New Releases: July
2010 -> March 2011
Jazz, Dance Bands & Vocalists
The Boswell Sisters
-> Various
Artists
| THE BOSWELL SISTERS |
Superbird 020 |
That's How Rhythm Was Born |
● CD $18.98 |
20 tracks, 60 mins, very highly recommended
A
captivating collection of vocal harmony selections from Connie, Helvetia
(Vet) and Martha Boswell recorded for Brunswick between 1933 and '35. As
popular harmony groups in the 30s go, The Boswells were the best,
hippest and most influential, with fantastic three-part arrangements and
ultra-swinging accompaniments - usually by The Dorsey Brothers with
guitarist Eddie Lang and violinist Joe Venuti often present. This superb
collection opens with their 1933 recording of Rock And Roll -
possibly the first song with that title. Other tracks include
Louisiana Hayride/ Sophisticated Lady/ Sleep, Come On And Take Me/ The
Sentimental Gentleman From Georgia/ Forty-Second Street/ Minnie The
Moocher's Wedding Day/ If I Had A Million Dollars and others. More
than 70 years after they recorded the music of the Boswells sounds fresh
and contemporary. Sound is superb and there are informative notes by
Malcolm Dome. (FS)
|
| NAT "KING"
COLE & HIS TRIO |
Hep 91 |
The Forgotten 1949 Carnegie Hall Concert |
● CD $14.98 |
Reissue of recently discovered acetates of only full
length concert by Nat King Cole & His Trio at Carnegie Hall in November,
1949. 14 tracks featuring the group at the peak of their powers doing
tunes like Yes Sir, That's My Baby/ Tiny's Exercise/ Laugh Cool
Clown/ Go Bongo/ Tea For Two/ Cuba Libre/ Bop Kick, etc. There is
also a bonus cut featuring the Woody Herman Orchestra that appaeerd at
the same concert. Beautifully remastered by Doug Pomeroy for crystal
clear sound and with extensive notes by Will Friedwald.
|
| THE NAT KING COLE
TRIO |
JSP JSPCD 963 |
Rare Radio Transcriptions |
● CD $28.98 |
4 CDs, 106 tracks, 4 hours 35 min., very highly
recommended
Long before Nat King Cole was crooning Unforgettable
and Mona Lisa, he was making a name for himself performing in a
small jazz combo. It didn't hurt that he was one of the finest (if
underrated) jazz pianists around. This JSP box features 106 rare radio
transcriptions from among the more than 500 recorded by the trio for
Standard, Keystone, Davis & Schwegler, MacGregor, and Capitol between
1938-45. These transcriptions gave the Trio a national audience at a
time when most record companies were releasing very few titles, owing to
wartime shortages. Disc A (1938-39) finds Cole, Oscar Moore, And Wesley
Prince sounding more like Cats And The Fiddle or The Ink Spots than like
latter-day Nat King Cole. The Trio swings in unison, intentionally
avoiding putting the spotlight on Cole. They run through novelty songs
and jump tunes, many written by Cole. The second (1939-43) CD follows
suit, offering an even greater number of Cole originals. But by the
third CD, the Trio covers hit songs such as How High The Moon and
It's Only A Paper Moon, and only 4 Cole-penned tunes, including
D-Day. By 1945 the recordings feature more Cole piano solos and,
by Disc D, ballads showing off Cole's smooth vocals. The swinging and
jiving are not all gone, but the change has come. The Trio was so
practiced and tight, they could record transcription sessions quickly.
Recording without the benefit of editing or multiple takes apparently
made little difference for the Trio, as these performances are all but
flawless, engaging, impressive. No wonder Ray Charles spent the early
days of his career imitating Nat Cole's Trio sound. Incredible stuff
worth discovering or rediscovering. (JC)
NAT KING COLE TRIO: 'Tain't What You Do (It's The Way
That'cha Do It)/ (Back Home Again In) Indiana/ After I Say I'm Sorry/
After You've Gone/ Aint Misbehavin'/ Baby (We Could Have A Lot Of Fun)/
Baby Won't You Please Come Home/ Barcarolle/ Besame Mucho/ Black Spider
Stomp/ Blue Skies/ Body And Soul/ Boogie A La King/ Bring Another Drink/
Caravan/ Close To You/ Crazy Rhythm/ D-Day/ Dancing In The Street/ Dark
Rapture/ Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me/ Don't Blame Me/ Don't Blame
Me/ Don't Take Your Love From Me-Anita Boyer & Her Tomboyers/ F.D.R.
