Philip Larkin's jazz writing was notorious for its anti-modern stance, but when dealing with artists whose work he loved and admired it was wonderfully vivid and personal. This four-CD pack contains 81 of his favourite pieces – the 'passionate intensities' of clarinettist Pee Wee Russell, the 'snarling, gobbling' trumpet of Bubber Miley. Some of Larkin's youthful favourites, such as the Washboard Rhythm Kings, have lost their shine with the passing years, but altogether this is a richly enjoyable anthology of the best jazz from the 1920s and 30s, and a welcome contribution to the Larkin 25 celebrations."
People are quite dismissive of Larkin's jazz pieces, but he has good taste and I was always struck more by the fervor and sensitivity with which he championed his favorites than with the bebop he disdained. I'll have to track down a copy of this CD.
No comments:
Post a Comment