Sunday, April 4, 2010

Mardi Gras Parade Music from New Orleans - Southland/GHB Records

Mardi Gras Parade Music from New Orleans
Southland/GHB Records



1994 (CD) GHB Records BHB 107



1974 (Vinyl) GHB Records GHB-107 (re-issue with added cover text)


1955 - Southland LP-207 Mono


1959 - GHB-107 Mono

CD track listing:

1. Mardi Gras Parade
Emile Christian and His New Orleans Jazz Band
Mike Lala (Trumpet)
Harry Shields (Clarinet)
Bob Havens (Trombone)
Emile Christian (Trombone)
Armand Hug (Piano)
Joe Carparo (Banjo)
Monk Hazel (Drums)

2. Bourbon Street Parade
Santo Pecora and His New Orleans Rhythm Kings
Santo Pecora (Trombone)
Lester Bouchon (Clarinet)
Thomas Jefferson (Trumpet)
Phil Darois (String Bass)
Roy Zimmerman (Piano)
Johnny Edwards (Drums)

3. March of the Bob Cats
Pete Fountain and His New Orleans Band
Eddie Miller (Tenor Sax)
Pete Fountain (Clarinet)
Al Hirt (Trumpet)
Stan Wrightsman (Piano)
Morty Corb (Bass)
Ray Baudec (Drums)
Abe Lincoln (Trombone)

4. Buzzards Parade
Sharkey and His Kings of Dixieland
Sharkey Bonano (Trumpet)
Harry Shields (Clarinet)
Bob Havens (Trombone)
Armand Hug (Piano)
Joe Capraro (Banjo)
Monk Hazel (Drums)
Chink Martin (Bass)

5. King Zulu Parade
Johnny Wiggs and His New Orleans Kings
Johnny Wiggs (Cornet)
Raymond Burke (Clarinet)
Emile Christian (Trombone)
Jeff Riddick (Piano)
Edmond Souchon, MD (Banjo)
Paul Barbarin (Drums)
Sherwood Mangiapane (Tuba)

6. High Society
Sharkey and His Kings of Dixieland
Sharkey Bonano (Trumpet)
Harry Shields (Clarinet)
Bob Havens (Trombone)
Armand Hug (Piano)
Joe Capraro (Banjo)
Monk Hazel (Drums)
Chink Martin (Bass)

7. While We Danced at the Mardi Gras
Al Hirt and His Jazz Band
Al Hirt (Trumpet)
Harry Shields (Clarinet)
Bob Havens (Trombone)
Joe Capraro (Guitar)
Paul Edwards (Drums)
Roy Zimmerman (Piano)
Phil Darois (String Bass)

8. If Ever I Cease to Love
Johnny Wiggs and His New Orleans Kings
Johnny Wiggs (Cornet)
Raymond Burke (Clarinet)
Emile Christian (Trombone)
Jeff Riddick (Piano)
Edmond Souchon, MD (Banjo)
Paul Barbarin (Drums)
Sherwood Mangiapane (Tuba)

9. South Rampart Street Parade
10. Got to the Mardi Gras
11. Moose Parade - Raymond Burke, Jefferson
12. Why Don't You Go to New Orleans - Jim Beatty Listen
13. Joe Avery's Whoopin' Blues Listen
14. Second Line Listen
15. When the Saints Go Marching In Listen
16. Day After Mardi Gras

Vinyl Track Listing:
Side 1
1. Mardi Gras on Parade, Emile Christian and His New Orleans Jazz Band
2. Bourbon Street Parade, Santo Pecora and his New Orleans Rhythm Kings
3. March of the Bob Cats, Pete Fountain and his New Orleans Band
4. New Orleans Parade, George Girard and his New Orleans Five
5. Basin Street Blues, Thomas Jefferson's Creole Jazz Band

Side 2
1. King Zulu Parade, Johnny Wiggs and his New Orleans Kings
2. High Society, Sharkey and his Kings of Dixieland
3. While We Dance at the Mardi Gras, Al Hirt and his Jazz Band
4. Buzzard's Parade, Sharkey and his Kings of Dixieland
5. If I Ever Cease To Love; Johnny Wiggs and his New Orleans Kings

LINER NOTES:

PERSONNEL
In Order Of Appearance
Emile Christian And His New Orleans Jazz Band
Santo Pecora And His New Orleans Rhythm Kings
Pete Fountain And His New Orleans Band
Sharkey And His Kings Of Dixieland - #4, 6
Johnny Wiggs And His Kings Of Dixieland - #5, 8
Al Hirt And His Jazz Band
The Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band
The Young Men Of New Orleans
Thomas Jefferson/Raymond Burke
Jim Beatty
Sarah Spencer's Rue Conti Jazz Band
George Buck's Jazzology All Stars
Sammy Duncan And His All Stars
The Lakefront Loungers

"The same spirit that enters the people of (and in) New Orleans during the Mardi Gras time infuses the music of the Carnival season. Music is literally everywhere, whether a brass band in Jackson Square playing 'Saints' for the umpteenth time or a recorded version of the favorite 'Mardi Gras Mambo' being blasted from some huge speakers on the bed of a truck. The juke boxes are stocked with seasonal fare and muzak versions of Carnival hits which fill the ears of shoppers at the mall. Music is the key to the festivities, and in the words of Arthur Hardy, publisher of the Annual 'Mardi Gras Guide,' the city's traditional jazz is the soul of the celebration. On this collection we are treated to sixteen performances of New Orleans jazz that are associated with Mardi Gras. The stylistic thread running throughout this disc is the beat, that unmistakable yet indescribable beat, is the hallmark of the music that accompanies parade season." Liner notes by Jon Pult

Saturday, April 3, 2010

The Very Best Of Pete Fountain - Max Cat Records

The Very Best Of Pete Fountain


2010 - Max Cat Records

Note, how long did it take to create this cover? They could have done so much better!

