Update On Links

March 18, 2013 - I'm now using various file sites with varying success. With over 200 albums listed here, obviously I cannot upload everything at once. So if you're dying to hear something, please post a comment on that particular post and I will move it up in the priority queue. Enjoy!

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Any posts taken down as a result of the sniveling coward will be re-upped. Check the link below for where to find them in the event that this site is unable to repost them. Don't forget to bookmark http://whereismrvolstead.blogspot.com/ in the event that the internet terrorists shut this page down.

15 December 2011

Stomp Off, Let's Go



If there's anyone more influential in jazz, I've not heard them. Louis Armstrong was simply the greatest. Which means that any release calling itself the "Ultimate Collection" is fated to overlook a sizable quantity of "must listen" work, and unsurprisingly three cds hardly comes close to filling the bill. Still, this set does encompass his career a little better than many that are released on lesser labels which go out of print or straight to the bargain bin. There is also an informative booklet with session information and photos. If you find this on sale, you won't be disappointed. Unlike the Dorsey-Sinatra set, I'm going to post all three discs at once. All titles are by either Louis Armstrong or Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra, except as where noted. Happy Holidays. Enjoy. + + +

Tracks

1. Copenhagen
2. Shanghai Shuffle
3. Stomp Off, Let's Go
4. Drop That Sack
5. Melancholy
6. I'm Goin' Huntin'
7. I'm In The Mood For Love
8. On Treasure Island
9. Thanks A Million
10. Ev'ntide
11. Dippermouth Blues
12. Swing That Music
13. Pennies From Heaven - Bing Crosby
14. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
15. Once In A While
16. In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree
17. Jubilee
18. When The Saints Go Marching In
19. Shadrack
20. Ain't Misbehavin'
21. Jeepers Creepers

Disc 2:

1. Rockin' Chair
2. West End Blues
3. Savoy Blues
4. Hear Me Talkin' To Ya
5. I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)
6. You're A Lucky Guy
7. Wolverine Blues
8. Sweethearts On Parade
9. Perdido Street Blues
10. 2:19 Blues
11. Coal Cart Blues
12. Groovin'
13. Royal Garden Blues - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
14. Mahogany Hall Stomp - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
15. Blueberry Hill
16. You Can't Lose A Broken Heart - Billie Holiday
17. My Bucket's Got A Hole In It - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
18. Panama    Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
19. New Orleans Function - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
20. You Rascal You (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead)
21. My Monday Date, Parts 1 & 2 - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars

Disc 3:

1. A Kiss To Build A Dream On
2. It's All In The Game
3. Someday (You'll Be Sorry) - Louis Armstrong With The Commanders
4. Basin Street Blues - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
5. When It's Sleepy Time Down South - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
6. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
7. Weary Blues
8. Wild Man Blues
9. Dippermouth Blues - Sugar Foot Stomp
10. Dear Old Southland    Louis Armstrong
11. Stompin' At The Savoy - Ella Fitzgerald
12. I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
13. Sweet Lorraine
14. Hello, Dolly! - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
15. What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong's Orchestra And Chorus
16. Cabaret - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
17. Dream A Little Dream Of Me - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars

05 December 2011

Page Mr. Volstead


In honor of Repeal Day, here is a re-post of a previous offering. On this day in 1933, the state of Utah (of all places!) ratified the 21st Amendment, thus forming the three-fourths majority necessary to amend the US Constitution. More about Repeal Day here.

Page Mr. Volstead is the name of this blog, taken from Bob Miller's 1930 recording on Champion 16024-B. Other than Chick Bullock, I often scan auctions for interesting titles. This one leaped out, and I was lucky enough to win it at a low price. I've yet to find another copy since, though I keep looking for one. You can read more about Miller and pick up a cd here). Though I favor jazz from the 1920s and 1930s, it was more often country music that gave voice to the common man. Miller had a string of hits doing just that. Mr. Volstead, of course, was the [ahem] brave Senator who introduced the bill - while over 4 million servicemen were conveniently at war in Europe - that became the18the Amendment (don't get me started on his modern-day counterparts). As we all know, Prohibition was a colossal failure on many levels, and though.alcohol may have been illegal, to say that everybody was doing it was not far off the mark (see Miller's lyrics after the track listings). The rest of this selection all revolve around the theme of drinking, or going out to drink, more or less based on the song title and even the band name, if nothing else. Most of the artists should be familiar to everyone, with the bulk of songs coming from my own 78s. I am still struggling to find the "optimal" point of audio restoration, in between doing too little and doing too much, neither of which is pleasurable listening. Please give feedback about the sound quality, it will greatly help future efforts. Big thanks to Radiola for help with audio tips and the use of a couple of transcriptions, and to Big Harlan Taylor and his posse for help with the graphics. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Billy Murray - The Alcoholic Blues (Columbia A2702) 1919
2. Clarence Williams - Speakeasy
3. All Star Collegians - Do You Think A Little Drink'll Do Us Any Harm (v.Tom Brown) Perfect 15509-B (1931)
4. Duke Ellington - Cocktails For Two (take 1)
5. Cab Calloway and His Orchestra - Hot Toddy (1932)
6. Miff Mole's Molers - A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight (1927)
7. Bob Haring and His Orchestra - Madeira (Cameo 691) 1925
8. Bar Harbor Society Orchestra - Vamp Me (Vocalion B 14448) 1922
9. Halfway House Orchestra - Barataria (Okeh 40318 B)
10. High Hatters - Medley of Drinking Songs Part 1(Victor 24299) 1933
11. All Star Trio and Their Orchestra - I'm Laughing All The Time (Victor 18835-B) 1921
12. Bob Haring and His Orchestra - Doing The Town (Cameo 683) 1924
13. Ted Lewis and His Band - Tiger Rag (Columbia 36301) 1926
14. Earl Shirkey and Roy Harper - When The Roses Bloom for the Bootlegger Col 15326-D (1928)
15. Frank Crumit - I Married the Bootlegger's Daughter (1925) 19739-A
16. King Oliver - Speakeasy Blues
17. Stuff Smith - Old Joe's Hittin' The Jug
18. Joe Venuti & Eddie Lang - In the Bottle Blues
19. Louis Armstrong and Savoy Ballroom Five - Tight Like This
20. Luis Russell and His Orchestra - It's Tight Like That
21. Bob Miller - Five Cent Glass Of Beer (Champion 16024-A) 1930
22. Troubadours - After Every Party (Victor 19011-A) 1923
23. Wingy Manone and His Orchestra - Weary Blues (Decca 7415-B) 1930
24. Gene Austin - St. James Infirmary (Victor 22299-A) 1930
25. Chick Bullock - Alcoholic Ward Blues B09374A 1930 Oriole 1903
26. Pine Top Smith - I'm Sober Now (Brunswick 80009) 1929
27. Bob Miller - Page Mr Volstead (Champion 16024-B) 1930