Jones/ Fudge Wudge/ Gone With The Draft/ Harem Sandman/ Honey/ Honey
Hush/ How High The Moon/ I Can't Give You Anything But Love/ I Got
Rhythm/ I Like To Riff/ I May Be Wrong (But I Think You're Wonderful)/ I
Realize Now/ I Thought You Ought To Know/ I Wanna Turn Out My Light/ I'm
In The Mood For Love/ If Yesterday Could Only Be Tomorrow/ Is You Is Or
Is You Ain't My Baby?/ It Only Happens Once/ It's Only A Paper Moon/ Jam
Man/ Jingle Bells/ Just Another Blues/ Keep Knockin' On Wood/ King Cole
Blues/ Laura - King Cole Trio/ Lester Leaps In/ Liebestraum/ Little Joe
From Chicago/ Mexico Joe/ Miss Thing/ Music'll Chase Your Blues Away/
Mutiny In The Nursery/ My Heart Tells Me/ No Love, No Nothin'/ On The
Sunny Side Of The Street/ Penthouse Serenade/ Please Consider Me/ Pogo
Stick Bounce/ Rhythm Sam/ Rhythm Serenade/ Rib Town Shuffle/ Riffin' In
F Minor/ Rosetta/ Rosetta/ Russian Lullaby/ Scategoria/ Shoo Shoo Baby/
Shoo Shoo Baby/ Smokey Joe/ Snug As A Bug In A Rug/ Some Like It Hot/
Someone's In The Kitchen With Dinah/ Speak Low/ Swannee River/ Sweet
Georgia Brown/ Sweet Lorraine/ Sweet Lorraine/ Swingin' The Blues/
That'll Just About Knock Me Out/ The Blue Danube/ The Land Of Make
Believe/ The Limp/ The Man I Love/ The Old Music Master/ The Sheik Of
Araby/ Them There Eyes/ There's No Anesthetic For Love/ These Foolish
Things/ This Side Up/ This Will Make You Laugh/ Three Blind Mice/ Too
Marvelous For Words/ Trompin'/ Vine Street Jump/ Wild Goose Chase/ Windy
City Boogie Woogie/ Wouldn't You Like To Know/ You Call It Madness (But
I Call It Love)/ You Must Be Blind/ You Send Me/ You're My Life/ You're
So Different
|
| AL HIBBLER |
Jasmine 671 |
Unchained Melody - The Definitive
Singles Collection |
● CD $18.98 |
This two CD set with 55 tracks is the most comprehensive
selection of recordings of the fine and distinctive jazz/ pop vocalist
who got his start with the Duke Ellington band and is best known for his
1955 No. 1 R&B crossover hit - Unchained Melody - the first hit
version of this song which has become a standard that has cut across
several musical genres. It also includes other R&B and pop chart hits
like He/ 11th Hour Melody/ Never Turn Back/ After The Lights Go Down
Low and others along with versions of standards like All, Or
Nothing At All/ All Of Me/ I'll Never Smile Again/ Honeysuckle Rose
and others. Accompaniments are usually big bands or orchestral with
production by Jack Pleis and Neal Hefti.
|
| THE INK SPOTS |
Mr. Music 8001 |
The Original Ink Spots Live |
● CD $14.98 |
21 tracks, 69 min., very highly recommended
Not quite
the "original" Spots since Bill Kenny had already replaced Jerry
Daniels, but these are the Ink Spots the way most remember them --
Charlie, Deek, Hoppy, and Bill. These four radio shows boast incredible
sound and trade off between ballads and jumps. The first show (from 1938
in NYC) begins with some scat and jive on I'm Feelin' Like A Million
and ends with no less a jive masterpiece than Slim Gaillard's Flat
Foot Floogie. The second show (from Philadelphia 1939) is equally
wonderful and includes Tiger Rag/ Pork Chops And Gravy and more.
The other shows are from 1944 (one from Davenport, one from Milkaukee)
feature the unforgettable Java Jive and a duet with Ella
Fitzgerald on Cow Cow Boogie. The three bonus songs that adorn
the end of the program find our men backed by the Cootie Williams
Orchestra. Time travel for a song. Not to be missed. (JC)
|
| AL JOLSON |
Soho 037 |
The Golden Years Of Al Jolson |
● CD $15.98 |
3 CDs, 60 tracks, 2 hours 39 min., highly recommended
If
all you know of Jolson is an image of a guy in black face, you've come
to the right place. Before there was American Idol there was Jolson, the
most famous singer/performer in America in the 1920s and 1930s and then
again in the 1940s, during his "rediscovery." Even if you've never heard
Jolson, chances are you've either heard many of his songs, or heard
someone doing an impression of Jolson doing his songs. In fact, this set
is like a guide to understanding Warner Brothers cartoons of the
corresponding time periods. Daffy, Bugs, everyone else, they all did
Jolson. And it wasn't just his voice; it was the two-minute drama played
out in song. More often than not the songs were upbeat, stirring,
cheerful antidotes to bad economic times and war. It's probably
impossible to understand the arc of American music without knowing
Jolson. He was that influential. It is, for example, easy to hear the
influence he had on Dean Martin, and Elvis Presley cited Martin as one
of his early influences. And so on. This set is priced well and covers
most of Jolson's career. If there's a fault, its that most of the songs
are from the '40s instead of during his peak. Thus, the Jolson connoiseur may want to think twice, but the novice is unlikely to find a
better invitation, even if the booklet notes are on the skimpy side.
