John Doheny
Jun 3, 2003, 09:38 PM
A few years ago I was driving around with my wife Darlene, listening to Cam Ryga take the "Blindfold Test" on CBC Radio's "Hot Air" show. Paul Grant was playing recordings of famous jazz saxophonists and Cam had to guess who they were.
"I bet you'd be good at this," says Darlene. "Damn straight!" I said. Here comes the first tune. "Ben Webster!" says I. And ,on the radio, Cam says," You'd think it was Ben Webster, wouldn't you. But it's actually Illinois Jaquett at a time in his career when he was so enamored of Ben that he sounded just like him.
The whole f^%$ing show went like that. I didn't get one right.
So you can imagine the great fear and trepidation I felt when I arrived at the Canadian Broadcorping Castration building for my own blindfold test.
There I am in the iso-booth with Paul. Neil Ritchie is smiling at me from the producers booth. I know these guys, they're nice cats. The theme music comes up. Paul looks at me,he can tell I'm nervous." Don't worry,you'll do fine. I know you ,man. You've got a great ear. " Then he holds up his finger and goes into his spiel.
First tune is Sonny Rollins doing "I'm An Old Cowhand." I know this tune. My dad used to sing it to me when I was little. Plus I OWN the CD. Next is Johnny Hodges, man who could miss him? I'm having fun!
I only missed two. A Jack Montrose Sonny Stitt duet and (wait for it!) CAM RYGA (sorry Cam). I just couldn't get that one. I think I said something like "This guy's been listening to a lot of Bird. "And I know Cam wants people to think he sounds like Cannonball. It's okay, though. I already apologized and Cam says he'll let me live. This time.
It's on this Saturday at 5:10 p.m. if anyone's interested.
www.Johndoheny.com
"I bet you'd be good at this," says Darlene. "Damn straight!" I said. Here comes the first tune. "Ben Webster!" says I. And ,on the radio, Cam says," You'd think it was Ben Webster, wouldn't you. But it's actually Illinois Jaquett at a time in his career when he was so enamored of Ben that he sounded just like him.
The whole f^%$ing show went like that. I didn't get one right.
So you can imagine the great fear and trepidation I felt when I arrived at the Canadian Broadcorping Castration building for my own blindfold test.
There I am in the iso-booth with Paul. Neil Ritchie is smiling at me from the producers booth. I know these guys, they're nice cats. The theme music comes up. Paul looks at me,he can tell I'm nervous." Don't worry,you'll do fine. I know you ,man. You've got a great ear. " Then he holds up his finger and goes into his spiel.
First tune is Sonny Rollins doing "I'm An Old Cowhand." I know this tune. My dad used to sing it to me when I was little. Plus I OWN the CD. Next is Johnny Hodges, man who could miss him? I'm having fun!
I only missed two. A Jack Montrose Sonny Stitt duet and (wait for it!) CAM RYGA (sorry Cam). I just couldn't get that one. I think I said something like "This guy's been listening to a lot of Bird. "And I know Cam wants people to think he sounds like Cannonball. It's okay, though. I already apologized and Cam says he'll let me live. This time.
It's on this Saturday at 5:10 p.m. if anyone's interested.
www.Johndoheny.com