Customer Reviews

Ole Buttermilk Sky

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Hoagy Carmichael made a surprising number of recordings of his own and others' music. This disc contains twenty-four selections from his Decca sessions (mid-40s to early 50s). There isn't a weak track here. Every song comes across with the marvelous vitality and personality of this great musician. In some of the performances of his own material there is the frisson that comes from hearing Carmichael's immense creativity: he brings a feeling of improvisation to the recordings, yet does justice to his own melody, while fully acknowledging the lyric. Carmichael had the kind of voice that was an imperfect instrument, yet was ideally suited to anything he chose to sing. The renditions of novelty songs like "Huggin' and Chalkin'" or "Abba Dabba Honeymoon" are as enjoyable as anything else, even if the material is greatly inferior to Carmichael's own. A couple of highlights: the infectiously swinging versions of "Ole Buttermilk Sky" and "Washboard Blues". In spite of what the liner notes imply, the recording of "Lazy River" here is NOT the one Carmichael made for Pacific Jazz in 1956.

The album's producers have done a superb job of mastering these recordings. One cannot imagine them sounding any better. The beautifully designed CD package includes extremely interesting notes about these Decca sessions and features some wonderful photos of the artist.

If you are offended by outdated stereotypes and slang, don't get this CD.

If you enjoy fun, creative jazz music with a clever turn of phrase and catchy tune, you should have this in your collection. It's unlikely that you'll ever hear many of these songs on modern radio, even the worthwhile jazz or public stations, because of it's non-PC references. And that's a pity, because it's pure fun.

There is a style to his piano playing that is unmistakable. Then when his voice kicks in, it is like coming home again. I can picture him singing the songs and playing the tunes. I enjoy seeing him occasionally in the films. But love to spend the days just absorbing his "stardust"...

A little disappointing. Not the best presentation of Hoagy Carmichael's work, although no doubt authentic and original.