It's been quite a month so far, hasn't it? Have you been righteously protesting? Or have you been posing like a ho? Because "Black Lives Matter" isn't serious without an Instagram photo shoot, amirite? Ugh. Don't get me started. It's time to take a break, if only briefly, with some wonderful music from the divine Miss Trudy Lynn.
Trudy, as you may know, is a blues artist extraordinaire. When she performs indoors, she raises the roof - and, yes, this happens outdoors, too, 'cause heaven blows its top every time she sings. For reals. I love this 1998 compilation, which includes her epic, live rendition of "Dr. Feelgood," and when I say "epic," I really and truly mean it.
From epic to mysterious - and all in one post! Yes, it's another mystery-wrapped-in-a-sphinx-dipped-in-chocolate, or a fine chanteuse who's practically incognito on the internet. Besides her LP cover, I can't even find a decent picture of her. Which could mean she vants to be alone (insert rim-shot):
Her name is Sue Childs. She hailed from Detroit. And in the late 1950s and early 60s, she performed at all the best jazz clubs in town. Her 1964 record, released by a small, Illinois-based label, gets under your skin in a way few LPs from the era do. It's somewhat unpolished and Sue's swingin', tough gal delivery feels completely spontaneous - as if it were captured on the fly and in one urgent take. Her version of "Summertime" alone is enough to recommend her.
This was her only LP - a Seriously Sue Cheerful Exclusive! - and it's mostly known for the appearance of famed saxophonist J.R. Monterose, who plays on a few tracks. But Sue sounds terrific, too, and I love this little tidbit: between takes, a musician observed her rummaging through her purse looking for lipstick, and in the process, she casually pulled out a 38 revolver.
Why those yucks in the background aren't bowing down before Miss Ella in the picture below, I'll never know. But really, they ought to be.
Miss Ella's only one of many performer in this "tribute" compilation of Gershwin tunes, and no, it's not as haphazardly thrown together as its cover art might indicate (isn't it awful?). In fact, it's hard to imagine a compilation so broadly all-encompassing, with jazz greats from Thelonious Monk to Chet Baker to Sidney Bechet blowing his sax like no one's business on my favorite track, a live version of "Summertime" (there's that song again; it must be catnip to jazz artists). Okay, I can't just pick one favorite. I love Coleman Hawkins on "The Man I Love," too.
Do you know Hank Marr? I only recently stumbled upon him and I'm hooked, I tell you, hooked.
Hank was the premiere jazz organist of his day, yet he's largely unheralded, and for reasons I can't quite fathom. His 1969 LP, "Greasy Spoon," is the best swingin' jazz record I've heard in ages. No, really. As for Hank himself, he was native of Ohio, played countless gigs, cut records and performed well into the 1990s, while also teaching at Ohio State University.
Despite his lack of national renown, much less international, he's so beloved in Ohio that the State honored him in the early 2000s by naming August 12th "Marvelous Hank Marr Day." In addition to Hank, "Greasy Spoon" has great support from celebrated saxophonist Rusty Bryant and drummers Taylor Orr and Phillip Paul. Oh, and just listen to Hank rip it up on a track called "The Push." You're welcome.
Have you been following the "Justice For" trend in new CD releases? It's a trend where a supposedly overlooked pop album is reissued at fans' insistence. So far, it's begat the hashtag "Just For Glitter," culminating in the reissue of the "meh" soundtrack for Mariah Carey's campy movie train wreck. Also - and strangely - "Justice For Bedtime Stories" resulted in one of Madonna's most jumbled, incoherent albums finally cracking the top of the charts. What gives with that?
Happily, a deserving pop album has finally gotten the "Justice" treatment. It's a "glorious" one, in fact - *cough*hint*obvious* - by a toxic, Frappacino-loving, allegedly bi-polar songstress, the result being a successful reissue with a new cover, remastered tracks and, yes, a fun new track tacked on at the end. The Secret Song File cannot lie. It's been on her playlist for days.
Justice for dark chocolate! Can I get an "Amen" up in hee-yah?
Fight for justice (or chocolate) in the comments, if you like!
