Bands Music

Yeah, this is a fabulous disc--and one of my favorites. It features Red on xylophone or marimba, accompanied by luminaries like Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Chu Berry, et alii. Two wonderful tracks feature the very feminine, almost "Betty Boopish" vocals of Mae Questal. A great disc.

This set is basically musically mediocre. Clarence Williams was one of the shrewdest men in the whole Black Music business, and as such was able to keep turning (and churning) out records for the Chitlin' Circuit during the Depression years while the Greats had little or no documentation. As such, his recordings are valuable for the few glimpse we get of James P. Johnson during these years. Willie The Lion Smith has his moments here too. And I don't understand the discographical note "unknown trombonist" for a session that clearly features J.C.Higgenbotham. A bright spot among the washboards. Another lovingly assembled John R.T. Davies remastering. There'll never be another like him.

We received this CD from my father-in-law for Christmas. He is 76 and has a great appreciation for the music of the 30's and 40's. I am familar with The Eddy Duchin Story from the film of the same name from the 50's, but do not recall the wonderful music that this man contributed to the American music scene in the 30's. Specifically the period of 1933 to 1937 when he was the darling of New York Society. For anyone with an appreciation of music of the era, this is an album you would enjoy and treasure as a collectors item. I can see why it is a special order. The songs are terrific, including "Its Delovely", "Moon over Miami", "I Cover the Waterfront", and "Too Marvelous for Words". Thanks to my father-in law for his appreciation of the music from that era and tracking down this musical gem for us.

This is about as close as you're gonna get. Quick background; 24 sides recorded on two 16" transcription discs by World Transcriptions under the phony name of BILL DODGE & HIS ORCHESTRA. They were solely recorded for use by radio stations.

Turns out that this studio group included Benny Goodman (clarinet), Bunny Berigan (trumpet), Arthur Schutt (piano and probable arranger), Dick McDonough (guitar), Gene Krupa (drums), Art Rollini (tenor sax) and Red McKenzie (vocals). These musicians are confirmed by years of research.

Many of the sides are similar to those recorded by Benny Goodman for Columbia.

Musically, these are amazingly well arranged. Sonically, the sound is MUCH better than most of the 78 transfers.

If you love Depression Jazz, this set is for you.