Steve Howell — “I Don’t Mind” — Out of the Past Music
Fingerpicking guitarist and songster Steve Howell is a man of many musical talents, but his secret power is time travel – scouring the past for music he loves in order to make it fresh again.
“Since I was very young, I have loved the music from the early twentieth century,” the East Texas native says. “This has been a constant in my life and been reflected in my repertoire.”
Howell was just 13 when he first heard Mississippi John Hurt’s finger-style country blues. That experience became a revelation that opened the door to a new musical universe – and his 30-year career exploring that universe.
“A big part of my musical mission is to present songs from the deep well of great songs that have been written over time,” Howell told interviewer Michael Limnios. ”I feel that many of these tunes need to be remembered and appreciated for their beauty, humor, and continuing human relevance and wisdom.”
That appreciation manifests itself on his latest album, I Don’t Mind, as Howell dips into the tuneful well of the last century for a delicious re-creation of a dozen wisely chosen songs with the consummate assistance of Dan Sumner on guitar and album-producer Jason Weinheimer on bass. Sumner is a Louisiana-based, internationally acclaimed guitarist, arranger and producer. Weinheimer records and produces albums at his studio, Fellowship Hall Sound in Little Rock, Ark.
I Don’t Mind explores classic jazz, folk and blues styles with Howell’s unique talents: “I’ve always been drawn to finger-style guitar playing because it provides what seems to me to be a more complete sound and a more pianistic approach.”
Howell sets the tone for this session with the opener, Choo Choo Ch’Boogie, a 1946 Louis Jordan jump blues hit, by creating his own stylish, swinging version. His take on the whimsical Fresno Shuffle was inspired by Dave Van Ronk’s 1971 recording of Erik Frandsen’s folky blues tune. Howell reincarnates the title track, I Don’t Mind, with the airy, jazzy rhythm of his rendition of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s 1944 creation.
Howell’s relaxed vocal lends an air of refreshing innocence to Cole Porter’s once-controverisal 1930’s Love For Sale, and then he reaches deep into blues history for the classic St. Louis Blues, published by W.C. Handy in 1914, and since covered by just about everyone. Hummin’ To Myself was a hit in 1932 for Connee Boswell, who sang with the Dorsey Brothers, and Howell makes it sound as though it was written just for his laid-back style.
Howell flexes his guitar’s pianistic side for In Walked Bud, written by jazz piano legend Thelonious Monk in 1947 for his friend Bud Powell, with John Hendricks’ lyrics paying tribute to other giants of the genre. An Ellington instrumental from 1940 was titled Never No Lament until Bob Russell wrote the lyrics in 1942, and it became the classic Don’t Get Around Much Anymore. Howell captures the magic of both efforts in his jazz-enriched version.
Howell’s elegant guitar work captures the gentle instrumental lyricism of The Shadow of Your Smile, a song from the1965 film The Sandpipers that won an Academy Award for Best Song. Howell’s delicate balladry caresses Once In a While, a No. 1 hit for Tommy Dorsey in 1937.
Ellington earns another breezy tribute on Howell’s rhythmic It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing), swinging back to 1932. The closer is Howell’s eloquent instrumental interpretation of the jazz standard, Out of Nowhere, first popularized by Bing Crosby in 1931.
Steve Howell has summoned the essence of classic American jazz into the grooves of I Don’t Mind, crafting an evocative session where musical memories come alive in its tracks. It’s a masterful musician’s back-to-the-future journey – with its soundtrack of great music.
I couldn’t find a track from this album, but here’s Howell playing another jazz standard, “Lover, Come Back To Me”
“I Don’t Mind” Tracklist, credits and Howell’s comments:
Choo Choo Ch’Boogie – Vaughn Horton, Denver Darling, and Milt Gabler
This song was released by Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five in 1946 and topped the R&B charts. It is one of the ‘jump
blues’ songs that foreshadowed rock ‘n ‘roll and is from the point of view of a guy returning home from the Second
World War.
The Fresno Shuffle – Erik Frandsen
I first heard this song from 1971 done by Dave Van Ronk. He learned it from the composer, Eric Frandsen, guitarist,
singer, songwriter, and actor from New York City.
I Don’t Mind – Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn
Recorded by the Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra in 1944, this song featured the great Ivie Anderson on vocals.
It was also done brilliantly by Bob Dorough in 1957.
Love For Sale – Cole Porter
This song was written by Cole Porter for the Broadway show “The New Yorkers” in 1930. It was considered by the press
to be “in bad taste” and radio stations avoided broadcasting it. Porter took it to the Cotton Club in Harlem where it
became a staple in the repertoire of Elizabeth Welch.
St. Louis Blues – W.C. Handy
Published in 1914 by W.C. Handy, this song was one of the first blues songs to succeed as a pop song. The song has
been called “the jazzman’s Hamlet” and has been recorded by Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Benny
Goodman, and countless other blues and jazz musicians. The 1925 version sung by Bessie Smith, with Louis Armstrong
Hummin’ To Myself – Herb Magidson and Monty Siegel (add’l lyrics by Dan Hicks) / Sammy Fain
This song was a big hit in 1932 for Connee Boswell with the Dorsey Brothers. It was also performed by Betty Boop in the 1933
short film Betty Boop’s Birthday Party. Great versions have also been recorded by Dan Hicks, Kay Starr, Linda Ronstadt, and others.
In Walked Bud – John Hendricks / Thelonious Monk
Composed in 1947 by Thelonious Monk in honor of his friend, the great jazz pianist, Bud Powell. This song is a contrafaction
of Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies.” John Hendricks’ lyrics refer to jazz musicians Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Pettiford, Don Byas,
Thelonious Monk, and Bud Powell.
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore – Bob Russell / Duke Ellington
This song was originally an instrumental entitled “Never No Lament,” and was first recorded by Ellington and his orchestra
in 1940. It became a hit after Bob Russell wrote the “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” lyrics for it in 1942.
The Shadow Of Your Smile – Paul Francis Webster / Johnny Mandel
This tune from 1965 is from the film The Sandpipers and won an Academy Award for Best Song in 1966. Notable versions have
been recorded by Tony Bennett, Astrud Gilberto, Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery, and Oscar Peterson, as well as many others.
Once In A While – Bud Green / Michael Edwards
From 1937, this tune was a number one hit for Tommy Dorsey. It has been recorded by everyone from Louis Armstrong
and Sarah Vaughan to Mose Allison and Fats Domino.
It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) – Bubber Miley / Duke Ellington
This 1931 Duke Ellington composition was said to be the credo of the genius trumpeter, Bubber Miley, who was dying of
tuberculosis at the time. Miley died the year the song was released. Ivie Anderson sang the vocal on the first recording in 1932.
Out Of Nowhere – Edward Heyman / Johnny Green
Popularized by Bing Crosby in 1931, this great tune has been done by Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, Chet Baker,