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Bob Merrill: Tell Me Your Troubles – Songs by Joe Bushkin, Volume 1
ByBob Merrill's previous recording, Cheerin' Up The Universe (Accurate Records, 2015) might have had about the hokiest title, but its heart was clear: the dissemination of infectious music intent on raising smiles and causing heads to nod and feet to tap. Merrill comes across as a better-behaved Jack Sheldon with a more wholesome message. And there is a place for this. Merrill's sunny disposition shines bright on the present recording, reflecting his admiration for his father-in-law enough to devote multiple recordings to him. Was Bushkin the greatest performer? No, but that is not the point. Bushkin came to work and did his job and that was to compose music and perform it for entertainment and Tell Me Your Troubles is anything but short on entertainment.
Merrill lovingly puts together nine pieces either composed by, or associated with, Bushkin and is not stingy with his sharing the music. Merrill sings and trumpets on Bushkin's best known piece, "Oh Look at Me Now." He firmly establishes himself as the leader and curator of this collection of music, while allowing the likes of Kathryn Crosby and Wycliffe Gordon to sing these treasured songs. Crosby upends "There'll Be a Hot Time in the Town of Berlin," while Gordon gives his Satchmo best on "Boogie Woogie Blue Plate. That Harry Allen and Jay Leonhart are on hand is all gravy. This is as happy a recording as Cheerin' Up The Universe with a big heart an bow to the artist who was Joe Bushkin
Track Listing
Frank Sinatra Remembers Joe; Oh Look at Me Now; There’ll Be a Hot Time in the Town of Berlin; Wise to Myself; Girl Wanted; Goin’ Back to Storeyville; Tell Me Your Troubles; Lovely Weather; Something Wonderful Happens in Summer; Man Here Plays Fine Piano; Boogie Woogie Blue Plate; Red Buttons Remembers Joe.
Personnel
Bob Merrill
trumpetBob Merrill: vocals and trumpet; Eric Comstock, Ted Rosenthal, John Colianni, and Spike Wilner: on piano; Wycliffe Gordon: trombone and vocals; Nicki Parrott: bass and vocals; Jay Leonhart: bass, Harry Allen: tenor saxophone; Steve Johns: drums.
Album information
Title: Tell Me Your Troubles – Songs by Joe Bushkin, Volume 1 | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Accurate Records