An Andres Segovia Recital

 

Leyenda

An Andrés Segovia Recital

Andrés Segovia, Guitar

Cover: Erik Nitsche

Decca Gold Label Series Records DL 9633

1952

From the back cover: Andrés Segovia, guitaris – The love of plucked instruments has been an inherent part of the musical life of Spain ever since its introduction by the Moorish occupation in the 12th and 13th centuries. The antecedent of the modern instrument upon which Andrés Segovia performs so remarkably, was called a vihuela, an instrument closely resemb ling the lute, with several guitar-like features. Its ablest performers (vihuelistas) were to be found among the aristocracy, where a mastery of this particular skill counted among the prime requisites. for the well-tutored nobleman.

The guitar began to supersede the vihuela about 1600, and established itself as the national instrument of Spain. It soon became quite fashionable throughout Europe, and later captured the English people through the zealous and untiring efforts of the famous guitarist and composer Ferdinand Sor. A number of the Romantic composers, Schubert and Berlioz among others, are known to have been accomplished amateurs. Indeed, Berlioz accorded the guitar most serious treatment in his monumental Treatise on Orchestration.

In our time, as a result of the innumerable recitals of serious music given by Andrés Segovia, the guitar has attained new and prominent stature in the concert world.

Andrés Segovia was born in 1893, in Linares, a mining town in the province of Jáen, in the renowned locale of Andalucia. A short time after his birth, his family took up residence in Granada, where Segovia spent his childhood years. Here, in the fabled land of the Moorish kings, the boy was steeped in a great artistic tradition, and at quite an early age, he began to show promise of what was to mature as the outstanding talent in his field.

Rejecting the blandishments of mediocre "professors" of violin, piano, and cello, Segovia's innate sensitivity led him to choose the guitar, the venerated and beloved instrument of his native land, as his personal mode of expression. The phenomenal technique at his command is all the more remarkable in view of the fact that he was entirely self-taught. Not only did Segovia create his own instrumental technique, but he further extended his pre-occupation with his instrument into a thorough and painstaking musicological exploration of the art, history, and literature of the guitar.

At the age of fourteen, he made his first public appearance as a serious artist in his native Granada, and a year later, repeated his earlier success, this time in Barcelona. Shortly afterwards, Segovia toured throughout Spain, and, at the close of the First World War, concertized extensively in South America. He made his Paris debut in 1924, a concert attended by distinguished luminaries from the spheres of music, art, and literature. Falla, Roussel, and Unamuno heard him from Madame Debussy's box. It was a brilliant perform- ance and both public and critics were entranced. This unanimous accolade resulted in increased demands for further appearances, and during the two years following, Segovia gave recitals through- out Europe. Few years elapsed before his art was heard throughout the world.

From the works of the renowned vihuelistas such as Milan, Alonso de Mudarra, Gaspar Sanz, and others, Segovia has gone on to examine the various periods of English, Italian, French, and German music and has rediscovered many neglected masterpieces. Finally, he has included those immortal works of J. S. Bach written for laud (lute), an instrument which Segovia describes as having so many of the technical and "spiritual" qualities of the guitar.

A number of important contemporary composers have made sig- nificant contributions to the guitar literature. From Spain, Falla, Turina, and Torroba; from France, Roussel and Ibert; from England, Cyril Scott; from Poland, Tansman; from Mexico, Manuel Ponce; and from Italy, Castelnuovo-Tedesco.

Segovia believes that the final step in the guitar's ascension to uncontested prominence in the musical galaxy will be its recogni- tion as one of the integral solo instruments of the orchestra. Two great composers have labored in this cause, composing two concerti to exploit the virtuosity of the instrument. The first, by Castelnuovo-Tedesco, was given its first performance in Uruguay, and the second, Manuel Ponce's Concerto of the South in Montevideo, both with great success. The former composer has also written a Serenade in four movements for guitar and orchestra.

About the Music – 

SIDE ONE

1. ROMANESCA (Alonso de Mudarra)

Alonso de Mudarra was one of the most important vihuelistas of the 16th century known principally by the publication of a collection of pieces for lute in 1546. The Romanesca is based on an old Spanish folk-song, "Guardame las Vacas" (freely translated as "Look after the cows") and is one of many instrumental treatments of this popular melody by 16th century composers.

2. PRELUDE, BALLET, AND GIGUE (Sylvius Leopold Weiss)

These three movements derive from a Suite for Lute by a little-known (undeservedly so) contemporary of J. S. Bach, Sylvius Leopold Weiss. A close personal friend of Bach, Weiss spent many

evenings of pleasant improvisation with the Baroque master. Though the manuscripts of this latenist are rare, those surviving reveal a happy combination of masterful counterpoint and beguil ing melody.

3. PRELUDE AND GAVOTTE (Johann Sebastian Bach)

No Segovia recital is considered complete without several of the guitarist's masterly transcriptions of Bach. The Prelude is from the first Suite for Unaccompanied Cello in G Major, the Gavotte from the sixth and last Suite for Unaccompanied Cello in D Major,

4. ALLEGRO (Ferdinand Sor)

Ferdinand Sor is noted as both guitarist and composer. Born in Barcelona in 1780, Sor was active in Paris and from 1809, in London where he made the guitar fashionable, appearing as soloist with the Philharmonic Society. His compositions include many valuable studies and pieces for the guitar. The Allegro comes from a Sonata for Guitar and has been edited by Segovia.

SIDE TWO

1. SONG WITHOUT WORDS, OP. 19, NO. 6 (Felix Mendelssohn) In its original form, a composition for piano subtitled "Venetian Boat-Song No. 1," in G Minor, it appears here in a transcription for guitar by Segovia, transposed to E Minor for greater facility of performance.

2. MENUETTO (Franz Schubert)

Another guitar transcription of a work originally composed for the piano, from the Fantasie, Andante, Menuetto, and Allegretto, Op. 78. The transcription is by the great Spanish guitarist Tárrega.

3. SONATINA (Frederico Tórroba)

This Sonatina for guitar is in three movements, Allegretto, Andante, and Allegro. Tórroba, a contemporary Spanish composer, is the first non-guitarist to compose for the guitar. The work, brimming with captivating Iberian rhythms, was a special favorite of Maurice Ravel.

4. LEYENDA (Isaac Albéniz)

Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909) is generally regarded as the founder of the modern Spanish "national" school. A pianist and composer, he is best known for the Tango in D and the set of piano pieces. Iberia. The Leyenda is a part of a Suite Espagnole for piano; the transcription is by Andrés Segovia. – Martin Diller

The Art Of The Harpsichord - Landowska

 

Fantasia In C Minor

The Art Of The Harpsichord

Wanda Landowska

Photo: David Zingg

RCA Victor LM-2194

1958

From the back cover: SIDE 1 –  J. S. Bach Partita No. 2, in C Minor (Schmieder 826)

Sinfonia Allemande Courante - Sarabande - Rondeau - Capriccio

The Suites by Bach known as the French Suites were so called because of the supposed finesse of French écriture. And yet, the English Suites are more French than the French ones, and the Partitas which have been claimed as the German Suites, are the most French of them all.

The Partita in C Minor is Bach's most eloquent homage to French music. It is not only a homage to the music, but to the tradition and style of French interpretation. "We write differently from what we play," says Couperin in his Art de toucher le Clavecin. Bach proves and demonstrates this postulate in this Partita.

The Sinfonia opens with an Overture à la Française, condensed into seven measures. A recit follows, gentle and expressive, which evokes an oboe d'amore, and the Sinfonia ends with a powerful fugue in two voices.

The Allemande, the Courante and the Sarabande bring us close to Couperin. In the Rondeau and Capriccio, Bach amuses himself royally with jumps from one hand to the other. One feels he is in high spirit, and the outburst even increases in the Capriccio.

Bach himself published the six Partitas, one by one. The second, in C minor, first appeared in 1727.

SIDE 2

Band 1-J. S. Bach Capriccio on the Depar- ture of His Beloved Brother (Schmieder 992)

Arioso - Andante - Adagissimo - Aria di Postiglione— Fuga all' imitazione della cornetta di Postiglione

This piece, originally called Capriccio sopra la lontananza del suo fratello diletissimo, was composed by Bach-then nineteen years old-at Arnstadt, in honor of his older brother, Johann-Jakob, who enlisted in 1704 as oboist in the army band of the Swedish King, Charles XII.

In the Arioso, tender and graceful, his friends try, with cajoleries, to persuade him to abandon the voyage.

The Andante-fugato which follows is a polyphonic de- scription of the various misfortunes which could happen to him en route.

The Adagissimo is a general lament of his friends. The descending chromatic bass, so dear to Bach and his prede- cessors, reminds us of the B Minor Mass.

But Johann-Jakob is adamant and his friends wish him farewell. Then comes the Aria di Postiglione followed by a spirited fugue, on the imitation of the postillion's horn, which overflows with gaiety.

Bach composed the Capriccio which is almost unique in his work-under the influence of Kuhnau whose de- scriptive Biblical Stories, in sonata form, were composed four years before.

Band 2-J. K. F. Fischer Passacaglia in D Minor

Johann Kasper Ferdinand Fischer, also famous as organist and harpsichordist, was one of the first-as well as Georg

Muffat-to introduce into Germany the French ornaments.

