I first heard him singing Nina Never Knew on record with the Sauter Finnegan Orchestra. I think that was his only recording with the band although Bill Finnegan's wife subsequently became his manager.
That was back in the mid-fifties. Fast forward 40 years and the late Brian Fisher Harkness, at one of our occasional record/drinking sessions suggested I should check out this blind, singer, accordionist Joe Mooney.
Brian was usually astute on these things so I checked him out and, the moment I heard Joe Mooney I was hooked! Think Chet Baker, Tormé, early Sinatra - Mooney had all of their qualities plus a few of his own.
It took me awhile to track down any available records even though I was working in a record shop at the time! However, finally, two CDs appeared on the HEP label (Hep CD 63/65). What a joy!
The quartet which comprised Mooney (vocal, accordion, organ); John Frigo (bass); Andy Fitzgerald (clarinet); Jack Hotop (guitar) only lasted for a couple of years before moving in different directions but the 43 tracks on these two albums, recorded in 1946/51 are as close to perfection as any vocal album can hope to achieve.
The sleeve notes are by Terry Teachout and it was the world's number one jazz blogger Mark Myers who, writing about Terry Teachout who died recently, made reference to their shared enthusiasm for Mooney's music, prompting me to listen to the albums again. Thank you Mark and, posthumously, Terry for those perceptive sleeve notes. I think I'll toast Joe and Terry with a cup of Oulong - Lance
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