Music from bygone years. Merle Travis portrays in ‘Sixteen Tons’ the harsh existence of miners a century ago.
A convincing argumentative duet (‘Gabbin’ Blues’) by the imposing R&B singer Big Maybelle and Rose Mary McCoy.
As a preview for the film that is being made about them, the sunny but sadly ended duo Johnny & Jones (‘The Spider and the Fly’ in a live performance).
A remarkable phenomenon was Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. As a blues singer, he would record his ‘I put a spell on you’ as a romantic ballad. Thanks to a lot of alcohol, a screaming version was created that sounded like the combination of Mario Lanza’s voice and a ripping saxophone. And that gave him a new image (often accompanied by a skull and a hunting rifle at performances).
When the album ‘Green Street’ by Grant Green was released, a jazz journalist wrote that ‘Green with envy’ on it might refer to the jealousy of fellow guitarists.
Melody Gardot on the album ‘Jazz loves Disney’ with ‘The Bare Necessities’, the nice and grumpy-sounding ’35-30′ by R&B saxophonist Paul Williams, jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson, aka ‘Sweet Papa Lou’ (‘My Melancholy Baby’) and the Lecuona Cuban Boys (‘Siboney’).
Also included are Dianne Reeves (‘Social Call’), Juliette Gréco (‘Si tu t’imagines’), Les Compagnons de la Chanson (‘Si tu vas à Rio’).
Harmonica virtuoso Larry Adler with the Hot Club de France (‘I got rhythm’), Benny Goodman (‘Down South Camp Meeting’), The Comedian Harmonists (‘Perpetuum Mobile’).
