Impossible to pick out a favourite, all are vocal masterclasses, with an impeccable choice of material. Two of them remember Maxine Sullivan, another is with Dave Frishberg and there are several with various combos led by trombonist Dan Barrett. As a F/b friend I knew there had been health issues which ultimately led to her retiring in her hometown of Portland Oregon.
I think it was Roly Veitch who initially pointed me in her direction via numbers such as You're a Lucky Guy and Dear Bix. For that I'm eternally grateful - thank you Roly and thank you Rebecca Kilgore for the music which will forever have a place in my heart.
Sadly missed. Lance
1 comment :
Such sad news. I first heard her on a Russell Davies radio broadcast quite a few years ago. The track was 'A Hundred Years From Today' and I was quite taken by the warm, unaffected vocal and the distinctive clarinet led ensemble which turned out to be Bobby Gordon's Trio. Gordon played mostly in the low register of the instrument and in what I would describe as an impish way. I've never heard anyone play quite like that and I liked it a lot. I bought the album, 'Harlem Butterfly' (a remembrance of Maxine Sullivan). It’s a great CD and I still often play it. Following on from that I acquired several other CDs. All of them consistently good but one I would particularly pick out is
'I Saw Stars' with Dan Barrett's Celestial Six. Underpinning the sextet is some beautiful, light acoustic rhythm guitar from Bucky Pizzarelli. The entire band sits on his impeccable rhythm and time feel. Coming back to ‘Harlem Butterfly’ the album has two takes of the this lovely song. I like to think it was so good they couldn’t decide which to use so included both! Lyrics by Johnny Mercer.
Harlem butterfly
The moon got in your eye
The night you were born
Harlem butterfly
You listened to the cry
Of some lonely horn
And that combination
Left you a mark
One you’ll never, ever lose
While you chase some will o’ the wisp
In the dark
Your heart keeps singing the blues
Oh, Harlem butterfly
The writing’s in the sky
You’ll come to no good
But I’m not blaming you
I’m certain I would do
The same if I could
But even though a candle
Burned at the еnds
Can never last out the night
Harlеm butterfly
It really makes a lovely light
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