Still Jumpin' the Blues

by Jay McShann

Overview

At age 83, pianist/vocalist Jay McShann was still at the top of his game and providing many lessons for the younger "swing" cats and kittens. He is the epitome of what can be done when jazz and blues are mixed equally, especially when the fun factor is liberally added in. While some might find this typical, many others should revel in the sound of one of this music's last living legends who is still doing it, and doing it very well at that. The chemistry between McShann and guitarist/session leader Duke Robillard is considerable and undeniable, and makes Still Jumpin' the Blues enjoyable throughout. With such solid support from Robillard and the band, McShann has nothing to worry about. Everything you might want is here: classic versions of "Goin' to Chicago," "Ain't Nobody's Business," and "Trouble In Mind"; a nice rearrangement with tempo shift from mellow to mid-tempo on "Sunny Side of the Street"; Maria Muldaur's sultry singing on "Come on Over to My House," and especially the Bessie Smith evergreen "Backwater Blues"; wonderful instrumentals like "Moten Swing" and "Say Forward, I'll March"; and even a little Hawaiian slide accenting "Hootie's K.C. Christmas Prayer." The disc ends with a short solo piano version of "Georgia on My Mind," followed by a lengthy interview with McShann, explaining his nickname "Hootie," happenings in Kansas City, and other topics. Recordings this precious, historical and relevant cannot be dismissed. Instead they should be celebrated, as should the career of McShann, a most enduring figure in American music. His signature spare piano, with its bluesy flourishes, and his slightly mushy vocal style are as distinctive as any, and come shining through on this exceptional document of one of our true musical treasures. ~ Michael G. Nastos

Product Details

Release Date:	08/10/1999
Label:	Stony Plain Music
UPC:	0772532125420
Rank:	29359

Tracks

1. Goin' to Chicago
2. Moten Swing
3. Sunny Side of the Street
4. Ain't Nobody's Business
5. Come on Over to My House
6. Trouble in Mind
7. Say Forward, I'll March
8. Backwater Blues
9. She's Got It
10. Hootie's K.C. Christmas Prayer
11. Interview With Jay McShann

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Jay McShann   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals
Robillard   Primary Artist
Maria Muldaur   Primary Artist,Vocals
Duke Robillard   Primary Artist,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Holger Petersen   Primary Artist
Marty Richards   Drums
Dennis Taylor   Sax (Tenor)
Dave Babcock   Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor)
John Packer   Bass

Technical Credits

Maria Muldaur   Featured Artist,Performer
Duke Robillard   Mixing,Producer,Mastering,Performer,Photography
Jimmy Rushing   Composer
Count Basie   Composer
Bennie Moten   Composer
Janis Joplin   Composer
Jay McShann   Composer
John Paul Gauthier   Mixing,Engineer
Julia Lee   Composer
Marie Ramey   Composer
Jerry Woolsey   Engineer
Richard M. Jones   Composer
Nick Stevens   Mastering
Buddy Tate   Composer
Holger Petersen   Producer,Performer,Photography
Jimmy McHugh   Composer
Everett Robbins   Composer
Porter Grainger   Composer
Dorothy Fields   Composer
Gene Ramey   Composer
Buster Moten   Composer
Mark Noderer   Mastering
Archie Hall   Composer
Peter North   Photography
Skippa Hall   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Bessie Smith   Composer