Editor, Webmaster: Phil Cartwright Editor@earlyjas.org
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In the Upper Garden
Does Jesus Care
God Will Take Care of You
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
When I Come To The End
Of My Journey
Nearer My God To Thee
Sing On
I Shall Not Be Moved
| Earlville Association for Ragtime Lovers Yearning for Jazz Advancement and Socialization |
EARLYJAS
George Lewis Plays Hymns * 1964 *
Milneburg Records MCD-1
Milneburg Records MCD-1
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
At The Cross
Where He Leads Me
Only A Look
Lily of the Valley
Near the Cross
Rock of Ages
At The Cross
Where He Leads Me
Only A Look
Lily of the Valley
Near the Cross
Rock of Ages
George Lewis, clarinet; Joe Robichaux, piano; Placide Adams, bass
On March 10th and November 28th of 1964, George Lewis recorded
one of his most heartfelt and unusual albums. Backed only by Joe Robichaux's
piano and Placide Adams's bass he sang fifteen hymn tunes through his Albert
system clarinet, simply, clearly, and sincerely.
We can't know exactly what it must have felt like to be in the room with
him, but the recording remains one of the best recorded representations of
traditional New Orleans clarinet sound.
Unlike the usual procedure of recording in a studio, Lewis requested these
be made in a private residence (the uptown home of trombonist Paul Crawford),
to enhance the intimacy of the album. The sound is noticeably different--it's great
to have a document of his sound in the type of place musicians often actually
play this music, whether practicing or for private gatherings.
Ed Lewis's liner notes are excellent, discussing the sessions themselves and
the importance of hymn tunes to the history of jazz, pointing out the natural
ecumenism of the New Orleans musical world which saw no contradiction in the
Catholic George Lewis known for his interpretations of great Protestant hymns.
Most importantly to the jazz clarinetist (after the spiritual substance and
depth of this record, that is) is the chance to hear George Lewis's sound,
reflectively, clearly, beautifully reproduced, without anything beyond the most
genteel accompaniment. Every nuance of his talking style can be appreciated, and
the more one listens, the more the warmth of his particular soul effects your
heart. There is something of an emotional and spiritual sharing that Lewis
accomplishes through his sound that all jazz musicians, and perhaps all musicians
in general, ought to aspire to. Indeed, the spiritual substance of the record is
entirely wedded to his sound in a manner rarely matched by any instrumentalist.
George Lewis is in many ways an important and indispensable clarinetist in
the history of jazz. For those accustomed to listening only to the more technically
advanced or commercially successful players, he is a particularly important
touchstone to the spiritual roots of the music and expressive range of clarinet
tone. This unique album is an important document and resource, of permanent
interest in any early jazz library.
Included on the CD version of this album is a seven minute interview with
George Lewis, only adding to its historical importance.
On March 10th and November 28th of 1964, George Lewis recorded
one of his most heartfelt and unusual albums. Backed only by Joe Robichaux's
piano and Placide Adams's bass he sang fifteen hymn tunes through his Albert
system clarinet, simply, clearly, and sincerely.
We can't know exactly what it must have felt like to be in the room with
him, but the recording remains one of the best recorded representations of
traditional New Orleans clarinet sound.
Unlike the usual procedure of recording in a studio, Lewis requested these
be made in a private residence (the uptown home of trombonist Paul Crawford),
to enhance the intimacy of the album. The sound is noticeably different--it's great
to have a document of his sound in the type of place musicians often actually
play this music, whether practicing or for private gatherings.
Ed Lewis's liner notes are excellent, discussing the sessions themselves and
the importance of hymn tunes to the history of jazz, pointing out the natural
ecumenism of the New Orleans musical world which saw no contradiction in the
Catholic George Lewis known for his interpretations of great Protestant hymns.
Most importantly to the jazz clarinetist (after the spiritual substance and
depth of this record, that is) is the chance to hear George Lewis's sound,
reflectively, clearly, beautifully reproduced, without anything beyond the most
genteel accompaniment. Every nuance of his talking style can be appreciated, and
the more one listens, the more the warmth of his particular soul effects your
heart. There is something of an emotional and spiritual sharing that Lewis
accomplishes through his sound that all jazz musicians, and perhaps all musicians
in general, ought to aspire to. Indeed, the spiritual substance of the record is
entirely wedded to his sound in a manner rarely matched by any instrumentalist.
George Lewis is in many ways an important and indispensable clarinetist in
the history of jazz. For those accustomed to listening only to the more technically
advanced or commercially successful players, he is a particularly important
touchstone to the spiritual roots of the music and expressive range of clarinet
tone. This unique album is an important document and resource, of permanent
interest in any early jazz library.
Included on the CD version of this album is a seven minute interview with
George Lewis, only adding to its historical importance.