Search - Kenny Davern :: No One Else But Kenny

The Music Says It All

John C. Graham | toronto, ontario Canada | 11/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The night before the recording, the trio performed at the Estonian House in Toronto. It's a wonderful performance space with lots of wood and great acoustics. The concert was really an intimate affair with Kenny adding many amusing asides between numbers. It was clear that the musicians were on form and had come to play.



The following afternoon, Kenny, Dave, and Trevor assembled at Phase One Studios to record the twelve numbers you'll hear on this disc. There was a small audience of enthusiasts in attendance, many from the previous night's performance. Everyone in the room seemed comfortable with the relaxed atmosphere of the informal recording procedure. The musicians seemed just as loose, but their intensity and focus was evident.



There were some false starts and some second takes and a few coffee breaks. The musicians talked and joked with members of the audience while waiting for the guys in the control room to give them the O.K. to start again. Kenny called out the tunes, the key, and the tempo. He rarely faltered. His tone, attack, and swooping forays seemed just as strong as ever. His ability to capture a song is a priceless thing to witness and probably made that much easier with the able assistance from these particular bandmates.



David Boeddinghaus is a New Orleans pianist with a taste and style that comes from the masters. He's listened and learned from Jelly Roll Morton and Earl Hines, right up to Ralph Sutton and Don Ewell. There is a host of other influences there and they've long ago been incorporated into David's own unique style. He's a remarkably fluent player who deserves more exposure. His solo take on Beale Street Blues is a gem.



Trevor Richards has been playing New Orleans style drums since the 60's when he took lessons from Zutty Singleton. He is among a handful of drummers still playing who have mastered the old technique. It's a wonderful and expressive art form that really captures the essence of old New Orleans.



There doesn't seem to be much point in describing the "blow by blow" of each song. The highlights are many and after listening a few times, you'll find favourite spots of your own. It really is an outstanding recording in every way. The music may even temporarily cause you to forget your troubles and woes...at least, for the sixty four and a half minutes it takes to play the disc. Enthusiastically recommended.

Postscript: Sadly, Kenny Davern passed away on December 12th, 2006."