Sunday, May 23, 2010

Monk Hazel And His New Orleans Jazz Kings - GHB Records


Monk Hazel And His New Orleans Jazz Kings
featuring Pete Fountain


2009 GHB Records BDC-117

Drummer Monk Hazel is joined on these two sessions, recorded in 1955 and 1957, by the then unknown trumpeter Al Hirt and clarinetist Pete Fountain. The 13 tracks here represent Hazel's full recorded output as a leader and include 5 songs unreleased before.

CD Listing:
1. Panama
2. Of All the Wrongs
3. I Used to Love You
4. Long Way to Tipperary
5. Gypsy Love Song [#] unreleased

Personnel on tracks 1 -5:
Al Hirt - Trumpet
Jack Delaney - Trombone
Pete Fountain - Clarinet
Joe Capraro- Guitar
Roy Zimmerman- Piano
Phil Darois - String Bass
Monk Hazel - Drums - Mellophone
Rita St Claire - Vocal

6. Angry
7. Basin Street Blues
8. Let Me Call You Sweetheart
9. When You're Smiling
10. Ja Da #1 [#] unreleased
11. Ja Da #2 [#] unreleased
12. Kiss Me Again [#] unreleased
13. Sin to Tell a Lie [#] unreleased

Personnel on tracks 6 -13:
Dutch Andrus - Trumpet
Jack Delaney - Trombone
Harry Shields - Clarinet
Roy Zimmerman - Piano
Chink Martin - Bass - Tuba
Monk Hazel - Drums
Jackie Blaine - Vocal

Liner Notes:

Certain types of musicians are born to be legends. People like Buddy Bolden, Bix Beiderbecke, Paul Mares, Leon Roppolo, Larry Shields and Monk Hazel are the stuff that jazz dreams are made of. But of the quintet names above, Little Monk is the only one left on this sphere, still sparking great jazz combinations. Always insufficiently recorded in years gone by in fact his last recording session fronting his own band dates back to December 1928 when he waxed four sides under the name of "Monk Hazel and his Bienville Roof Garden". Monk's work is mainly remembered by those fortunate enough to see him in person here or on his occasional sensational forays into New York, Chicago, or Hollywood.

If you're one of those unfortunates who have been told so many times, "You should have been here last night! Monk Hazel was on the stand" you'll welcome these nine sides, because they're just the way he played the night you missed him. Principally famed as the greatest of Dixieland drummers, Monk is also celebrated for his work on cornet and e-flat valve trombone plus his great mellophone solo's one which you will hear on the tune "It's A Long Way To Tipperary."

You'll be knocked out, nevertheless, by the unique Hazel beat as present herein, occupying the spotlight in the rhythm section that includes not only the tuba work on side two by Chink Martin, Sr. but the string bass of Phil Darois with that fabulous beat which has become identified with music generating in this Crescent City.

On both sessions you hear Roy Zimmerman the veteran New Orleans piano man stressing sustained improvisation in middle and upper register and extracting rich tones from the piano bass. On clarinet side two fresh from the critical acclaim heaped on his melodious horn in all of the jazz periodical, following his first Southland appearance with the Johnny Wiggs Group (S-LP 200), you'll hear Harry Shields even more carefully recorded, and full of the quiet fire that made for him an overnight world-wide reputation. You'll never get his solo on the verse to "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" out of your mind.

On Side One the big tone of Pete Fountain clarinet who reminds one of the late and great Irving Fazola, and it is a rare privilege to be able to present him now surrounded by men of his own caliber in his finest recorded performance. Jack Delaney's fluent trombone (heard on both sides) which has in the past year captured the fancies and hearts of all of New Orleans, alternates flexibly between "Tailgate" and "High Register" in a manner that confounds so many of the older heads here and then tosses in solos full of freshness and facility rivalling Brunis and Teagarden.

