Lee Gunness:God’s Amazing Grace
As I journey along life’s path
Searching for meaning in a world of such contrasts,
I come back to God.
Darknes, light, disappointments, achievements.
Sorrow, joy.
I come back to God.
He fills my cup like no other,
He teaches me the lessons,
He knows my being.
I am eternally thankful.
As I realized unbelievably that it had beed 8 years since my last recording in New Orleans I was filled with a great sense of relief to know that this one was “down”. Of course it was not through lack of wanting to record but rather lif’s circumstances.
The songs
The songs I have selected for this CD are essentially traditional New Orleans classic gospel hymns and spirituals. I believe that the songs through their sheer lyrical and melodic simplicity convey a clear spiritual message that belies a more complex range of human emotion and religious belief. Song such as “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”, “Over Into Gloryland”, and “He Touched Me” are classic examples. The bands instrumental interpretation of old favourites “Lilly Of The Vally” and “Walking With The King” are played with a typically hot traditional flavour.
Some years ago I was given an old recording of a rendition “Amazing Grace” sung by Albertina Walker - immediately inspired by the two unaccompanied verses that precede the song I have since incorporated it into my repertoire and it reminds one of my favorites today.
The decision to record “Danny Boy” on this CD was made in the last minute (on the way to Sydney to record). I feel it was “meant to be”.
Having lived in a small remote country village for the past two years, I was motivated to write “My Soul I Rest With Thee” after the passing of a local townswoman. I am continually humbled by the human spirit.
Tha band
The musicians I chose to support me on this recording I selected not only for their outstanding musicianship and professionalism but also for their innate sensitivity and empathic understanding of traditional New Orleans hymns ans spirituals.
Paul Furness (rds), Bob Henderson (tmpt), and Maurice Newton(tmbne), unite magically on the frontline instruments and are indeed at times ‘one’. Adrian Ford is masterful on piano and in his soulful interpretation of the gospel classics whilst all is underpinned with the unfailing unity of thr rythm section; Geoff Holden (gtr), Richard Edser (bss) and Lloyd Taylor (dms) - they are the backbone of the band.
With all these musician I share a long history - and I am remeinded of something my first music teacher wrote to me on a farewell card:
“Always remember that music and friendship go hand in hand” (Miss Jacobs)
Faithfully
Lee
Thank you to:
My darling children
- You are precious gifts from God.
My husband and best friend
- for your irrepressible belief
and unswaying support.
My parents
- for your endless love.
This album is dedicated to those in need.
Tunes
1. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
2. When I Come To The End Of The Journey
3. Amazing Grace
4. Lilly Of The Valley
5. He Touched Me
6. Over Into Gloryland
7. When I Wake Up In Glory
8. Now Is The Needy Time
9. Walking With The King
10. My Soul I Rest With Thee
11. Just A Little While To Stay Here
12. Danny Boy
Band:
Paul Furness (reeds)
Bob Henderson (trumpet)
Maurice Newton (trombone)
Adrian Ford (piano)
Geoff Holden (banjo/guitar)
Richard Edser (bass)
Lloyd Taylor (drums)
Recorded at Milkbar Studios, Camperdown, Sydney (July 2003)
To order, mail Lee Gunness at
Rewiew in The JazzGazette June 2004
LEE GUNNESS – GOD’S AMAZING GRACE
Lee Gunness (vcl on all tracks except 4 and 9) Bob Henderson (tpt) Maurice Newton (tbn) Paul Furness (reeds) Adrian Ford (pno) Geoff Holden (bjo,gtr) Richard Edser (bs) Lloyd Taylor (dms)
Sydney, Australia, July 2003
1.What A Friend We Have In Jesus 2.When I Come To The End Of My Journey 3.Amazing Grace 4.Lilly Of The Valley 5.He Touched me 6.Over In The Gloryland 7.When I Wake Up In Glory 8.Now Is The Needy Time 9.Walking With The King 10.My Soul I Rest With Thee 11.Just a Little While To Stay Here 12.Danny Boy
Private production, no name or number
Everyone who has GHB BCD-314 Lee Gunness Sings The Blues will know the story - and it sounds like a fairy tale! - how she came from her native Australia to New Orleans for the first time in 1992 and took the city by storm. This was also the year of my last visit to the Crescent City and meeting Lee Gunness there is one of my finest memories. My old buddy Don Marquis had heard her before when he was in Australia with a jazz exhibit. The day after the night I first heard Lee sing I met him and when I told him about it, he asked: “Is she really as good as I remember?” and I answered: “Oh yes!”