The Passacaglia, Fischer's most beautiful piece, belongs to his Musikalisches Blumen Büchlein. It begins in the low register of the harpsichord whose gravity is intensified by the somber tonality of D minor. Restrained at first, the passion grows, rises and blazes out in a theme whose re- semblance to that of Bach's Chaconne for unaccompanied violin-also in D minor-strikes us. Let us not be surprised. Bach not only knew the works of Fischer, but also used his themes in certain fugues of the Well-Tempered Clavier.

Band 3-J.

J. S. Bach Fantasia in C Minor (Schmieder 906)

The autograph of this Fantasia is in Dresden. It would be important for every interpreter to know it because it reveals the method of executing certain ornaments which Bach-instead of indicating them by signs-wrote out in notes. This case is rare in Bach's works and an eloquent lesson.

The Fantasia can be played on the modern piano, but the passages for crossed hands obviously call for the two keyboards of the harpsichord.

The character of this Fantasia is stormy. The two voices run, sometimes in contrary motion, sometimes together, sometimes they clash and interweave-magnificent effects intended for the two keyboards.

Segovia And The Guitar

 

Fantasia – Sonata

Segovia And The Guitar

Compositions by Luys de Narvaez, Alessandro and Domenico Scarlatti, Espla, Manén

Cover Photo by George Joseph

Decca Records - Gold Label Series

DL 9931

1960

From the back cover: ANDRÉS SEGOVIA was born in 1893, in Linares, in the renowned locale of Andalucia. A short time after his birth, his family took up residence in Granada, where Segovia spent his childhood years. Here, in the fabled land of the Moorish kings, the boy was steeped in a great artistic tradition, and at quite an early age, he began to show promise of what was to mature as the outstanding talent in his field. At the age of fourteen, he made his first public appearance as a serious artist in Granada, and a year later, repeated his earlier success, this time in Barcelona. Shortly afterwards, Segovia toured throughout Spain, and, at the close of the First World War, con- certized extensively in South America. He made his Paris debut in 1924, a concert. attended by distinguished luminaries from the spheres of music, art, and literature. It was a brilliant performance and both public and critics were entranced. This accolade resulted in increased demands for further appearances, and few years elapsed before his art was heard throughout the world.

Segovia believes that the final step in the guitar's ascension to uncontested prominence in the musical galaxy will be its recognition as one of the integral solo instruments of the orchestra. Of the great composers who have labored in this cause, the following can be named: Castelnuovo-Tedesco has written two concerti, a sere- nade and a guitar quintet to exploit the virtuosity of the instrument. Manuel Ponce's Concerto of the South met with great success at its first performance in Montevideo. Villa-Lobos composed Fantasia Concertante for guitar and orchestra, Tansman a work called Homage à Manuel de Falla and Hans Haug, the Swiss composer, has written a work called Concertina, which won first prize at the International Con- test at Siena in 1952.

Side One:

1. Canción del Emperador (sobre "Mille Regretz" de Josquin) Variations on "Guárdame las vacas"

(Luys de Narváez-in modern notation by Pujol)

Josquin's "Mille Regretz" is said to have been the favorite song of the Emperor Charles V. The Canción del Emperador consists of variations on Josquin's song, written for the vihuela (the ancestor of the modern guitar) by Luys de Narváez. This renowned Spanish lutenist of the 16th century introduced the variation form into Spanish music, and published a book of tablature (1538), from which both pieces recorded here are taken. The second piece is a set of delightful variations on an anonymous vocal theme, "Guárdame las vacas"-"Keep watch on the cows." The modern notation of both pieces is by Emilio Pujol.

2. Two Pieces for Lute: Song and Galliard (Dowland)

John Dowland's importance in the history of music is that of a composer of songs. In his lifetime (1563-1626) he was better known as a great lute player, unrivalled in all of Europe, and a highly skilled singer. The Song, recorded here, melancholy in feeling and full of rhythmic interest, was originally written for voice transcription of his song for lute alone, in the form of a galliard. The Song is especially remarkable for the richness of its secondary voices. The fresh, charming Galliard (a Central European court dance) that follows was written for lute, and transcribed by Andrés Segovia.

3. Preambulo and Gavota (Alessandro Scarlatti)

These two piano pieces of Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725) were found, to- gether with two others, in the Conservatory of Naples some twenty years ago; they form a part of a suite. In the slow introduction of the Preambulo the bold contrary movement of voices is particularly striking; the middle section is a rapid fugato movement. The Gavota is an especially ingratiating, melodious short piece. The transcriptions are by Andrés Segovia.

