Jack Prather Chooses Words Wisely

*** Bopsicle, Why Not Records Anyone who thinks the craft of lyric writing is dead should listen to the words bassist Jack Prather comes up with for his brainchild band, Bopsicle. You’ll find things people such as Cole Porter were famous for: relevance, irreverence, internal rhymes and a storyteller’s sense of narrative and detail. There’s not a single “oh baby, I love you” anywhere among these 13 selections.

And lyrics aren’t Prather’s only strong suit. He writes tunes that jump and jive in the best bop tradition, and his ballads, such as the Billie Holiday tribute “Lady Day,” are romantic, melodic and colorful. (The wit in his lyrics surfaces in his composing too: He introduces the lightly swinging “Table by the Band” with the familiar theme of “Strike Up the Band.”)

Of course, all these skills would be wasted without talented performances to put them across, but that’s not a problem here. Singer Stephanie Haynes maneuvers the intricacies of Prather’s poetics with ease and her usual flair. Prather, singing in unison with Haynes or taking the occasional lead, blends nicely, adding depth to the sound even when there’s no harmonic contrast.

Ron Stout’s trumpet acts as a third voice, adding asides and short improvisations that complement the mood. Mark Waggoner’s guitar functions as the harmonic voice, accompanying with pointed reserve and taking a solo here and there. Prather, a decent bassist, and drummer Chuck Landis round out the core group; bassist Luther Hughes and pianist Dave Mackay make guest appearances.

But it’s Prather’s writing that’s at the center of it all. Fans who have heard the band live probably will recall many of these pieces, which include paeons to Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins (“Ben ‘n’ Bean”), Dizzy Gillespie and the city of New York. Comic numbers such as a rap from Napoleon Bonaparte (“Nap’s Dream”) share space with serious love songs (“Rio Largo”). And Prather’s lyric to Sonny Rollins’ classic “Pent Up House” turns the Latin-tinged swinger into a tongue-in-cheek look at middle-class family life.

And for anyone wondering, here’s part of Prather’s “The Bopsicle Song”:

“Got more swing than your typical Popsicle.

A bit of the Bird, a dash of the Diz,

Hey pop, that’s what a Bopsicle is.” Albums are rated on a scale of * (poor) to **** (excellent), with *** denoting a solid recommendation. * Bopsicle plays Sunday at Kikuya, 8052 Adams Ave., Huntington Beach. 6:30 p.m. No cover, $10 food and/or drink minimum. (714) 536-6665.