The record changer (Jan-Dec 1949)

14 Jelly Roll Morton Big Fat Ham Muddy River Blues Although this re-issue of one of the few Jelly Roll Paramounts has been available for some time it's nice to see it around again with that old . black and silver label ! It's certainly in the authentic Jelly style and. though it may lack some of the brilliance and finish of his later band recordings, it happens to be one of my favorites. Natty Dominique and Roy Palmer are among the personnel and there is a clarinetist named Townes who, though he doesn't play like Rapollo, still has that same sort of haunting sadness in his playing that is very memorable. Jasper Taylor does some wonderful things drumwise as well. All in 'all this is, I think, one of those few records I'd run back after if my house caught on fire. (Paramount 14007) (B.M.) Addie Williams Maybe Someday Yesterday Don't know where they find 'em, but Capitol is developing quite a stable of girls who sing and play the piano. Forget Lutcher, of course, and Julia Lee's in a class by herself, naturally ; Addie Williams is different from both, and pretty refreshing. These sides represent the kind of race record that I thought went out with the middle-period Ethel Waters Columbias. All you've got is a girl who sings straight, in tune, and in a touch higher register than you'd say (at first) was right for her; for accompaniment, you get a piano that's so straight that it's almost shocking, and a rhythm section that practically disappears with unobtrusiveness. James P. Johnson's earliest records weren't straighter than Addie Williams' piano, which manages to capture some of that old, pre-electric (and preWaller) Harlem piano style. The songs are simple love ballads with nothing at all to recommerid them except as perfect vehicles for the charming Miss Williams. Put this on your changer and relax. It's fine listening and you don't have to dig at all deep. (Capitol 57-70010) (GA.) Pee Wee Hunt Clarinet Marmalade Bessie Couldn't Help It This is not a follow-up to the now happily defunct Twelfth Street Rag, although the public is going to hope so until it twirls this platter in the demonstration booth. Clarinet Marmalade is nothing more or less than a straightforward reading of a couple of the old time good ones, such as you might have gotten any night at Nick's or allied joints from coast to coast. The one exceptional piece of work is Rosy McHargue's fine clarinet playing, which is well worth the loan of an ear. Bessie Couldn't Help It was never much of a tune, and it has gotten kicked around plenty, from Armstrong to Hoagy Carmichael and Bix and way, way down the line. Here, at last, is a record which presents the lyrics clearly. The rhythm section's flaws are more apparent on this side (it's a rather labored tune, at best), but Rosy McHargue is back again, as limpid as ever. (Capitol 57-569) (G.A.) Juanita Jackson I Have a Friend Somebody Saved Me Lord Jesus I'll Search Heaven for You Not the best, but nice. Gospel records often turn out to be better jazz than the better jazz records, and I strongly suggest that some of the more ardent collectors of gospeliana start thinking about helping us duffers in picking the wheat from the chaff. There's a lot of fine stuff around, no doubt, but it's hard to find out about it. and surely there are some real enthusiasts who can turn out a solid, reliable article for the Changer in some future issue. Miss Jackson hasn't got the big voice that's de rigeur for this sort of thing, and her backgrounds tend to be slightly on the lacy side. One of the sides (Somebody Saved Me) is a waltz of such pronounced Viennese leanings that I have since listened to sacred records more closely, and was amazed to discover that there is a definite three-quarter beat to many of the apparently a rubato records in this style. An in-betweener is Lord Jesus, and I'll Search Heaven for You could be written in three as easily as in two or four. (Capitol 15392, 57-70005) (G.A.) St. Paul Baptist Church Choir He's a Friend of Mine Didn't It Rain This is more my speed. Solid rhythm straight through, and it rocks all the way. Only thing wrong here is that the choir is too well-trained. Congregation records are much more fun. Still, the soprano voice is good, and He's a Friend of Mine is fine. (Capitol 57-70002) (G.A.) THE CAT "Now let me get this deal straight: you say you can get me every record I ever asked for. . . . SureLy you must want something from me!?!"