4. Sonata (Longo #352) (Domenico Scarlatti)

Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757), the son of Alessandro, often regarded as the father of modern piano-playing, spent many years in Spain, where he was in royal service. He was, of course, influenced by Spanish rhythm and feeling, and this short Sonata in C minor, in one movement, is filled with Spanish atmosphere. Andrés Segovia, who transcribed the work for guitar, believes the slower tempo, which he favors over that of most pianists, to be more faithful to the Spanish character of the piece.

5. Dos Impresiones Levantinas (Oscar Esplá)

Oscar Esplá (1889- ), a modern Spanish composer belonging to the group of de Falla and Turina, is a native of Alicante, one of the south-eastern provinces of Spain that are known collectively as Levante. Outstanding among his works are the compositions for piano. These two Impresiones Levantinas are short miniatures, that conjure up the atmosphere of the Levante and capture the spirit of Alicante. Andrés Segovia plays his own transcriptions.

Side Two:

Fantasia-Sonata (Joan Manén)

Joan (Catalan version of Juan) Manén (1883- ), the contemporary Spanish violinist and composer, inscribed this Fantasia-Sonata "Por y para Andrés Segovia" ("For and because of Andrés Segovia"). It opens with a Largo of languid atmosphere and distinctly Spanish character. In the first Allegro of the Sonata, Catalonian sentiment predominates, and the Largo motif recurs as the second theme. The middle section is a slow, evocative Andante cantabile, and the third section a lively Allegro assai, with a beautiful, characteristic little melody that again embodies the flavor and essence of Spain that dominates the whole work. The opening Largo theme returns to close the piece.

Peter Pan - Jean Arthur & Boris Karloff

 

Peter Pan

Peter Lawrence and R. L Stevens Presents

Jean Arthur and Boris Karloff in J. M. Barrie's

Peter Pan

Songs and Lyrics by Leonard Bernstein

With Marcia Henderson, Peg Hillias, Joe E. Marks

Production Staged by John Burrell

Associate Director: Wendy Toye

Recording Director: Robert Lewis Shayton

Incidental Music by Alec Wilder

Musical Conductor: Ben Steinberg

Record Adaptation by Henry Walsh

Original Columbia release 1950

Columbia Special Products AOL 4312 reissue

1973 CBS

Cast

Mr. Darling - Boris Karloff 

Mrs. Darling - Peg Hillias
Wendy - Marcia Henderson
John - Jack Dimond
Michael - Charles Taylor
Nana - Norman Shelly
Peter Pan - Jean Arthur
Tootles - Lee Barnett
Slightly - Richard Knox
Curly - Philip Hepburn
The Twins - Charles Brill, Edward Benjamin
Nibs - Buzzy Martin
Captain Hook - Boris Karloff
Smee - Joe E. Marks

Starkey - David Kurlan
Jukes - Will Scholz
Cecco - Nehemiah Persoff
Mullins - Harry Allen
Noodler - John Dennis
Cookson - William Marshall
Whibbles - Vincent Beck

NARRATOR - TORIN THATCHER

From the back cover: The songs WHO AM I?, BUILD MY HOUSE, and PETER, PETER are sung by Miss Henderson; THE PIRATE SONG and THE PLANK by Mr. Karloff and the Pirates.

For more than twenty years, Americans had not had a chance to see J. M. Barrie's enchanting Peter Pan, until it was revived at the Imperial Theater in New York on the evening of April 24th, 1950, with Jean Arthur in the title role and Boris Karloff as Mr. Darling and Captain Hook. In view of its ecstatic reception by both critics and audiences, and in view of the fact that British audiences have been revelling in its charm an- nually (with the exception of 1939 and 1940) for years, it is difficult to understand why Peter Pan has been so long absent from the American scene. There were many who felt that the pro- ducers, Peter Lawrence and R. L. Stevens, were clearly out of their minds in attempting a pro- duction of a complex and expensive fantasy, but the delighted yells of children and the happy sur- render of their adult chaperons have completely vindicated them.

James M. Barrie - he was knighted in 1913- wrote Peter Pan on commission for Charles Frohman in 1904. Barrie himself felt that the play was unsuited to the commercial theater, and offered Frohman an additional script. Both were accepted. The first performance of Peter Pan was given on December 27th, 1904, with Nina Boucicault as Peter, and it ran for 145 perform- ances. Since that time, it has been an annual event in the British theater, being played at Christmas-time with many of the most distin- guished actresses assuming the part of the en- gaging boy who refused to grow up. Barrie died in 1937, leaving all royalties of the play in per- petuity to the Hospital for Sick Children in London.

