Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Svend Asmussen • Makin Whoopee! ...and Music!

 



Review by Ken Dryden
Although Svend Asmussen should be considered as one of the titans of jazz violin, he still isn't as widely known as Stuff Smith, Stéphane Grappelli, or Jean-Luc Ponty, likely in part because he hasn't toured as widely as the others, with most of his performing and recording taking place in Europe. But the spry Danish veteran, who recorded these sessions in the weeks prior to his 93rd birthday in the winter of 2009, has been the elder statesman of his instrument since the death of Grappelli. His superb rhythm section consists of pianist/organist/bassist Richard Drexler, guitarist Jacob Fischer (whose name was omitted from the credits on the back cover), and drummer Tony Martin. Many of the pieces are standards that have been in his repertoire for decades, including fun-filled treatments of "Makin' Whoopee" and "There Will Never Be Another You." The joyful "Singin' in the Rain" has Drexler simulating raindrops with a catchy vamp in the upper end of the piano as the leader offers his light-hearted solo, while Asmussen's lyrical setting of "Skylark" is sentimental without being syrupy. There are also timeless jazz pieces like the strutting rendition of "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" and a brilliant "Nuages" showcasing both Asmussen and Fischer. The violinist penned a pair of originals, highlighted by the soulful "Sermon for Stuff" (a tribute to the great violinist Stuff Smith, with whom he worked on numerous occasions after Smith moved to Denmark), with Drexler's gospel-infused organ and piano backing him. Perhaps this rare opportunity to hear Svend Asmussen on an American release will open a few more recording opportunities during the violinist's golden years. Highly recommended!

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Revisión por Ken Dryden
Aunque Svend Asmussen debe ser considerado como uno de los titanes del violín de jazz, todavía no es tan conocido como Stuff Smith, Stéphane Grappelli o Jean-Luc Ponty, probablemente en parte porque no ha viajado tanto como los otros. , con la mayor parte de su actuación y grabación que tiene lugar en Europa. Pero el veterano veterano danés, que grabó estas sesiones en las semanas previas a su cumpleaños número 93 en el invierno de 2009, ha sido el mayor estadista de su instrumento desde la muerte de Grappelli. Su excelente sección rítmica consiste en el pianista / organista / bajista Richard Drexler, el guitarrista Jacob Fischer (cuyo nombre fue omitido en los créditos en la contraportada) y el baterista Tony Martin. Muchas de las piezas son estándares que han estado en su repertorio durante décadas, incluidos los tratamientos llenos de diversión de "Makin 'Whoopee" y "There Will Never Another Another You". El alegre "Singin 'in the Rain" tiene a Drexler simulando gotas de lluvia con un vampiro pegadizo en el extremo superior del piano mientras el líder ofrece su solo alegre, mientras que el ajuste lírico de "Skylark" de Asmussen es sentimental sin ser meloso. También hay piezas de jazz atemporales como la versión de "Las cosas no son lo que solían ser" y una brillante "Nuages" que muestra a Asmussen y Fischer. El violinista escribió un par de originales, resaltados por el conmovedor "Sermon for Stuff" (un homenaje al gran violinista Stuff Smith, con quien trabajó en numerosas ocasiones después de que Smith se mudó a Dinamarca), con el impregnado de órgano y piano con el evangelio de Drexler. él. Quizás esta rara oportunidad de escuchar a Svend Asmussen en un lanzamiento en Estados Unidos abrirá algunas oportunidades más de grabación durante los años dorados del violinista. ¡Muy recomendable!


1.Makin' Whoopee! (4:41)
2.Trubbel (3:55)
3.There Will Never Be Another You (4:08)
4.Singin' In The Rain (4:25)
5.Fiddler In Rio (4:36)
6.Sermon Of Stuff (3:31)
7.Nuages (5:09)
8.You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me (3:58)
9.Danny Boy (3:33)
10.Gypsy (3:15)
11.The Nearness Of You (3:22)
12.Things Ain't What They Used To Be (4:38)
13.Skylark (4:33)
14.Banjo (4:22)
15.Just A Gigolo (3:33)
16.Copacabana (3:42)

Svend Asmussen-violin
Richard Drexler-bass,piano,organ
Jacob Fischer-guitar
Tony Martin-drums & shakers (4)
Tom Carabasi-drums (4)




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