Page Mr. Volstead
by Bob Miller

This country was a desert long ago
And early settlers died of thirst they say
Some think it's drying up again, you know
I wonder how they get that way

Page Mr. Volstead, Page Mr. Volstead
Here comes Father with another load of gin
Brother Willie broke the rules
And he staggered home from school
Sister Susie totes a flask, ain't that sin?

Now they all take it
Know how to make it
As a cocktail mixer, Grandma is a wow!
Baby smiles and says "goo-goo"
For a bottle of home brew
And Grandpa is hijacking, Page Mr. Volstead now!

Mr. Volstead, Oh, Mr. Volstead
Uncle Henry is a Congressman, you know
He drinks his stuff on the sly
When he's sober he goes dry
Cousin Joe's a snooper, he makes lots of dough!

And brother Andy
Is making brandy
One drink makes you see more than three stars, I vow!
Lots of folks were deaf and dumb
'Til they started drinkin' rum
And now they all "speakeasy"
Page Mr. Volstead now!

Oh, Mr. Volstead - now, Mr. Volstead
You say Prohibition is dear to your heart
You think that law is okay
You say it will work, some way
But I wish you'd tell me when it's gonna start

The butcher, baker and undertaker
Everybody's selling it today, and how!
All sing 'Coming through the Rye'
That bootlegger's lullaby
Oh, keep the home-still burning
Page Mr. Volstead now!

27 November 2011

When The Day Is Done


It's never the wrong time of year to share some Django Reinhardt. Originally I had intended to begin with the 1935 set but grabbed the wrong one. Guess I'll have to get to that one later. Le Quintette du Hot Club de France was formed in 1934 by Reinhardt and Stéphane Grapelli, with a revolving lineup that originally included Django's brother Joseph (rhythm guitar), Louis Vola (bass), and Roger Chaput (rhythm guitar). The group recorded and toured regularly  1939 when the outbreak of WWII interrupted life. The Quintette was touring in England, where Grapelli chose to remain, while Reinhardt returned to France where he figured he'd be better off (not speaking any English). After the war they regrouped until into 1948. The sound quality of some of these transfers leaves a bit to be desired at times, but the music is incomparable. My favorites here are Ain't Misbehavin', Pennies From Heaven, and The Sheik of Araby. But really there's not a bad recording in the lot. Included are scans. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Django Reinhardt. Exactly Like You
02. Django Reinhardt. Charleston
03. Django Reinhardt. You're Driving Me Crazy
04. Django Reinhardt. Tears
05. Django Reinhardt. Solitude
06. Django Reinhardt. Hot Lips
07. Django Reinhardt. Ain't Misbehavin'
08. Django Reinhardt. Rose Room
09. Django Reinhardt. Body And Soul (04-22-37)
10. Django Reinhardt. When The Day Is Done (04-22-37)
11. Django Reinhardt. Runnin' Wild
12. Django Reinhardt. Chicago
13. Django Reinhardt. Leibestraum No 3 (04-26-37)
14. Django Reinhardt. Miss Annabelle Lee
15. Django Reinhardt. A Little Love, A Little Kiss (04-26-37)
16. Django Reinhardt. Mystery Pacific (04-26-37)
17. Django Reinhardt. In A Sentimental Mood
18. Django Reinhardt. The Sheik Of Araby
19. Django Reinhardt. Improvisation (04-27-37)
20. Django Reinhardt. Parfum (04-27-37)
21. Django Reinhardt. Pennies From Heaven
22. Django Reinhardt. Tiger Rag (07-07-37)

19 November 2011

That's How It Goes


At last, here is the final cd of the complete Tommy Dorsey and Frank Sinatra box set. This one contains live performances "on the air" from 1940-1942. Connie Haines shows up for a couple lines each on You're Part Of My Heart, You Got The Best of Me, That's How It Goes, When Sleepy Stars Begin To Fall, and One Red Rose. Each time she comes in for the second chorus backed by the Pied Pipers, and does not duet with Sinatra at all. Sinatra is in excellent form, and there is some scripted banter here and there as well as his 'farewell' from the band. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Theme- I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
02. Who
03. I Hear A Rhapsody
04. I'll Never Smile Again
05. Half-Way Down The Street
06. Some Of Your Sweetness (Got Into My Heart)
07. Once In A While
08. A Little In Love
09. It Came To Me
10. Only Forever
11. Marie
12. Yearning
13. How Am I To Know
14. You're Part Of My Heart
15. Announcements
16. You're Stepping On My Toes
17. You Got The Best Of Me
18. That's How It Goes
19. When Daylight Dawns
20. When Sleepy Stars Begin To Fall
21. Goodbye Lover, Goodbye
22. One Red Rose
23. The Things I Love
24. In The Blue Of Evening
25. Just As Though You Were Here
26. Frank Sinatra's Farewell To The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
27. The Song Is You

31 October 2011

In The Blue Of The Evening


Things have been so hectic that I didn't realize that I hadn't posted anything for October. Nothing spooky or Halloween-style however, but here is volume four of the complete Dorsey-Sinatra studio recordings. This disc contains several studio outtakes alternates, and remastered versions. In addition, there are the Stordahl / Sinatra sessions (tracks 21-24). Coming up next, the 5th and final cd which contains more rarities and airchecks. Enjoy.+