In America, the role has until now been largely identified with Maude Adams, who starred in the first domestic production on November 6, 1905. She again played it in revivals in New York in 1912 and 1915 and of course across the country.

In the sole film version, a silent production of 1924, Betty Bronson made her debut. Marilyn Miller played Peter in 1924, and Eva Le Gallienne in 1928. Since then, until Jean Arthur flew magic- ally through the windows of the Darling nursery in the current production, the spell of the Never Land and the Pirate Ship had been denied the young in heart of this country.

And when the last flight had been made, when Peter had retired to his home in Wendy's house in the tree-tops, when the children had returned to Nana's supervision, then the critics unleashed some of the most joyous phrases of the season. "Something that is priceless in the workaday theater," "a superlative production," "the happiest play in New York... the jolliest of evenings," these and equally pleasant remarks filled the columns. Miss Arthur's Peter was characterized as triumphant and enchanting, Mr. Karloff's per- formances in two parts as the best of his career. Salutes were in order, too, for Leonard Bernstein's sympathetic and refreshing music, the settings by Ralph Alswang, the costumes by Motley, and, indeed. for everyone connected with the production. That these salutes were not unmerited is attested by the captivating spirit of this performance.

Jean Arthur is one of the best known actresses n the American screen. Her present contract with Paramount Studios permits her to do plays and pictures independently of the studio. Her favorite picture of all time is Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, and she is glad to have been a part of it. She feels the same way about Peter Pan, the play. Long identified with the monster in Frankenstein for his horrifying but curiously sympathetic portrayal, Boris Karloff has appeared in a lengthy succession of similarly frightening films. On the stage, he has been seen in Arsenic And Old Lace, demonstrating a brilliant comic sense, and in On Borrowed Time and The Linden Tree, proving himself an actor of wide range and understand- ing, by no means limited to the frightening roles with which he became famous. Born in Dulwich, England, Mr. Karloff left the diplomatic service to become an actor, and has toured widely in Canada and the United States. In Peter Pan, he combines his talents, being humorously gentle as Mr. Darling, and humorously terrifying as Captain Hook.

Marcia Henderson left Andover, Mass., to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Art, grad- uating last spring. Only twenty, she has appeared in two films, and is featured in her first Broadway appearance. Her warmly lovely performance has already won her honors: the New York critics voted her the most promising young actress in a Variety poll and Theater World chose her as one of the twelve most promising stage personalities of 1950.

Peg Hillias has been seen in A Streetcar Named Desire and an Equity Library Theater production of Lucky Sam McCarver. Between performances as Mrs. Darling, she may be heard on the radio in Kitty Keane and Helen Trent. Joe E. Marks was most recently seen in Bloomer Girl, staying with the company for more than three years. He has also appeared in The Man Who Came To Dinner, High Kickers, and in many motion pic- tures and television productions.

Leonard Bernstein, who composed the songs and lyrics for Peter Pan, basing the words on the play, is famous as one of the most brilliant conductor- composer-pianists to be heard anywhere. In addi- tion to his provocative The Age Of Anxiety, he has composed music for On The Town, the ballets Fancy Free and Facsimile and the prize-winning symphony Jeremiah. Formerly conductor of the New York City Center Symphony, he has appeared with major symphonies all over the world, and was conducting in Israel when Peter Pan opened.

John Burrell was appointed resident director of England's Old Vic Theater Company in 1945, and is a member of the Drama Panel of the British Arts Council. Wendy Toye is one of England's most active theater personalities, as actress, dancer, director, choreographer and producer. Peter Pan is her first American assignment, fol- lowing three revues staged in London. – Notes compiled by GEORGE DALE

A Child's Introduction To Spanish - Carlos J. Montalban

 

A Child's Introduction To Spanish

A Child's Introduction To Spanish

New Language By Ear Method

Approved by leading language teachers

Spanish Instruction under the direction of Carlos J. Montalban

Voices: Maria Rubini, Manuel Astudillo, Peggy Powers, Eugene Lowell

Musical Director: Jim Timmens

Words and Music by Paul Parnes

Produced by Hudson Productions, Inc.

High Fidelity Golden Records LP-75

Manufactured in U.S.A. by A. A. Records, Inc.