The driving trumpet you'll hear on Side One is a rare treat. Al Hirt has been a outstanding "job" musician around New Orleans for many a year. Obviously for no good reason, he's never been recorded with a Dixieland band before. You'll be shocked, when you hear this wonderful horn to realize that a jazzman of this caliber can get lost in any city. Southland apologizes for the whole record industry, but offers Al Hirt here in his highly successful disc debut. On Side Two you hear Dutch Andrus on trumpet, a current start in his own right carries this session along in masterly fashion. Dutch has established himself already as one of New Orleans outstanding jazzmen. He sat regularly with the town's finest, and they love to play with his typically New Orleans lead horn. On Side One you hear the top man in his field today on guitar "Joe Capraro" with his big full tone and stimulated rhythm.

Southland was so impressed with the fine singing of Rita St Claire that we took this opportunity to offer her to you. On Side One you will hear Rita St Claire backed by this exciting Dixieland ensemble in "All The Wrongs You Done To Me" and "It's A Long Way To Tipperary" - you hear this gorgeous voice. She is a natural, her singing is effortless, her pitch true, her tone full and thrilling.

On Side Two you hear the great blues singer Jackie Blaine giving Spencer Williams great blues "Basin Street Blues" a grand treatment.

Joe Mares, Jr.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

The Very Best of Pete Fountain - Unlimited Media

The Very Best of Pete Fountain
Unlimited Media

The Very Best of Pete Fountain
Record Label: Unlimited Media
Originally released: 12-08-2008

1. Dobro Moon
2. Margie
3. Going Home
4. Jazz Me Blues
5. South Rampart Street Parade
6. That's a Plenty
7. The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise
8. The Lazy River
9. Bugle Call Rag
10. Farewell Blues
11. High Society
12. When the Saints Go Marching in

Live Performance In New Orleans - Setco Records

Live Performance In New Orleans
Setco Records

Live Performance In New Orleans
Record Label: Setco
Originally released: 01-FEB-2009

Reissue of 1962 Camden Records CAS-727(e) Stereo / CA-727

1. When the Saints Go Marching In
2. High Society
3. Farewell Blues
4. Darktown Strutter's Ball
5. Ballin' the Jack
6. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans
7. Muskrat Ramble
8. 12th Street Rag
9. Tin Roof Blues
10. Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey

Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey - Setco Records

Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey
Setco Records

Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey
Record Label: Setco
Originally released: 01-FEB-2009

Reissue of 1962 Camden Records CAS-727(e) Stereo / CA-727

1. Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey
2. High Society
3. 12th Street Rag
4. Ballin' the Jack
5. When the Saints Go Marching In
6. Farewell Blues
7. Darktown Strutter's Ball
8. Muskrat Ramble
9. Tin Roof Blues
10. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans

Pete's Beat - CEMA Special Markets

Pete's Beat
CEMA Special Markets

2008 EMI reissue of 1992 CEMA Special Markets S21-56649

CD Listing
1. When You're Smiling
2. Oh, Lady Be Good
3. 'way Down Yonder In New Orleans
4. Someday Sweetheart
5. Avalon
6. Honeysuckle Rose
7. Rosetta
8. Shine
9. The One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else)
10. You Can Depend On Me
11. Do You Know What It Means (To Miss New Orleans)
12. Deep Purple

Liner Notes:

A showcase for Pete's clarinet, these recordings should appeal more to fans of the mellow, softer Pete than of his driving New Orleans dixieland style music. No credits listed or liner notes here, pretty much a budget release. It's Pete with a small group of unidentified musicians on the xylophone, guitar, bass and drums. The accompaniment is swinging, crisp, and rather lean, thanks in some measure to the absence of a piano, but none of the supporting musicians measures up to the capabilities of the leader during the solos. Except for two obvious selections , there is nothing to identify this with New Orleans but this is still a very enjoyable small group swing set.

