Bands Music

The initial offering on Eddie Condon in the Chronological Classics series. It includes a handful of single-disc sessions for Okeh, Victor, and Parlophone, the last named label the first under his own name and containing a terrific version of INDIANA with Joe Sullivan on piano and the legendary Frank Teschemacher on clarinet.

Fuller recording sessions for Eddie began in 1933 for Brunswick. Two takes of Bud Freeman's classic THE EEL (one issued in the US, the other in England) come from the Brunswick dates; both takes are excellent and it's impossible to choose between them. His first Commodore session is included, with the beautiful Bobby Hacket on cornet and the unique Pee Wee Russell on clarinet, especially fine on LOVE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. A great CD, filled with wonderful examples of small-group swing recordings. Worth a spot in everyone's jazz library.

I have to confess to a certain reservation regarding Fred Elizalde's Savoy recordings. On the one hand, his contract was not renewed, allegedly because he refused to tone down his performances to suit the patrons of that establishment. On the other hand, he recorded such limpid tunes as Diane, Chopinata, and Roam On, My Little Gypsy Sweetheart. None of which feature here, mercifully. Instead we get such standards as Tiger Rag, Sugar, My Pet, and Nobody's Sweetheart, many of which feature that giant of the bass saxophonist Adrian Rollini, who could manipulate that mammoth of an instrument like few others. I assume that the Trumbauer-influenced saxophonist is Bobby Davis, and mention should be made of the presence on the later sides of Mario Lorenzi, who recorded the first hot harp solo with Jay Whidden (predating Caspar Reardon by some years). The other item of interest is the later joining of guitarist Al Bowlly, who contributes four vocals, including the ultra-rare Metropole recording of "After The Sun Kissed The World Goodbye".

In the late 1920's Fred Elizalde was blessed by having the greatest bass saxophonist in the world come to England and join him in the band. As usual, Adrian Rollini, that great bass saxophonist I am speaking of, knew how to turn a good swingy jazz band into a great jazzy band. He did when he was with the California Ramblers, and he did when he joined Fred's band. If you had to listen to just one number on this cd, I would reccomend Crazy Rhythm.Just listen for that great bass sax of Adrian Rollini, and you will agree Fred was quite lucky in getting him to join. His presence makes the difference on this cd for sure. If Dick Clark was asking me to rate this cd, I would give it a 100, or in amazon terms a 5 stars rating. "Adrian-Fred needed you and that great bass sax of yours." A+++++++++++++

Great music of the past - Dont lose it. This is the music the Big Band era came from. 1920's REAL jazz ; swing bands, stride piano, and Dixieland all had it's beginnings with this music. Fred Lives!

Though Fred Elizalde & His Anglo American Band, weren't as hot as say McKinney's Cotton Pickers, or Jelly Roll Morton & His Red Hot Peppers, however they we're a very jazz oriented dance band, and they had the greatest bass sax player ever Adrian Rollini, who gets lot's of solo space on this generally excellent and remastered CD. This set of good 20's jazz is recommended mostly to Rollini collectors and 20's hot music fanatics.