Martha Davis And Spouse

Umbrella Man

Martha Davis And Spouse
ABC-Paramount ABC-160

A Product Of Am-Par Record Corp.
1957

From the back cover: This is their first LP recording debut. Up to now, with the exception of their much-applauded appearances on such as the Perry Como and Garry Moore TVers, Martha Davis and Calvin Ponder (who is actually her real-life spouse) have reached only limited audiences in cafes, hotels and supper clubs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and the new Mecca of show business, Las Vega. It seems surprising, therefore, that their fan mail and following should be so large. Not really, though. Both being accomplished musicians and being lucky enough to find in each other, both musically and personally, the qualities with highlight and enhance their own, they are unique in that everybody who hears them, loves them. And that's because they love their work and the people who hear them.

Martha, born in Wichita, Kansas, began her career in the Chicago of Benny Goodman, "Father" Earl Hines and Art Tatum, growing up in an atmosphere where many all-time jazz giants were belting out their greatest and most inspirational musical endeavors. As a single, she shared honors with a distinguished sisterhood of singer-pianists, such as Julia Lee, Nellie Lutcher and Cleo Brown. And there is nothing wrong with her choices of all-time favorites, either. Top singer in her book is Ella Fitzgerald. And the great influence pianistically is the immortal "Fats" Waller, two of whom compositions, "Slightly Less That Wonderful" and "Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now," grace the album. Their combined influence can be heard in her singing and playing.

Calvin Porter started life in St. Louis and worked for some time as bass player in groups with names like "Four Cats And A Kitten," in which he was, naturally, a Cat. For several years after they were married, he and Martha continued to work separately, until the lucky day in 1949 when the team of Martha Davis and Spouse made its appearance.

An intelligent quiet man with a dry sense of humor, he complements (and compliments) his wife's gay warmth and effusiveness in every way. When they work (or rather, play) together, they just have a ball. Incidentally, the unusual name for the act, "just happened" the way things "just happen" in good swinging sessions. As Calvin explains it, they didn't want Martha to lose the following she had developed as Martha Davis, and how much can your billing suffer when you change your name from Cat to Spouse. Not at all, Calvin. Not at all. On the contrary, much more than billing was gained. Listen – Jim Friedman

From Billboard - April 13, 1957: This package is the wax debut of a talented night club duo currently playing at the Blue Angel. Martha plays a Fats Waller-type piano and chants a hip, sophisticated song; hubby plays bass, sings and indulges in banter with mama. Makes pleasant listening, altho it is difficult to catch on a disk the subtle and sometimes ribald charm the couple display in their East Side nitery act. Tunes are mostly great standards, "Two Sleepy People," "Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now," etc. Anyone who has seen the act will find the album irresistible.

Two Sleepy People
Mine
Slightly Less Than Wonderful
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter
Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now
Umbrella Man
You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me
Back Street
The Surrey With The Fringe On Top
Life Is So Peculiar
I Like The Likes Of You