Tracks

01. Poor You
02. I'll Take Tallulah (From 'Ship Ahoy') [1994 Remastered]
03. The Last Call for Love [1994 Remastered]
04. Somewhere a Voice is Calling [1994 Remastered]
05. Just as Though You Were Here [1994 Remastered]
06. Street of Dreams [1994 Remastered]
07. Take Me
08. Be Careful, It's My Heart (From 'Holiday Inn') [1994 Remastered]
09. In The Blue of Evening [1994 Remastered]
10. Dig Down Deep
11. There Are Such Things
12. Daybreak (Based on the 'Mardi Gras' theme from Mississippi Suite) [1994 Remastered]
13. It Started All Over Again
14. Light a Candle in the Chapel [1994 Remastered]
15. Too Romantic (From "The Road To Singapore") [Take 2 (Rare Alternate Take) - Remastered - 1994}
16. Shake Down The Stars [Take 2 - Remastered - 1994]
17. Hear My Song Violetta (From "Johnny Apollo") [Take 2 (Rare Alternate Take) - Remastered 1994]
18. You're Lonely and I'm Lonely (From "Louisiana Purchase") [Take 3 - Remastered - 1994]
19. Our Love Affair (From "Strike Up The Band") [Take 2 (Rare Alternate Take) - Remastered - 1994]
20. Violets For Your Furs [Take 2 - Remastered - 1994]
21. The Night We Called It a Day [1994 Remastered]
22. The Lamplighter's Serenade
23. The Song Is You (From 'Music in the Air') [1994 Remastered]
24. Night And Day

16 September 2011

Snootie Little Cutie


And now the third disc from the complete Tommy Dorsey & Frank Sinatra recordings, with more fantastic music. Connie Haines duets on Let's Get Away From It All as well as the post title. I also like Blue Skies, Dolores and Everything Happens To Me. Coming up soon, the fourth and fifth discs. Enjoy. +
 Tracks

01. Dolores
02. Without a Song
03. Do I Worry [1994 Remastered]
04. Everything Happens To Me
05. Let's Get Away From It All
06. I'll Never Let a Day Pass By (From 'Kiss The Boys Goodbye') [1994 Remastered]
07. Love Me As I Am (From 'Caught in the Draft') [1994 Remastered]
08. This Love Of Mine
09. I Guess I'll Have to Dream the Rest [1994 Remastered]
10. You and I
11. Neiani [1994 Remastered]
12. Free For All
13. Blue Skies
14. Two in Love
15. Pale Moon (An Indian Love Song) [1994 Remastered]
16. I Think of You [1994 Remastered]
17. How Do You Do Without Me
18. A Sinner Kissed An Angel
19. Violets for Your Furs [1994 Remastered]
20. The Sunshine of Your Smile [1994 Remastered]
21. How About You (From 'Babes on Broadway) [1994 Remastered]
22. Snootie Little Cutie

03 September 2011

The World Is In My Arms


Things are settling down again after some traveling, so hopefully I will be able to update this site more frequently. Here is the second disc of complete Tommy Dorsey - Frank Sinatra recordings. What more is there to say about Dorsey & Sinatra? Connie Haines shows up on Oh! Look At Me Know and You Might Have Belonged To Another. Good news, I did locate my Connie Haines cassette which she recorded in 1984. But more about that in a future post. For now, sit back and relax with the skinny kid from Hoboken, New Jersey. Enjoy. +



Tracks


01. Whispering
02. Trade Winds
03. The One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else)
04. The Call Of The Canyon
05. Love Lies
06. I Could Make You Care
07. The World Is In My Arms
08. Our Love Affair
09. Looking For Yesterday
10. Tell Me At Midnight
11. We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me)
12. When You Awake
13. Anything
14. Shadows On The Sand
15. You're Breaking My Heart All Over Again
16. I'd Know You Anywhere
17. Do You Know Why
18. Not So Long Ago
19. Stardust
20. Oh! Look At Me
21. You Might Have Belonged To Another
22. You Lucky People, You
23. It's Always You
24. I Tried

10 July 2011

Hear My Song Violetta



I didn't plan to post this one quite so soon, however it turns out that I have the box set with me on my travels. Therefore, to follow up the Connie Haines collection here is the first volume of the complete Tommy Dorsey / Frank Sinatra recordings. This is a fantastic collection, first because it contains their complete studio recordings together, second because it lets the listener hear how Sinatra grew as a vocalist, third because it has Connie Haines, and fourth because it shows just how really good the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra really was. Disc Five is a collection of airchecks. Some of my favorites from this disc are tracks 9, 10 and 11. I thought Jack Leonard was a fine vocalist with Dorsey, but Sinatra hits East Of The Sun like no one else, and combined with Tommy's trombone it is tops . I also recommend picking up the set for the booklet information. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. The Sky Fell Down
02. Too Romantic (From 'The Road To Singapore') [1994 Remastered]
03. Shake Down The Stars [1994 Remastered]
04. Moments In The Moonlight
05. I'll Be Seeing You (From 'The Royal Palm Revue') [1994 Remastered]
06. Say It (From 'Buck Benny Rides Again') [1994 Remastered]
07. Polka Dots and Moonbeams [1994 Remastered]
08. The Fable of the Rose [1994 Remastered]
09. This is the Beginning of the End (From 'Johnny Apollo') [1994 Remastered]
10. Hear My Song Violetta
11. Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread) [1994 Remastered]
12. Devil May Care
13. April Played the Fiddle (From 'If I Had My Way') [1994 Remastered]
14. I Haven't the Time to Be a Millionaire (From 'If I Had My Way') [1994 Remasterd]
15. Imagination
16. Yours Is My Heart Alone
17. You're Lonely And I'm Lonely (From 'Louisiana Purchase') [1994 Remastered]
18. East of the Sun (and West of the Moon) [1994 Remastered]
19. Tommy Dorsey & Frank Sinatra. Head on My Pillow [1994 Remastered]
20. It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow (From 'Louisiana Purchase') [1994 Remastered]
21. I'll Never Smile Again
22. All This and Heaven Too [1994 Remastered]
23. Where Do You Keep Your Heart

