Every time I Feel De Spirit
LP Jazz Panorama LP 10
This is a very pleasant record. The music is taken from two Lang-Worth transcriptions that Clarence Williams made in 1937. It cannot be compared to the more serious classics that gave Williams fame within the history of jazz, but for 1930s music, it’s quite unique. The material is mostly in the public domain and consists of harmonically simple, well-known spirituals. The lead singer is William Cooley.
There is some uncertainty about the personnel of the rhythm section, but up front we have three reed players, Buster Bailey, Russell Procope, and Cecil Scott. It’s like the well-arranged saxophone section represents the congregation, and against it the role of the preacher is played by Ed Allen on the cornet. He is in very good shape here and is growling and moaning as good as ever.
It is a very interesting way to treat this songbook.
To make it more lively, there is some shouting and comments by Clarence himself and others, which makes it a bit like a party record. And it swings!