Singin' the Blues

Personnel: Vic Lewis (vocals, guitar); Cliff Townsend (clarinet, alto saxophone); Dick Katz (piano, celesta); Jack Parnell (drums).
Liner Note Author: Clarrie Henley.
Recording information: 1950S.
Two major figures of English jazz, drummer Jack Parnell and guitarist Vic Lewis co-led a band in the 1944-1945 time frame. This album compiles the entire recorded output of the outfit, all recorded for the Parlophone label. Many members were World War II RAF veterans ready to get back to work playing jazz. Their exuberance at being back is heard on all the sessions. They played swing and traditional jazz, a mix of Chicago and New Orleans with a touch of British flavor thrown in. The group worked well in ensemble and had outstanding individual playing, as demonstrated on "Prince of Wails," featuring Billy Riddick on trumpet and Dick Katz on piano. Although born in Baltimore, MD, Katz spent some time playing in England before returning to the U.S. Lewis was to come to the U.S. much later to produce bop-oriented albums with West Coast jazzmen, and Parnell joined the Ted Heath band. The sessions were not limited to up-tempo material by any means. There's a traditional blues number, "Mean Old Bed Bug Blues," with Vic Lewis taking the vocal, with Riddick once again on trumpet. Riddick had an exceptionally clean, pure sound which contrasted nicely with the wail of Derek Hawkins' clarinet. This track is one of the finest on this 24-track set. The play list also is one of the reasons this album is attractive. In addition to well-known traditional swing tunes like "Ja-Da," there are some excellent lesser-known gems such as the Katz/Parnell/Lewis "Dick's Boogie" and Johnny Mince's "Johnny's Idea." It would be easy to relegate these sessions as items of historical interest and then dismiss them. But in fact the music and the performances hold up very well and should be welcomed by fans of traditional swing. ~ Dave Nathan