08 July 2011

You Made Me Love You


The posts have been fewer lately, however I've been busy with travel and summer. Things should pick up again next month. This compliation is getting a bit far from the Prohibition era music that I like best, but I like Connie Haines' music and she does some songs from the period. My first exposure to her singing was listening to old 1940s Abbott & Costello radio programs where she provided the weekly vocals. About 20 years ago or so I found an address and wrote to her for an autograph. Was I stunned! She sent several items including her autobiography, a cassette (which I still need to transfer), photos, press clippings, etc. Connie Haines got her big break with the Harry James orchestra, where Sinatra also started. Later she made the jump to the Tommy Dorsey orchestra, where Sinatra also went. The two did not get along at all, and apparently some of the band members didn't take to Frank's attitude toward Connie either. Nevertheless, the two sounded great together while with Dorsey. Haines had some solo success including a tribute album of Helen Morgan tunes, and later formed a gospel quartet with Jane Russell, Beryl Davis, and Della Russell. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Why Do I Love You
2. Bill
3. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
4. Man I Love
5. Lover Man
6. Stormy Weather
7. My Man
8. You Made Me Love You
9. Will You Still Be Mine?
10. Que Sera Sera
11. Teasin'
12. But What Are These?
13. How Come You Do Me Like You Do?
14. I Must Have That Man
15. What Has Happened To Joe
16. You're Sensational
17. Weary Blues
18. Ol' Man Mose
19. When My Dreamboat Comes Home
20. Mississippi Mud
21. Darktown Strutters Ball

01 June 2011

The Mystery Song


Today I offer up another set of classic Ellington tunes, including several which usually find their way into those "best of" compilations. Personally however, I never get tired of hearing Ivie Anderson's performance on It Don't Mean A Thing along with Cootie Williams' trumpet. It has to be one of the most recognizable songs that conjures up vivid images of Prohibition and the Roaring Twenties. Included in the personnel are Johnny Hodges and Barney Bigard. Vocalists are Frank Marvin, Sonny Greer, Ivie Anderson, Cootie Williams, and Bing Crosby. Track 1 was issued as Earl Jackson and His Musical Champions, tracks 2-11 as Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, and the last 8 tracks as Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Is That Religion?
02. Creole Rhapsody (Pt. 1)
03. Creole Rhapsody (Pt. 2)
04. Limehouse Blues
05. Echoes Of The Jungle
06. It's Glory
07. The Mystery Song
08. Moon Over Dixie
09. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
10. Lazy Rhapsody
11. Mood Indigo - Hot And Bothered - Creole Love Call
12. Blue Tune
13. Baby, When You Ain't There (f. Cootie Williams)
14. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo - Lots O' Fingers - Black And Tan Fantasy
15. Dinah (Sonny Greer & Cootie Williams)
16. Bugle Call Rag
17. St. Louis Blues
18. Creole Love Call
19. Rose Room

10 May 2011

Rent Party Blues


The economy stinks, people are losing their homes - but the bankers are doing just swell. Eighty years later and it smells like a Depression to me. It's a wonder that we don't have rent parties again. I seem to have neglected much of my Duke Ellington collection for some reason, I know not why. I hope this entry rectifies this oversight somewhat. This is another fine set by the good folks at Classics, and since there's little that I could say about Duke Ellington that others haven't said, here's something from Allmusic.com about this particular set. "Despite the rise of the Depression, Duke Ellington's orchestra was able to continue a hectic recording schedule, cutting the 23 selections on this CD (which are all master takes) within a four-and-a-half-month schedule. Some of the numbers are remakes or pop songs of the era (though those are usually excellent) and there are vocals by Irving Mills, Frank Marvin, and Dick Robertson that are not up to the level of Ellington's instrumentalists, but there are also such gems along the way as "When You're Smiling" (featuring Freddy Jenkins' trumpet), "Maori," "Sweet Jazz of Mine," "Jungle Nights in Harlem," and particularly "Shout 'Em Aunt Tillie." Scans are included. Now shout 'em, Aunt Tillie, let's throw a rent party. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)
02. Rent Party Blues
03. Jungle Blues
04. Sing, You Sinners
05. St. James Infirmary
06. When You're Smiling
07. Maori (A Samoan Dance)
08. Admiration
09. The Mooche
10. Ragamuffin Romeo
11. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
12. Double Check Stomp
13. My Gal Is Good For Nothing But Love
14. I Was Made To Love You
15. Double Check Stomp
16. Accordion Joe
17. Cotton Club Stomp
18. Sweet Dreams Of Love
19. Jungle Nights In Harlem
20. Sweet Jazz O' Mine
21. Shout 'Em, Aunt Tillie
22. Sweet Mama
23. Hot And Bothered

04 May 2011

Sidewalks Of Cuba


A short set this time, with more bio than music. Henry Busee was born in Germany in 1894, ran away from home, worked his way westward, and eventually landed in California. In 1916 he formed Busse's Buzzards, a hot jazz band1, toured the country, and gained a reputation as a cornetist. Joe Venuti was one of his band mates. You can listen to their recording of Milenberg Joys here at the Red Hot Jazz Archive, it is also included in the download. Either way, I recommend checking out the Archive as they have a lot of information and a lot of great music to hear. In 1919 he had his first big break when he joined Paul Whiteman's outfit. Busse became a star with Whiteman (earning more than Bing Crosby), and co-wrote hits such as Wang Wang Blues and Hot Lips. Busse stayed with Whiteman until 1928 when he left to form his own band. Busse hit his peak in 1930-45, playing dance music before the war and swing during it. His music was often berated by Downbeat magazine, which called his a "sweet" or "Mickey Mouse" band. Despite this, the band enjoyed relative success over the years. His personal life wound up in gossip columns when he partied one night with a woman at the Hotsy Totsy Club and woke up married. (That bathtub hooch will do it every time!) He sought an annulment and during the 18 months to unwind the legal tangle, he toured Europe and staved off arrest for nonpayment of alimony. In 1935 he married Lorayne Brox, of the famous Brox sisters. At one point he played with Ray Bolger at the Chez Paree, a night club owned by notorious gangster Al Capone; Busse ran the house band there and worked for Capone. Henry Busse and his Orchestra continued to record and perform up until his death in 1955. Busse died at an undertaker's convention at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee while he was playing with the Shuffle Rhythm Band. (Well, if you have to go, there's no better place!) The recordings here are from an aircheck he did from the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 1948. Enjoy.+

