Released in 1966 on Coral Records, Mood Indigo is a standout LP from Pete Fountain — born Pierre Dewey LaFontaine, Jr. — the New Orleans clarinet legend whose full, swinging tone made him an enduring icon of traditional Dixieland jazz. This stereo pressing captures Fountain at the height of his powers, delivering the warmth and spontaneity that defined his celebrated career. The album is steeped in the rich jazz heritage of New Orleans, blending blues, swing, and classic standards into an effortlessly accessible yet deeply soulful listening experience.
The tracklist is a well-curated mix of jazz and blues classics, including the Duke Ellington title track "Mood Indigo," "Washboard Blues," "Dipper Mouth Blues," Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Bluesette," and several blues-inflected originals like "Sorrento Blues," "Fa So La Blues," and "Blue Danube Blues." Each track showcases Fountain's expressive phrasing and his uncanny ability to make the clarinet sing with both technical precision and heartfelt emotion. The title track, in particular, has drawn special praise — one listener called it without a doubt the finest version they had ever heard, noting that Fountain plays the clarinet "like his life depends on it."
This vintage vinyl LP is a prized collectible for fans of traditional jazz, Dixieland, and mid-century American music. Original pressings on Coral Records are increasingly sought after, and copies graded VG+ or better offer an exceptional analog listening experience that modern reissues rarely replicate. Whether you're a longtime admirer of Pete Fountain or a vinyl collector on the hunt for a gem from jazz's golden era, Mood Indigo is a timeless addition to any record collection.
Released in 1966 on Coral Records, Mood Indigo is a standout LP from Pete Fountain — born Pierre Dewey LaFontaine, Jr. — the New Orleans clarinet legend whose full, swinging tone made him an enduring icon of traditional Dixieland jazz. This stereo pressing captures Fountain at the height of his powers, delivering the warmth and spontaneity that defined his celebrated career. The album is steeped in the rich jazz heritage of New Orleans, blending blues, swing, and classic standards into an effortlessly accessible yet deeply soulful listening experience.
The tracklist is a well-curated mix of jazz and blues classics, including the Duke Ellington title track "Mood Indigo," "Washboard Blues," "Dipper Mouth Blues," Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Bluesette," and several blues-inflected originals like "Sorrento Blues," "Fa So La Blues," and "Blue Danube Blues." Each track showcases Fountain's expressive phrasing and his uncanny ability to make the clarinet sing with both technical precision and heartfelt emotion. The title track, in particular, has drawn special praise — one listener called it without a doubt the finest version they had ever heard, noting that Fountain plays the clarinet "like his life depends on it."
This vintage vinyl LP is a prized collectible for fans of traditional jazz, Dixieland, and mid-century American music. Original pressings on Coral Records are increasingly sought after, and copies graded VG+ or better offer an exceptional analog listening experience that modern reissues rarely replicate. Whether you're a longtime admirer of Pete Fountain or a vinyl collector on the hunt for a gem from jazz's golden era, Mood Indigo is a timeless addition to any record collection.
