Bob Barnard with Ralph Sutton and Jim Cullum

Bob Barnard & Ralph Sutton
The Joint is Jumpin: The Music of Fats Waller
La Brava LB0012


The Joint is Jumpin’/ I’ve Got Feeling I’m Falling/ Black and Blue/ I’m Crazy ‘Bout My Baby/ Blue Turning Grey Over You/ Up Jumped You With Love/ Keeping Out of Mischief/ Dream man/Squeeze me/ You Meet the Nicest people (In Your Dreams)/ Sweet and Slow/ It’s a Sin To Tell a Lie/ I’m ALways in the Mood For You// I Used to Love (B ut It’s All Over Now). 57:35


Bob Barnard crt; Ralph Sutton, p; Ed Gaston b; Len Barnard, d; Don Burows cl-1. -2 Bob Barnard & Sutton; -3 Sutton & Len Barnard. April 21, 1999, Sydney Australia.

Bob Barnard & Jim Cullum
Cornet Copia
La Brava Music  LB0037

Jubilee-1/ Chimes Blues-2/ Sugarfoot Strut-1/ Almost Daylight-2/ Shreveport Stomp-3/ Bobby Hackett Waltz-5/ When You’re Smiling-2/ Potato Head Blues-1/ Lying to Myself-3/ Wildman Blues-1/ On the Road to Gundagai-6/ West End Blues-6/ Hear Me Talkin’ To Ya-1/ Skit Dat de Dat-3/ Waltzing Matilda-6.

Bob Barnard cnt; Jim Cullum cnt; Ron Hockett, reeds-1; Mike Pittsley, tbn -1, -5; John Sheridan, p-1, 3, 4, 5; Howard Elkins, bjo, g-1, 3, 5, 6; Don Mopsick, b-1, 2, 6; Mike Waskiewicz, d-1, 3; Chris Taperell, p-2; Ed Gaston, b-2; Len Barnard-2; Ed Torres, d-5, 6; Brian Ogilivie, cl -6. 2 - Jan,25, 2000, Sydney Australia; 1, 3, 4- April 18, 2000, San Antonio, Texas; 5, 6- 1993, San Antonio, Texas.


Australian cornetist Rod Barnard shares the credits on two fine recordings rooted in pre-bop styles  On "The Joint Is Jumpin), Ralph Sutton shares the credits for a spritied and charming program of songs associated with Fats Waller.   The disc benefits from its selection of material (which does not stick solely to the best know tunes of Waller) as well as the wonderful playing from all concerned.  Sutton certainly is one of the finest practioners of the stride tradition, making him an apt choice for a tribute to Waller.  Not having heard Barnard previously, I was impressed by the bright tone and lyrical quality of his playing. Listening to his solos, one would have to think he took seriously Lester Young’s advice of knowing the lyrics of the songs.  Sutton heads the strong, swinging rhythm section with Barnard’s brother Len on drums. Several tracks feature Don Burrows clarinet. and Barnard sits out on “Squeeze Me” where Burrows is joined by fellow clarinetist John McCarthy.   In addition to the wonderful playing (which thankfully avoids frantic tempos), the sequencing of the tracks also should be commended.
 
Jim Cullum joins Barnard on "Cornet Copia" which was mostly recorded in San Antonio and includes several tracks from Cullum’s public radio program, Live at the Landing.    Looking at the song-titles, on "Cornet Copia" he is joined by fellow cornet player, Jim Cullum, and several tracks come from including  Cullum’s radio program, "Riverwalk, Live from the Landing."  

These reviews originally appeared in Cadence Magazine. I likely received review copies from the publication. "The Joint Is Jumpin" was also issued on the Canadian Sackville label. Here is a performance by Bob Bernard and Ralph Sutton.