Tracks

1. On The Sunnyside Of The Street
2. A Fellow Needs A Girl (v. Phil Gray)
3. Tennesee (v. Betty Taylor)
4. At A Sidewalk Penny Arcade (v. Phil Gray
5. Jealousy
6. Medley
  a. Love Is Fun
  b. I'm In Love (v. Betty Taylor)
  c. Bride And Groom Polka
7. Laroo Laroo Lilli Bolero (v. Phil Gray)
8. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans
9. Sidwalks Of Cuba / Closing

14 April 2011

Strange As It Seems


Back to the Chronological series, this time for the earliest recordings of one of, if not the, greatest jazz pianists ever. "This comprehensive CD contains Art Tatum's very first recording (a broadcast version of "Tiger Rag"), four selections in which he accompanies singer Adelaide Hall (along with a second pianist) and then his first 20 solo sides. To call his virtuosic piano style remarkable would be a major understatement; he has to be heard to be believed. His studio version of "Tiger Rag" may very well be his most incredible recording; he sounds like three pianists at once." (Scott Yanow, allmusic.com) Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Tiger Rag
2. Strange As It Seems
3. I'll Never Be The Same
4. You Gave Me Everything But Love
5. This Time It's Love
6. The For Two
7. St. Louis Blues
8. Tiger Rag
9. Sophisticated Lady
10. Moonglow
11. I Would Do Anything For You
12. When A Woman Loves A Man
13. Emaline
14. Love Me
15. Cocktails For Two
16. After You've Gone
17. Ill Wind
18. The Shout
19. Liza
20. I Would Do Anything For You
21. When A Woman Loves A Man
22. After You've Gone
23. Star Dust
24. I Ain't Got Nobody
25. Beautiful Love

19 March 2011

Scatter-Brain


This seems like a good follow-up to the last radio-based post. I can only imagine how cool it must have been to be able to hear weekly live broadcasts of one's favorite band. Let the radio warm up, find the station, and it's almost like being there. Nobody does that these days, alas. Fortunately for us, many radio band remotes survive to this day and we can hear the real thing still. Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, the Dorseys, and many more ... so much great music. Although their 78 rpm recordings are essentially live recordings (no dubs, remixes, edits, etc.), it's different playing in front of a crowd of fans with expectations and reactions. These recordings give us the chance to see just how good the musicianship was, and Benny Goodman ran one of the tightest groups. Goodman went to Hollywood in 1936 to take advantage of a huge West Coast fan base that developed through East Coast broadcasts (9:30 pm) of Let's Dance. He joined CBS' Camel Caravan in 1936, with recordings existing from 1937 until late 1939 (this collection), as well as a couple more featuring Bob Crosby and his Orchestra into 1940. The show switched networks to NBC in March, 1939. Enjoy. +


Tracks

Benny Goodman and His Orchestra: Ted Pearson (announcer), Benny Goodman (cl),  Jimmy Maxwell, Johnny Martel, Ziggy Elman (trumpet), Red Ballard, Vernon Brown, Ted Vesely (tbn), Toots Mondello, Buff Estes (as), Buss Bassey, Jerry Jerome (ts), Fletcher Henderson (pn), Arnold Covey (g), Art Bernstein (bs), Nicky Fatool (d), Mildred Bailey (v).


Benny Goodman Sextet: Benny Goodman (cl), Lionel Hampton (vib), Fletcher Henderson (pn), Charlie Christian (g), Art Bernstein (bs), Nicky Fatook (d).

The Camel Caravan. November 4, 1939, NBC.

1. Introduction
2. Down By The Old Mill Stream
3. What's New
4. I Didn't Know What Time It Was (vocal, Mildred Bailey)
5. Bolero
6. Shivers (sextet)
7. Love Never Went To College
8. Scatter-Brain (vocal, Mildred Bailey)
9. Roll 'Em
10. Closing


The Camel Caravan. November 18, 1939, NBC.

11. Introduction
12. Scatter-Brain
13. Lilacs In The Rain (vocal, Mildred Bailey)
14. In The Mood
15. South Of The Border (sextet)
16. Swingin' A Dream (vocal, Mildred Bailey)
17. Boy Meets Horn (featuring, Ziggy Elman)
18. Oh Johnny Oh! (vocal, Mildred Bailey)
19. Sing, Sing, Sing (featuring, Lionel Hampton, drums)
20. Closing

14 March 2011

On The Air


I've been a bit busier with other things of late, so here's a short one today, just fifteen tunes from Alice Faye radio performances.Although there are no liner notes, most (if not all) of these were culled from recordings of The Fleischman's Yeast Hour. Faye landed her first radio gig with Rudy Vallee's show, and sang there from 1932-1934 - several times without any billing at the beginning of the show. But that was Rudy for you, I guess. Faye also cut several 78s, which I hope to get to in the not too distant future. As I'm away from my cd collection at the moment, the images come from an ebay site. Enjoy. +


Tracks

1. Hats Off / Mimi / The Scat Song (December 29, 1932)
2. Sittin' Up, Waitin' For You (November 9, 1933)
3. You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me (May 11, 1933)
4. Gather Lip Rouge While You May (November 16, 1933)
5. Weep No More My Baby (January 4, 1934)
6. You Can't Play My Ukulele
7. You've Got Everything (October 26, 1933)
8. Dinah (sung with the Mills Brothers, November 30, 1933)
9. Young And Healthy/Oooh, I'm Thinking (May 4, 1933)
10. Old Man Harlem (May 4, 1933)
11. My, Oh, My (June 1, 1933)
12. Happy As The Day Is Long (June 15, 1933)
13. I've Got The World On A String (February 9, 1933)
14. You're An Old Smoothie (sung with Rudy Vallee)
15. Shuffle Off To Buffalo (April 6, 1933)

06 March 2011

Where Is Mr. Volstead?

