Swing Music

in those days of yelling, twisting and universal brouhaha promoted by pretty girls with lots of charm, silicone, electronical resources and little talent, Una Mae - very much underated or even unheard of - is a refreshing view on a not to distant past of jazz music. It's young, fresh, lyrical, clear. She keeps the best companies of her times, and sings beautifully. This cd and the others of the collection are a must.

The Savoy Ballroom was the not only the Home of Happy Feet but was also the scene of many "Battles of Bands". The Savoy Sultans, a smallish group led by reedman Al Cooper, was a frequent and formidable participant in these events and often "cut" bands of considerably wider reputation.

Although the band was a small one, consisting two trumpets, three reeds and three or four rhythm, it was a powerful group. Sublety was not its forte, swing was! There were no complicated arrangements, most being head arrangements allowing plenty of solo space. The band was admired by dancers and musicians alike.

This CD includes all the Decca recordings by the Sultans except for four tracks recorded later in 1941 which have been issued in a sampler. Unfortunately, there is a bit of distortion in this recording or in the transfer to CD, noticeable in some of the trumpet solos, but it's not enough to discourage anyone who wants to enjoy the output of this fine little band.

James P. Johnson was a great and influential pianist most of whose recordings were unavailable for many years. Classics is to be commended for systematically re-issuing all the recordings released under Johnson's name. This is the third out of eight in the series.

This CD shows Johnson in a variety of roles. The first two tracks feature him in a trio with Pee Wee Russell & Zutty Singleton, and as is often the case with Johnson, one feels that, freed of the tyranny of the 3 minute 78 disc, he would have stretched out more. Tracks 2 - 7 & 14 - 18, band pieces featuring Red Allen & J.C. Higginbotham, are relatively undistinguished.

Johnson's genius is demonstrated in his solo work. Tracks 8 - 13 show him at the top of his form. "When Dreams Come True" is a textbook illustration of Johnson's sophisticated, almost classical "theme and variation" approach to stride piano. He romps through a series of free yet disciplined performances, varying rhythm, dynamics & touch, all underpinned by a rock steady left hand. "Mule Walk" shows him in utter command, generating great swing and momentum without rushing the tempo. "Fascination" is a ragtime piece Johnson first recorded as a piano roll in 1917, here re-invented into a swinging three theme tour - de - force. His lyrical side is shown in "Lonesome Reverie" & "Blueberry Rhyme", both of which again show his tremendous touch to fine effect. The final track, "Snowy Morning Blues", is one of Johnson's best remembered pieces, and is given a beautiful rendition.

No lover of stride piano should think twice before buying this.

Nobody sings the word BABY like Rushing does! Basie and Rushing made many great recordings together and most of them are here. Blues, pop tunes, it didn't matter. Rushing could make any song sound great.And it didn't hurt having the best bluesy big band in the history of jazz backing him up. Wonderfull music.

Jimmy is a good sax man and a evean better singer. I am doing a report on him and i am glad i chose him. If you don't belive me listen to him!

Sorry young man, Jimmy didn't play sax. Back before basie, before Moten Jimmy played a bit of Piano in LA clubs before he ever sang. He must have rocked that box as the saying goes.

Jimme shines as a blues singer, but he never saw himself chiefly as a blues singer. That found him. In fact, when Billie Holiday left the Basie band--some say she was chased out by John Hammond but that's another story--Jimmie protested that they didnt need to add another singer. He was all they needed because he saw himself as a ballad singer.

This CD covers his recordings with the Basie Orchestra during the years Basie was signed with Columbia and its subsidiary Brunswick. There is of course the great blues at which he has no competition, not even from the great Joe Turner in regard to swinging a band. But I love the ballads and satirical songs. "It's the Same Old South" is worth the whole album, a more or less funny protest song standing up for Black rights and the CIO.

What I think Jimmy had that none of the other blues shouters had was a musical nature. He was more than just loud sound and rhythm. He approached the blues and the ballads as a musician. What a powerful voice he had. And how he could swing. With all his size, do you know that Jimmy was renown as a dancer. I've seen him move and swing in movies, and what glory, what soul, what music!

I have heard Jimmy Rushing swing a whole big band. I have heard him swing me. This will swing you.

Nobody sings the word BABY like Rushing does! Basie and Rushing made many great recordings together and most of them are here. Blues, pop tunes, it didn't matter. Rushing could make any song sound great.And it didn't hurt having the best bluesy big band in the history of jazz backing him up. Wonderfull music.

Jimmy is a good sax man and a evean better singer. I am doing a report on him and i am glad i chose him. If you don't belive me listen to him!

Sorry young man, Jimmy didn't play sax. Back before basie, before Moten Jimmy played a bit of Piano in LA clubs before he ever sang. He must have rocked that box as the saying goes.

Jimme shines as a blues singer, but he never saw himself chiefly as a blues singer. That found him. In fact, when Billie Holiday left the Basie band--some say she was chased out by John Hammond but that's another story--Jimmie protested that they didnt need to add another singer. He was all they needed because he saw himself as a ballad singer.

This CD covers his recordings with the Basie Orchestra during the years Basie was signed with Columbia and its subsidiary Brunswick. There is of course the great blues at which he has no competition, not even from the great Joe Turner in regard to swinging a band. But I love the ballads and satirical songs. "It's the Same Old South" is worth the whole album, a more or less funny protest song standing up for Black rights and the CIO.

What I think Jimmy had that none of the other blues shouters had was a musical nature. He was more than just loud sound and rhythm. He approached the blues and the ballads as a musician. What a powerful voice he had. And how he could swing. With all his size, do you know that Jimmy was renown as a dancer. I've seen him move and swing in movies, and what glory, what soul, what music!

I have heard Jimmy Rushing swing a whole big band. I have heard him swing me. This will swing you.