Dick Wellstood Albums (11)
What The Critics Say
Dick Wellstood was one of the foremost stride piano players, and his premature death in 1987 deprived the jazz world of a major talent. This CD reissues the complete contents of the 1970-1971 sessions that made up the original LP, adding four new tracks from a previously unreleased 1975 studio date. There's plenty of great music for a stride fan to devour: Fats Waller's "Viper's Drag" and "Squeeze Me," James P. Johnson's "Carolina Shout" (a mandatory number for stride players), plus interpretations of ragtime (Scott Joplin's "Fig Leaf"), W.C. Handy's "Atlanta Blues," and the playful novelty piano number "Poor Buttermilk" by Zez Confrey. Wellstood also delights in rearranging a theme by Rachmaninoff into his "Russian Rag," while his "South Amboy Highball" is a boogie-woogie piece that suggests a train underway. The sound is a little distorted on the 1975 session, due to the dynamic range of these recordings exceeding the capabilities of a CD. In addition to a loping "On the Sunny Side of the Street," a virtuoso performance of "Body and Soul," and a brilliantly conceived medley of classic Duke Ellington compositions, there's one odd track. Although "Superstar" is credited to Wellstood, it is actually a very bluesy, often sidesplitting interpretation of the schmaltz-filled hit recorded by the Carpenters. Is there such a thing as a mediocre Dick Wellstood release? Don't bet on it! ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The great stride pianist Dick Wellstood, who died in 1987, was best heard as a soloist in a live setting, which this CD is. This performance, taped during a 1977 appearance in a Dublin, Ireland, bar called the Merrion Inn, was discovered in 2000 by clarinetist Kenny Davern in the home of an Irish fan, who had recorded it with Wellstood's permission. Like the earlier Wellstood CD Live at the Sticky Wicket (which is also available on Arbors Jazz), this nightclub set preserves Wellstood's witty and sometimes sarcastic introductions to the songs. His foot tapping is frequently audible, adding an extra touch of rhythm and never distracting from the music. He first plays a series of rags, explaining to his audience how stride evolved from ragtime, including the well-known ("Maple Leaf Rag" and "Pork and Beans"), the forgotten (Joplin's "Fig Leaf Rag"), and novelty rags such as Zez Confrey's "Kitten on the Keys" and George Cobb's "Russian Rag" (which was derived from a Rachmaninoff work). Wellstood's chops are in top form throughout the cream of the stride compositions that he plays: "Carolina Shout," "Viper's Drag," "Handful of Keys," plus a medley of four more Fats Waller tunes. But he is at his most amazing when adapting non-jazz works into ragtime or stride. "Paganini's Thing" was adapted from a piece by the 19th century classical violinist Nicholo Paganini by Wellstood himself. As on his earlier Arbors Jazz CD, Wellstood plays his very amusing stride take of John Coltrane's landmark modal work "Giant Steps," a rapid-fire ragtime version of Cole Porter's "I Concentrate on You," and a rag version of the normally extremely lame Andrew Lloyd Webber hit "Superstar" ("made famous by such jazz artists as Bette Midler and the Carpenters," Wellstood deadpans). Of course, a medley of works from the Duke Ellington songbook is naturally suited for stride, since Ellington's own playing was firmly rooted in ragtime and stride; his up-tempo rendition of "Caravan" wraps this exciting medley. He signs off with a quick chorus of his original "Just the Blues." Even though this nightclub performance has the usual clinking glasses, occasional cash register noise, and talking from the audience, the sound is very pleasing and is worthy of comparison to many professionally recorded CDs and LPs in similar venues. This CD serves as an excellent introduction to the playing of Dick Wellstood and should be an essential acquisition for any fan of ragtime and/or stride piano. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Live at the Sticky Wicket'
Release Date 9/23/1997
Tracks 32
Label Arbors
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What The Critics Say
The Big Three of post-World War II stride piano were Ralph Sutton, Dick Hyman and the late Dick Wellstood, who passed away in 1987. This double CD from 1997, recorded just 8½ months before Wellstood's death, contains all of the music performed by the pianist during an informal club appearance and recorded privately with his permission; it was released here for the first time. Although a masterful stride player, Wellstood was not unaware of later developments in jazz (he always liked Thelonious Monk), and his extensive program even features a striding version of "Giant Steps," which he turns into a bit of a joke. An expert at interpreting James P. Johnson tunes, Wellstood also includes a variety of swing standards, Duke Ellington numbers and selections by Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton and George Gershwin, among many others. He informally talks to the audience about the music between most of the songs, answers a few requests and cracks some jokes. Although the talking may seem a bit tiresome by the third listen, Wellstood's piano playing is heard throughout in prime form and is filled with many exciting moments. Highly recommended to lovers of stride piano. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Dick Wellstood and His All-Star Orchestra Featuring Kenny Davern Plus The Blue Three'