Tracks include, Sonny Boy/ California Here I Come/ Alexander's
Ragtime Band (with Bing Crosby), My Mammy/ Swanee/ Give My
Regards To Broadway/ You Made Me Love You, the oft-covered I Only
Have Eyes For You, Are You Lonesome Tonight/ April Showers,
and many more. (JC)
|
| GEORGE LEWIS |
Upbeat Jazz URCD 197 |
A Portrait Of George Lewis From Burgandy
Street To Berlin |
● CD $18.98 |
22 tracks, 72 mins, highly recommended
A great
retrospective of recordings by this master of New Orleans clarinet
playing ranging from 1942 recordings as a member of Bunk Johnson's
Original Superior Band recorded in New Orleans to two previously
unissued sides recorded live with Ken Colyer's Jazzmen in 1959. Apart
from the Colyer tracks, most of the rest find him in the company of
fellow New Orleans legends like Jim Robinson/ trombone, Walter Decou/
piano, Alcide "Slow Drag" Pavageau/ bass, Alton Purnell/ piano, Percy
Humphrey/ trumpet, Avery "Kid" Howard/ trumpet and others. TUnes include
Yes Lord, I'm Crippled/ Sobbin' Blues/ Weary Blues #2/ Willie The
Weeper #1/ Burgundy Street Blues #1/ Chimes Blues/ Walking With The
King/ Running Wild, etc. Exuberant music with excellent sound,
detailed notes by Mike Pointon and full discographical info. (FS)
|
| TED LEWIS |
Retrieval 79014 |
The Jazzworthy Ted Lewis, 1929-1933 |
● CD $10.98 |
22 tracks, recommended
22 selections from this popular
danceband leader, singer and clarinetist. Lewis' band was pretty
straight-laced, but had plenty of authentic swing for a late-twenties/
early 30s outfit. Credit is due to musicians included on these sessions
like George Brunies (ex-New Orleans Rhythm Kings), Benny Goodman, Jack
Teagardenand Muggsy Spanier. Ted himself was no slouch on reeds, and,
during his developing years as a "showman", thankfully kept his act free
of cornball antics though Ted's vocals were nothing to write home about.
The selection here features his most "jazzworthy" titles including
Farewell Blues/ The Lonesome Road/ Somebody Stole My Gal/ Sobbin' Blues,
Parts 1 & 2/ Egyptian Ella/ Royal Garden Blues/ Ho Hum!, etc. Sound
quality is superb thanks to remastering by John R.T. Davies and there
are extensive notes by Mark Berresford. (MB/ FS)
|
|
PHILIP LEWIS & THE RHYTHM MANIACS |
Retrieval 79064 |
The Hottest Recordings Of Philip Lewis &
The Rhythm Man |
● CD $10.98 |
24 tracks, 70 mins, recommended
When British Decca
started in'29, its house band for chugging out stock arrangements of
hits was Philip Lewis & His Dance Orch, with some tunes coming out as by
The Rhythm Maniacs. Lewis, director of "light music" for Decca, had
nothing to do with these, the band was led by Arthur Lally who allowed
ample solo space, making these quite a step above the average dance
band, particularly since the principle soloists were Sylvester Ahola
(t), Danny Polo (reeds), & Lally himself who, besides the usual reeds
played such a hot bass sax that it was long thought to be Adrian
Rollini. This fine collection of sides recorded in 1929 and 1930
includes vocals by Maurice Elwain, Leslie Sarony and Elsie Carlisle.
Tunes include My Kinda Love/ There's One Thing
Remains/ Diga Diga Doo
(with scatting by Lally)/ Imaginations Goes Long Long Way/ Why Can't
You/ Raisin' The Roof/ That's A Plenty and more. (GM/ FS)
|
| THELONIOUS MONK |
Smith & Co. 2413 |
When Bebop Was King |
● CD $15.98 |
2 CDs, 45 tracks, 151 mins, highly recommended
Here's a
simple and affordable way to get an instant appreciation for Thelonius
Monk, one of the all-time Jazz greats. This release features versions of
all his most famous and groundbreaking compositions like Round
Midnight/ Epistrophy/ Criss Cross/ Straight No Chaser/ Ruby My Dear/
Monk's Mood, and so on. You also get his reworking and hot-rodding
of such standards as April In Paris/ Smoke Gets In Yours Eyes,
etc. With only a few omissions, this collection makes for a (almost)
complete anthology of Monk's recorded work from 1947 - 1954, recording
for the Blue Note, and Prestige record labels. All of the material on
this is definitely worth owning; if you are already a fan of his music,
than you will probably own most of this already, but for those who want
a concise collection of Thelonius Monk's work, or a starting off point
to the world of Be-Bop, than this one should do the trick. (JM)
|
| LES PAUL |
Avid AMSCD 940 |
The Jazzman |
● CD $13.98 |
Two CDs, 44 tracks, 157 mins, highly recommended
Terrific collection devoted to the genius of Les Paul as a jazz
guitarist eschewing his performances as a country or pop musician. The
first 17 tracks (including obnoxious announcements) are from Les's 1944
stint on Jazz At The Philharmonic in a series of all star jam sessions
with Shorty Sherock, J.J. Johnson, Illinois Jacquet, Nat "King" Cole and
others. Although this has been available several times before it
certainly is appropriate in this context and this is apparently the
first time the tune Blues has been made available without a jump
at the start of the guitar solo. There are half a dozen tracks from 1945
V-Discs including a jazz instrumental version of How High The Moon
which he was to record half a dozen years later with his wife Mary Ford
and became a monster hit. Also from these sessions is a version of
Somebody Loves Me with Art Tatum on piano with sublime interplay
