twolegendsclash #5
(Bechet-Spannier Big4 – Sweet Sue Just You)
Yet another top ranking slice featuring original Hell raiser Sidney Bechet this time in tandem with cornet player Muggsy Spanier, (who always sounds to me like he should have run with Al Capone !!), bassman Wellman Braud and guitarist Carmen Mastren. Recorded in New York in April 1940.
sleighbellsring #2
(Fats Waller – Swinging Them Jingle Bells)
One from the king..Thomas Wright Waller. Without doubt one of the most influential musicologists of the 20th Century. The word legend was invented to try and describe in one word cats like ‘Fats’. Virtuoso pianist and supreme songwriter who swung every time he played. Rumour has it that the man played piano for 3 days straight after being kidnapped to play at Al Capone’s birthday party. Leaving the gaff lagging drunk, no doubt as high as a kite and thousands of dollars richer….
If aliens came down from space and wanted to get an idea of what Christmas, (or Jazz), is all about they could do no worse than listen to this cut.
“Swing them Jingles son…”
themusicologist 