Fletcher

Guy’s third solo album has been quite a while coming. First recordings were made back in 2013 but a busy schedule in recent years has meant its release is long overdue. The eight track LP (9 track CD) features the wonderful Bruce Molsky who takes the lead vocal on ‘Another Gale Blows’ and plays fiddle on several tracks. John McCusker and Mike McGoldrick feature on ‘Margaret Set’. Side B starts with the title track, ’High Roads’ featuring lead guitar from Ethan Johns and backing vocals from Sarah Ozelle. Other heavyweight contributors include Nigel Hitchcock, Danny Cummings, Ian Thomas, Marcus Cliffe, Miles Bould and Guy’s son Max. The record was mixed at British Grove Studios by legendary producer Glyn Johns.

In 1931 the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra recorded ten titles for the low-budget Crown label. This LP includes all ten numbers plus two alternate takes, giving Henderson's band a chance to play material generally not associated with their early brand of swing including such tunes as "After You've Gone," "Stardust," "Tiger Rag" and even "Twelfth Street Rag." It is interesting to hear trumpeters Bobby Stark and Rex Stewart, trombonist J.C. Higginbottham and tenorman Coleman Hawkins soloing on this unlikely material.

Even with such strong players as trumpeters Bobby Stark and Rex Stewart, trombonist Benny Morton and tenor-saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, the fortunes of Fletcher Henderson's orchestra were slipping during 1931. With the departure of Don Redman several years earlier, the group's arrangements were less innovative, and the pressure was on to perform commercial songs for the Depression audience. Even the jazz standards (such as "Tiger Rag" and "After You've Gone") are less interesting than those of their competitors, although this new version of "Sugar Foot Stomp" is a classic and the strong solos by the all-star cast make this CD well worth acquiring.

"Star" is a set of hot desert ambience from Todd Fletcher. He is based in Phoenix, AZ, so it is a natural that he performs in that style of e-music. And Steve Roach produced Fletcher's first album, Byzantiuym, so the influences, however subtle, are there. Fletcher has a unique minimalist style that lends itself to desert ambience and arid soundscapes. The atmospheres create subtle rhythms that allow the soundworld to shape itself and to flow naturally. Deep listeners will feel the angst and loneliness of the barren desert landscape. The wide-open atmospheres envelop and abandon listeners evenly. This is a deep journey not to be taken alone or lightly. As with all desert ambience, especially American desert ambience, comparisons to Roach are inevitable and valid. Listeners who get beyond the similarities are in for a treat. This hard-to-get classic is essential.

Guy Fletcher was the keyboardist to the popular 1978-1996 British rock band Dire Straits. He joined the band in 1984, a year before Dire Straits' most successful legendary album, "Brothers In Arms", which put the band in the spotlight. After Dire Straits disbanded, Fletcher continued to be associated with almost every single piece of work concerning Mark Knopfler's solo career, the band's former lead singer and guitarist. Fletcher's first solo album, Inamorata, was released on 28 January 2008. Knopfler guested as lead guitarist for two tracks, and various musicians who have been associated with Knopfler's band also made appearances. Fletcher's second album, Stone, was released in 2009; his third, Natural Selection was released in 2010 with High Roads, being released in 2016. His latest album, "Anomaly" was released April 22nd 2022.

Fletcher Henderson's five Decca sessions are reissued in full on this fine CD. The 1931 and 1934 big bands are showcased. While the former group (heard on eight numbers) features such soloists as trumpeters Bobby Stark and Rex Stewart, trombonist Benny Morton, and Coleman Hawkins on tenor, the later group showcases trumpeter Red Allen, trombonist Claude Jones, clarinetist Buster Bailey, and tenor Ben Webster; altoist Benny Carter has a guest appearance on "Liza." Highlights of these early swing performances include "Sugar Foot Stomp," "Singin' the Blues" (which has Rex Stewart paying tribute to Bix Beiderbecke), the atmospheric "Radio Rhythm," "Big John's Special," "Down South Camp Meetin'," and "Rug Cutter's Swing." Excellent music that proves that swing did not begin with Benny Goodman in 1935.