(Review by Russell)
Retrospective, a division of Nimbus
Records, has released a corker of an album featuring no fewer than forty seven
tracks spanning thirty four years featuring the work of Buster Bailey. In the
history books as a formidable technician, constantly in demand during a long
career - from WC Handy to Armstrong's All Stars - yet considered by some to
have an inferior sound to some of his peers, not least the truly famous Benny
Goodman, Memphis Blues will, perhaps, spark a reappraisal of
Bailey's place in the clarinet pantheon.
During a long recording career,
predominately as a sideman, Bailey's clarinet is heard alongside a who's who of
the jazz world. The early years in New Orleans with King Oliver and Armstrong,
the move north to Chicago and on to New York (working once again with Armstrong
in Fletcher Henderson's outfit) and his tenure with John Kirby, Bailey more
than held his own.
Blues in C Sharp Minor and Warming
Up with Teddy Wilson are two of many highlights across the two discs.
Bailey's own Rhythm Busters are represented, sessions with Benny Carter,
Coleman Hawkins and others take their place, as does his remarkable sustained
single note, circular breathing blowing - all forty five seconds of it! -
on St Louis Blues (John Kirby's Onyx Club Boys from
1942).
Russell
Buster Bailey Memphis
Blues is available on Retrospective (RTS 4356).
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