This evening we went to the
George & Dragon in Thames Ditton to see the John Barnes quartet, comprising John Barnes (baritone sax, alto sax, clarinet), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mick Durelle (bass guitar) and Don Cook (drums). Guest Kim Martine (vocals) is pictured with John and Don in the background. Our favourite numbers were:
1) Alan's keyboard solo feature
Clap Yo Hands, composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin and introduced in the musical Oh, Kay! (1926). It was also featured by Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson in a song and dance routine in Funny Face (1957). The link is to the composer performing at the piano.
2) Kim Martine's first guest vocal
There Will Never Be Another You, written by Harry Warren, with lyrics by Mack Gordon, for the Twentieth Century Fox musical Iceland (1942) starring Sonja Henie. The link is to a version by Julie London, most famous for 'Cry Me A River' as featured in 'The Girl Can't Help It' (nostalgia).
3) Kim Martine's second guest vocal
Blue Moon, written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934. The above link is to one of several great versions by Elvis Presley. I also like this very different rendering by
The Marcels. OK, I am indulging in a double dose of nostalgia with this one.
4) Kim Martine's third guest vocal
What a Difference a day Made, written in Spanish by María Méndez Grever (María Grever), a Mexican composer, in 1934. Originally, the song was known as Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado. It is sung on this link by Barbara Morrison, unknown to me.
5)
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To, composed by Cole Porter for the 1943 film Something to Shout About, where it was introduced by Janet Blair and Don Ameche. Dinah Shore had a major hit with the song at the time of its introduction and Diane Keaton performed the song in Woody Allen's film Radio Days. It is performed here by guitarist Jim Hall; the un-named saxophonist sounding like Paul Desmond.
I had an embarassing moment when I failed to recognise Mike Bennett with beard and without double bass. His distinctive voice saved me eventually.
Labels: Jazz
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