Customer Reviews

Swingin Blues

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

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this CD. It features Pete tooting in the traditional Dixieland style as we have come to love him. There are his signature songs (Just a closer Walk With Thee, Amazing Grace) and some standards (Georgia, It Had to Be You). He really lets go on the traditional Dixieland songs, Muskrat Ramble, Basin Street Blues, Tin Roof Blues and Jazz Me Blues. I liked hearing a tuba (being a tuba player myself). There is some really good guitar playing (although there is no guitar player in the credits, it's either the listed fiddle player Johnny Gimbel or banjo player Les Muscott). The recording quality is excellant. All together, a solid CD that is now on my iPod.

Pete shows his fantastic range of being able to interpret music from any genre with the touch only a master can bring. A great addition to any Pete Fountain collection.

If you enjoy hearing the clarinet, there is no better listen than this recording. It's very traditional New Orleans style jazz but Pete's playing is really spot-on and fluid. The songs are very complementary and showcase some very excellent guitar and fiddle work as well. Pete really shines on classics like "Walking The Floor Over You", "Up a Lazy River", and "Basin Street Blues". Easily proves why he may be the best musician to ever pick up a clarinet! His solos go from lightening quick to super melodic! Just an all around great CD to listen to and relax with. Definitely worth buying!

What I thought would be Pete Fountain playing the clarinet turned out to be not only Pete playing the clarinet but also a mixed mess of trombone solos, horn solos, bass solos, violin solos and unidentifiable solo instruments. If you want to hear just Pete playing the clarinet this not the cd. If anyone knows of a Pete Fountain cd that is just Pete Fountain playing the clarinet please leave a comment and tell me which cd that would be.

There is no mystery as to who is making all those smooth flowing notes on the Licorice Stick. Pete is an American Treasure who's style & tone are like no other. This is a wonderful collection of songs that Pete puts his unique spin on to bring joy to the ears. As the listed Producer of this CD Pete hand picked some top notch sidemen that bring that perfect musical balance to each song....but wait! Who's that mystery Axeman on guitar? Listening to this CD you can't miss the guitar player's stylized contribution, but there is no listing of a guitar player in the credits.
Being the guitar freak I am this drove me crazy...who is that guitar player? There have been guesses that it might be Johnny Gimbel, listed as the fiddle player...Is Johnny doing a little multi-tasking here? I don't think so. I went back to the CD insert an poured over every name including the cover photographer....Then I saw a familier name "Special thanks to Owen Bradley...." Owen might just be our mystery picker. Owen Bradley was one of Nashville's premier producers, arrangers and yes, session guitarist. Owen recorded a few Lp's of his own on Columbia. Owen has the chops to play any style of music...and has. So, since we're left to guess, my vote is for Owen Bradley...That's my guess and I'm sticking too it!
No matter who the guitar player is, the man with the magical Licorice Stick makes this CD one to be treasured...Thanks Pete...and Owen!

It just doesn't get any better than this. Love every minute of the album. Well worth your money. It will bring you right back to a New Orleans state of mind.