[78-L] Jonathan and Darlene Edwards

[JACK DANEY]

> Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 11:11:06 +0100
> From: Julian Vein <julianvein at blueyonder.co.uk>
> Subject: [78-L] Jonathan and Darlene Edwards
> To: 78-L Mail List <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
> Message-ID: <49EAF8BA.4020602 at blueyonder.co.uk>
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> 
> JACK DANEY wrote:
> 
> BTW, does  anyone know the year of release (early fifties???) or have a copy
> of the
>> (played straight) Down Beat review which was responded to by a reader who
>> just couldn't fathom the high praise it received. He/she too may have
> played it sraight. Ah! Them was the daze!!
>> JD
> ==========
>> This is the Leonard Feather review, which I have in the Downbeat record
>> review book for 1957:
>> 
>> Awarded 48 stars.
>> 
>> 
>> 'Forty-eight stars is a modest rating indeed for this effort; in our
>> heart we add 13 stripes. for only in America could a record like this be
>> made. Perhaps if such all-American sounds as the piano of Edwards and
>> the matchless voice of his wife can be broadcast among our good
>> neighbors, they will move, or rather, they will be moved, to a better
>> understanding of our lives, our national character, our problems.
>> 
>> This LP is literally unique. Columbia is modest indeed in starting, in
>> the liner notes, that Edwards is in the "early or formative stage" of
>> his career, for we doubt that he will ever top the pinnacle of
>> achievement he reaches on these sides. in fact, once this disc has got
>> around, there will be no place for him to go.
>> 
>> Edwards can proudly claim to be the first pianist to contain Stardust,
>> in unmatched simplicity, within the confines of C and G seventh. If his
>> attempts to grapple with Nola lead to snide comments that his dizzy
>> fingers are all thumbs, the listener should remember that Edwards
>> operates under an amazing physical handicap. As the cover shows, he was
>> born with two right hands and is thus the archetype of all pianists who
>> have been accused of having no left hand.
>> 
>> The real honors, however, must be reserved for the vocal racks by Mrs.
>> Edwards. her intonation must be heard to be relieved. Above all, she and
>> Edwards have empathy. A partnership like this is comparable only with
>> the mythical mating of Jelly Roll Morton and Chris Connor. Darlene's
>> Autumn in New York, with the touchingly apt suggestion of Dear Old
>> Southland in Jonathan's introduction, is a sound for sore ears. Mrs.
>> Edwards is a true tragedienne, as you'll know when you hear It's Magic;
>> it's tragic.
>> 
>> To Mr. and Mrs Paul Weston, who allegedly have been trying to take
>> credit for these performances, we say, have a heart--give the Edwardses
>> their due! And to you, Mr. and Mrs. United States, who save your nickels
>> in a effort to stock your library with the ultimate in American music,
>> we add--don't fail to miss it.'
>> 
>> Julian Vein
> 

Many thanks, Julian, I really appreciate it as will my musician colleages
with whom I'll share it.  I'm amazed to learn that the date is quite a few
years later than I thought. I would have bet the farm (if I had one) that it
was earlier. 1957 seems like about two years ago. Thanks again!!
JD