KING/BLUIETT TRIO:
Makin' Whoopee: Tribute to the King Cole Trio
Hamiet Bluiett’s heartfelt tribute to the Nat King Cole Trio—by far the most original I’ve ever heard. Bluiett describes his inspiration: “I wanted to focus on Nat as a pianist, not as a vocalist. He was a formidable pianist, ‘anointed’ as they say in the church. He could get to your soul like no other.” Hamiet’s joined here by contrabass giant Keter Betts blending warmly with Rodney Jones’ sweet acoustic guitar—or with Ed Cherry’s bluesy electric guitar. A perfect intro to Bluiett’s stunning, huge baritone sound. The breathtaking balladry on “These Foolish Things” and “Sweet Lorraine” is leavened by foot-patting swingers like “Walkin’ My Baby Home” or “Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You”. This is one of my two or three best-sounding studio recordings. A Fi SuperDisc. (#04832)
Hamiet Bluiett, bari sax/contrabass clarinet
Keter Betts, bass
Rodney Jones, aqcoustic guitar/synthesizer
Ed Cherry, electric guitar*
Gali Sanchez, percussion **
Myrrh, narration **
TRACK LISTING:
1. MAKIN' WHOOPEE (G.Kahn & W.Donaldson)*
2. ROUTE 66 (B.Troup) * **
3. WHEN I FALL IN LOVE (E.Heyman &V.Young)
4. STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT (N.K.Cole & I.Mills)
5. THESE FOOLISH THINGS (H.Link, J.Strachey & E.Maschwitz)
6. PAPER MOON (B.Rose, H.Arlen & E.Harvurg)
7. SWEET LORRAINE (C.Burwell & M.Parish)
8. GEE BABY AIN'T I GOOD TO YOUR (A.Razaf & D.Redman)
9. WALKIN' MY BABY HOME (F.Ahlert 7 R.Turk)
10. CHRISTMAS SONG (R.Wells & M.Rorme)*