Ellis Larkins

Ellis Larkins' recordings as a leader were sporadic during a career that spanned several decades, but this overlooked gem made for the long-defunct DGTL label (which was digitally recorded before it became commonplace to do so) is a revelation. Not just a superb accompanist for singers or a foil for horn players, Larkins proves himself as an accomplished composer, as well as being a brilliant interpreter of ballads. On side one, he's joined by bassist Bill Popp and drummer Jackie Williams (who sticks to brushes). The delicate "Perfume and Rain" is appropriately graceful, though his persistent "Happiness Boy Chaser" was actually composed to hush a noisy nightclub audience a few years earlier. While liner-note writer John Wilson's claim that "Just Squeeze Me" is one of Duke Ellington's lesser-known tunes is a bit dubious, Larkins' easygoing yet swinging treatment would have made its composer smile and nod approval. The second side finds Larkins playing solo. Long medleys are often dangerous, as listeners can get impatient if a performer moves too quickly from one piece to the next. The veteran pianist, however, knows how to work a crowd, or a single listener at home, and the almost 16-minute performance proves to be well-crafted and never dull. Ellington fans who are well-aware of "Just Squeeze Me" will have their musical knowledge tested with the medley of "Someone to Care For" and "C'est Comme Ca." Both songs were written for the Broadway musical +Pousse-Café that closed after just three days; neither one was ever recorded by its composer, but Larkins was familiar with each of them since he was the pianist for the show. This is one of those records that one could very well stumble across in a used-record store, priced well below its actual worth. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide