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Kid Thomas Valentine: The Thomas Band at Moose Hall, 1968 Vol. 1
Kid Thomas is not the only star on this album. Trombonist Louis Nelson, who has been with Thomas since 1944, gets the lion's share of solo time. Maybe Thomas wasn't feeling well that night. Nelson delights the crowd with rhapsodic solos on "Blueberry Hill" and "The Object of My Affection" and a mournful "Just a Closer Walk with Thee". Along with Nelson, the sweet sounding tenor sax of Manny Paul is conspicuous throughout the session. Although never quite reaching the prominence of the clarinet in trad New Orleans music, it was nevertheless a major instrument in these aggregations as the reed instrument of choice for ballads. Coleman Hawkins expanded the parameters of the instrument, but he didn't invent it.
Another factor which separates this CD from other albums devoted to this music is the presence of a number of ballads (as distinguished from slow drags) reminding us that these traditional New Orleans groups were equally at home with sweet ballads as with the hot stuff. Recommended.
Track Listing
Walk Through the Streets of the City; Introduction Blues; Algiers Strut; Blueberry Hill; Eh! Las Bas*; Sweet Sue; Four Leaf Clover**; Just a Closer Walk with Thee; The Object of My Affection; Kid Thomas Boogie Woogie
Personnel
Kid Thomas Valentine - Trumpet/Vocal*; Manny Paul - Tenor Sax; Louis Nelson - Trombone; Charlie Hamilton - Piano; Joseph "Twat" Butler - Bass/Vocal**; Sammy Penn - Drums; J. P. "Pete" Campbell - Announcements
Album information
Title: The Thomas Band at Moose Hall, 1968 Vol. 1 | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Jazz Crusade
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Cynthia Sayer