Like someone once observed, New Orleans is a big city, but the jazz community is small. Soon the rumour spread of this fabulous Australian singer in town for her first time. When she sang a couple of tunes at the Norwegian Seamen’s Church accompanied by Jack McLaughlin’s trio, in the presence of Aline White, this famous old black gospel singer invited her on the spot to be her guest at her coming performance in the Gospel Tent at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. There Lee got a standing ovation. She was singing all over town, moaning the blues like Bessie and spreading the gospel around like Mahalia, at Fritzel’s, at Molly’s On The Market and also at the Palm Court. There George Buck, ruler of the Jazzology empire and soul of the GHB Foundation, heard her sing ONE song with a group led by old veteran Willie Humphrey and decided she should record for his label before leaving town. It’s not easy to make George listen to something. For one thing, he has heard them all. Further on he is always talking and joking. Nevertheless WHEN he listens he is able to recognise talent like an old gold digger discovers a shining nugget. Time was getting short, but George rounded up a small band to accompany Lee. Together with me Lee was a guest on one of his radio programs. The next day she was in the studio recording her first CD. The day after that she was on the plane back to Australia.
A couple of years later she was again in New Orleans and recorded her second CD for GHB (BCD-354). Then she made a tour with the Rascals, Japan’s gift to New Orleans music, and recorded with them together with her fellow countryman Geoff Bull on trumpet.
Today, a husband and two lovely sons later, she is still singing and she recorded this outstanding CD with a fine group of Australian musicians. And the magic is still there, from the first note she sings. It’s amazing how this little, blond woman can produce these thoroughly black and authentic sounds. It’s not only that tremendous voice, but also the sincere feeling, that great sense of timing and rhythm. With one exception this CD contains religious songs, some well known in the New Orleans repertory, some new to me. Lee wrote herself “My Soul I Rest With Thee” and it is a song of great beauty. The one secular song is “Danny Boy”. In her notes Lee tells us that only on the way to the recording studio in Sydney, the decision was made to record this song, like it was meant to be. I’m glad she did. Call me an old sentimental sucker, but I love this beautiful old Irish ballad. Well, I’m in good company. Kid Howard recorded it, George Lewis recorded it and it was one of Ben Webster’s favourite ballads. It is also one of the many highlights on this CD. Another one are the two verses of “Amazing Grace” sung a cappella. The moment she starts to sing the chorus and the band comes in is one of those magic moments that one comes across in a lifetime of listening to jazz. Listen how she builds up to a climax on “Gloryland” and “Just A Little While To Stay Here”. I will stop here and let you have the pleasure of discovering many other gems yourself.
And what about the band? Lee says they are not only fine musicians with an innate sensitivity and empathic understanding of traditional New Orleans hymns and spirituals, but also old friends. They are indeed very good and they are with her all the time. In fact they remind me of Bunk’s band accompanying Sister Ernestine Washington. There is a lot of great ensemble playing here. Bob Henderson plays a firm lead, sometimes reminding me of Kid Howard in his heydays. Maurice Newton plays that moaning trombone we first heard from Jim Robinson on the American Music sessions. Listen to his simple but beautiful solo on “Danny Boy”! Paul Furness’ clarinet weaves beautiful lines around the two other horns. Adrian Ford plays soulful gospel piano and the rhythm section is hot and driving all the time. I welcome the presence of Dick Edser, who was part of the Jack McLaughlin Trio on that first trip to New Orleans. In fact it was Jack who persuaded Lee to make the trip and we should be eternally grateful to him.
There is an immense spiritual power emanating from this CD, whether or not you share Lee’s religious believes. Lee says it: “This album is dedicated to those in need.”
The next thing to look forward to is Lee’s planned tour with one of my favourite European New Orleans bands, the Danish/Swedish New Orleans Delight led by that outstanding clarinet player Kjeld Brandt. They hope to record a CD with Lee and I sincerely hope they do. We can’t have enough of this lovely little lady living in that remote small village way down yonder. You can – and SHOULD! – order this CD from her on
Leegunness@yahoo.com Do it now!
Marcel Joly
Lee Gunness will tour with New Orleans Delight in Denmark/Sweden July/August 2004. Read more.
Web-hosting: New Orleans Delight