Sidney Bechet – The Essential Sidney Bechet – Album Review

Review by Nick Ellman, of Naughty Professor

Sidney Bechet is a pioneer of the clarinet and of jazz itself. He was contemporaries with Louis Armstrong in New Orleans and just as much of an innovator on his instrument. Originally a clarinet player, Bechet found the soprano saxophone while touring in London and discovered a new sound with more power behind it. So much of the recorded material we have from Sidney Bechet is on soprano saxophone. But since we’re here to talk about clarinet, we won’t hold that against him.

I was hesitant to include a compilation album in my top ten list but it’s really more about the player than anything. This album covers a wide range of his career and definitely has some clarinet highlights sprinkled in. Whichever horn we hear him on, Sidney Bechet plays more personality in one note than most musicians could hope to convey in a lifetime. A true innovator on the clarinet, Bechet demonstrates his expressive way of playing all over this album with growls, bends and scoops. He is also a master of arpeggios with multiple notes flying out of his horn at faster tempos. 

On “Sweetie Dear,” Bechet is nothing short of amazing on clarinet. Immediately following the melody, he kicks off the next section with a few bars of acapella clarinet. It’s a serious flex of chops with his command of the instrument, melody and harmony.  Throughout the album you can hear Bechet’s signature wide vibrato and boisterous wails. 

“Characteristic Blues” is a stand out track to me. Right at the top of song, the trill of Sidney Bechet is unapologetic and unforgettable. My favorite part of the song is in the middle of his solo. The band kicks into double time and Bechet plays a riff with a lively bounce that won’t let me not move my body. It only happens for a moment but it’s such a joyful swing that it sticks with me long after I hear it each time. Sidney Bechet is a national treasure and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest of all time.

TRACK LIST: 

Side One:

1. Wild Cat Blues
2. Texas Moaner Blues
3. Mandy, Make Up Your Mind
4. I’m A Little Blackbird
5. Shag
6. Sweetie Dear
7. I Want You Tonight
8. Lay Your Racket
9. I’ve Found A New Baby
10. Maple Leaf Rag
11. Characteristic Blues
12. Dear Old Southland
13. Okey-Doke
14. What A Dream
15. Hold Tight (Want Some Sea Food, Mama)
16. Sidney’s Blues
17. Jungle Drums
18. Chant In The Night
19. Indian Summer
20. Egyptian Fantasy
21. Preaching’ Blues
22. Blues in Thirds
23. Coal Black Shine
24. Shake It and Break It
25. Nobody Knows The Way I Feel Dis Mornin’

Side Two:

1. Blues For You, Johnny
2. Ain’t Misbehavin’
3. Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home?
4. Slippin’ and Slidin’
5. The Sheik of Araby
6. I Know That You Know
7. When It’s Sleepy Time Down South
8. I Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None O’ This Jelly Roll
9. Limehouse Blues
10. Georgia Cabin
11. Strange Fruit
12. Blues in the Air
13. Swing Parade
14. Laura
15. I Had It, But It’s All Gone Now
16. Polka Dot Stomp
17. Kansas City Man Blues
18. Buddy Bolden Stomp
19. My Woman’s Blues
20. The Song Of Songs
21. Just One Of Those Things
22. Love For Sale
23. Shake ‘Em Up