The Best of Pete Fountain by Pete Fountain Verve

Product Description: Though clarinetist Pete Fountain has long been a fixture on the New Orleans jazz scene, his greatest notoriety came from his 1957-1959 nationally televised appearances with the Lawrence Welk orchestra leading a small group playing traditional jazz. Fountain, a Benny Goodman disciple who plays the old standards with indefatigable fervor, is a fixture on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, leading the early morning parade down St. Charles Avenue with his "Half Fast" marching club. As Fountain walks, he plays the numbers on this record that comprise his standard repertoire--"While We Danced at the Mardi Gras," "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans," "Basin Street Blues," "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans," "When the Saints Come Marching in March" and "St. Louis Blues." --John Swenson

Customer Reviews

5 stars If you love Dixie ...
Having seen Pete Fountain in concert (before Katrina), I was delighted to see this CD on sale. Was not disappointed! Love the walkin' tempo of "Just A Closer Walk," and the romp of the high energy Dixieland tunes. Will certainly recommend this for lovers of delicious "licorice stick" talent.

5 stars A Gift of Old Favorites
Originally, I bought this for my son who remembers "Stranger on the Shore" from a juke box in his childhood. But when I heard the album, I had to download it before sending it on. What a joy! I play it all the time now. Besides the nostalgia and a superb artist... good quality recording. Excellent!

5 stars REALLY the Best
First had this as a tape in the early 70s, and it's still my favorite Pete Fountain album.

5 stars Fantastic cd
I bought the cassette version of this album over 20 years ago. I have purchased several other Pete Fountain cd's since. This is by far the best Pete Fountain CD I have found.

5 stars The master's best
I'm not a jazz afficianado, so I do not know whether there are other clarinetists out there equal to Pete Fountain. I do know that Pete Fountain makes the clarinet sing, talk, grieve, celebrate, exalt, revere, wail, and cry. He takes songs that I know, and moves them to another level.

On this CD (I actually have the audiocasette -- remember those?), the listener gets a good sampler of his best work. "While We Danced at the Mardi Gras" takes one right into the spirit of the festival in New Orleans.

"Closer Walk With Thee" takes a spiritual song and makes it a spiritual experience.

The "Fascination Medley" I like best for the "Fascination" part, which takes one on a soaring ride. I do wish it were not a medley, though, as that spoils the effect for me.

"Yes, Indeed!" makes me want to dance, even though I cannot.

I like the song "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You," which I usually associate with Dean Martin singing it, but Pete Fountain's rendition makes the words superfluous.

"My Blue Heaven" makes me want to sail the Caribbean, for somne reason.

"When the Saints Go Marching In" takes me to a New Orleans street funeral with all of its vacillation between melancholy grief and near-rapturous fervor.

When Pete Fountain plays the clarinet, it is truly a licorice stick to be savored, "Yes, Indeed!"

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