Bob McKenna and Stash – The Sea Gull
I bought this on the strength of STASH, and the intense high-contrast sleeve.
But I didn’t have high hopes. Everything seemed to indicate that this was going to be boring seafood restaurant jazz.
Three originals couched by standards like “Route 66,” “Robin Hood,” and “Summer Wind.”
I was suitably impressed by the title track. Wait – the song was entitled “The Seagull”, but the LP is named The Sea Gull.
Either way, I was suitably impressed by the title track, especially when the 24-bar Moog solo came around.
These cats were based in the Duluth, MN / Superior WI area.
Freshwater ocean?
“The Seagull” was written during Bob’s stint as a steamboat cruise entertainer on Lake Superior.
The originals are solid, and their interpretations of the standards are groovy and refreshing, in my humble opinion.
A few minutes ago, “Bob McKenna and Stash” yielded one pertinent hit on Google – an Acid Archives listing for a self-titled LP.
So now I wonder.
“The Seagull”
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6 Comments
methinks this is def.
So, if you listen to this whole Album, I think you will enjoy it!! This was my Father by the way. Talent that makes my heart sing!!
Bob McKenna was never a “steamboat cruise entertainer” as you so callously state. He wrote the Seagull based on his love for the Great Lakes and watching the ships roll into Duluth harbor over the years. He personally knew sailors and was always fascinated by their plight.
Bob McKenna was a gifted jazz & blues original artist from the Twin Ports of Duluth/Superior. He was never employed by any maritime organization. Please get your facts straight.
This is crazy! I worked at mr Pete’s east in superior wi and stash was the house band! Bob mckenna was the oldest in the group — jimmy mccasey on sax; Stevie kiefer on keyboard; roger Hernandez on drums ( roger joined the group later and for the life of me I cannot remember his predecessor on drums). Charlie z. Was behind the bar –the group had a dedicated fan base that came to listen to them almost every nite! They were incredibly talented guys and it was a crazy exciting time — I moved on and have always wondered what became of them when mr Pete’s east closed down. I still think of them from time to time and was
Stunned to learn of this album!!! Would love to hear it! Thanks for the walk down memory lane! It was a different time — a different world!!! Did anyone have the pleasure of seeing them in person???
This is my grandfather, I only got to see him live a couple times, still have his album and some video. He’s definitely a big influence in my music.
That MOOG!!!