The Joint Is Jumpin'

The music of Fats Waller never sounds old and dated, especially when in the hands of the two masters who share top billing on this album. Australian cornetist Bob Barnard, who made his first solo album in 1952, and American Ralph Sutton, one of the last geniuses of the stride piano, renew their acquaintance with this release. The term "music" is used broadly to mean not only pieces written by Waller but also others' compositions that Waller had in his vast repertoire, some of which were virtually Waller's personal property, such as "You Meet the Nicest People in Your Dreams." Included is "It's a Sin to Tell a Lie," which Waller did with a tongue-in-cheek, don't-you-really-believe-it demeanor. The double-entendre "Sweet and Slow" was a Waller favorite, and one that Sutton has recorded elsewhere. In addition to the house rhythm section of Ed Gaston on bass and Len Barnard on drums, guests arrive on some tracks to help move things along. Don Burrows, with many albums of his own under his belt, does his clarinet thing on such cuts as "Up Jumped You With Love" and "I'm Crazy About My Baby." On the former, he ad libs over Barnard's enunciation of the melody line before taking a chorus of his own. Another Australian clarinet player of note, John McCarthy joins in on a slow drag version of "Squeeze Me." An album highlight is "Blue Turning Grey Over You," the only track where it's just Sutton and Barnard. About 100 years of jazz performing experience are on exhibit here, and you hear every year in every note. Highly recommended for Waller fans in particular and lovers of any jazz style played by consummate artists.