Swing Music

This is the kind of set that gets my little heart thumpin' and bumpin'. It's total trivia without one single moment of genius in 156 minutes. But the late, lamented John R. T. Davies put all of his passion into making it jump off of the laser and it gives a real picture of what a typical evening in Harlem in the late '20's would have been like, musically. It's got its own special groove, although the leader's "novelty" playing is a risible bargain-basement version of such actual virtuosos as Dorsey and Trumbauer. One has to remember that the general public (white or black) has always had a large percentage of "squares" who are impressed with that kind of thing. Easy to imagine it was all Ellington and Armstrong. Well it wasn't. My only cavil: I wish Williams would have given the (near) - great Hank Duncan more chances to stretch out a bit. But this ain't that kind of band. For amateur sociologists (and I am one!) and completists only!

William's saxophone was probably out of date years before these recordings were made but if you can overlook the whinneying and slap-tougueing you'll hear a good band and some fine soloists in George Temple (tp) David James (tb) and Hank Duncan on piano.

It's about time someone put together a collection of the best work of this too-often-overlooked big band. Hallet had some great arrangements, talented sidemen (like pianist Frankie Carle and drummer Gene Krupa, both who would later go on to lead their own big bands), and of course, the legendary vocalist Teddy Grace (this collection includes some previously unreleased TG gems!). A very enjoyable listen.

This is a great disc of relaxed ragtime and not too funky Dixieland jazz, featuring such great players as Miff Mole himself on trombone; Red Nichols on trumpet; Jimmy Dorsey on alto sax or clarinet; Eddie Lang on guitar; Pee Wee Russell on clarinet; and/or Adrian Rollini on baritone sax. The recorded sound is remarkably clear, and the Chronological Classics' transfers to CD are superb. Really fine tracks; can't go wrong with this disc.

These are some of the earliest Ellington sides, the primitive ones, before the band found it's sound, this is fun and at times hot 1920's jazz. Great stuf, highlights include a classic version of "Creole Love Call" with pleasant vocals by Adelaide Hall. Also classic versions of "Black & Tan Fantasy" & "Jubilee Stomp." Wondeful stuff.