Thatcher/Blount/Vickers - River Stay' Way - It is amazing how jazz has spread throughout the world and the Brits are now
some of the better performers of the New Orleans style. On this recording Jazz
Crusade producer Big Bill Bissonnette has come up with some very fine British
musicians who play in a style reminiscent of that heard years ago in New
Orleans.
These jazzmen are from three bands: the Ken Colyer Trust, directed by
trumpeter Norman Thatcher, banjoist Dave Brennan's Jubilee Jazz Band, and
clarinetist Chris Blount's New Orleans Jazz Band. Trombonist Dave Vickers is a
member of the Ken Colyer Trust, and he, bassist Mick Kennedy and pianist Barry
Grurnmett play in the Jubilee Jazz Band. Drummer Male Murphy works with several
bands.
Put these guys together and, as Bissonnette says in the album notes, it's "a real good ensemble band." The front line musicians work very well together with fine backup from the piano, and the rhythm section provides a steady beat that is evident today in only such New Orleans-inspired bands as the New Black Eagle Jazz Band in the United States and Kid Bastien's Happy Pals in Toronto, Canada.
These British musicians play with feeling and dynamics while
playing in New Orleans ensemble, which is immediately evident in the initial
rendition, "There's Yes! Yes! in Your Eyes," from 1924. This tune was recorded
by Paul Whiteman on the Victor label, Al Kahn (Columbia), Guy Lombardo (Decca),
Artie Shaw (Columbia), and Eddy Howard (Mercury). And here, as elsewhere on this
CD.
Thatcher's trumpet sounds off very well on the melodic lead and the three
members of the front line and the piano have outstanding solos. Blount's
clarinet, Vickers's trombone and Thatcher are at their best on solos and leads
on "River Stay 'Way from My Door."
The ensemble playing is particularly
outstanding on the traditional "Lily of the Valley," Joe "King" Oliver's
wonderfully bluesy "Snag It," one of the better renditions, and "Daddy's Little
Girl."
"Just a Gigolo," from 1930, a Viennese popular song originally titled
"Schöner Gigolo," was introduced in the United States by Irene Bordoni. Its
first successful recording was by Vincent Lopez and His Orchestra on the Hit of
the Week label; a new recording, on a flexible disc, was issued and sold under
this label's name each week at newsstands. Other early recordings were by Bing
Crosby (Victor) and Harry Richman (Brunswick). Today, at concerts and jazz
festivals, Berlin born Marty Grosz does a splendid vocal of this song in English
and German, but here there is no vocal, unfortunately; however, the tune is one
of the better offerings by the band with fine solos from the trumpet, trombone
and piano, and some nice, light press rolls from Murphy.
The band is best on
the snappy "Indiana," from 1917, as there are excellent solos and counterpoint
from the front line, Brennan takes an interesting banjo solo, and Murphy uses
the drum set, to include the snare drum, cowbells and tom-toms. Following
"Indiana" is the traditional "Yes Lord I'm Crippled," a perfect selection for
the final tune. For those listeners who like the wonderful New Orleans style,
this fine CD is tor them. - George Borgman IAJRC Journal
River Stay 'Way From My Door - Barnes, England 27 December 1995.
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