So Swell by Jon Cleary

Funk, jazz, R&B – these genres are so deeply rooted in New Orleans that it’s no wonder the young British pianist Jon Cleary was compelled to move to the city to play. In the early 80’s, he was painting the bar at the famous Maple Leaf Bar, where he listened to James Booker play live every week while soaking in the sounds of New Orleans piano greats such as Huey “Piano” Smith, Mac Rebennack, Fats Domino, and Professor Longhair.

Now, four decades later, New Orleans has fully embraced Cleary as one of its own. Coming full circle for this recording, Cleary is backed by James Booker’s rhythm section — from his last studio album Classified — James Singleton on upright bass and Johnny Vidacovich on drums. They are joined on several tracks by James Rivers, a legendary New Orleans saxophone player who played on many New Orleans funk and R&B classics from Big Chief to Carnival Time.

Single Lock is proud to release "So Swell", formerly available only as a limited edition LP, on CD and digital formats worldwide.

Tracklist

1.	Swanee River Boogie	2:31

2.	Two Wrongs	3:13

3.	I Call It Pretty Music	4:26

4.	Just Because	3:30

5.	So Swell When You're Well	3:13

6.	Second Line on Monday	4:20

7.	We're No Exception	3:42

8.	I Get The Blues When It Rains	4:05

9.	Lottie Mo	2:47

10.	Pony Boy	2:21

11.	Tuburculucas and the Sinus Blues	2:34

12.	Since I Don't Have You	4:31

Credits

released April 24, 2023

Jon Cleary - Vocals, Piano, B3 Organ, Percussion
James Singleton - Upright Bass
Johnny Vidacovich - Drums
James Rivers - Saxophone

Recording - Misha Kachkachishvili, Esplanade Studios - New Orleans. LA
Mixing - Marc Urselli, East Side Sound - New York, NY
Mastering - Alex DeTurk, The Bunker Studio - Brooklyn, NY

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