Potpourri - Keith Pierce

 

Bacharach Medley

Potpourri

Keith Pierce

At The Hammond Concorde Organ

Lemco 74111

From the back cover: One thing 15 years in Lexington has taught me is that expecting superior talent in a Lexington night spot on a regular basis is a whole lot like expecting an oak tree to stay green through the winter. Not that there isn't some good talent from time to time.

But, on the other hand, it isn't Basin Street or Music City, either. There's good talent sometimes, but there's a lot of Joe Blow and Hot Air, and the result is that if you want a little more than dance music, you haven't always got it on tap.

Which made the pleasant surprise even more pleasant one night in 1972, when I'd wandered into the Phoenix Hotel's Firebird Lounge.

Even out in the lobby I'd heard the new sound and asked Norman Tice who it was. "A friend of mine," he said. "I knew him in Carbondale, his name is Keith Pierce.

It was an understatement.

I suggested to Keith that he sounded "sometimes like Ethell Smith, if you don't take offense at be- ing compared to other artists." Not at all, he told me. In fact, he said, they were old and dear friends. We chatted for a while; I learned he was a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, had played professional for several years, though not at too many spots. Seems he likes to settle into one lounge and stay as long as possible. He had been taught by Wes Morgan, now in the music depart- ment at the University of Kentucky. And he had bought a new organ, the Hammond Concorde, in which he took justifiable pride.

I was impressed. So impressed I began to write about him in feature stories and in a column I was doing then for the Sunday Herald-Leader. And thereby did myself a disservice.

I'm one of those types who likes almost empty bars, where there are lots of dark corners and emp- ty seats, where aloneness is a positive asset, where you can sit for hours without anyone butting in on your conversation with yourself. The bar isn't making any money, you know, but it's a great place to be.

The Firebird wasn't that way for long when word got out on Keith. For the first time they served lunch to a standing-room only crowd for two, sometimes three hours a day. Keith was playing for lunch, you see. Cocktail hours got to be just as full of people. He really is that good an entertainer-- alone he could pack the lounge area.

Then the Phoenix closed, and Keith moved to the Continental Inn, where Keith Plus Four came in- to being, featuring the talents of Hank Adams, Dusty Paling, Dick Hughbanks and Lorraine Moodie. "Maple Leaf Rag" and "The Entertainer" on this album feature Hank at drums, Dusty at guitar and Dick on clarinet, as well as Keith at the Concorde.

Last April, Keith resumed an interest he has had most of his life--playing church music. In addition to the regular chores at the Continental, he is regular organist for the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

Earlier this year, his influence brought Miss Smith to town for a concert. Not only were her words about his talent extremely good--and sincere as well--but she furnished him three arrangements for this album.

If you suspect you've heard the arrangements of "Nola," "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and "Maple Leaf Rag" before this album came out, you're probably right. They are the same arrange- ments Miss Smith has been doing for years.

There's also a "Sound Of Music" medley, a "Fiddler On The Roof" medley, a waltz medley and a Bacharach medley, all of these original arrangements and among those most requested at the Contin- ental.

As a package they are designed to show off three things--the amazing versatility of the Concorde itself, the extreme talent of an artist who understands its potential, and the depth of repertoire Keith Pierce possesses.

Rate it excellent on all three and then add one more.

People who heard him at the Phoenix always agreed on one thing--his was a "happy sound,".. bright, joyous, vibrant.

The album captures that mood as well. – John Alexander

The Entertainer (Theme from "The Sting")

Medley from "The Sound Of Music"

  The Sound Of Music

  Do-Re-Mi

  Edelweiss

  My Favorite Things

  Climb Ev'ry Mountain 

Bacharach Medley

  Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

  Close To You

Parade Of Wooden Soldiers

Maple Leaf Rag

Waltz Medley

  Around The World

  Somewhere My Love

  Fascination

Medley from "Fiddler On The Roof"

  Fiddler On The Roof

  Matchmaker

  Sunrise, Sunset

  If I Were A Rich Man

  Fiddler On The Roof

Nola