Tradition Runs Deep: Blues, Folk & Jazz - Tradition Records

Tradition Runs Deep: Blues, Folk & Jazz
Various Artists Featuring Pete Fountain

Tradition Runs Deep: Blues, Folk & Jazz
Record Label: Tradition
Originally released: 14-JUL-1998

1. You Got To Move Artist: Mississippi Fred McDowell
2. John Henry Artist: Etta Baker
3. In New Orleans (House Of The Rising Sun) Artist: Leadbelly
4. More Pretty Girls Than One Artist: Woody Guthrie
5. Treat Everybody Right Artist: Big Bill Broonzy
6. Jack O' Diamonds Artist: Odetta
7. Down In The Willow Garden Artist: Kossoy Sisters, Eric Darling
8. Walk On Artist: Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee
9. See See Rider Artist: Lightnin' Hopkins
10. Balky Mule Blues Artist: Blind Lemon Jefferson
11. I'm Not Rough Artist: Louis Armstrong
12. Oop Bop Sh-Bam Artist: Dizzy Gillespie
13. Cherokee Artist: Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra
14. Bayou Blues Artist: Pete Fountain
15. Bamba Samba Artist: Woody Herman, Charlie Byrd

Dixieland Jazz Fever - X5 Music Group

Dixieland Jazz Fever
Various Artists Featuring Pete Fountain

Dixieland Jazz Fever
Record Label: X5 Music Group
Originally released: 29-04-2008

1. Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White Artist: Al Hirt
2. Moon Over Dixie Artist: Duke Ellington
3. Shine Artist: Al Hirt
4. Rock a Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody Artist: Al Jolson
5. Dixie Jamboree Artist: Nat King Cole
6. Margie Artist: Pete Fountain
7. Dixie Artist: Al Caiola
8. High Society Artist: Pete Fountain
9. I Wanna Be Like You (Live) Artist: Kenny Ball
10. Alexanders Rag Time Band Medley Artist: The Beverley Sisters
11. Bugle Call Rag Artist: Benny Goodman
12. High Society Artist: Sidney Bechet
13. King Porter Stomp Artist: Glenn Miller
14. Maple Leaf Rag Artist: Sidney Bechet
15. Savoy Blues Artist: Acker Bilk
16. That's a Plenty Artist: Tommy Dorsey
17. Tiger Rag Artist: Alvino Rey
18. When the Saints Go Marchin´ in Artist: Louis Armstrong
19. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans Artist: Bill Coleman
20. South Rampart Street Parade Artist: Bob Crosby
21. Muskrat Ramble Artist: Dean Martin
22. Careless Love Artist: The American Patrol Orchestra
23. Beale Street Mama Artist: Cab Calloway
24. Chinatown My Chinatown Artist: Chet Atkins
25. Weary Blues Artist: Tommy Dorsey

It Might As Well Be Swing - Ranwood Records

It Might As Well Be Swing
Various Artists Featuring Pete Fountain

It Might As Well Be Swing
Record Label: Ranwood
Originally released: 24-AUG-1999

Artist: Glenn Miller
1. Tuxedo Junction
2. Chattanooga Choo Choo
3. Pennsylvania 6-5000
4. Sun Valley Jump
5. Bugle Call Rag
6. I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo
7. Perfidia
8. Runnin' Wild

Artist: Lawrence Welk
9. Take The "A" Train
10. One O'clock Jump
11. Christopher Columbus
12. King Porter Stomp
13. Caravan
14. That Old Black Magic
15. Organ Grinder's Swing
16. Tangerine

Artist: Pete Fountain
17. Cheek To Cheek
18. Alice Blue Gown
19. Runnin' Wild


Artist: Myron Floren
20. Pennsylvania Polka
21. The Thunder Polka
22. Jolly Polka

Legends Of Jazz Vol. One - Synergy Records

Legends Of Jazz Vol. One
Various Artists Featuring Pete Fountain

Legends Of Jazz Vol. One - Synergy Records
Record Label: Synergy Records
Originally released: 1999

