Catherine Russell - That Chick's Too Young To Fry
(Dot Time Records, 2024)
The last we heard of vocalist Catherine Russell was her 2024 Dot Time recording with pianist Sean Mason, My Ideal. But this single release is a throwback to her debut recording, Cat (World Village, 2006). In January 2005, Russell traveled to Skokie, Illinois to record tracks which were released a year later as her debut recording. Artists often record more songs during sessions than end up on the final release. One such song is Russell’s cover of Louis Jordan’s “That Chick’s Too Young To Fry.”
Tommy Edwards and Jimmy Hilliard composed the song and Jordan, with his Tympany Five, recorded it In January 1946.
Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five performed the song in the movie Reet, Petite, and Gone (Astor Pictures, 1947).
Russell’s album Cat used an organic instrument make-up similar to that employed by singer Cassandra Wilson on her pivotal recordings, Blue Light ‘Til Dawn (Blue Note, 1993), New Moon Daughter (Blue Note, 1995). and Traveling Miles (Blue Note, 1999). Her orchestration includes all acoustic instruments: piano/accordion (Done Stille), guitar (Frank Portolese, T.C. Furlong, Paul Kahn) mandolin (Stuart Rosenberg), bass (Justin Cox), and drums (Morris Jennings).
Russell’s stylistic vehicle is an eutection of western swing and 1920s Tin Pan Alley. It swings hard with a fresh ambiance that is friendly and inviting. The singer’s treatment of Jordan’s chestnut is fish fry fun on a spring day. The song is a slim 2:25 with a lengthy ensemble introduction, with Russell strutting her way through the brief sung verse. Allegro con brio would be the description of her performance. With a smile.