The Whistler & His Guitar

Toots Thielemans has probably paid many a bill with the royalties from his hit composition "Bluesette," which made its LP debut (following its first appearance on an ABC-Paramount single, though this first version was actually licensed from Metronome in Sweden) on this release. Thielemans is heard whistling in unison with his guitar throughout the date, although the choice of a Lowery organ for keyboard virtuoso Dick Hyman gives his accompaniment a rather dated Muzak-like sound at times, especially on "Star Dust." The best tracks are Thielemans' originals; in addition to the lightly swinging "Bluesette," the easygoing waltz "Marionette," the campy "Happy Nuts," and the upbeat "The Valley Whistler" (co-written with producer Sid Feller), which is based on a folk melody, are all enjoyable. Duke Ellington's "Duke's Place" (the vocal version of his "C Jam Blues") is rather amusing with a slightly gospel feeling, though Thielemans restricts his vocal to simply stating the title occasionally. Although this long unavailable LP won't be considered essential by the average jazz fan, those who enjoy Toots Thielemans will want to hear the original version of his often-recorded "Bluesette," which is enough to make the difficult search for this record worthwhile.