between piano and guitar. The remaining tracksfeaturing radio
transcriptions and studio recordings cover the period 1945 through '47
including sides with his Trio and as a member of The Eddie Heywood
Sextet, a Harry "Sweets" Edison group and Willie Smith & His Orch. One
session features the trio with Lionel Hampton playing piano on China
Stomp and vibes on Star Dust. There is an amazing version of
Honeysuckle Rose by a quartet of guitarists where Les is joined
by Barney Kessell, Irving Ashby and Arv Garrison. A most welcome
compilation with excellent sound, informative notes by Brian Priestly
and full discographical info. (FS)
|
| LOUIS PRIMA |
Proper BOX 156 |
Buona Sera - Featuring Keely Smith & Sam
Butera |
● CD $25.98 |
4 CDs, 80 tracks, 241 mins, highly recommended
Louis
Prima has probably never really been quite in fashion, but he has always
been well-loved, with new fans spring up all of the time. Prima is like
the hot chocolate of music: most people wouldn't consider hot chocolate
a drink of much substance, but there are few that won't enjoy a hot cup
in front of them, This collection covers quite a bit of ground, from the
loud boisterous show tunes, to cool jazz, to Italian love songs, to
standards from the great American songbook. So on one of these disks you
can get a spastic Sputnik era rocker about falling in love with an alien
beauty--Beep, Beep -- along side pop standards tunes like Love
Is A Many Splendored Thing and The White Cliffs Of Dover,
next to a Jazz standard like Bourbon Street Blues. So many great
tunes throughout: Sing, Sing, Sing/ That Old Black Magic/ Oh Marie!/
Jump, Jive An' Wail/ Banana Split For My Baby/ Night Train/ Fever/
Skinny Minnie/ Lazy River, and so many more, done in Prima's
hyper-kinetic style. This has all of his classic recordings and so much
more, with rowdy live performances throughout. Of course, the lovely
Keely Smith lends her sultry and playful vocals on a number of tunes and
the mighty Sam Butera & The Witnesses not only provide powerful backing,
but Sam himself jumps up to the microphone on a handful of songs. This
is the definitive collection on Louie Prima et. al, easily the best and
most comprehensive collection that has been released. Proper does the
proper job on this, so the collection comes with extensive liner notes
and complete recording information. (JM)
LOUIS PRIMA: (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You
Rascal You/ (Nothing's Too Good) For My Baby/ A Foggy Day/ Angelina -
Zooma Zooma/ Autumn Leaves/ Baby Won't You Please Come Home./ Banana
Split For My Baby/ Basin Street Blues - When It's Sleepy Time Down
South/ Be Mine (Little Baby)/ Beep! Beep!/ Bim Bam/ Blow, Red, Blow/
Body And Soul/ Bourbon Street Blues/ Buona Sera/ Chantilly Lace/ Come
Back To Sorrento/ Don't Let A Memory Break Your Heart/ Don't Take Your
Love From Me/ Don't Worry 'Bout Me - I'm In The Mood For Love/ Easy
Rockin'/ Embraceable You - I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good/ Equator/
Fee Fie Foo/ Felica No Capicia/ Fever/ Five Months, Two Weeks, Two Days/
French Poodle/ Good Gracious Baby/ Gotta See Baby Tonight/ Greenback
Dollar Bill/ Handle With Care/ Hey Boy, Hey Girl/ Hey Boy, Hey Girl
(reprise)/ Hey There/ Holiday For Strings/ How High The Moon/ I Gotta
Right To Sing The Blues/ I Kiss Your Hand Madame/ I've Got The World On
A String/ I've Got You Under My Skin/ If You Were The Only Girl/ It's
Better Than Nothing At All./ Judy/ Jump, Jive An' Wail/ Just A Gigolo-I
Ain't Got Nobody/ Kansas City/ Lazy River/ Love Charm/ Love Is A Many
Splendored Thing/ Love Of My Life (O Sole Mio)/ Moonglow/ Night Train/
Nothing's Too Good For My Baby/ Oh! Marie/ Oh! Marie/ On The Sunny Side
Of The Street - Exactly Like You/ Pennies From Heaven/ Perdido/ Robin
Hood - Oh Babe!/ Sentimental Journey/ Should I? - I Can't Believe That
You're In Love With Me/ Sing, Sing, Sing/ Skinny Minnie/ Ten Little
Women/ That Old Black Magic./ That's My Home/ The Birth Of The Blues/
The Closer To The Bone/ The Lip/ The Pump Song/ The White Cliffs Of
Dover/ Them There Eyes - Honeysuckle Rose/ There'll Be No Next Time/
Tiger Rag - Just Because/ Too Marvellous For Words/ Twinkle In Your Eye/
When The Saints Go Marching In/ When You're Smiling - The Sheik Of
Araby/ Whistle Stop
|
| DJANGO REINHARDT |
JSP JSPCD 966 |
Musette To Maestro, 1928-1937 - The
Early Work Of A |
● CD $28.98 |
Five CD set with 120 tracks complementing
previous JSP Django reissues (JSP 901, 904, 919, 953 & 953) . This
features his progress from playing banjo in Musette bands to anchoring
sessions with the leading American jazz musicians of the day. The
rhythmic drive and inventiveness are evident from the outset, and, as
soon as he resumes after the fre that damaged his hand, he is
recognizably the classic Django. Indeed, some solos on the more obscure
tracks are every bit as good as on the more well known sides. Also
evident is his empathy in accompanying singers. Several sessions with
Jean Sablon were important in bringing him to a wider audience. By the
time of the Coleman Hawkins session, he is mighty, trading solos with
giants as man to man. Disc 5 has a bonus video track of the recently
rediscovered short flm `Le Jazz Hot' features the Hot Club in session.
Fascinatingly, we can see Django's technique as the combination of
dexterity and pure genius it was.
|
| THE SIX BROWN
BROTHERS |
Archeophone 6007 |
Broadway's Favorite Clowns |
● CD $14.98 |
24 tracks, 66 min., highly recommended
Imagine six guys
with saxophones of increasing size, all dressed as clowns, al la Pagliacci, except for one who is in burnt cork black face, or just look
at the cool photo in the booklet of this fine release. Actually the
second CD from the brothers on Archeophone, this one gives "a more
rounded likeness" of their popular stage act, covering a larger variety
of material, all of it at least interesting and most of it impressive.
Tracks range in recording date from 1911 to 1920, including Tramp,
Tramp, Tramp/ Rigoletto Quartet/ Sophomore Sobs/ The Sunshine Of Your
Smile/ Kiss Me Again/ Chasing The Chickens and other rags, waltzes,
marches, early jazz and such. A model of a reissue, with stunning
photos. well-researched booklet notes, and remarkable sound, all things
considered. And though the brothers couldn't have imagined someone would
listen to 24 of their sides in a row, it's a charming way to spend an
hour. (JC)
|
| STUFF SMITH |
Storyville 8409 |
Five Fine Violins Celebrate 100 Years |
● CD $15.98 |
Fine collection of violin jazz featuring the great Suff
Smith performing live on Danish radio in 1965 and 1966. The recordings
are taken from five different broadcasts - four of them featuring Stuff
duetting or playing in a trio with fellow jazz violinists Ray Nance,
Svend Asmussen, Soren Christensen and Poul Olsen. Accompanied by piano,
bass and drums they do swinging renditions of tunes like Stand By
Blues/ Timme's Blues/ Swingin' Softly/ The "C" Jam Blues/ Oh, Lady Be
Good! and others.
|
| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Archeophone 5451 |
Masters Of The Clarinet |
● CD $14.98 |
32 tracks, 76 min., recommended
Archeophone looks at
some of the heavily recorded clarinetists from the "commercial acoustic
recording era" (1889-1925), focussing on R.K. Franklin, Felix Jardello,
August Stengler, George McNeice, Theodore Pusinelli, William Tuson,
Louis Christie, and Anthony Giammatteo. The first dozen tracks were
recorded in the 19th century (how often does one get to say that?), and
sound quality, while perhaps remarkable considering the sources
(brown-wax cylinders and the like), is a bit rough in the early going.
But generally, the sound is solid and no barrier to enjoyment. In fact,
the clarinet rose to prominence partly because if was relatively easy to
record its range of sounds with something like accuracy. Tuson has the
most cuts at 9 and would seem to have deserved the attention. As usual,
the booklet houses an incredible wealth of information and photos.
Nicely done, if not for everyone. (JC)
|
| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Archeophone 9013 |
1906 - When Things Was Looking Bright |
● CD $14.98 |
27 Tracks, 74 Mins, highly recommended
Not a new release
but not reviewed before. It's kind of spooky that I am reviewing this CD
only days after the nasty earthquakes that just hit Japan, seeing as the
pivotal event that happened in 1906 was the S.F. earthquake. Listening
to a collection like this is much like listening to recordings made by
ghosts in the first place, with every artist on this long dead for
decades, pretty fascinating none-the less. This collection features rare
recordings made by the big names of the day like Billy Murray;
Everybody Works, But Father/ The Grand Old Rag, etc., Bert Williams;
Nobody, and Let It Alone, and other popular acts like Ada
Jones, Arthur Pryor's Band, Edward M. Favor, Henry Burr, and Harry Tally
to name just a few. You also get some proper opera with Enrico Caruso
and Antonio Scott, as well as Classical of a sort with Corinne Morgan
and The Haydn Quartet doing How'd You Like To Spoon With Me? This
is certainly a fascinating romp through history and I'll bet that you
will come away from this set humming many of the tunes. Extensive liner
notes tell all the stories of the age and help put everything in
perspective. (JM)
|
| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Fantastic Voyage 094 |
The Sisters Anthology - A Celebration Of
Four Decades |
● CD $19.98 |
2 CDs, 38 tracks, 1 hour 41 min., essential
A
four-decade tour of singing sister genre in more-or-less chronological
order, beginning with a 1924 version of Red Hot Mama by the Bronx
Sisters. Disc 1 (1924-1946) rarely fails to delight with its mix of
familiar acts (e.g., The Andrew Sisters singing the classic Boogie
Woogie Bugle Boy and the Fontane Sisters wonderful Linger In My
Arms A Little Longer) and the obscure curiosities, such as The Gumm
Sisters' Where The Butterflies Kiss The Buttercups Goodnight,
which might be too cute by half were it not for the presence of the very
young Judy Garland. The Ponce Sisters' Fit As A Fiddle, which
features the playing of Jimmy Dorsey, could hardly be better. And if
listening to the Andrews Sisters don Jamaican accents for their version
of Rum And Coca-Cola doesn't make you smile for one reason or
another, you may be unwell. Disc 2 (1947-1959) continues the trend, even
as the form develops. Highlights include the Clooney Sisters (featuring
Rosemary, of course), the Carter Sisters (yes, from that Carter family),
featuring Chet Atkins on guitar, and the Dinning Sisters charmer,
Buttons And Bows. For obscurity, there's the Clark Sisters singing
Take The "A" Train. Informative booklet notes, 32 different
sister acts, and excellent sound throughout make this a must-have. The
only slight quibble is in the short running time--it could have been a
lot longer. (JC)
THE ANDREWS SISTERS: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy/ Rum And
Coca Cola/ THE BARRY SISTERS: My Yiddishe Momme/ THE BELL SISTERS: Wheel
Of Fortune/ THE BONNIE SISTERS: Cry Baby/ THE BOSWELL SISTERS:
Forty-Second Street/ Object Of My Affection, The/ THE BROX SISTERS: Red
Hot Mama/ THE CARTER SISTERS & CHET ATKINS: I Don't Believe Them At All/
THE CLARK SISTERS: Take The 'A' Train/ THE CLOONEY SISTERS: Euphoria/
THE DE CASTRO SISTERS: Teach Me Tonight/ THE DEJOHN SISTERS: My Baby
Don't Love Me No More/ THE DEMARCO SISTERS: California Sunbeam/ Dinah/
THE DI MARA SISTERS: Tea For Two/ THE DINNING SISTERS: Buttons And Bows/
THE DUNCAN SISTERS: I'm Following You/ THE FONTAINE SISTERS: Linger In
My Arms A Little Longer Baby/ THE FONTANE SISTERS: Missouri Waltz/ THE
GUMM SISTERS: Where The Butterflies Kiss The Buttercups Goodnight/ THE
KELLER SISTERS & LYNCH: Sunday/ THE KING SISTERS: Deep Purple/ Stardust/
THE LENNON SISTERS: Tonight You Belong To Me/ THE LEWIS SISTERS:
S'Wonderful/ THE MCGUIRE SISTERS: Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight/
Sincerely/ THE MOYLAN SISTERS: Danny Boy/ Someone's In The Kitchen With
Dinah/ THE PARIS SISTERS: Baby Honey Baby/ PATIENCE & PRUDENCE: Tonight
You Belong To Me/ THE PETERS SISTERS: Basin Street Blues/ THE PICKENS
SISTERS: Many Moons Ago/ THE PONCE SISTERS: Fit As A Fiddle/ THE
STAFFORD SISTERS: Cross Patch/ THE TRIX SISTERS: Pickin' Cotton/ THE
WILLIAMS SISTERS: He's The Last Word
|
| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Fremeaux & Associes 5096 |
Harmonica Swing |
● CD $25.98 |
2 CDs, 1 hour 54 minutes, highly recommended
Back in
stock. If two CDs of harmonica swing instrumentals sounds like one and a
half too many, the excellent Fremeaux & Associes collection will quickly
disabuse you of that notion. The tracks range from 1929-1952, although
about half are from the '40s, with most dates hovering around the war.
Happily, the performances, mostly representing the work of small combos,
seem to have been chosen because they are prime examples of swing that
happen to feature harmonica rather than because the compilers were
desperate for anything with jazzy harmonica to fill out their
compilation. As a result, perhaps, 30 of the 41 cuts spotlight just four
musicians -- Max Geldray, Dany Kane Larry Adler, Borrah Minevitch --
with Dany Kane shouldering 11 cuts himself. And while that could pose
its own problems concerning sameness, it doesn't. The music is lively,
refreshing, and playful. (Listeners are excused for occasionally
imagining cartoon mice inflicting misery on their feline counterparts.)
Adler's reading of Lover, Come Back To Me, features the
illustrious company of Stephane Grappeli and Django Reinhardt; his take
of Cole Porter's Begin The Beguine includes Charlie Shavers (tp),
W. "Buster" Bailey (cl), and John Kirby (b), among others. Pleasant
surprises include Les 5 de l'Harmonica performing In The Mood,
Quintette Dupont-Durand's Nightfall, Hubert Giraud's Dinah,
and just about everything by Minevitch. Being a harmonica fan is not
required for this set to charm. (JC)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Frog DGF 76 |
Frog Spawn - The White Hot Batch |
● CD $18.98 |
25 tracks, highly recommended
The latest in Frog's
series of "red hot jazz rarities, alternate takes, sleepers & unissued
masters" is to white bands featuring 25 tracks recorded between 1924 and
1930. There is a wealth of fine jazz here, by bands whose members and
provenance are sometimes shrouded in discographical darkness, or who are
well enough known, yet who have produced recordings that have so far
managed to elude CD re issues. Among the groups here are The Berlyn
Baylor Orchestra, The New Orleans Owls (one of the best known groups
here with their extremely rare alternate take of Oh Me! Oh My!),
Willard Robison's Deep River Four (the earliest recording here from a
1924 Autograph featuring some great clarinet work - possibly Alcide
Nunez), The California Ramblers, Russ Gorman's Virginians (with Red
Nichols, Miff Mole, Dick McDonough & Eddie Lang), Bud Ritchie & His Boys
(a totally obscure group with two fine tracks including a rendition of
Hoagy Carmichael's Rockin' Chair), Bert Lown & His Loungers,
Original Memphis Five, Ken Moyers Novelty Trio (featuring Moyers on
mellophone - a French horn type instrument, reserphone - an instrument
that sounds like a strngled duck and other instruments), Gowans'
Rhpasody Makers and others. Superb sound, extensive notes and full
discographical info. (FS)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Idelsohn Society 018 |
