Turn Up That Noise An eclectic survey of recent recordings. Stephen Grimstead, Editor Van Morrison, Lonnie Donegan, Chris Barber The Skiffle Sessions: Live in Belfast (Pointblank) A blend of jazz and blues influences, skiffle infuses American folk tunes with an infectious, shuffling beat. In a rousing celebration of his own musical roots, Irish musician Van Morrison joins with Lonnie Donegan and Chris Barber on this lively new disc. Barber and Donegan were two of skiffle's biggest stars in the late '50s, and were a major musical inspiration to Morrison and others. While Morrison's name certainly takes top billing on this new recording, he plays the role of humble devotee to the impressive talents and showmanship of Donegan and Barber, who prove themselves to be masters of the genre. There is something immediate and timeless about this music, as these three and their band rip through a song list of skiffle hits that reflects the great American traditional songbook. There are rollicking versions of "Frankie and Johnny" and "Don't You Rock Me Daddio," folksy renditions of "It Takes a Worried Man" and Leadbelly's "Goodnight Irene," as well as Jimmie Rodgers' "Muleskinner Blues," Woody Guthrie's "Dead or Alive," and other such memorable fare as "Railroad Bill," "Lost John," and "I Wanna Go Home" (a.k.a. "Sloop John B."). A sense of camaraderie is apparent, and a simple joy at singing these classic tunes permeates the performances. It's all a bit unpolished, and all the more joyful for it. On one level, there's something endearing about this disc. While it could be seen as the reflective musings of an aging Irish rocker longing for his lost youth, there's more here than that. Like Paul McCartney's Run Devil Run, which celebrated early American rock-and-roll, The Skiffle Sessions is just too much fun to be seen simply as a derivative trip down memory lane. Like McCartney, Morrison finds much to embrace and celebrate in his musical heritage. Skiffle was important to Irish, Scottish, and English kids in the '50s, giving them reasons to pick up guitars and learn how to play. They loved it then because it was entertaining and enjoyable. And as The Skiffle Sessions clearly shows, it's equally enjoyable now. Gene Hyde Dave Douglas Soul on Soul: A Celebration of Mary Lou Williams (RCA Victor) Mary Lou Williams (1910-1981) was one of the great composer/pianists in jazz, an expressive, modern musician whose music Duke Ellington called "perpetually contemporary she is like soul on soul." Taking this tip from Ellington, trumpeter Dave Douglas has crafted an exquisite album that celebrates Williams' deeply diverse talents. Opening with a Douglas original, the buoyant "Blue Heaven," Douglas tips his hat to Williams' 1962 arrangement of "My Blue Heaven." This bright and soulful number is highlighted by engaging, well-played solos from trumpeter Douglas and trombonist Joshua Roseman, with an aggressive rhythm workout from the consistently impressive trio of pianist Uri Caine, drummer Joey Baron, and bassist James Genus. Not only does this tune evoke Williams' music, it punningly brings to mind the famous '60s Blue Note sessions by Horace Silver and Joe Henderson. A total of nine Douglas originals are set with four of Williams' compositions. The trumpeter's arrangements are richly voiced, with warm ensemble sections offering rich textural backgrounds for the individualistic improvisational voices of Douglas, Roseman, Caine, and saxophonists Grady Tate and Chris Speed, while Baron's drums keep a densely paced percussion rumble rolling throughout: This is inspired work. The title track cooks along with a flurry of traded solos, while "Moon of the West" is a ruminative, soulful excursion. Several of Douglas' tunes hearken to Williams' spiritual side (her faith was such that the Catholic church commissioned her to write music in her later years), including the requiem-like "Canticle" and the contemplative "Kyrie," with its moving bass solo from Genus. Douglas commemorates Williams' 1977 piano encounter with free jazz icon Cecil Taylor on the tempo-shifting "Multiples." The Williams compositions include the delightfully swinging "Aries" (from Williams' "Zodiac Suite") and the Latin-tinged "Mary's Idea." What can one say about the amazing Dave Douglas, other than he's arguably the most exciting performer on the scene today? His celebration of Williams showcases his deft playing, his strong compositional skills, and his gifts at assembling and leading a top-notch band of musicians. His understanding of the jazz tradition is immense, and his ability to create new, fresh, completely original music makes his growing canon some of the most compelling recordings of the last decade. Each new Douglas disc is a treat, and this one, his first on a major label, is no exception. GH You can e-mail Stephen Grimstead at letters@memphisflyer.com.