Release Date 4/6/1995
Tracks 17
Label Chiaroscuro
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What The Critics Say
This is the Dick Wellstood CD to get. Two former LPs (Dick Wellstood and His Famous Orchestra Featuring Kenny Davern and The Blue Three at Hanratty's) have been reissued in full on this single CD which contains 78 minutes of music. The first eight selections (from 1973) feature Wellstood with soprano saxophonist Kenny Davern in a set of stirring duets while the final nine songs have a trio comprised of Wellstood, Davern (sticking to clarinet), and drummer Bobby Rosengarden. Wellstood and Davern make a perfectly compatible team, whether on surprising versions of Dixieland standards (such as "Original Dixieland One Step," "Tiger Rag," and "Indiana") or obscurities such as Eddie Condon's (not George Gershwin's) "Liza" and "Oh Peter"; the opening number is an original simply titled "Fast As a Bastard!" A highly recommended set of brilliant pre-bop hot jazz. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Ragtime Piano Favorites'
Release Date 1/1/1987
Tracks 16
Label Special Music
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What The Critics Say
This disc is one of pianist Dick Wellstood's finest recordings. Wellstood's lengthy solo recital finds him interpreting a particularly eclectic repertoire that includes "Jingle Bells," a medley of tunes associated with Cole Porter and Bessie Smith, Sidney Bechet's obscure "Quincy Street Stomp," his own "Cha Cha for Charlie," and Louis Armstrong's famous "Cornet Chop Suey" among others. Wellstood is heard at the top of his form throughout. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'This Is the One...Dig!'
Release Date 10/12/1975
Tracks 16
Label Solo Art
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What The Critics Say
This was the great pianist Dick Wellstood's personal favorite record and one can understand why. The music is very well recorded and Wellstood sounds quite inspired throughout the solo set. For the 1994 CD reissue, the original eight songs are joined by eight additional (and previously unreleased) performances and the quality stays consistently high. Wellstood, who had an open mind toward more modern styles of jazz while keeping his stride piano style undiluted, performs surprising versions of "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" and John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" in addition to some swing standards and classics associated with James P. Johnson, Fats Waller and Earl Hines. Among the highpoints are "Snowy Morning Blues," "If Dreams Come True," "Rosetta" and a piece based on a classical work ("Paganini's Thing"). This is an essential acquisition for classic jazz collectors. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Fats Waller Revisited'
Release Date 1/1/1975
Tracks 9
Label Classic Jazz
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What The Critics Say
This is a long-forgotten but very worthy Fats Waller tribute performed by a septet led and arranged by pianist Dick Wellstood. With Zoot Sims on tenor, both Ed Polcer and John Bucher playing cornets, guitarist Al Casey (who was a regular member of Waller's bands 35 years earlier), bassist Major Holley, drummer Panama Francis, Wellstood and the seemingly ageless singer Jane Harvey, this is a particularly rewarding session. The group performs ten songs associated with Waller including "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter," "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Ain't Misbehavin'." The ensembles resembles one of Waller's bands, Wellstood had long assimilated Fats' musical language into his own distinctive style and Jane Harvey sounds wonderful. Well worth searching for. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Stride Piano of Dick Wellstood'
Release Date 1/1/1955
Tracks 17
Label Riverside
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What The Critics Say
Despite its title, this is essentially a trad LP, with pianist Dick Wellstood and his sextet jamming eight veteran songs, including "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans," "Royal Garden Blues," "The Sunny Side of the Street," and "Exactly Like You." One of trumpeter Doc Cheatham's first recordings in his later years (which found him finally becoming a renowned soloist), this album also features trombonist Vic Dickenson, Kenny Davern on soprano and clarinet, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Gus Johnson. Excellent music. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