Black Sabbath |
● CD $14.98 |
15 tracks, 55 mins, highly recommended
Every once in a
while a compilation comes out of totally left field and makes you wonder
why nobody thought of this before. This is quite a release and it is
given some special presentation to go along with the special nature of
the material, with extensive notes in a 40 page booklet and lovely
over-sized packaging. . Featuring legendary Blues, Jazz, and Soul
artists performing classic Jewish compositions, it's a Mitzvah! For
some, African American's appreciation of Jewish culture begins and ends
with Sammy Davis Jr., but there is a long and complex musical and
cultural relationship to be explored; this collection probably just
scratches the surface. Wonderful tracks like Billie Holliday My
Yiddishe Momme, Jimmy Scott Exodus, and Johnny Mathis Kol
Nidre are just some of the most stirring renditions that you will
hear there. Then there are the more playful tracks like Cab Calloway's
Utt Da Zay, and Slim Gaillard Quartet's Dunkin Bagel, to
liven things up. Not every track blew me away--probably could have done
without the Temptations "Fiddler on the Roof Medley"--but all-in-all a
fantastic and fascinating set. (JM)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Jasmine 515 |
The Bands With The Bands |
● CD $15.98 |
Many big bands followed a trend originally set by Tommy
Dorsey which was to form a 'band-within-a band'. By using just a few
members of their own orchestras big band names were able to create more
spontaneous jazz through the musical freedom of a smaller group. This
fine two CD features 50 tracks recorded between 1935 and 1958 by these
smaller group. From the Benny Goodman band we hear the Benny Goodman
Trio, Benny Goodman Quartet and Benny Goodman Sesxtet, from the Basie
band we hear Count Basie Rhythm, Count Basie Quartet and Count Basie
Octet as well as small group offshoots from Gene Krupa's Orch., Tommy
Dorsey's Orch., Harry James Orch. and The Duke Ellington Orch. This
collection of informal, enthusiastic performances puts forward some
truly exciting gems some of which may have, and wrongly so, been
forgotten. Excellent sound quality, informative notes by Don Kennedy and
full discographical info. (FS)
COUNT BASIE ALL-STARS: Basie Boogie/ COUNT BASIE
OCTET: One O'clock Jump/ COUNT BASIE QUARTET: Dupree Blues/ COUNT BASIE
RHYTHM: Shoe Shine Boy/ Shine On, Harvest Moon/ Sugar/ TOMMY DORSEY
CLAMBAKE SEVEN: Chinatown, My Chinatown/ Sheik Of Araby/ The Music Goes
Round And Round/ Twilight In Turkey/ Vol Vistu Gaily Star/ ELLINGTON
ALL-STARS: Duke's In Bed/ DUKE ELLINGTON'S MEN: Castle Rock/ Jeep's
Blues/ BENNY GOODMAN & HIS SEXTET: A Smooth One/ BENNY GOODMAN QUARTET:
Avalon/ Moonglow/ BENNY GOODMAN SEXTET: Ac/Dc Current/ Flying Home/ Good
Enough To Keep/ BENNY GOODMAN TRIO: After You've Gone/ Body And Soul/
Lady Be Good/ Tiger Rag/ WOODY HERMAN CHIPS: Chip's Boogie-Woogie/ Fan
It/ South/ Yardbird Shuffle/ WOODY HERMAN WOODCHOPPERS: Indian
Boogie-Woogie/ HODGES & ELLINGTON MEN: Honey Hill/ HARRY JAMES & RHYTHM:
Limehouse Blues/ Sleepy Time Gal/ The Man I Love/ HARRY JAMES & THE
BOOGIE WOOGIE TRIO: Boo-Woo/ Jesse/ Woo-Woo/ GENE KRUPA JAZZ TRIO: Body
And Soul/ Dark Eyes/ Hodge Podge/ How High The Moon/ Limehouse Blues/
Liza/ Stompin' At The Savoy/ Ten Richie Drive/ ARTIE SHAW & HIS GRAMERCY
5: Dr. Livingstone, I Presume?/ Grabtown Grapple/ Hop, Skip And Jump/ My
Blue Heaven/ Scuttlebutt/ Special Delivery Stomp/ Summit Ridge Drive
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Not Now 380 |
Blue Jazz Guitar |
● CD $9.98 |
2 CDs, 35 tracks, 1 hour 33 min., highly recommended
While many of these tracks could be described as either blue or blues or
both, it's tough to put, say, Jimmy Raney's April In Paris in
those camps. Charlie Christian's Waiting For Benny seems beyond
the titular label too, as do several other performances. What's sure is
the high quality of players, including Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell,
Mundell Lowe, Django Reinhardt, Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow, Charlie Byrd,
among others. The booklet notes (what few there are) make the case that
most here were influenced by Charlie Christian, and it's doubtless true,
though it's not exactly an illuminating claim. Still, this is an
excellent various artists jazz release, even if the guitar isn't always
front and center (George Shearing Quintet's Conception, for
example, contains a guitar solo, but the vibe and piano solos are longer
are more prominent). And then again, so what? Jazz guitar anyone? (JC)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Renovation 7003 |
Cakewalks, Rags & Blues - Military Style |
● CD $14.98 |
Great collection of early recordings (1900 to 1916) of
cakewalks, rags and blues featuring bands like Sousa's Band, The
Peerless Orchestra, U.S. Marine Band, Prince's Military Band and others.
This was the music Americans danced to before the dance band era began.
Compiled by Barry "Dr. Demento" Hansen who also wrote the notes this was
remastered by Doug Pomeroy who makes these more than 100 year old
recordings sound fresh.
