There’s a bumper sticker that mocks Republicans with the question “What are Conservatives trying to conserve?” . Well, you could ask the same question here, and it kind of answers the sticker as well. What the PHJB is trying to preserve is style, taste, grace, joy and celebration of some of the most important musical and cultural phenomenon’s we’ve had the privilege to encounter. The rotating band of the foundation may come and go, and they’ve had some beauts like Willie Humphreys, but the attitude has never changed.
Caught her during a festive Carnegie Hall Concert, the PHJB performs once again with the famous Del McCoury band on tunes like “One More ‘for I Die,” showing the common ground between down home country and traditional jazz. Allen Toussaint sits in with Trombone Shorty and Yasin Bey” for a rousing “It Ain’t My Fault,” and a take of St James Infirmary swings like a dangling watch fob. A couple gospel gems like “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” (with guest Tiffany Lamson)and “I’ll Fly Away” with a full stage that includes the Blind Boys of Alabama captures the real roots of jazz and shows that America’s music started not in the brothels, but in the church. A lesson we all need to preserve!
Rounder Records
