Customer Reviews

Shut Yo' Mouth

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an unusually entertaining selection of tunes, some of which are not often heard in the jazz repetoir,an example of which is Orphan Annie's "Tomorrow". You should be amused by the title piece which plays with the standard," Close Your Eyes". Slam and Major Holly create fascinating patterns an octave appart (Slam high and Holly low) with their unique bass stylings. Dick Hyman plays against the contrabasses for the necessary relief.

Slam is absolutely on top of his game here. Does great with dueling duos, such as previous collaborations with with Eroll Gardner and Stephan Grapelli. Major Holley is a great foil for Slam. Recommended v. highly.

You gotta catch 'Slam' and 'Mule' cuttin' on this killer recording. You'll have no problem telling one from the other and Dick Hyman and Oliver Jackson lay down great comping and interplay. This recording is oozing with melodic content and and humor. I wanted to hear more bass and less vocal the 1st few time I listened to it but the more I listen to it, the more I like the mix. Put it on after a Jaco or Victor Wooten CD and see how the masters do more with less. If you play or like the bass, it's money well spent.

This disc is very well done, but it is odd and takes some getting used to. Slam Stewart and Major Holley HUM ALONG to the bass, an octave apart. Be warned--but give it a chance.

can't be described. This is pure artistry. It swings, it grooves, it makes you shake your head and wonder how Major can hit those scatted notes AT THE SAME PITCH as his arco bass playing. The interplay between the 2 is inspiring. This is not a CD for the faint of heart, but if you have what it takes then you'll love this.

As I said in a review on the Master Colombia Takes on Slam Stewart and Slim Gaillard, The first time I heard Slam Stewart was on a cassete with no other info than the name of Slam Stewart. I lost the cassette scince but those lines have been printed very stronly in my head. I heard "Mule" at some point but no more. I searched for several years for a record or something. I got Slim and Slam. This a very interesting album and I appreciate it very much but it was not exactly what I heared on the cassette. Then, almost at the same time, I found this album and then, read that the nick name of Major was "Mule". gotcha!
I am absolutely delighted. This not the original performance I heard on the cassete but found another album I suspect to be the right one. Anyway, Shut Yo' Mouth is a very good performance. Great feeling, it brings no less than hapiness in my house every time I put the Cd inside the player...

Slam Stewart has been one of my favorites for years. This is an excellent introduction to his unique way of playing the acoustic bass. Major Holley joins Slam on this recording, with his humming and playing on an acoustic bass also. This may be the only recording of Slam and Major playing and humming together. "Close Your Eyes" is excellent and not to be missed. They spoof it by changing the lyrics to "Shut Yo' Mouth." If you have a sense of humor, buy this CD. If you don't have a sense of humor, too bad.