COVER -> POWERSSOUND
 |
Suddenly, the Hines Brothers were no longer together. Gregory has done well in films and on stage, but some of us wondered whatever happened to Maurice. The answer is that he never went away, just worked on Broadway and with tours on a number of projects.
Now there comes Maurice's first album. "I've Never Been in Love Before" (Arbors Records) comes as a wonderful surprise and has been receiving constant play in my home office.
Ten of the cuts were recorded in 1989, featuring a backup band of Frank Owens as conductor and pianist, with the wondrous Frank Wess on tenor and flute, Joe Wilder on trumpet and flugelhorn, Bob Cranshaw on bass, Jimmy Mitchell at the guitar and Jimmy Young on drums.
Maurice Hines has one of those voices that gradually works its way into your system. After a few hearings of this album, your head may be filled with Maurice's superb voice all during your days. His voice is distinctive, a bit raspy (but it's a good rasp) and able to sustain high notes for the longest time. In these days when vocalists must scream over the blaring band, Hines plays it nice and cool, yet filled with romance and emotion if the song calls for it.
The song lineup here is simply amazing. Some of these tunes are from the 30s, easily classified as perennials. But Hines approaches each song with respect and through his deft musical sense, makes such songs as "Taking a Chance on Love" and "This Heart of Mine" sound new and fresh.
Several songs have long held high spots on my personal all-time list of great music. "But Beautiful," that oldie from Johnny Burke and James Van Heusen, receives a reading that may elicit a tear or at the least wet eyes.
In order to make a CD reach today's standards, three songs recorded last April have been mixed into the 1989 material. Conductor Frank Owens worked his magic gain, backed by Joe Shepley on flugelhorn, Ken Hatfield on guitar, the inimitable Bob Cranshaw back at the bass, and Sherrie Miracle at the drum kit.
There's no question but jazz has a new star. Take one swoop through this album and you'll find yourself in the company of one very talented man.
"The 1989 material just sat around until Stanley Kay, who manages Maurice, asked if I would like to help him complete the album," said Arbors executive Mat Domber. "It was just an unfinished project until we got involved."
The family act, which included the brothers' father, broke up in 1973 and Maurice began to pursue a solo career. He starred as Nathan Detroit in the National Company of "Guys and Dolls" appeared on Broadway in "Eubie!" "Bring Back Birdie, " and "Sophisticated Ladies," directed, choreographed and starred in "Uptown...It's Hot! " for which he received a Tony Award nomination.
He followed this with National Tour credits for co-directing and choreographing "Satchmo, " directing, choreographing and starring in "Harlem Suite," and appearing as Jelly Roll Morton in "Jelly's Last Jam." He made his screen debut in "The Cotton Club." The first African-American director for Radio City Music Hall, he is also the director of "The Radio City Music Spectacular."
Hines is now in the process of choreographing and directing "Yo, Alice!," a fantasy based on "Alice in Wonderland," scheduled to go on tour in 2001. A new national tour of "Guys and Dolls," starring Maurice as Nathan Detroit, is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2001.
Contest Entries Welcome
Put on your writing cap, or brush off the computer keyboard. We're sitting here awaiting more entries for the Powerssound Essay Contest.The judge promises he won't grade on spelling or grammar, but is looking for enthusiasm in relating how you came to listen to jazz. Because this music contains such a wide range of performers and because its history is filled with such diverse talent, it shouldn't be difficult to write 250 words on how you feel about jazz.
Send your entry to this address: rpowers@ee.net.