1961

Dance On The Wild Side - George Young / The Cousins / The Playboys

 

Dance On The Wild Side

Dance On The Wild Side

George Young, The Cousins & The Playboys

Produced by Marcucci & Faith

Jacket Design: Chic Laganella

Recorded Live at Wildwood, New Jersey Chancellor Studios, Philadelphia 

Chancellor CHL-5028

1962

Fat Backs And Greens - The Playboys

Duck Walk - The Playboys

Hey Mrs. Jones - The Playboys

Flamingo - The Cousins

Twistin' Marie - George Young

Night Train Twist - The Playboys

Take A Chance On Love - The Playboys

Birdland Hully-Gully Twist

St. Louis Blues Twist

Goody, Goody - The Cousins

Booty Green - The Playboys

Hand Clappin' - The Playboys

The Magnificent Seven - Al Caiola

 

Intermission Riff

The Theme From

The Magnificent Seven

And Other Favorites

Al Caiola

United Artists STEREO UAS 6133

1960

The Magnificent Seven

American Patrol

720 In The Books

A String Of Pearls

King Porter Stomp

Intermission Riff

Lonely Rebel

Begin The Beguine 

Eager Beaver

920 Special 

Jumpin' At The Woodside

Goodbye

Coco Cola Presents The Real Thing Steel Band

 

Sell The Pussy

Coca Cola Presents 

The Real Thing Steel Band

At Clay House Inn Bermuda

Edman Records ELPS 1105

Members of the band: Gordon Barrow (Captain), Neil Gibbs, Henry Jordon, Steve Snaggs, Lai Jagroop, Allan Woods, Carlyle Rose, Carlos Peters, Michael Scanterbury, Verold Matthews, Lester Hutchings

From the back cover: The natural gift, which is relatively common in Trinidad for a young man to be able to produce such pleasing sounds from an old oil drum wavering on the same level as a concert orchestra and which is so remarkable to others, is, we feel, displayed to its best advantage on this second recording of the Camboulays Steel Band. You can appreciate even more pieces such as Tchaikowsky's Waltz of the Flowers or the thunderous hymn Jerusalem when you take into account there is no music written for a steel band and that it depends solely on the ability of the Captain to produce suitable arrangements.

The group have been playing together for approximately three years. They started with Lever Brothers of the West Indies and then, after touring for a while in the United States returned to the Clayhouse Inn, Bermuda where they are presently appearing and where they have now acquired a new sponsor, Coca Cola.

The pans were produced by Mr. Bertram Kellman who is well known in Trinidad for his ability to create and tune this unusual instrument. When one mixes the co-operation of the members, with the skill of Mr. Kellman, the leadership of Gordon Barrow, the backing of Coca Cola, and setting of Clayhouse the final results could only be success as evidenced by this record. – B. Watson

Waltz Of The Flowers

Sell The Pussy

Hallelujah Chorus

Granada

Margie

My Way Of Life

Sounds Of Music Medley

Holy City

Rose Of Tralee

Stand

Lisboa Es Sempre Mulher

Goose Pimples - Jim Cullums & Bobby Hackett

 

Chloe

Goose Pimples

Jim Cullums' Happy Jazz 

With Bobby Hackett

Happy Jazz Records AP-96

The Happy Jazz Band Volume 5

1967

Jim Cullum, Sr. - Clarinet

Gene McKinney - Trombone

Jim Cullum, Jr. - Cornet

Bobby Hackett - Cornet

Willson Davis - Sousaphone

Cleff Gillette - Piano

Curly Williams - Banjo

Harvey Kindervater - Drums

From the back cover: If I came charging in with a mouthful of superlatives, bellowing "Bix lives!" I would make an ass of myself. But it would honestly reflect my feelings about the music packaged herein as "Goose Pimples."

I can't afford insinuations that I'm a sort of musical Manchurian Candidate, a patsy for that notorious Texas syndicate known far and wide as Jim Cullums Happy Jazz. So I played the tape of Goose Pimples for Andy Mitchell. Mitch looks like Brunis, plays like "Papa Mutt" Carey, and has dug small band jazz for 40 of his 56 years. He is the only cornet in Philadelphia who can play all five strains of Panama. And he tells it straight.

Mitch settled himself with a pot of black coffee and a small thermos of Gilbey's. "Okay, let's hear it."

As the first track came through Mitch was frowning (no bad sign; he frowns when he sings "Ugly Chile"), but his feet were tapping.

We sat through the tape without exchanging a word. I started to rewind. Finally, Mitch broke the silence. "Oh, man," he said, softly, almost in disbelief, "These guys are just the greatest. This is out of this world."

He asked for a replay of "Buddy Bolden's Blues." It rolled, and he jammed a finger into my face. "Listen to those voicings!" he commanded. "There's no cats in the country get a sound like that."

I agreed wholeheartedly. But I wanted it to come from someone else. In their fifth record, Jim Cullums Happy Jazz has gone and done it again: Proved that you can doff your hat to the jazz past without falling flat on your face; proved that creative musicians can find plenty of artistic scope within the disciplines of traditional jazz.

