Description
The Jazz Train was “A Musical Dedicated To The Negro People”, but was not a conventional book musical and more akin to an elaborate cabaret. The “train” was made up of “coaches”, each one representing a different period or stage in the evolution of black American popular music as seen through the eyes of Mervyn Nelson, the director and devisor of the show. It transferred from New York (where it had been seen in a night-club) into London’s Piccadilly Theatre in April 1955 introducing the great Bertice Reading to British audiences singing the tale of Frankie and Johnny and impersonating Bessie Smith. Energy and excitement abounded in The Jazz Train and it was not a show for those wanting a quiet night out
To complement the six tracks recorded from The Jazz Train the CD continues with some unusual Bertice Reading songs, and performances by other black singers, who, like Bertice, found their careers blossomed in Britain. We have included tracks recorded in London in the 1950s by Elisabeth Welch and Marie Bryant. The Peters Sisters are represented by a selection of songs recorded in Paris while they were head-lining at the Folies Bergre.
1. I Got A Train – Jeff Williams / Spiritual Car – Fredye Marshall / Plantation Car – Bertice Reading
2. Holy Roller Car – Edric Connor / Minstrel Car – Jeff Williams
3. Frankie And Johnny – Bertice Reading
4. Bessie Smith Blues – Bertice Reading
5. Ev’rything Is Rhythm – Bertice Reading / Calypso – Manman la greve barré moin – Lucy Guannel / Basin Street Lover – Fredye Marshall
6. John Henry – Edric Connor / Finale (There’s No Journey’s End To My Train)
COMPANY BONUS TRACKS
7. My One Sin (In Life) – Bertice Reading
8. Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool – Bertice Reading
9. I’m Alone – Bertice Reading
10. Tears Of Joy – Bertice Reading
11. Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Marie Bryant
12. Beale Street Blues – Marie Bryant
13. Georgia On My Mind – Marie Bryant
14. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams – Marie Bryant
15. Alibis – Elisabeth Welch
16. December Road – Elisabeth Welch
17. Hold Me – Elisabeth Welch
18. Until – Elisabeth Welch
19. Mazel Tov – The Peters Sisters
20. a Va, a Va! – The Peters Sisters
21. Munasterio E Santa Chiara – The Peters Sisters
22. Mon Ché ri – The Peters Sisters
23. Trois Faibles Femmes – The Peters Sisters
24. C’est Marveilleux – The Peters Sisters
25. Basin Street Blues – The Peters Sisters
26. ‘S Wonderful – The Peters Sisters
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