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Acker Bilk


Location: Pensford, Somerset, England
Genre: Jazz & Easy Listening
Years Active: 1958 - 1978
Real Name: Bernard Bilk
A.K.A.: Mr. Acker Bilk, "The Great Master of the Clarinet"
Meaning of the Name: In Somerset, "acker" is slang for friend.
Way of Working: Band Leader
Style: Meditative music for a relaxing time.
Associated: The Paramount Jazz Band

Essential Releases

Blue Acker

Stranger on the
Shore EP (1962)

His best work.

Album Title 2

Blue Acker (1968)

Frosty jazz with big brass.


Bilk played Dixieland jazz, a style associated with New Orleans, after learning the clarinet while serving in the British army. His strong sense of tradition manifested in both his music and fashion; he would often dress as an Edwardian gentleman, taking to the stage in a tidy waist coast, trousers, bowler hat, and sometimes even a tie.

His biggest hit was the single 'Stranger On the Shore', which reached number 1 in the US and number 2 in the UK.


Skills

*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.

Emotional Impact

i Does it connect with the heart? What does it make you feel and how much of it?
60

Mental Impact

i Does it connect with the head? Social issues, interesting observations, clever lyrics, similies etc.
70

Originality

i Are they unique? Did they break new ground, use new techniques or create new genres.
45

Artistry

i Using creativity and imagination to present themselves in a unique way. Example, Wu-Tang Clan as Shaolin and Marvel characters etc.
75

Authenticity

i Do they really mean what they say? Is it autobiographical, personal?
60

Live

i Stage presence, working the crowd, performance. Miming, forgetting lyrics reduce this.
85

Production

i Studio techniques. More important for electronic music including hip hop.
45

Musicianship

i Their ability to play individually and as a group. Technical skills. DJing. Freestyling for hip hop.
85

Texture

i Technical attributes.
85

Songwriting

i Storytelling. Cohesive themes. Is the song about something? Stan by Eminem is an example of excellent songwriting.
55

Danceability

i Does it make you move? Do you tap your foot, nod your head or move your whole body?
60

Fun

i Is listening to it a good time? Are the lyrics funny? Depressing themes lowers value.
55

Consistency

i Have they put out good music across their careers. Two good albums and 5 band ones will reduce this value.
60

Range

i Fast, slow, ballads, party jams. Do they go beyond their own genre?
60

Cool

i Laid-back, icy detachment, unflustered.
65

Charisma

i Factors include appearance, force of personality. Elvis making people faint etc.
65

Commercial & Critical Success

Awards

Certifications

Charts >>>

  • Album Charts: "The Seven Ages of Acker (1960)" - Number 6 in the UK
  • Album Charts: "The Best of Ball, Barber and Bilk" (1962)" - Number 1 in the UK
  • Singles Charts: "Stranger on the Shore" (2008)" - Number 1 in the US; Number 2 in the UK, Number 3 in Canada
  • Singles Charts: "Aria" (2008)" - Number 5 in the UK

Critics


CONTROVERSY

  • Bilk referred to 'Stranger on the Shore' as his "pension", but was bored of playing it in later years.


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