This is a wonderful disc in every respect. Paul Whiteman clarinet/sax player Al Gallodoro passed away a few weeks after this recording was made, at the ripe old age of 95. You’d never guess his age from his playing: whether in the raucous opening glissando of Rhapsody in Blue or in the numerous solo licks elsewhere, he rocks, plain and simple. Lincoln Mayorga also proves to be a fine Gershwin pianist. He gives the music an easy elegance and sophistication that never turns mannered or self-conscious, as so often happens when classical artists attempt what they consider to be a jazz style.
More importantly, Steven Richman has assembled (and conducts) a splendid program that more than justifies buying yet another recording of the two concertante chestnuts. Ferde Grofé arranged a bunch of Gershwin songs for the Whiteman band, and they sound marvelous as played here. Titles include “Fascinating Rhythm”, “The Man I Love”, “Summertime”, “That Certain Feeling”, “Somebody Loves Me”, “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise”, and no less than two versions of “The Yankee Doodle Blues”. One is a normal recording, while the other was made, just for fun, acoustically, on an Edison cylinder using a “period instrument”.
The result speaks volumes about what some listeners claim to be hearing on actual historical recordings. Let’s just say that a modern acoustical recording sounds just like you would expect: terrible, and more to the point, not anything like what instruments really sound like in real life. Not even close. Happily, the sonics elsewhere are outstanding, capturing the vivid playing of Richman’s Harmonie Ensemble with unfailing naturalness. Go for it. [4/16/2010]
