Sunday, May 27, 2007

The Very Best of Al Hirt and Pete Fountain - MGM Records

The Very Best of Al Hirt and Pete Fountain
A Rare Recorded Appearance Together!


1964 MGM Records SE 4216 Stereo / E 4216 Mono

Side One
1. Washington And Lee Swing
2. I'm Goin' Some
3. Jazz Me Blues
4. Night And Day
5. South Rampart Street Parade
6. Sugar (That Sugar Baby 0' Mine)

Side two
1. Tin Roof Blues
2. Royal Garden Blues
3. Panama
4. Blue (And Broken-hearted)
5. The Original Dixieland One Step
6. Wolverine Blues


Liner Notes:

The Very Best of Al Hirt and Pete Fountain
A Rare Recorded Appearance Together!

Director of Engineering: Val Valentin
Reissue of Verve V-1028

Here are the two bearded wonders of Dixieland jazz together for a rare and rousing recorded appearance. And that automatically qualifies the program as The Very Best of Al Hirt and Pete Fountain.

For both Hirt and Fountain, born and bred in New Orleans, are true giants of traditional jazz. They have played in countless bands and groups, and, for a period, were together in a swinging band that rocked New Orleans right down to the waterfront.

Now each is a star in his own right. Al Hirt has built a coast-to-coast reputation as a monumental trumpet player, both in size and in the music he plays. His range is apparently limitless and his showmanship is legendary. He has quickly become a favorite on TV, where his appearances either with his group or as a trumpet soloist, are greeted with wild enthusiasm on both sides of the camera.

Pete Fountain grew up in a musical family and has been a jazz clarinetist since his early teens. He gained national attention as the smooth-toned clarinetist in the Lawrence Welk band during 1957 and 1958. After his national reputation was secure, Pete built his own group and holds forth in New Orleans as one of the prime tourist attractions.

Both Al and Pete have had best-selling records, top-flight TV exposure, coast-to-coast travel with quality appearances and in quality locations. Each is a master of his instrument.

Listen to Al blow on Night and Day, and you'll hear why he's held in such awe by trumpet players the country over. Listen to Pete play on Tin Roof Blues and hear why his style and sound have made him a favorite everywhere. As a bonus, listen closely to Washington And Lee Swing, and you'll hear Pete in one of his rare recorded appearances on tenor saxophone!

Accompanying Al and Pete are a fine bunch of musicians. Bob Havens plays trombone, Roy Zimmerman handles piano, Bob Coquille is on bass, and Paul Edwards plays drums. All the flash and the fire and the verve that make Al Hirt the Big Man On Trumpet, and Pete Fountain the New Leader on Clarinet are present on this program of Blockbustin' Dixie.


Notes by AVERY FINCH

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