A dispute over the price of a bottle of Golden Champion Ale at my local off-licence caused me to be late for the Sunday Service. Will three "Hail Mary Lou Williams" grant me absolution?
What I did hear was well worth foregoing the Golden Champion Ale! That master of multi-piano styles Joe Webb was at the piano and clarinetist Cox (and occasional singer) was in the pulpit.
Today's sermon was based around the clarinet/piano recordings of Don Ewell and Darnell Howard and they did those two legends proud.
When I logged in the dynamic duo were just concluding Southside Strut the omens looked good.
Earl Hines' My Monday Date kept things alive and Blues my Naughty Sweetie Gives to me turned up for the second session running. Last night, Smitty's gang bopped it up a bit but today's duo stayed closer to the Bechet original complete with vocal from Adrian although not, he said, the naughty version his dad sings which is probably similar to what Fred Thompson sings with the Vieux Carré Jazzmen.
Love me or Leave me was played at the relaxed tempo composer Walter Donaldson intended and not the "what speed-limit officer?" tempo that Anita O'Day introduced and has since become the template for today's chanteuses.
Adrian gave us some more words - Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You? He and whoever he pairs up with each Sunday certainly are good to us parishioners. The music is better than a fur coat (or, in Adrian's case, a cashmere) for Christmas.
Bush St. Scramble, an original by Darnell Howard, had the duo upping their game - if that was possible! - before finishing off with Squeeze Me.
An excellent way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Next week is an extra special event from Gun Hill Studios with Joe Stilgoe as guest pianist/vocalist.
Lance
No comments :
Post a Comment