transfer. The music that New Orleans has borne is like no other.
posted by pianoboy at 8:14 PM on December 9, 2009

OK, that was the best thing I've seen in a long time. THANKS, f@m. Very nice, as it buoys my spirit as we approach the holy days.
posted by Ron Thanagar at 8:52 PM on December 9, 2009

Most excellent -- and thanks for the dixieland jazz too, which I really loved.
posted by nonspecialist at 8:56 PM on December 9, 2009

Kid Sheik Cola Blue. (couldn't resist, this is actually really good)
posted by milnak at 1:55 AM on December 10, 2009

Magnifico! I wish there was a more shaded nomenclature for this type of music. "Dixieland" brings to mind the kind of undisciplined, cornball, striped-jacket tootling you might hear at an amusement park and pass by quickly. I'm all for dropping that term altogether. What would you call the darker (though no less joyful), more sinuous and throbbing version?
posted by Faze at 5:05 AM on December 10, 2009

Dixieland, Faze.

See also Sturgeon's Law.
posted by motty at 5:15 AM on December 10, 2009

Wonderful, thanks!

Faze, is there anything you can't manage to complain about?
posted by languagehat at 6:36 AM on December 10, 2009

Is the first song in the film, when they're dedicating the new church, When the Saints Go Marching In? It sounds a lot like the melody but I can't really tell.
posted by jckll at 8:28 AM on December 10, 2009

jckll -- "Saints" is definitely in there, albeit briefly.
posted by Faze at 3:04 PM on December 10, 2009

This is really a great movie. Thanks.
posted by OmieWise at 3:50 PM on December 10, 2009

Beautiful, brother. Just beautiful.

Thanks!
posted by snsranch at 6:02 PM on December 10, 2009