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Retrieval 79062 |
Here Come The Boys, 1925-1932 |
● CD $10.98 |
24 tracks, recommended
Complementing Retrieval 79060
("Bring On The Girls" - $10.98) this is an immensely entertaining
selection of male popular vocalists recorded in the 20s and 30s usually
with hot dance band or jazz accompaniments. It includes St. Louis
Blues and Beale Street Blues by the excellent Al Bernard who
had a hand in popularizing the songs of W.C. Handy and was the first
artist to record a vocal version of St. Louis Blues in 1918. His
version here is his sixth from 1927 accompanied by the fine Carl Fenton
Orch. The disc opens with a fine cut by Irving Kaufman who was one of
the most prolific recording artists of all time. Other artists include
the fine and mysterious "Banjo Buddy" doing Cole Porter's Let's
Misbehave, Johnny Marvin (with Benny Goodman), Willard Robison (with
the Dorsey Brothers, Fud Livingston and Dick McDonough), Seger Ellis
(relatively undistinguished vocals accompanied by Louis Armstrong and
The Dorsey Brothers), Charles W. Hamp (accompanied by The Dorsey
BRothers and Eddie Lang), Eddie Walters (with The Dorsey
Brothers,
Adrian Rollini and Carl Kress), Eddie Walters 9with Mannie Klein, Frank
Signorelli & Eddie Lang), Paul Small (two tracks with Joe Venuti and
Eddie Lang from 1932 - one previously unissued) and others. Superb sound
and CD comes with 28 page booklet with extenive notes by Chris Ellis and
full discographical info. (FS)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Retrieval 79063 |
Merritt Brunies & His Friars Inn
Orchestra And Others |
● CD $11.98 |
Two CDs, 48 tracks, highly recommended
Excellent
collection of hot white Chicago jazz recorded between 1923 and 1925 that
was influenced by the New Orleans Rhythm Kings and other New Orleans
groups. The set is in three sections - first the development of artists
who had played or sat in with the the NORK including sides by The
Memphis Melody Boys, Art Kahn & His Orchestra, The Midway Dance
Orchestra and others. There are 17 tracks from Merritt Brunies & His
Friar's Inn Orchestra a group based on the Friars Society Orch.(later
NORK) led by Merritt's brother George. This group included New Orleans
born Merritt & Harry Brunies and clarinetist Volly DeFaut, a later NORK
member. Finally there are 13 tracks by a group of young Chicagoans
headed by the great cornetist Muggsy Spanier. The music is delightfully
lively with superb ensemble playing and excellent solos. Sound quality
is superb and the 24 page booklet includes extensive notes by Charlie
Crump and full discographical info. (FS)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Storyville 103 6102 |
Sounds Of New Orleans, Vol. 2 |
● CD $14.98 |
A second collection of New Orleans jazz drawn from the
Storyville catalog. Two CDs with 42 tracks including Kid Ory with two
different Creole Jazz Bands from 1945 (with Joe Darensbourg/ cl, Buster
Wilson/p, etc) and 1954/55 (with Albert Burbank/ cl. Don Ewell/ p, etc);
Oscar "Papa" Celestin Tuxedo Jazz Band from 1950 with Bill Matthews/ tb,
Alphonse Picou/ cl, Octave CRobsy/ p, etc.; Sharkey Bonano live at The
Perez Club in 1952 with Jack DElaney/ tb, Bujie Centobie/ cl, Stanley
Mendelson/ p, etc.; George Lewis & His New Orleans Jazz Band from 1954
with Kid Howard/ tp, Jim Robinson/ tb, Alton Purnell/ p, Lizzie Miles/
vocal, etc.; Wilbur De Paris & His New Orleans Jazz from 1953 with
Sidney De Paris/ tp, Omer Simeon/ cl, Don Kirkpatrick/ p, etc.; Albert
Burbank with Kid Ory & His Creole Jazz Band from 1954 and a jam session
at Joe Mare's Place in 1952 with Johnny Bayersdorfer/ tp & ts, Jack
Delaney/ tp,. Raymon Burke/ cl and others. Excellent sound and
affectionate notes from Chris Albertson.
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Storyville 103 6103 |
Sounds Of New Orleans, Vol. 3 |
● CD $14.98 |
The third and final volume in this series of New Orleans
jazz drawn from the Storyville catalog. Two CDs with 35 tracks recorded
between 1952 and 1955, mostly recorded live. There are five tracks from
Albert Burban with Kid Ory & His Creole Jazzband recorded in San
Francisco - Ory was a veteran New Orleans musician who had relocated to
the West Coast in 1919! Paul Barbarin & His Jazzband (with Percy
Humphrey/ tpt, Waldron "Frog" Joseph/ tb and Willie Humphrey/ cl) are
featured on 11 tunes. There are two sides from cornetist Johnny Wiggs
and his New Orleans Boys with Jack Delaney/ tb and Raymond Burke/ cl -
on Tin Roof Blues there is a stirring vocal from guitarist Edmond
"Doc" Souchon. Sharkey Bonano & his band (with Jack Delaney/ tb, Bujie
Centobie/ cl and Stanley Mendelson/ p) are featured on seven cuts with a
fine vocal by LIzzie Miles on I Ain't Gonna Give You NOne Of My Jelly
Roll. The New Orleans Jazz Babies with Alvin Alcorn/ tp, Jack
Delaney/ tb and Raymon Burke/ cl are featured on six tracks and the set
is rounded out with four sides by The Dixieland All Stars with George
Girard/ tp, Santo Pecora/ tb, Raymond Burke/ cl and Lester Bouchon/ ts.
Excellent sound and informative notes from Chris Albertson.
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