Johnny Dodds: Blue Clarinet Stomp
Rating: 86/100 (learn more)
Those of you who think early New Orleans jazzmen were ignorant hacks, please behold Charlie Alexander playing ‘Vesti La Giubba’ to usher in the legendary Johnny Dodds. This unusual drumless trio sums up all the jaunty spirit of Storyville, with rhythmic firmness provided by bassist Bill Johnson (nicely audible) and Alexander’s left hand. In hindsight, there were few early clarinetists greater than Dodds, whose brilliant tone, wide vibrato and awe-inspiring versatility are adequately captured on this 1928 gem.
Reviewer: Todd S. Jenkins
Tags: clarinet · new orleans jazz
1 response so far
I played this and the other tracks on the old 10" LP to a guy whose first love was modern jazz and be-bop. I can't remember his exact comments but he was totally amazed and enthralled. Dodds was the most versatile clarinet player of his generation.Compare his different approaches with the Oliver Band, Louis Armstrong and all those different small groups. CC Pill blues is totally surreal-Check it out