By Donald True Van Deusen
Clyde Terrell, one of the best of the big-voiced ballad and blues
singers, will be back at the Top Shelf (215-748-4245) 56th and Market
Streets, Philadelphia, Sunday night (March 10) from 6 to 10 p.m. There is
no cover at this neighborhood club that is much like many of the famous
Harlem jazz joints of the 1930's and 40's.
Just last month, Terrell sat in for Barbara Montgomery (out ill for her
scheduled engagement) at Zanzibar Blue. He had those denizens of that
sophisticated downstairs jazz-supper club at Broad and Walnut Streets,
clapping their hands like transfixed church-goers when he sang. There was
one young blonde sitting up front whose face suffused with joy when Clyde
belted out his first song (Duke Ellington's "Do Nothing Till You Hear From
Me") that night. She clearly had never heard the great jazz ballad and blues
singers (such as Arthur Prysock, Herb Jeffries or Jimmy Witherspoon) before
in her life and this was a revelation in jazz.
An Atlanta, Ga. native, Clyde has been working the Philadelphia club
scene since the days of the Royal Theater and the old Blue Note. He has
also played everywhere along the way from Helsinki to London and Atlantic
City. Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett were just two of the major luminaries
who stopped in to see and compliment his work.
Sometimes age or a recent illness may seem to have hampered him as he
leans his huge body against the piano waiting to sing. When he takes that
mike in hand, however, he moves about the stage like a young Billy Eckstine
exploding some of the great tunes from Terrell's last CD, Out of the Shadows
with songs such as "Don't Take Your Love From M" .
Anyone wishing to wash away those winter blues can do it with Terrell
this Sunday at the Top Shelf.
