Patti, Bill and Marty

This week in The Wall Street Journal, I interviewed two of the original Hollies—lead singer-guitarist Allan Clarke and drummer Bobby Elliott—and lyricist Roger Cook (go here). This time around, the song I explored was Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress). The rocker co written by Allan and Roger, has a intoxicating rockabilly sound and a lyric about an F.B.I. raid in Prohibition New York. The song has a fascinating history. Perhaps my favorite question for Roger was when I asked him who he had in mind for the "long cool woman" in the song. His answer? Billie Holiday. "I loved her voice," he says. Here's the song in case you've forgotten it...

Also in the WSJ, my Mansion "House Call" interview with the spectacular Patti LaBelle (go here). As a child, she was so enormously introverted and shy that her mother used to give her a quarter to go out and play with other kids. Patti was a marvelously warm and forthcoming interview subject. Here's Patti singing Here's to Life from her current album, Bel Hommage...

And finally, my "Playlist" column in the Review section featured a chat with bestselling novelist Dean Koontz (go here) on Paul Simon's The Boy in the Bubble from Graceland and how the song helped him come up with the right tone in the novel that was his first success.

Bill Evans. I have no idea who Paria Forouzesh is or where she's from. I stumbled across this video clip quite accidentally during the week and thought you'd enjoy it as much as I did. Here's Paria playing a transcription of Bill Evans's Gone With the Wind...

Marty Paich. Christopher Strawn sent along a clip to a Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour featuring a range of guests, including Stevie Wonder. I had forgotten that Marty Paich was the show's musical director. Here's Glen and Steve (starting at 5:50) and Glen and Roger Miller (King of the Road) at 26:08...

Dave Pell. Drummer Robert McKeon in Phoenix sent along a link to the following clip featuring a new band he's in called the West Coast Cool Octet. Here they're playing the late Dave Pell's swinging arrangement of Cheerful Little Earful...

In New York next weekend? Marlene VerPlanck will be singing at Kitano on Saturday, August 26. She'll be joined by pianist Russ Kassoff and bassist Jay Leonhart. There are two shows—at 8 and 10 p.m. Reservations a must. Call (212) 885-7119. The club's entrance is on 38th St, where there is very easy street parking. Here's Marlene singing Speak Low on her Marlene VerPlanck Meets Saxomania album from 1994...

What the heck. Here's Patti Page singing Stars Fell on Alabama on her 1950s television show. Patti was pop, but wow could she ace a song with perfect articulation and phrasing..

Oddball album cover of the week.

Goodness, Art Linkleter on the facts of life. On the back, the copy promises that "prior to its release, the album was reviewed by outstanding members of the clergy, representing all faiths, educators and child psychologists." They obviously missed the cover photo featuring Art's illustrative hand signing.

       

from JazzWax http://ift.tt/2fTGPtw