From the Record Shelves #240 - Close Fit BluesFrom the Record Shelves #240 – Close Fit Blues – In Clarence Williams rich output of records between 1927 and the Depression, there are two distinct kinds: the washboard bands and the ones with a tuba, and this LP has material from the latter category. The aim with which (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #236 - Farewell BluesFrom the Record Shelves #236 – Farewell Blues – I have a faint memory of seeing his name as a piano accompanist to a striptease act here in Malmö, Sweden, in the 1960s. I was too young to be allowed into that venue. Claude Hopkins (1903–1984) had a long career (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #209 - I’m Through, GoodbyeFrom the Record Shelves #209 – I’m Through, Goodbye – This record is from 1966, when I was sixteen. I was working in the fields in the summer, and half of the earnings went to my mother. For the rest I bought clothes and a few records. Some time ago I met a guy that (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #194 - After TonightFrom the Record Shelves #194 – After Tonight – Clarence Williams’ vast output on records can roughly be divided into three periods. First, we have the acoustic ones, with great participation by Sidney Bechet and Louis Armstrong and banjo player Buddy Christian (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #160 - Baby Won’t You Please Come HomeFrom the Record Shelves #160 – Baby Won’t You Please Come Home – I think about one of my first records, a Christmas present. It was an EP, volume two in the Jazz Museum series on Coral, then released under Frank Teschmacher’s name, but the name of (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #128 - Tell Me Woman BluesFrom the Record Shelves #128 – Tell Me Woman Blues. This rare LP contains a lot of good jazz and blues, mostly with female singers with cornet or trumpet accompaniment. The best of them could have a job in a cabaret or tent show but also in bars and cafés (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #116 - Santa Claus BluesFrom the Record Shelves #116 – Santa Claus Blues. Christmas is not fun if you’re alone and cannot participate in the warm embrace of your family and friends. Luckily it never has happened to me but here’s a reminder that it’s the situation for some (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #99 - You Ain’t Too OldFrom the Record Shelves #99 – You Ain’t Too Old. This LP has been a favorite of mine since I was about 17 years old. At that time I did not have the record but had borrowed it from an older friend and recorded it on reel to reel tape. Later I’ve bought most of (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #94 - The SwamplandFrom the Record Shelves #94 – The Swampland. I remember a quote from Willie the Lion Smith: “The musician never masters music, but learns something new every day”. I agree with that! He was himself one of “The Three” which means one of the three (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #24 - Senegalese StompFrom the Record Shelves #24 – Senegalese Stomp. I have selected an instrumental number mostly because of its way to immediately start with a hot blues chorus that gives us a chance to hear the great cornet player Tommy Ladnier at his peak when he was a member of (…) read more and listenread more and listen

Narcisse Jazz Band plays Snag ItNarcisse Jazz Band plays Do It a Long Time Papa (…) view videoNarcisse Jazz Band plays Do It a Long Time Papa