Jim Cullums Happy Jazz is what happened when good fellows began getting together five years ago to jam in the San Antonio home of James Cullum, Sr., a clarinetist and one-time Jack Teagarden sideman turned wholesale grocer.

Cullum didn't have to look far for a cornet. Jim Cullum, Jr. supplied that. Other San Antonians joined the fun – Gene McKinney, trombone; Willson Davis, sousaphone; Cliff Gillette, piano; Harvey Kindervater, drums.

All had done stints in dance bands. But only Curly Williams, who replaced the group's original banjo player (the late Ben Valfre), works as a full-time musician today.

On this record the lads get a friendly assist from another full-time "musicianer," a great admirer of the band sound which developed from those living room sessions.

His name is Bobby Hackett, and he needs no further introduction to anyone who owns a record player, let alone a record collection.

Bobby and Jim, Sr. have been friends for years. In July (1967) both played several nights at Peanuts Hucko's Club Navarre in Denver. Bobby happened to mention how much he liked the Happy Jazz Band's relaxed two-beat rock (Jim, Sr. calls it "buggy-trot rhythm").

A few weeks later Bobby turned up in San Antonio. By rare coincidence, so did E. D. Nunn, president of Audio- phile Records. Nunn is to high fidelity what Pablo Cassels is to the cello. He happened to have his gear with him. Hackett was packing his cornet.

Working Bobby into the act was a snap. He and Jim, Jr. unpacked their Getzen cornets, and for a warm-up Jim, Jr. stomped off "You Gotta See Mama." Nunn had the second go 'round on tape.

What you will hear has such rare cohesion for a traditional jazz band that someone is bound to ask about written scores. They were used in two instances only. Bix's lead on the outgoing choruses of "Goose Pimples" was scored for two cornets, working from the 1927 Okeh record. Cliff Gillette worked out harmonic interludes and sousaphone high jinks on "Chloe."

Twice-weekly sessions at The Landing in San Antonio, appearances at jazz concerts, musicianship and a rare flair for ensemble teamwork not scores have developed the Happy Jazz sound.

For Bobby Hackett, Armstrong was, is and always will be the greatest." Jim, Jr. feels Lu Watters should get the palm for the best ensemble lead. But there is a lot of Beiderbecke lurking around this record, and not just in the choice of tunes, either. Or maybe that silver bell-struck-with-a-padded-mallet tone is built into Getzen cornets!

For the record, Jim, Jr. plays ensemble lead on all tunes except "Mama." Bobby plays harmony or counter melodies. So... let's get on with it.

Goose Pimples. Associated with Bix but written by Jo Trent and Fletcher Henderson and recorded by Fletcher with his Dixie Stompers for Harmony October 24, 1927, a scant 24 hours before Bix cut the same tune for Okeh. Both labels were Columbia subsidiaries. Bobby solos first, building on a series of descending phrases. Jim opens his 12 bars with a series of ascending phrases. Bobby's tone is always velvet. Jim lets a little edge creep into his..

Memphis Blues. Jim, Jr. opens W. C. Handy's first published blues with a solo on the infrequently played first strain. After ensemble on the second and third strains, Jim, Sr. solos on the first strain with a tone as round and full as the late Jimmy Noone's capacious belly. Another ensemble leads into what to these ears is Hackett's choicest solo of the date. Louisiana. More Bixiana. Jim, Sr. glides gracefully over loose-limbed, "buggy-trottin'" rhythm; a cornet flurry, a la Chicago, brings on Gene McKinney for some simple but effective trombone ruminations. Then the cornets are off on "The Great Chase," swapping four-bar phrases. Jim gets in first licks and sounds downright aggressive in spots; Bobby never loses his cool.

Sorry is still a third tune from the 1927-28 "Bix and His Gang" recordings for Columbia. The Cullum cornet opens this version. Hackett solos after Jim, Sr. and the gang heads happily for home. Maybe this is how Bix would have sounded if he had ever recorded with jazzmen in his own league?

Buddy Bolden's Blues was cut before Bobby's arrival. As compensation, there is some really gorgeous voicing in the opening ensemble, with McKinney playing a harmony line above the cornet and clarinet. Listen, too, to the eloquent plunger work on his solo. Mr. Jelly Lord gets credits for the tune, but chances are it pre-dates his alleged "invention" of jazz in 1902.

Wang Wang Blues. Not a blues at all but a 1920 "jazzy" tune by New Orleans clarinetist Gussie Mueller, White- man cornetist Henry Busse, Leo Wood and Buster Johnson. Bobby's cornet leaps out of the ensembles like a playful deer, and he solos twice, with McKinney getting in some good 'bone between solos.

