Search - Ernie Carson :: Every Man a King

Ernie Carson and His Hot Cornet

John C. Graham | toronto, ontario Canada | 07/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There may not be such a large audience for this type of jazz anymore. The 2-beat, tuba driven, shouting brass revival bands saw their heyday a half century or more ago. Somehow, it's extremely unfortunate for listeners and players alike. Brilliant albums like "Every Man a King" will be overlooked by most of the cd buying public.



Ernie Carson stomps off 13 old, rarely heard, good time tunes and sings on 5 of them. His blistering hot cornet lead is priceless. There are echoes of Muggsy Spanier and Wild Bill Davison is his playing and immediately recognizable patterns to his attack, especially when starting a break or solo. It's a listening experience that has quite an impact and, as well as putting a smile on your face, may cause temporary foot tapping syndrome .



The band consists of Kim Cusak on clarinet, Tom Bartlett on trombone, Pete Clute on piano, Debbie Schreyer on the banjo, Mike Walbridge on tuba, and Wayne Jones on drums. They've all been around the traditional jazz scene for years and their professionalism is apparent on every tune.



Cusak and Bartlett shine, along with the leader, on just about every tune. Clute and Schreyer have their moments as well. Walbridge is rock solid and steady on the bottom end and Wayne Jones, if you listen carefully, never falters in his time keeping role.



The recording was made at the end of March, 1993, in St. Louis, MO. The sound is spectacular, one of the cleanest, well recorded discs I've ever heard. If you're going to choose any of Carson's discs, this may be the one to get. It's over an hour's worth of exceptionally well played and recorded foot stompin' jazz. It'll surely grow on you.



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