Hi All,

Please make a note of this blog address: http://whereismrvolstead.blogspot.com.

This blog here is a pre-emptive measure now that a craven coward has decided to attack my blog. It doesn't matter that the music is public domain, all it takes for RS or MU to remove the links is one anonymous complaint.

Now, the sniveling coward has threatened to have Blogger shut me down (despite claiming to "like" my blog). LOL.

Therefore, this new blog will exist to let people know where the blog is. Rest assured, the Page Mr. Volstead blog will continue to share this great (public domain) music from the Prohibition era (and the 30s-40s).

So please bookmark this blog address, or add it to the blogs you follow. If forced to move, I'm all set.

Cheers, and enjoy the music.

Chester Proudfoot

Salt Water Cowboy




Here is one that I promised a while back. This is another collection of popular tunes from the World War II era, this time including 'Salt Water Cowboy' which had caught my ear when I first heard it sung by Connie Haines on the Abbott & Costello radio program. It is typical for the period, and like much of the content may not be "politically correct." Included are Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Doris Day, Kate Smith, Harry James, Cab Calloway, and many more. Enjoy. +



Tracks

1. We Did It Before (And We Can Do It Again) - Clyde Lucas And His Orchestra
2. Miss Vivian Blane Introduces "The Air Battle" - Vivian Blane
3. Hip Hip Hooray - Nat King Cole Trio
4. There Won't Be a Shortage of Love - Dolly Dawn and Her Dawn Patrol
5. We Must Be Vigilant (American Patrol) - Chico Marx And His Orchestra
6. Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition! - Kate Smith
7. In My Arms - Eddie Cantor
8. Uncle Sam Blues - Eddie Condon and His Jazz Concert All-Stars, Hot Lips Page
9. Ev'rybody Ev'ry Payday - Barry Wood
10. You Can't Get That No More - Louis Jordan
11. Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer - Bea Wain
12. Rosie the Riveter - Allen Miller and His Orchestra
13. Johnny Zero - Marion Hutton and The Modernaires#
14. A Fellow on a Furlough - Glenn Miller and His Army Air Force Band
15. Johnson's G.I. Blues - Private Frankie Johnson
16. Why Do They Call a Private a Private? - Ethel Merman
17. Lili Marlene - March Of The Orchestra And Chorus
18. The Fuehrer's Got the Jitters - Cab Calloway & His Orchestra
19. Salt Water Cowboy - Doris Day with Les Brown and His Orchestra
20. Banzai Bugle Bit - Bob Hope with Harry James
21. Buy, Buy, Buy Bonds - Bing Crosby with Harry James and His Musicmakers
22. The Quicker I Gets to Where I'm Goin' (The Sooner He'll Be Seein' Me) - Pearl Bailey
23. Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag (And Smile, Smile, Smile) - Bob Crosby and His V-Disc Bob Cats
24. I Was Here When You Left Me - Louis Prima and His Orchestra
25. They're Either Too Young or Too Old - Joan Edwards
26. Buy a Piece of the Peace - Frank Sinatra
27. I Don't Want to Change the Subject (Victory Bond Song) - Georgia Gibbs

17 February 2011

(Give Me That) Business in F


This is another one that I had intended to post long ago, but on the other hand there is something to be said for not posting all the best stuff first. I really like the TOM series (am hoping to pick more up soon) because they have been issuing good quality releases of artists that are largely ignored by the larger producers. Check out Charlie Palloy, for a great example. I doubt anyone could do a complete Ben Selvin series, but what TOM included is still very entertaining. Many of these songs were covered by others, including Chick Bullock (gotta get my Bullock plug in!). If you read the post for Vol. 1, the liner notes suggest that these were throw-away tunes. However, the band performs them with gusto and I'm glad the recordings survive to this day. As did others in the era, Kardos recorded these under pseudonyms in an effort to record outside of his contract. From Amazon.com, "Gene Kardos led a popular dance band in New York in the early 1930s, but most of the records he recorded were released under a variety of names on different labels, which made it difficult for him to get proper credit for his accomplishments. The songs on this CD, for example, were released on the Crown label under the name of Joel Shaw and His Orchestra. Crown was a budget label that was started during the Depression--its slogan was "Two Hits for Two Bits"--and most artists who recorded for them used pseudonyms, particularly if they had recording contracts for other labels, as Kardos did. The Joel Shaw Orchestra, which was named for the band's piano player, had a propulsive rhythm. On tracks such as their cover of the Cab Calloway classic "Minnie the Moocher's Wedding Day" and on standards ("Dinah"), they were capable of playing some fine jazz. And selections like "Barnacle Bill (the Sailor)" and "Call of the Freaks" reveal a goofy sense of humor that only adds to the band's raucous, but good-natured sound. No matter whose name is on the label, the music of Gene Kardos and his band deserves to be heard." Enjoy. +


Tracks

1. Stop The Sun, Stop The Moon
2. Business In F
3. Barnacle Bill
4. Sweet Violets
5. Some Of These Days
6. Alexander's Ragtime Band
7. Sing A New Song
8. If It Ain't Love
9. Business In Q
10. My Extraordinary Gal
11. Oh! Monah
12. Goofus
13. Dinah
14. Mouthful O' Jam
15. Whistle And Blow Your Blues Away
16. Darktown Strutters' Ball
17. Call Of The Freaks
18. How'm I Doin'?
19. The Scat Song
20. Minnie The Moocher's Wedding Day
21. When You're Getting Along With Your Gal
22. Who's Your Little Who-Zis?
23. One More Kiss, Then Goodnight