Mood Indigo. Some Duke's mixture here. Hackett embellishments are a highlight. Very pretty, restrained blowing by all hands, with Jim, Sr. taking the traditional clarinet chorus against soft noodling by Bobby.

Chloe. The dawn comes up like thunder in the guise of Willson Davis's big bass horn. Then Jim, Jr. plays the pick-ups, and Bobby takes the melody solo. Neil Moret the same fellow who penned the rag. "Hiawatha," fathered "Chloe" in 1927.

You've Got To See Mamma Er'ry Night Or You Can't See Mamma at All shows how four skilled front line men can put their horns together without stumbling over one another. Fine ensemble clarinet by the elder Cullum, Bobby and Jim, Jr. swap leads here, and the score card reads as follows: Jim leads ensemble on first chorus and verse; Bobby leads a second chorus into Gene McKinney's solo; Jim leads on the verse into a lower register chorus by his Pa; two ensemble choruses out, Hackett leading the first, Cullum the second.

A Biento translates as "Until We Meet Again" and is a delightful melody by Peanuts Hucko. It's the clarinet of Jim, Sr. all the way, backed by Curly Williams on guitar and Gene McKinney on string bass. The trio sustains a warm, nostalgic mood throughout, while the rest of the mob cool their horns.

Westmoreland Weare. A sort-of-original romp builds on a riff reminiscent of the "Farewell Blues" train whistle and moves into a theme which sounds like "When My Dreamboat Comes Home" after the captain has taken a couple of slugs of Geritol. Garner Clark, Dallas cornetist and old buddy of Jim, Sr. worked up the riff. In the folly of his youth, Clark liked a glass now and then. He lived on Westmoreland Street in Dallas, and his homeward treks are here immortalized by Jim Cullums' Happy Jazz. – ALAN WEBBER Philadelphia, September 27, 1967

Goose Pimples

Memphis Blues

Louisiana

Sorry

Buddy Bolden's Blues

Wang Wang Blues

Mood Indigo

Chloe

You've Got To See Mamma Ev'ry Night

Westmoreland Weave

Spencer's Washboard Kings

 

Spencer's Washboard Kings

Spencer's Washboard Kings

Featuring Miss Jackie Knight

Recorded for Davjon, Ltd. at General Recording Services, London

Engineer: Sean Davis

Musical Director: Carl Spencer

Produced by John Britten

Davjon Limited, London, W1

Davjon DJ 1012

From the back cover: Spencers Washboard Kings are the finest exponents of genuine 1920's music in the country. Having survived the recent 1920's "Boom" they are now firmly established as broadcasting and performing favourites. On this record they play many of the wonderful songs that typify the "Roaring Twenties" in their own humerous and original style. We feel sure that you would welcome personal details of the men who make up this extraordinary orchestra, and we are pleased to supply them below:

Carl Spencer is tall, fair, handsome and leads the Band on the cornet. He was previously with the Dixie Syncopators.

Charlie Smart brings his incredible banjo technique to the Band via his experience with the Back o' Town Syncopators.

Ray Wordsworth at 22 is the youngest member of the group. His sensational trombone playing began when he was with the Davy Jones Band, before he joined the Washboard Kings. Dave Wright plays the tuba and sometimes doubles on banjo. Previously with the Savannah Jazz Band, his ambition is to tour the world before setting up his own Jazz Club.

Ray Lewitt plays drums with the Washboard Kings and is an expert on antiques. He was previously drummer with the Bonzo Dog doo dah Band.

Brian Hills – known as the Legendary Brian Hills-is the band's clarinetist. Previously with the Downtown Syncopators. He is a particular fan of Coleman Hawkins and Bessie Smith.

Malcolm Everson also plays clarinet and alto sax, but on this record, principally plays the baritone sax. His ambition is to be a fully competent musician on all instruments, and he previously played with Colin Kingwell's Jazz Bandits.

Last, but by no means least, Neville Dickie, can be heard on the "Tea for Two" track. Neville's ambition is to make his name as a solo pianist and by the sound of his playing that day cannot be too far off. He was previously with the Brian Green Jazz Band.

California Here I Come
Miss Annabelle Lee
Deep Henderson
I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate (Featuring Miss Jackie Knight)
I Miss My Swiss Miss (Featuring the Rev. Barry Dunning, spinster of this parish)
Sweet Emmalina
Button Up Your Overcoat
A Cup Of Coffee (Featuring the Rev. Barry Dunning again)
Pasadena
2nd Hand Rose (Featuring the return of the delectable Miss Jackie Knight)
Tea For Two, a piano piece highlighting the multi-fingered dexterity of Neville Dickie)
Last Night On The Back Porch
Old Comrades March