Thursday, December 26, 2013

Louis Nelson/Alton Purnell with Dave Brennan's Jazzmen CD Review - George A. Borgman



Two famous New Orleans jazz musicians are featured on this recording. The common denominator between the two sessions is the group known as Dave Brennan's Jazz Band. They support well both Nelson & Purnell, who do not play together on any of the tunes.


The Nelson renditions are a bit disappointing, not because of his playing, which is exceptional on many of his solos, but in the poor balance due to the misplacement of one or more mikes. Since Nelson is being featured, his trombone is louder than the other instruments, even when he is playing accompaniment to someone else's solo or melodic lead. Over There, that great George M. Cohan tune from World War I, is performed very well by Nelson and the group who give it a jazz flavor.

Purnell displays a great left hand on Alton's Boogie and he takes an exceptional solo on the Original Dixie Jass Band One-Step. He and the frontliners provide excellent accompaniment to his vocal on I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket. He sings splendidly on I Want A Little Girl. The audio balance on the Purnel tracks is much better than that on Nelson's.

This recording, especially the Alton Purnel renditions is mostly for fans of jazz that was performed in New Orleans in the early 1970s.  - George A. Borgman, IAJRC Journal

I'm Putting All My Eggs Into One Basket - Alton Purnell, Rotherham, England November, 24 1974

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