Terry Waldo Albums (7)
'Ohio Theatre Concert'
Release Date 9/29/2009
Tracks 21
Label Delmark
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Pianist Terry Waldo has been an important figure on the metro Columbus, OH jazz scene since the burgeoning collegiate city sprawled out into the suburbs to nearly a million citizens. His brand of vintage jazz has retained an older audience, while turning on willing younger listeners of his baby boomer age group to the swinging music that started it all. This performance at the Columbus based-Ohio Theater in 1974 was to have included Eubie Blake, who fell ill and did not appear, but veteran vocalist Edith Wilson was on hand to accompany Waldo's Gutbucket Syncopators, a band with musicians hailing from across the U.S. Their repertoire is all standard fare, from ragtime, New Orleans, and Dixieland jazz to stride piano, or out-and-out swing, the CD featuring nine bonus tracks added to the initial vinyl LP issue. The marvelous band includes the effervescent Frank Powers on saxes and clarinet, trumpeter Roy Tate, trombonist Jim Snyder, banjo player Bill Moorhead, tuba player Mike Walbridge, and the irrepressible drummer Wayne Jones. Wilson is delightful, and though a bit worn vocally, is still very enjoyable. Of her seven features, she's most convincing in a lower range during the cuddle and coo of "I'm a Great Big Baby," the over-being-bored, old folks' blues "To Keep from Twiddling Their Thumbs," the signature Bessie Smith evergreen "Black & Blue," and what she introduces as "something on the lighter side," but actually is an upbeat "St. Louis Blues." Waldo's handful of solo piano pieces in lieu of Blake's absence are as pleasing as Wilson's numbers, including a quick, utterly precise read of "Maple Leaf Rag," the two-fisted "Pastime Rag #1," a super slow, campy "12th Street Rag," and comedic stride with the pianist singing for "How Could Red Riding Hood?" As the group collectively wends its way through tunes like the easy swinging "Some of These Days," the hot "I Would Do Anything for You" with Jones singing, "At The Jazz Band Ball," a great version of "The Mooche" and the all-out jam "The Letter," you realize how cohesive the band is with assumedly little pre-rehearsal, and how much fun they have playing together. An appearance by then-U.S. Attorney General William B. Saxbe might seem a gracious cameo for a fan, when in fact Saxbe sings quite well, soulfully rendering the self-deprecating "Ace in the Hole." With plenty of diverse sounds to tap on within traditional jazz, and the concert being well preserved as transferred to digital format, Waldo hits homer after homer, rounding the bases many times over with this excellent program of music that anyone old soul can appreciate and enjoy. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
There is quite a bit of variety on pianist Terry Waldo's Let It Shine within the context of classic 1920s jazz. While the bulk of the music was recorded during the fateful month of September 2001, there is one song apiece from 1974 (solo piano from Waldo on Eubie Blake's "Troublesome Rag"), 1979, 1981 and 1989, with two of the three songs being by Waldo's Gutbucket Syncopators. Even among the 2001 selections, there is one vocal apiece from four different singers plus a group that usually performs in the New York subway, the Subway Trio (performing a heartwarming version of "This Little Light of Mine"). Some pieces features up to three clarinetists (Dan Levinson, Pedro Martinez and Evan Christopher), Levinson on C-melody is showcased on a pair of remarkable Rudy Wiedoeft specialties ("Saxarella" and "Sax-O-Phun"), Tom Marion (on guitar and mandolin) and banjoist Craig Ventresco have a couple features, and trumpeter Peter Ecklund is an asset whenever he appears. In addition, clarinetist Orange Kellin is at the top of his game on Eubie Blake's "Chevy Chase;" two songs are in the style of Jimmie Noone's Apex Club Orchestra; and there is a hot dance band version of "Do I Know What I'm Doing." With the instrumentation changing from piece to piece, Let It Shine never loses one's interest or becomes predictable. Terry Waldo, producer Janice Lee and label head Bob Erdos. Waldo deserve great credit for putting this superior program together. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Pianist Terry Waldo & the Gutbucket Syncopators have had their original LP of eight selections expanded to 13 in this CD reissue. This consistently exciting date has Waldo joined by trumpeter Roy Tate, trombonist Jim Snyder, Frank Powers on clarinet and tenor, banjoist Bob Sundstrom, Mike Wallbridge on tuba, and drummer Wayne Jones. The solos are full of spirit, some of the ensembles border on the riotous, and such songs as "At the Jazz Band Ball," "Why Couldn't It Be Poor Little Me," "China Boy," "Dinah," and "Irish Black Bottom" are successfully revived. Highly recommended to Dixieland and traditional jazz fans. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This LP features Terry Waldo's Gutbucket Syncopators on previously unreleased performances from 1973, 1974, 1979, and 1981. Although the rhythm section changed a bit during this period (other than the leader being on piano), the front line of trumpeter Roy Tate, trombonist Jim Snyder, and clarinetist Frank Powers stayed quite stable. The music is consistently rewarding and fun. Waldo takes Eubie Blake's "Troublesome Ivories" as a solo, Susan LaMarche sings "Mississippi Mud," veteran blues singer Edith Wilson is heard on "Ain't Misbehavin'" (from 1973), and Eddy Davis sings "Willie the Weeper." Otherwise the emphasis is on the instrumentalists, and particularly the horns on such numbers as "Royal Garden Blues," "Ory's Creole Trombone," and "Broadway Rose." Frequently exciting hot jazz. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The 1979 version of Terry Waldo's Gutbucket Syncopators has a couple notables in the rhythm section (banjoist/singer Eddy Davis and drummer Hal Smith), their usual front line (the exciting if occasionally faltering trumpeter Roy Tate, trombonist Jim Snyder, and Frank Powers on clarinet and tenor), Louise Anderson on tuba, and pianist Waldo. On this LP (not reissued on CD) they stretch out on eight mostly rarely performed numbers, including "St. Louis Shuffle" (which was recorded by Fletcher Henderson in the 1920s), W.C. Handy's "Harlem Blues," "Boy in the Boat," "Everybody Stomp," and "Zulu's Ball." This is fun music that should delight trad jazz fans lucky enough to run across this album. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The debut recording by pianist Terry Waldo's Gutbucket Syncopators certainly has its exciting moments along the way, and its repertoire (which includes "Here Comes the Hot Tamale Man," "Kiss Me Sweet," "Broadway Rose," "Why Couldn't It Be Poor Little Me," and "Deep Henderson") is mostly pretty inspired. Unfortunately, there are some miscues along the way and trumpeter Roy Tate (who would improve) hits a fair number of clams. One can never fault the band's enthusiasm, and this septet displays plenty of passion for the vintage music that it performs, but some of these numbers should have been recorded again. Although this LP has its moments, the band would soon record more worthy sets. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This spirited set is an improvement over the debut of Waldo's Gutbucket Syncopators the previous year. The rhythm section is stronger, the group's trombonist Jim Snyder fits in well, and Frank Powers is a strong asset on clarinet and tenor. Terry Waldo has always been a fine trad pianist, and although trumpeter Roy Tate's playing is not flawless, he adds a lot of excitement to the group, sometimes recalling Jabbo Smith. Recorded live, these eight Dixieland-ish performances are highlighted by "At the Jazz Band Ball," "Someday Sweetheart," "Nagasaki," and "Irish Black Bottom." Trad fans will want to pick up this Lp if they run across it. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
