July 3, 2018

Johnny Dodds – Wild Man Blues

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This version of Jelly Roll Morton’s classic “Wild Man Blues” by jazz clarinetist Johnny Dodds (1892-1940) and his Chicago Boys is my absolute favorite ever; its melody is a New Orleans blues if ever there was one, bub. He recorded this tune several times in the course of his career, all different takes with different approaches to the solos and the arrangements. This one is from a 1938 New York session and features the New Orleans legend towards the very end of his life still playing with so much energy and so much feeling for a song which was “a hit” for him and which he presumably played very often until his premature end. He died in 1940 leaving a tremendous legacy of music and recordings, and this is one of those songs which I will always love and never forget.

Thank you, Mr. Dodds, for this little heart & joy that you left the world.

Charlie Shavers (tpt) ; Johnny Dodds (clt) ; Lil Armstrong
(p) ; Teddy Bunn (g) ; John Kirby (bs) ; O’Neil Spencer (dr)

 

 

20180702_200505

 

July 23, 2016

Lionel Hampton – Mingus Fingers

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This is from Hampton’s “New Movements in Be-Bop” album (1947) which is a real treasure of the initial be-bop storm that was happening in New York in the 40s. Featuring a young, hungry Charles Mingus on bass playing his own composition, the futuristic “Mingus Fingers”, Hamp’s orchestra is as spirited, and tight, as ever.

 

Lionel Hampton - Mingus Fingers

 

June 10, 2016

Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup – Who’s Been Foolin You

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Such a great great jumpy blues, a hopper and a skipper for them alive ones; tappin’ away on repeat at home, too. Crudup outdoes Elvis by some 10 years. Made in Chicago.

Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, voice  & guitar

Melvin Draper, drums

December, 1944

 

Arthur %22Big Boy%22 Crudup - Who's Been Foolin You 78rpm

 

April 13, 2016

Greek Decca 4056 – “O riQProE”

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This is a Greek Decca, #4056. “O riQProE” is my English alphabet translation of the Greek title. I have no clue about any of the information on this label, unfortunately.

But the tune is a wonderful Greek folk-dance number, almost like a very sophisticated waltz; with harmonized vocals, compound rhythms and perfect string interplay.

 

Greek Decca 4056 - %22O riqproe%22 78rpm

 

January 26, 2011

Red Foley – Church Music

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Red Foley was born in 1910 to  a musical family from Blue Lick,Kentucky, and by 1930 he was touring around America as a singer with the John Lair Cumberland Ridge Runners. His 1951 version of “Peace in the Valley” was one of the first-ever-million-selling gospel hits. Throughout his recording life he sold more than twenty-five million 78s and is an important figure in the history of country music.

He was also a big inspiration for a couple of future rock n’ rollers named Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley, both playing many of Red’s songs; and both absorbing Red’s country boogie style which would be the foundation of all that 50s Sun Records rock-a-billy.

Lately, I havin’ been really digging his version of the little remembered Bob Russel tune “Church Music.” On the Decca label from 1950, the melody is catchy and Foley’s baritone/tenor voice sounds so good around this simple, genuine ditty.

Red Foley – Church Music <<PLAY

 

December 4, 2009

Shelton Bros. – If You Don’t Like my Peaches (Leave my Tree Alone)

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Bob, Joe and Merle were the Shelton Brothers. As country musicians, they were popular enough in the 1930’s through the 1960’s to “cut” over 150 sides, and a good number of those were steady poppin’ and boppin’ just like this one. Look these dudes up.

From the Decca label, 1939.

Shelton Bros. – If You Don’t Like my Peaches (Leave my Tree Alone)<<PLAY