Chatter Jazz Explained

Chatter Jazz
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Rex Stewart and Dicky Wells
Cover:	Chatter Jazz.jpg
Released:	1959
Recorded:	January 20, 21 & 22, 1959
Studio:	Studio B, RCA Victor Studios, NYC
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	30:26
Label:	RCA Victor LPM/LSP 2024
Producer:	George T. Simon
Chronology:	Rex Stewart
Prev Title:	Porgy & Bess Revisited
Prev Year:	1959
Next Title:	The Happy Jazz of Rex Stewart
Next Year:	1959

Chatter Jazz subtitled The Talkative Horns of Rex Stewart and Dickie Wells, is an album by cornetist Rex Stewart and trombonist Dicky Wells which was recorded in 1959 and released on the RCA Victor label.^[1]

Reception

Ken Dryden of AllMusic states, "the two horn players exchange ideas through a series of "conversations" utilizing various mutes, never going for very long without giving time to the other. These friendly studio dates are somewhat low-key but consistently swinging; the only drawback is that the tracks are rather brief, with only two of the 12 songs exceeding three minutes". The Rough Guide to Jazz said "Both Dicky Wells and Stewart were masters of sound as well as possessing rich senses of musical humor, and this is what this album is about. They converse amicably and spiritedly on suitable selections ... A few tracks at a time may be the best way".^[2]

Track listing

1. "Little Sir Echo" (John Sylvester Fearis, Laura Rountree Smith) – 2:30
2. "Together" (Ray Henderson, Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown) – 2:11
3. "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 2:20
4. "Gimme a Little Kiss, Will Ya, Huh?" (Maceo Pinkard, Roy Turk, Jack Smith) – 2:11
5. "Show Me the Way to Go Home" (Irving King) – 3:04
6. "Frankie and Johnny" (Traditional) – 2:17
7. "Let's Do It" (Cole Porter) – 2:50
8. "I May Be Wrong (but I Think You're Wonderful)" (Henry Sullivan, Harry Ruskin) – 3:07
9. "Thou Swell" (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) – 2:02
10. "Side by Side" (Harry M. Woods) – 2:40
11. "Ain't We Got Fun" (Richard A. Whiting, Raymond B. Egan, Gus Kahn) – 2:47
12. "Jeepers Creepers" (Harry Warren, Johnny Mercer) – 2:27

Personnel

• Rex Stewart – cornet
• Dickie Wells – trombone
• John Bunch – piano
• Leonard Gaskin – bass
• Charlie Masterpaolo – drums

Notes and References

1. https://www.discogs.com/Rex-Stewart-Dickie-Wells-Chatter-Jazz/release/2602716 Discogs album entry
2. Book: Fairweather , Digby . 2004 . The Rough Guiide to Jazz . Rough Guides Ltd. . London . 1-84353-256-5 . 761 . registration .