12 February 2011

Shine On Harvest Moon


Finally, I'm getting around to posting this! Ethel Waters' version of Shine On Harvest Moon is my absolute favorite (Laurel & Hardy's is a close second), and there's not a track here that I don't like. Compare her playful version (some say 'campy') of A Hundred Years From Today.to that of Jack Teagarden. On Dinah she brings it down from the jumpy Mills Brothers cut to something you could slow dance to, a sort of lazy, hot afternoon stay-in-the-shade type of song. Meanwhile, Miss Otis Regrets is now a mournful ballad in comparison to Cab Calloway's version, for example. Stormy Weather is simply one of the best. Musicians present include Manny Klein, Joe Venuti, Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, the Dorseys, Bunny Berigan, Dick McDonough, Benny Goodman, Jack & Charlie Teagarden, Art Karle, Taft Jordan & John Kirby. A virtual who's who of the day. Full scans included. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. River, Stay 'Way from My Door
2. Shine on Harvest Moon
3. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
4. Porgy
5. St. Louis Blues
6. Stormy Weather
7. Love Is the Thing
8. Don't Blame Me
9. Shadows on the Swanee
10. Heat Wave
11. Harlem on My Mind
12. I Just Couldn't Take It, Baby
13. A Hundred Years from Today
14. Come up and See Me Sometime
15. You've Seen Harlem at Its Best
16. Miss Otis Regrets
17. Dinah
18. When It's Sleepy Time Down South
19. Moonglow
20. Give Me a Heart to Sing To
21. I Ain't Gonna Sin No More
22. Trade Mark
23. You're Going to Leave the Old Home, Jim

11 February 2011

Son Of The Sun


Tearin' up the internet with three posts in one month! Jack Teagarden is simply one of the music giants, period. Both his trombone and vocals put an unmistakable stamp on the jazz era, influencing many other artists. But Big T deserves more than what I can write, so I'll get to the cd. This set takes Teagarden from a romping march, through the quintessential (IMO) version of Hoagy Carmichael's Rockin' Chair, and T's classic version of A Hundred Years From Today. I love the Classics series, but they often didn't use the cleanest transcriptions and there is some scratchiness on several tracks. For me, that's part of the ambiance though. Full scans with session info are included. Personnel include Nappy Lamare, Gene Austin, Joe Venuti, Benny Goodman, Bud Freeman, Charlie Spivak, Charlie Teagarden, and others. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Son of the Sun
2. You're Simply Delish
3. Just a Little Dance, Mam'selle
4. Rockin' Chair
5. Loveless Love
6. You Rascal You
7. That's What I Like About You
8. Chances Are
9. I Got the Ritz from the One I Love
10. China Boy
11. Lies
12. I'm Sorry Dear
13. Tiger Rag
14. I've Got It
15. Plantation Moods
16. Shake Your Hips
17. Someone Stole Gabriel's Horn
18. Love Me
19. Blue River
20. Hundred Years from Today, A
21. I Just Couldn't Take It, Baby
22. Fare-Thee-Well to Harlem
23. Ol' Pappy

27 January 2011

Oh Lydia, Oh Lydia, That Encyclopidia ...


The third and final disc of this set. This time we have tracks from At The Circus, Go West, and The Big Store. Okay, admit it - how many people never heard of the latter two films? The Big Store story (imdb.com) is "A detective is hired to protect the life of a singer, who has recently inherited a department store, from the store's crooked manager." Starring as "Tommy" is Tony Martin, who conveniently contributes a couple of vocal offerings just in case someone went to the theater to see something other than the Marx Brothers. Though I can't imagine what would drive such a person to do so. At The Circus, of course, features Captain Spaulding extolling the virtues of one Miss Lydia. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. At The Circus: Generique - Orchestre
2. At The Circus: Step Up And Take A Bow - Florencer Rice
3. At The Circus: Two Blind Loves/Train Musique/Beer Barrel Polka - Florence Rice/Kenny Backer/Orchestre/Chico Marx
4. At The Circus: Lydia The Tattoed Lady - Groucho Marx
5. At The Circus: Swingali/Blue Moon - Groucho Marx/Harpo Marx/Kenny Backer
6. At The Circus: Two Blind Loves - Kenny Backer
7. At The Circus: Circus/Step Up And Take A Bow/Circus & Generique Fin - Orchestre
8. Go West: Generique - Orchestre
9. Go West: You Can't Argue With Love - June McCloy/Groucho Marx
10. Go West: Theme Piano (Non Identifie) - Chico Marx
11. Go West: Riding The Range - John Carroll/The Marx Brothers
12. Go West: My Bony/Theme Harpe (Non Identifie) - The Marx Brothers/Harpo Marx
13. Go West: Generique Fin - Orchestre
14. The Big Store: Generique - Orchestre
15. The Big Store: If It's You - Tony Martin
16. The Big Store: Sing While You Sell - Groucho Marx
17. The Big Store: Theme Piano (Non Identifie) - Chico Marx/Harpo Marx
18. The Big Store: Harpo's Bazar - Harpo Marx
19. The Big Store: Tenement Symphony - Tony Martin/Chico Marx/Harpo Marx
20. The Big Store: Generique Fin - Orchestre

26 January 2011

Hail, Hail, Fredonia!


As promised, here is Disc Two of the Marx Brothers soundtracks. Here we have Duck Soup, A Night At The Opera, A Day At The Races, and a mere two tracks from Room Service. "Guest" vocalists include Kitty Carlisle and Alan Jones, the latter getting his big break in 1935's A Night At The Opera.