1. April In Paris Artist: Count Basie
2. Don’T Blame Me Artist: Charlie Parker, Miles Davis
3. Ain't Nobody's Business Artist: Billie Holiday
4. Jazz Is His Old Lady Artist: Earl "Fatha" Hines
5. Eubie's Boogie Artist: Lionel Hampton
6. Sensation Rag Artist: Pete Fountain
7. Birth Of The Blues Artist: Cab Calloway
8. Tain't What You Do Artist: Ella Fitzgerald
9. Love Me Or Leave Me Artist: Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan
10. Riff Raff Artist: Charlie Parker
11. Diga Diga Do Artist: Lena Horne
12. Accentuate The Positive Artist: Lionel Hampton

Big Band Swing Volume 1 - Synergy Records

Big Band Swing Volume 1
Various Artists Featuring Pete Fountain

Big Band Swing Volume 1
Record Label: Synergy Records
Originally released: 1999

1. April In Paris Artist: Count Basie
2. The Jumpin' Jive Artist: Glenn Miller
3. Frankie and Johnny Artist: Benny Goodman
4. You Are My Everything Artist: Tommy Dorsey
5. I Ain't Got Nobody Artist: Louis Armstrong
6. Dark Eyes Artist: Stan Kenton
7. Pennsylvania 6-5000 Artist: Glenn Miller
8. Sunset In Paradise Artist: Pete Fountain
9. Stompin' At The Savoy Artist: Benny Goodman
10. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) Artist: Lena Horne
11. Little Girl Artist: Tommy Dorsey
12. Chatanooga Choo Choo Artist: Glenn Miller
13. It Might As Well Be Spring Artist: Stan Kenton
14. Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey Artist: Louis Armstrong
15. I Can't Get Started Artist: Artie Shaw
16. Moonlight in Vermont Artist: Tommy Dorsey

When The Saints Go Marching In (EP) - K-Tel Records

When The Saints Go Marching In (EP)
Various Artists Featuring Pete Fountain

When The Saints Go Marching In (EP)
Record Label: K-Tel
Originally released: Feb 8, 2010

1. When The Saints Go Marching In Artist: Mickey Gilley
2. When The Saints Go Marching In Artist: Pete Fountain
3. When The Saints Go Marching In Artist: Mel McDaniel
4. When The Saints Go Marching In Artist: The Emeralds
5. When The Saints Go Marching In Artist: Tiny Tim
6. When The Saints Go Marching In Artist: Star Sound Orchestra

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Christian Brothers School Annual Concert - News

Christian Brothers School Annual Concert
Pete Fountain & the Hollywood Casino Band
Report by John Titsworth, New Orleans LA

Pete Fountain sets the mood with his Hollywood Casino Band


Pete, accompanied by his Hollywood Casino Band played his annual concert at Christian Brothers School nestled in New Orleans’ City Park on April 15, 2010. The occasion was the annual fund-raising golf tournament in Pete’s name.

Pete sent both his sons to this school and has been an integral part of this event for over 30 years. A large tent was erected in the backyard and was the scene of a 50-minute concert. The weather was beautiful , low 70s and much more importantly low humidity foregoing the need to use an on-stage small portable fan for Pete during outdoor concerts.

After the opening announcement by Brother Gregory, Pete and Band blasted open with “Clarinet Marmalade”, followed by such familiar tunes as “Up the Lazy River”, “Basin Street Blues”, “St. Louis Blues”, blues vocal based on “Tin Roof Blues” by guitarist Allyn Young poking good-natured fun at tenor saxophonist Tom Maggorie, “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”, “My Little Margie” vocal again by Allyn Young, and closing with the “When the Saints Go Marching In” as the crowd roared its approval concluding a special musical evening. The remaining members of the band included Tim Laughlin (cl) sharing clarinet duties with Pete, Connie Jones (cor), Mark Mullins (tb), Tom Maggorie (ts), Allyn Young (g), John Royen (p), Steve Braun (b), John Royen (p), Bryan Barberot (dr).

John Titsworth, New Orleans LA is a frequent contributor to this blog, we thank him for all his hard work and contributions.