WILD BILL DAVISON - The Jazz Giants
Sackville SK 3002
Wild Bill Davison ( cornet ) Herb Hall ( clt ) Benny Morton ( tmb ) Claude Hopkins ( pno ) Arvell Shaw ( bass ) Buzzy Drootin ( drs )
Recorded Toronto, 1968
This recording was put together after a successful appearance at Toronto’s Colonial Tavern under the title The Jazz Giants. It was under the nominal leadership of Wild Bill Davison but the musical direction was by the pianist Claude Hopkins who had a background of leading bands.
Wild Bill Davison is a Eddie Condon man after years of experience with his groups and although Condon is not present on this recording his spirit is present. Although this is not a regular group all the musicians are well versed in the style and come together as if they have played together for years.
The play list is not exactly adventurous but this will have been determined by the fact that this not a regular group.
The album opens with a near eight minute version of “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue” taken at a sprightly tempo the highlight is Wild Bill’s hard hitting solo with Claude Hopkins free flowing piano solo coming a close second.
Herb Hall gets his chance to shine on “Dardanella” with his deep mellow sounding clarinet and he full advantage producing some fine thoughtful playing. As would be expected Wild Bill is featured on “Black and Blue” with a solo full of his characteristic smears a changes of volume ably backed by herb Hall’s supportive clarinet. Wild Bill treats us to a beautiful medium ballad tempo reading of Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Field’s “Blue Again” which demonstrates his ability to make an impact on a range moods.
Both Benny Morton and Claude Hopkins come up with telling solos on “I Surrender Dear” and bassist Arvell Shaw is featured on a bowed solo opening in a slow tempo but upping the time on the second half of his solo.
There are two bonus tracks an unreleased version of “Three Little Words” which is a feature for the sparkling piano of Claude Hopkins plus an alternative take of “Black and Blue” which has slightly better solos than the Master Take.
The rhythm section is spot on throughout the whole session and is ideally suited this type of jazz. This comes over as a happy session with good solos and tight knit ensembles.
If you are a fan of Condon style jazz you will find this release very rewarding.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Sackville SK 3002
Wild Bill Davison ( cornet ) Herb Hall ( clt ) Benny Morton ( tmb ) Claude Hopkins ( pno ) Arvell Shaw ( bass ) Buzzy Drootin ( drs )
Recorded Toronto, 1968
This recording was put together after a successful appearance at Toronto’s Colonial Tavern under the title The Jazz Giants. It was under the nominal leadership of Wild Bill Davison but the musical direction was by the pianist Claude Hopkins who had a background of leading bands.
Wild Bill Davison is a Eddie Condon man after years of experience with his groups and although Condon is not present on this recording his spirit is present. Although this is not a regular group all the musicians are well versed in the style and come together as if they have played together for years.
The play list is not exactly adventurous but this will have been determined by the fact that this not a regular group.
The album opens with a near eight minute version of “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue” taken at a sprightly tempo the highlight is Wild Bill’s hard hitting solo with Claude Hopkins free flowing piano solo coming a close second.
Herb Hall gets his chance to shine on “Dardanella” with his deep mellow sounding clarinet and he full advantage producing some fine thoughtful playing. As would be expected Wild Bill is featured on “Black and Blue” with a solo full of his characteristic smears a changes of volume ably backed by herb Hall’s supportive clarinet. Wild Bill treats us to a beautiful medium ballad tempo reading of Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Field’s “Blue Again” which demonstrates his ability to make an impact on a range moods.
Both Benny Morton and Claude Hopkins come up with telling solos on “I Surrender Dear” and bassist Arvell Shaw is featured on a bowed solo opening in a slow tempo but upping the time on the second half of his solo.
There are two bonus tracks an unreleased version of “Three Little Words” which is a feature for the sparkling piano of Claude Hopkins plus an alternative take of “Black and Blue” which has slightly better solos than the Master Take.
The rhythm section is spot on throughout the whole session and is ideally suited this type of jazz. This comes over as a happy session with good solos and tight knit ensembles.
If you are a fan of Condon style jazz you will find this release very rewarding.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
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