This particular radio program from the notable
"Riverwalk, Live from the Landing"
series features
the Jim Cullum Jazz
band (a septet which at the time featured cornetist
Cullum
, clarinetist
Brian Oglivie
, trombonist
Mike Pittsley
and pianist
John Sheridan
) paying tribute to the empress of the blues,
Bessie Smith
.
David Holt's
narration is intelligent and concise, but most notable is the singing of guest
Topsy Chapman
Chapman
emulates
Bessie
on such numbers as "Down Hearted Blues," "You've Been a Good Old Wagon But You Done Broke Down," "Gimme a Pigfoot" and "St. Louis Blues." There are also a couple of instrumentals for the band ("At a Georgia Camp Meeting" and the out-of-place but enjoyable "West End Blues"). Recommended for trad jazz and early blues fans. ~ Scott Yanow