Swing (Jan-Dec 1953)

PROGRAM NOTES FOR A RECITAL BY A PROFOUND PIANIST 273 8. The St. Louis Blues, in Al Amnions' tempo and manner. Ammons, the great blues interpreter among the eighty-eighters, subordinates the pathos of the St. Louis Woman to the sturdy drag beat. What is one woman's loss seems to be another doll's gain. Or could there be a middle course? These philosophical questions keep coming up throughout the traditional number. All the answers may be obtained by telephoning Information. Third Group 1. Gavotte in A-major by Gluck. Gluck was a sexagenarian before his genius came to full flower, which indicates Dr. Osier, who advocated mercy killings of all people over sixty, was all wet. 2. Side by Hide. A swing ballad which starts out like "We Won't Go Home Until Morning." The development section contains some very close harmony, but the general trend is optimistic. Even singers, the author states, can get along if they make a real effort. In any event, don't beat the poor girl, except in anger. 3. The Pleasures of Love, if any. This is repeated from last week by request ... of a prominent physician. 4. The Suitcase Blues. Another repeat by request of a prominent hotel clerk. 5. Moment Musicale in F-minor, by Schubert. This was used by silent movie pianists whenever fairies tripped on the scene. It is just as good without fairies, however. Anyway, the hearty American audience prefers to settle for elves. 6. Ballin' the ]ac\. All programs should contain an educational element. Guess what it is? 7. The Gypsy. Caravan music at its best. This is played by Mr. Paul to counteract the popular trend toward "I Believe," "Tell Me A Story," "Get Out of That Window, Little Dogie" and "That's Not My Oboe, She's My Fife." 8. The Boogie-Woogie Stomp. Albert Ammons' masterpiece he learned from Pine Top Smith, and improved with his great rolling bass. In the opinion of John Hammond, it is the best of all the boogies, strictly native, and free from European embellishment. Fourth Group 1. Espana Cani. Bullfight Music from the Madrid ring. When the bugle sounds, the bull is released and rushes into the arena, dazzled by the sunlight. He sees a cape and charges. A bull can outrun any animal except the swiftest human sprinter for the first hundred yards. So stand well back. 2. Shoeing Wild Horses by Perry Como and Sea Biscuit. This arrangement included "Light Cavalry," "The Anvil Chorus" and "Pony Boy." Any resemblance to a beer advertisement is purely coincidental. Mr. Paul drinks Heine kin's, when he can get it. And usually he can get it. 3. At, At, At. Another Latin love song, with long pants. Some of the melodies interpolated by Mr. Paul are of Phoenician origin and now are played on the Island of Ibiza. Tito Schipa made this song famous, but it has been current in Spain at least a hundred years. 4. Onward Christian Soldiers, with God Bless Worth America. 5. The Glim Worm. This ballad has had an amazing history. Written in German by Paul Linke, in 1902, while the composer-author still was a mountaineer with ragged ears and dirty leather britches, it reached popularity in the U.S. five years later, during the panic of 1907. The Mills Brothers took it over last year, and swung it with their usual effectiveness. The Linke version has much more glim, and the Mills' arrangement all the swing. Mr. Paul's compromise included the best elements of both. The audience is urged to light cigarettes