Search - Ralph Sutton :: Swings St. Louis

The King of Stride Piano!

Jazz Lover | St. Louis | 01/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ralph Sutton has been playing great jazz piano for half a century now and this latest recording with his trio is one of his best. I just can't get over how swingin' the music on this CD is, and the sound is terrific. Recorded live in his hometown of St. Louis, Ralph and his famous trio of Jack Lesberg on bass and Frank Capp on drums really sound great. I was fortunate to be at the live concert and found this recording captures the essence of the performance in grand style. If you like swingin' piano jazz, you'll love this one."

"Backstage Bistro in St. Louis ~ Ralph Sutton"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 02/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gaslight Records presents "Swings St. Louis", featuring Ralph Sutton (piano), Jack Lesberg (bass) and Frank Capp (drums) recorded live in St. Louis, Mo. at the Backstage Bistro on March 2nd and 3rd (except solo session at the club recorded on March 4th) ~ top flight performances that will be ringing in your head over and over again.Anyone who has ever heard Sutton live will agree he is one of the most genuinely high profile performers, with Fats Waller influence in his piano stride. Sit back and enjoy some stand outs ~ "BACK HOME AGAIN IN INDIANA" (James Hanley/Ballard McDonald), "HONEYSUCKLE ROSE" (Thomas "Fats" Waller)(a classic tune from a legendary artist)(solo session), "HOW HIGH THE MOON" (Nancy Hamilton/Morgan Lewis), "I FOUND A NEW BABY" (Jack Palmer/Spencer Williams), "I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU" (Johnny Mercer/Jimmy Van Heusen),"IN THE DARK" (L.B. Beiderbecker)(solo session), "LADY BE GOOD" (George & Ira Gershwin)(probably one of the most recorded Jazz tunes ever), "LOVE ME" (Wahington/Young)(solo session), "ONE MORNING IN MAY" (Hoagy Carmichael)(a favorite of all Carmichael fans), "ST. LOUIS BLUES" (W.C. Handy)(wonderful arrangement with a sure fire toe tapping delivery), "SUGAR" (Sidney Mitchell/Macea & Edna Pinkard), "SWEET SUE" (Victor Young/Will J. Harris) and "THOU SWELL" (Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart) ~ Sutton finds something fresh to say with his smooth, cool and old-fashioned piano style...gotta love it!The people at Gaslight Records are to be commended for bringing back some of Ralph Sutton's best work on this one of a kind compact disc ~ hopefully there will be more to follow ~ he has left a marvelous musical legacy!Total Time: 60:05 on 13 Tracks ~ Gaslight Records 001 ~ (7/31/2001)"