Any Jay McShann release is serious cause for celebration--and a natural addition for any serious blues, jazz, or roots music enthusiast. 'Goin' to Kansas City' is the third release for McShann on Stony Plain Records. It's hard to believe, but it was 60 years ago that the Jay McShann Orchestra was attracting such young turks as Charlie Parker to the KC scene, mixing together blues, jazz and swing idioms, while also setting the table for the coming bebop revolution.
His latest was recorded in the hometown of this 87-year old piano great--oddly his first KC recording since the 50's. Re-united with pals Tommy Ruskin on standup bass and Milt Able on drums, these intimate sessions are a joy to behold, and as McShann approaches his 10th decade he's never sounded as vital, energetic, and interesting.
Maria Muldaur joins Jay on a playful duet of his ground-breaking classic, Confessin' the Blues". Jay's voice is one of the most graceful and distinctive in blues history. His solo reading of Leiber and Stoller's "Kansas City" is gripping, and the song gets an encore on the CD: legendary Johnnie Johnson (Chuck Berry's piano player) helps out on a rollicking version of the Wilbur Harrison chestnut.
There are 14 other tracks, so everyone was in a generous mood, and we the listeners are the beneficiaries. The other guest musician on the CD is "Renaissance Man" Duke Robillard, who spices up the proceedings with ultra-tasty guitar fills in the Charlie Christian mode.
Octogenarian McShann remains very much the innovator eager to explore to new musical approaches, as demonstrated on "When I Grow to Old To Dream", a case study in how to put some lowdown swing into a sophisticated standard. There's also plenty of good old-fashioned boogie 'n' woogie, as Jay holds court on "Nasty Attitude" and "The Fish Fry Boogie". "Just For You" is just what the doctor ordered to ease the blues, while well-known standards such as "Trouble In Mind" and "Ain't Nobody's Business" showcase McShann's total command of deep down blues.
The Old Master is in fine fettle on the sultry blues of "One Woman's Man", and "Doo Wah Doo" is an absolute delight that should tickle the most jaded listener's fancy. As a bonus, there's a 20 minutes interview with Holger Petersen. Jay's memory proves to be as sharp as his musical gifts, and his insights and recollections are absolutely riveting-and extremely funny.
The combination of tradition and modernity has never blended so well as with Jay McShann. 'Goin' to Kansas City' is a place where everyone should heading to.
ORDERING DETAILS: www.stonyplainrecords.com
Your purchase through this Amazon.com link helps to support this website.
Simply click on the cover at left to order this CD NOW!
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner to order your products, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
"This review is copyright © 2003 by Gary Tate, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission."
Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!
You can help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details).
Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!
Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $50.
Web Hosting & Design:
Web Hosting & Design.
Most affordable web hosting and design services available.
Find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!
If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies, along with promotional material to:
Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983
E-mail Ray Stiles @ mnblues@aol.com with any questions.