“Persian Rug” – Mary Lou Williams Trio (1944)

Mary Lou Williams left Andy Kirk and his Clouds of Joy in 1942 – and here we find her leading a trio on a session for Asch Recordings.

This old tune, “Persian Rug”, was a number published in 1927, written by Gus Kahn and Neil Moret. It was a song full of Eastern exoticism that had been recorded in the late 20s by artists such as Fats Waller, Louisiana Sugar Babes, the Dorsey Brothers, Eddie Harkness, and Charley Straight. It languished during the depression years and was revived in the late 30s by Jack Teagarden in a recording for Brunswick. More recently, it was recorded by guitarist Julian Lage for his 2016 album, Arclight.

This beautifully sparse version opens with bassist Al Hall bowing in the background in a way that resembles a lower-pitched slide whistle while a trumpet call by Bill Coleman seems to announce a somber occasion. Mary Lou then bursts onto the scene with a cheerful melodic line full of a joie de vivre. Williams, Hall, and Coleman trade ideas, often coming together between solos as though to check in with one another. I find it quite inventive and a real delight to listen to.

Unfortunately, Asch pressings are known to have a lot of surface noise – possibly because of the lower quality of scarce wartime shellac. This French Polydor pressing (which you wouldn’t necessarily expect to be much better, all things considered) seems a bit better – though my copy gets noisier toward the end. Probably the result of a steel needle junkie trying to get just one more play out of an used needle.

Recorded in New York City on August 10, 1944.
Released as Polydor 580 029.

Credits:
Mary Lou Williams – piano
Al Hall – bass
Bill Coleman – trumpet