James Booker
SPIDERS ON THE KEYS
ROUNDER 2119
available on Amazon
There are few musicians that I regret not having seen, and James Booker is foremost among those. This aptly named disc, the music emanating from the speakers make it seem as if there were many spiders on the keys, as his stretches and runs are breath taking in their fluidity. This disc (along with its Rounder partner, Resurrection of the Bayou Maharajah) was culled from some 60 or so hours of tapes that John Parsons recorded at the Maple Leaf Bar, from 1977 to 1982. Thank you John for providing us with this stunning tribute to a true musical genius. The main difference in the music on the two discs is that this one is purely instrumental, and on Resurrection we have some examples of his fine singing. In fact listen to this version of PAPA WAS A RASCAL, and then listen to the rendition on Resurrection, and what you have is 2 almost entirely different entities. This disc is made up roughly of what might be called piano bar standards such as SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET, and ELEANOR RIGBY. Now stop and think how many times you have heard this fare, and then listen to them here. It is like coming upon a whole new catalogue of music that you have never heard before. You will forever give these tunes a chance in the future just in case lightening can strike a second time. My brain will not shut off again at the opening notes of OVER THE RAINBOW, just on the off chance someone else is going to give it another treatment that will throw the same cold water in my face to wake me up. A special debt of gratitude must go to both Scott Billington and John Parsons for the care taken with this recorded legacy they have lovingly given us. Give yourself a treat and pick this one up on your way home, it will sure enough make some changes in your interior landscape.
Songs, Times, and Writers
1. PAPA WAS A RASCAL - 7:46 - James Booker
2. SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET - 3:29 - Jimmy McHugh
3. SO SWELL WHEN YOU'RE WELL - 3:02 - James Booker
4. A TASTE OF HONEY - 5:56 - Marlow - Scott
5. HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS - 2:27 - public domain - arr. James Booker
6. GONZO'S BLUE DREAM - 4:01 - James Booker
7. ELEANOR RIGBY - 4:11 - John Lennon - Paul McCartney
8. MALAGUENA - 4:40 - trad. arr. James Booker
9. PIANO SALAD - 5:43 - James Booker
10. LITTLE COQUETTE - 5:28 - Barney Young
11. BESAME MUCHO - 4:10 - Skylar - Velazques
12. TICO TICO - 4:43 - Abreu - Drake - Oliviera
13. OVER THE RAINBOW - 2:34 - Harold Arlen - E. Y. Harburg
Musicians - James Booker - Piano
Produced by - Scott Billington and John Parsons