WHERE OLD FRIENDS MEET
Ken Whiteley, Jackie Washington & Mose Scarlett
(c) (p) 1991 Borealis Recording Company
16tks/51mins

You could think: is it a really new album - it is seven years old. So I tell you that you are not right at all. This album can be deals with a rare sample of the timeless music. What is it: blues, jazz, country, rockabilly or anything else? The album contains all these styles put together, and even more.

Where Old Friends Meet is a real meeting of three true friends-musicians Mose Scarlett, Jackie Washington and Ken Whiteley. Every one of them has a glorious musical biography. Mose Scarlett, having, according to the critic words a velvet baritone that could smooth the scales off an armadillo, sings with such a warmth and humor, that immediately attracts sympathy from any listener. Mose is internationally acclaimed guitarist, who has toured in Canada, England, Germany and the USA. He often takes part in radio and T.V. performances. Mose gives new life to the many beautiful songs, being written earlier.

Jackie Washington, who was born in far away 1919, began his musical career at the age of 5, when he sang with The Four Washington Brothers. It is worth saying that this remarkable musician (who knows well over 1200 songs!) has performed together with such a legendary artists as Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton and Clark Terry. It is interesting to note, that some awards, which were given to Jackie in his homeland Ontario, were specially created to honor this outstanding musician, who has a unique ability to get the joint jumpin' and to light up the world.

Ken Whiteley was called a playing encyclopedia because he has a very vast repertoire, including swing, blues and gospel, and, moreover he can play over a dozen (!) instruments. He took part in the recording of more than 100 albums. The walls of his home are adorned with gold and multiple platinum albums for past productions.

Let's return to the album Where The Old Friends Meet. The friends-musicians perform both well-known songs (as, for example, On the Sunny Side of the Street) and the original songs written by them, which seem to be undiscovered hits from decades past. All compositions are performed very sincerely, warmly and cordially. They contain such a simplicity, which is characteristic to really outstanding musicians. It is difficult to compare this performing with the performing of somebody else. Still I'll dare to compare Where Old Friends Meet by its free manner of performing with the works of legendary Chet Atkins (especially compositions A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet and I'll See You In My Dreams). By the way, the last of the named compositions was performed by Chet Atkins together with Mark Knopfler in their famous album Neck and Neck. I recommend you to listen to this song in Where Old Friends Meet and enjoy its original version made by the three excellent musicians: Mose Scarlett, Jackie Washington and Ken Whiteley.

If you meet with old friends, if you celebrate something in a good and pleasant company, or you are alone and wishing to have some warmth and comfort - switch on Where Old Friends Meet. This album will suite you completely. It can be compared with old good fragrant wine. The more you taste it, the more you want it.

Serge Kozlovsky