CD Listing:
1. St. James Infirmary
2. Margie
3. Going Home
4. Jazz Me Blues
5. South Rampart Street Parade
6. That's A-Plenty
7. World Is Waiting for the Sunrise
8. Lazy River
9. Bugle Call Rag
10. Farewell Blues
11. High Society
12. When the Saints Go Marching In

Same release as "The Very Best Of Pete Fountain"
1998 - BCI Music Records BCCD 60410-2

New Orleans All-Stars - Clarinetist Pete Fountain still reigns supreme as the king of New Orleans jazz. Recorded in 1957. this comprehensive collection of various sessions features inspired solos by Fountain. pianists. trombonists. trumpeters. and even the occasional tuba player.

Personnel:
Pete Fountain: clarinet
Tony Almerico: trumpet
Jack Delaney: trombone
Roy Zimmerman: piano
Lester Bouchon: clarinet. tenor saxophone
Frank Frederico: guitar
Joe Lovacano: bass
Johnny Castain: drums
Same stuff that has been around for years, seems they cash on these oldies every year!

Pete Fountain - Volume II - Essential Media Group


Pete Fountain - Volume II
(Digitally Remastered)



2010 - Essential Media Group

Disc
1. High Society 3:16
2. That's A Plenty 2:53
3. The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise 4:48
4. Margie 2:54
5. Up A Lazy River 3:10
6. Mahogany Hall Stomp 4:07
7. I'm Goin' Home 3:17
8. Farewell Blues 3:14


Liner Notes:

The epitome of New Orleans jazz clarinet, Pete Fountain remains the senior ambassador of the New Orleans Dixieland jazz scene. His potent combination of swing and Dixie land has endeared to fans worldwide. This collection from 1974 offers a proper view of the artist performing some of his best loved numbers including "Margie" and "Mahogany Hall Stomp".
All selections newly remastered.

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

David Mekalian - Here is the history of these recordings:

Dixieland From New Orleans: The Basin Street Six
1950 Circle Sound Records L-403 (10" LP)

High Society
1972 Pickwick Records SPC-3201 Stereo / PC-3201 Mono

Pete Fountain Volume II
1974 Everest Records, FS-303 Stereo

The Basin Street Six: The Complete Circle Recordings
1994 GHB Records BCD-103

Personnel:
George Girard (trumpet)
Pete Fountain (clarinet, track 2 tenor sax)
Joe Rotis (trombone)
Roy Zimmerman (piano)
Bunny Franks (string bass)
Charlie Duke (drums)

Recorded New Orleans
Tracks 1,2,4,5,7: Aug 2, 1950
Tracks 3,6: Nov. 3, 1950

From when the very first note of Pete's clarinet hits after the two bar introduction in "High Society," you know everything is going to be alright. Such is the sweetness and surety of his tone that as he darts in and around the trumpet's melody, a feeling of well-being should immediately pervade the listening area. And then comes the solo! Here Fountain shows his true mastery, running up and down and around scales with incredible range and speed. Of course, it's easy to miss speed, hidden as it is within his silky smooth attack and technique. To top it off, he then takes out his bass clarinet and breezes through another couple choruses a few octaves down - a pretty good introduction to the Pete Fountain style and range.

After a strutted run through of "That's A Plenty," the album's second cut, "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise" finds Fountain in a slightly more contemplative mood as he makes his way almost mournfully through the theme. As the song progresses though, and the band begins to jump, the clarinet responds in kind. Here, it's fun to hear how Pete gets both melancholy and joy out of the same notes, as the clarinet gradually, but never completely, succumbs to the glee of the brass and rhythm section.

Following the introduction, the trumpet's working of "Up A Lazy River" includes some nice scale bending similar to the clarinets at the start of "Margie." The tempo here is decidedly slower than anything so far and the blues just drip off the notes.

As its name might suggest, "Mahogany Hall Stomp" marks a return to the upbeat. But, as if the bluesiness of the preceding tunes have had an effect, the tone here is more contemplative than the album's opening tunes. Which is not to say it isn't hot. The flame is just more blue than white. Trumpet leads off. followed by clarinet. The trumpet then returns in muted form and blows some impressive long notes.

"I'm Goin' Home" is one of those songs which the adjective bittersweet was born to describe. While not exactly a traditional New Orleans second line, it does put one in mind of that final send off. But the sublime accented scales of the clarinet together with the occasional united trumpet punches, make it far more sweet than bitter - and serve as a strong argument against the playing of funeral dirges on such occasions.

As impressive as Pete is when he's noodling at high speeds. it's the slow. mellow, julep-sipping stuff that is most dramatic. "Margie" is an excellent example. On the opening phrase of the melody, Pete bends a blues note with exquisite force and subtlety). It's almost as if the turntable were suddenly spinning just a hit slower (And if l were listening to a vinyl copy. I might have checked). Then the love songs vocal is presented in that matter-of-fact. Hex. I don't really sing. but nobody else showed up for the gig. kind of was that works perfectly for this type of song. After the vocal, the trumpet piano and trombone run through the tune.

With "Farewell Blues" the album ends where it began. as Pete Fountain once again runs circles around everything without breaking a sweat. Too often, people dismiss Dixieland without really listening to it. Pete Fountain makes sure you pay intention. you'll be glad you did.