Joe Mares, the younger brother of cornetist Paul Mares of the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, played clarinet but did not record himself. More significantly, in 1953 he founded Southland Records and for the next decade documented one rewarding New Orleans session after another. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Mares believed that his musicians should play in tune and have excellent technique in addition to their own sound and the ability to play exciting solos and ensembles. He was not one of the producers who felt that everything played by veteran musicians should be released or that having a sincere style made up for erratic musicianship.
Due to his dedication, virtually all of the sessions that he made for Southland are prime examples of New Orleans jazz of the era. Southland was acquired by George Buck in the 1960s and nearly all of their recordings are available today, reissued on the Jazzology and GHB labels.
Raymond Burke (1904-86) was an excellent clarinetist with his own relatively mellow sound and subtle approach. The Southland Recordings 1958-60 have Burke performing with three different groups. Of the 14 selection, 10 are being released for the first time after all of these years. In most cases, they deserved to be put out when they were recorded for the quality is high.
While Burke sounds consistently excellent, he is generally not the main star of these dates. The four songs from Dec. 11, 1960 feature the great (if now somewhat overlooked) trumpeter-singer Thomas Jefferson in an octet that also includes trumpeter Tommy Gonsoulin, trombonist Paul Crawford, the always stimulating pianist Armand Hug, guitarist Joe Capraro, bassist Chink Martin, and drummer Monk Hazel. Their versions of “Apple Blossom Time” and “It’s A Long Way To Tipperary” are particularly stirring with plenty of hot ensembles and fine playing by Jefferson.
From July 20, 1958, Burke is heard in a septet with trumpeter Mike Lala, trombonist Bob Havens (who also is heard on vibes), pianist Jeff Riddick, guitarist Capraro, bassist Sherwood Mangiapane, and Paul Edwards, this time on drums. The four songs from this set (highlighted by “You Tell Me Your Dreams” and “Rose Room”) were originally released but are joined here by three unheard but rewarding alternate takes. Lala and Havens blend in well with Burke and each horn player has his colorful individual moments.
The remaining three songs, all released for the first time, are from May 5, 1958. They have Burke and Lala joined by trombonist Jack Delaney, John Reininger on tenor, pianist Bob Discon, Capraro, bassist Bob Coquille and drummer Edwards. Best are “Indiana” and “Bugle Call Rag.”
All in all, this CD shows that there was plenty of fine jazz to be heard in New Orleans before the opening of Preservation Hall.
Raymond Burke
The Southland Recordings 1958-1960
GHB BCD-99
www.jazzology.com
