Jazz / New Orleans Jazz Revival
Pete Fountain - Clarinet
Archie Wheeler Clarinet, Sax (Alto)
Bob Bain Arranger
Chris Deusinger Sax (Alto), Clarinet
D'Vaughn E. Pershing Piano
Danny Hall Bass
Dave Johnson Trumpet
David Hungate Guitar (Rhythm)
David Luke Engineer
Drew Cartwright Package Design
Gary Paczosa Mixing
Georgette Cartwright Creative Services Coordinator
Jay DaVersa Trumpet
Jennie Carey Production Assistant
Jim Miller Trombone (Bass)
John Bahler Musical Director
Kelly Kerr Photography
Matt Muhoberac Guitar (Electric)
Michael Genevay Arranger
Michael Manthey Trumpet
Neal Cappellino Digital Editing
Peter Levinson Liner Notes
Ray Sherman Arranger
Richie Havens Drums
Skinner Ways Assistant Engineer
Steve Buckingham Producer
Thomas Howard Assistant Engineer
Timothy Powell Assistant Engineer
Wes Marshall Trumpet
Pete Fountain has been synonymous with Dixieland jazz since the late '50s, and it makes sense that he would record with the New Lawrence Welk Orchestra, since he originally rose to fame playing his music during special features on The Lawrence Welk Show between 1957 and 1959. This ghost band is not that similar to its predecessor, as it features swinging arrangements by guitarist Bob Bain (a veteran of the Tonight Show Band and Bob Crosby's Bobcats) that mostly last three to four minutes and serve to showcase the clarinetist. Throughout his career, Fountain has covered a lot of material found on this release, including "Tin Roof Blues," "Basin Street Blues," and "Just a Closer Walk With Thee," and he settles in quite well in his first big-band recording in nearly three decades. His improvisations within "Georgia on My Mind" and "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans" are somewhat adventurous. The arrangement of "Summer Wind" was influenced by Nelson Riddle's chart for Frank Sinatra, but it is a little bland compared to the other tracks. Fans of Pete Fountain will no doubt enjoy this release. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Pete Fountain
Active Decades: '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: Jul 03, 1930 in New Orleans, LA
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Dixieland, Dixieland Revival
One of the most famous of all New Orleans jazz clarinetists, Pete Fountain has the ability to play songs that he has performed a countless number of times (such as "Basin Street Blues") with so much enthusiasm that one would swear he had just discovered them. His style and most of his repertoire have remained unchanged since the late '50s, yet he never sounds bored. In 1948, Fountain (who is heavily influenced by Benny Goodman and Irving Fazola) was a member of the Junior Dixieland Band and this was followed by a stint with Phil Zito and an important association with the Basin Street Six (1950-1954), with whom the clarinetist made his first recordings. In 1955, Fountain was a member of the Dukes of Dixieland, but his big breakthrough came when he was featured playing a featured Dixieland number or two on each episode of The Lawrence Welk Show during 1957-1959. After he left, he moved back to New Orleans, opened his own club, and has played there regularly up until retiring from the nightclub business in early 2003. Fountain's finest recordings were a lengthy string for Coral during 1959-1965 (they turned commercial for a period after that).
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
