Ivie Anderson- He's Tall Dark & Handsome

He's gone.

I was perplexed to see a Sophie Tucker compilation join Willie Nelson and Diana Krall at the top of jazz sales charts until a little research revealed that the New York Times recently published an enthusiastic review of the release by boutique label Archeophone.

I get excited whenever there's a brief flash of interest in bawdy saloon singing. Maybe, I think, someone outside of Kansas City will finally take notice of the great Myra Taylor. Although she recently turned ninety, Taylor is as scandalous as ever.

The risque "Tall, Dark & Handsome," recorded in Los Angeles in 1946, is included on this collection of material from Ivie Anderson's ill-fated career. The one-time Ellington associate was sleeker than Tucker and Taylor, but her sophistication makes the ribald lyric even more titillating.

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Still wondering about Sophie Tucker? This is rich.

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Hermon Mehari, who was featured at There Stands the Glass last week, makes a sales pitch for UMKC.

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A giant among us, Arvo Part, turns 74 today. This piece stops me in my tracks.

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It's no American Gangster, but the new Jay-Z is a lot better than I expected.

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Kansas City Click: There Stands the Glass favorite Steddy P performs Friday at the Record Bar.

The Crossroads Music Fest goes down Saturday.

Guy Forsyth returns to Knuckleheads on Sunday.