"Dipper Mouth Blues" by Joe Oliver

     I was expecting a "Blues" song since that was in the title, but it definitely is a fast tempo jazz song. This quick pace makes for an exciting piece of music. It is all an instrumental except for one line that is sung just once. The rhythm of this song is a banjo and the higher notes are a clarinet. Then after a couple bars a trombone comes in giving a bass to the sound. At this point you can't help but feel the magic of the jazz, you just want to dance. Now a clarinet comes in with a wonderful solo and rides the beat masterfully. What follows can only have been improv. All of the parts come together and their instruments shine. Then a two clarinet solos follow and after that they keep playing till they pause. Oliver then belts "Oh, play that thing". After a couple listens I would start to get bored but then when Oliver would yell, I would get pulled right back in for the last portion of the song.

    For me, this is a nice song to listen to because it has no lyrics. It is just a fun fast beat to tap my foot to. I am a non-avid listener of jazz but am someone who will enjoy it if it is put on. Even though this is a great example of the beginnings of jazz and improv I'd rather listen to a little newer sounding jazz songs. It's just a little bit too dated so if I am in for the mood for jazz I will likely not turn to this. But if I want to hear a really cool clarinet solo this is definitely the song I will put on.