Jazz, blues and nostalgia, by Sjaak Roodenburg.
Storm & Rain.
Highly varied versions of ‘Stormy Weather’ (1933, Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler).
Besides Lena Horne’s classic, we also share a subdued arrangement by The Comedian Harmonist (‘Ohne Dich’), a rabidly wrong performance by Karl Schwedler’s Nazi propaganda orchestra.
As well as fine interpretations by Kay Starr along with the Capitol International Jazzmen (with Coleman Hawkins and Nat ‘King’ Cole a.o.), harmonica virtuoso Larry Adler, composer Harold Arlen himself, piano legend Art Tatum, jazz trumpet player Billy Butterfield, ‘Sweet Mama Stringbean’ Ethel Waters and a totally deviant, sunlit version by Master’s Hawaiians.
Long story short, melancholy at the frayed edges of winter.