Enjoy. +

Disc Two

1. Duck Soup: Generique - Orchestre
2. Duck Soup: His Excellency Is Due - Margaret Dumont/Zeppo Marx
3. Duck Soup: Hymn To Fredonia - Margaret Dumont/Groucho Marx
4. Duck Soup: Fredonia Is Going To War - The Marx Brothers
5. Duck Soup: Generique Fin - Margaret Dumont/Orchestre
6. A Night At The Opera: Generique - Orchestre
7. A Night At The Opera: Alone - Kitty Carlisle/Alan Jones
8. A Night At The Opera: Chansons Italiennes - Choeurs/Orchestre
9. A Night At The Opera: Cosi Cosa/Theme Piano (Non Identifie) - Alan Jones/Chico Marx
10. A Night At The Opera: Alone - Harpo Marx
11. A Night At The Opera: Le Trouvere - Kitty Carlisle/Alan Jones
12. A Night At The Opera: Generique Fin - Orchestre
13. A Day At The Races: Generique - Orchestre
14. A Day At The Races: Blue Venetian Water - Alan Jones
15. A Day At The Races: Prelude En Do Mineur Op.23/Theme Piano (Non Identifie) - Chico Marx
16. A Day At The Races: Blue Venetian Water - Harpo Marx
17. A Day At The Races: Tomorrow Is Another Day/A Message From The Man In The Moon/All God's Chillun... - Alan Jones/Crinoline Choeurs
18. A Day At The Races: Generique Fin - The Marx Brothers/Alan Jones
19. Room Service: R.K.O. Signature/Generique - Orchestre
20. Room Service: Trad (Non Identifie) Generique Fin - The Marx Brothers/Orchestre

22 January 2011

Whatever It Is, I'm Against It


Although this isn't jazz, it is of the period. This set of soundtracks from the Marx Brothers films comes from Chanson Cinéma, the same people who put out the Paris-Hollywood cd that I posted a couple of years ago. They also have a three-cd set of soundtrack Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies, which will also be posted here some day. Today's offering includes songs and chatter from Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers, Monkey Business, and Horse Feathers. Although it sounds as if someone merely digitized these from analog sources, I don't know if anyone else has ever bothered to put everything together on cd. Plus, I think that Chanson Cinéma does a good job with packaging, and we consumers know that packaging is everything. Right? Discs two and three will be posted in the days to come. And remember - I don't know what they have to say, It makes no difference anyway, Whatever it is, I'm against it..No matter what it is or who commenced it, I'm against it. Enjoy. +

Disc One

1. Cocoanuts: Generique/Flo-Florida By The Sea - Orchestre/Choeurs
2. Cocoanuts: When My Dreams Come True - Mary Eaton/Oscar Shaw
3. Cocoanuts: When My Dreams Come True - Harpo Marx
4. Cocoanuts: When My Dreams Come True - Harpo Marx
5. Cocoanuts: Monkey Doodle Doo - Mary Eaton/Orchestre
6. Cocoanuts: I Want My Shirt - Basile Ruysdael
7. Cocoanuts: Theme Piano (Titre Non Identifie) - Chico Marx
8. Cocoanuts: When My Dreams Come True/Generique Fin - Mary Eaton/Orchestre
9. Animal Crackers: Generique/Butler's Song - Orchestre/Robert Greig
10. Animal Crackers: Hooray For Captain Spaulding - Margaret Dumont/Zeppo Marx/Groucho Marx
11. Animal Crackers: Titre (Non Identifie) - Chico Marx
12. Animal Crackers: Why Am I So Romantic - Lillian Roth/Louis Sorin/Harpo Marx
13. Animal Crackers: Generique Fin - Orchestre
14. Monkey Business: Generique - Orchestre
15. Monkey Business: Sweet Adeline - Groucho Marx/Zeppo Marx /Chico Marx/Harpo Marx
16. Monkey Business: Titre Non Identifie - Orchestre
17. Monkey Business: Theme Piano (Non Identifie) - Chico Marx
18. Monkey Business: O Sole Mio - Maxime Castle/Harpo Marx
19. Monkey Business: Theme Harpe - Harpo Marx
20. Monkey Business: Generique Fin - Orchestre
21. Horse Feathers: Generique - Orchestre
22. Horse Feathers: I'm Against It - Groucho Marx
23. Horse Feathers: Everyone Says I Love You - Zeppo Marx
24. Horse Feathers: Everyone Says I Love You - Chico Marx
25. Horse Feathers: Everyone Says I Love You - Harpo Marx
26. Horse Feathers: Everyone Says I Love You - Groucho Marx
27. Horse Feathers: Generique Fin - Orchestre

12 January 2011

A Little Door, A Little Lock, A Little Key

(updated links)
One week ago today jazz discographer and historian Brian Rust passed away at the age of 89. I think it's safe to say that most of us wouldn't know what little we do without his monumental works over the past several decades (all done before the advent of personal computers, mind you). I sure wouldn't. Thank you, Mr. Rust. Rest in peace.

The title of today's post is one of my favorite Wingy recordings, though most of his sides are a lot of fun to listen to. From Allmusic.com, "1935 and '36 were red-hot years for Fats Waller, and many musicians deliberately chose to record songs which had quickly become closely associated with him. Wingy Manone was capable of covering such tunes without sounding like an imitator. Unlike Waller's slow, almost erotic version, Wingy's "Sweet and Slow" trots along as briskly as "Lulu's Back in Town." Other songs popularized by Waller and revisited here are "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" and the cheerful "I've Got My Fingers Crossed." Wingy's bands during this time period featured reedmen Bud Freeman, Eddie Miller, Matty Matlock and Joe Marsala, and two of the sessions were bolstered by the presence of trombonists Jack Teagarden and George Brunies. Teagarden plays exceptionally fine trombone on the records made in October of 1935. His vocal contributions, however, consist only of spoken interjections. Johnny Mercer is heard making his own remarks during both takes of "I've Got a Note." Teagarden engages in a bit of conversation with Wingy on take one. Take two is markedly faster and hotter. Wingy was capable of singing and playing practically any song that came along. He performs "The Music Goes 'Round and Around" as if it had been written just for him, and takes on Louis Armstrong's "Old Man Mose" without flinching. "The Broken Record" comes as a pleasant surprise, giving the singer and band a chance to imitate a skipping record as the phrases "you're gorgeous," "I kiss you" and "I love you" each get stuck and are repeated six times apiece. (Note that this immortalizes the hasty rate at which 78 rpm records skip. It's much different from a 33-and-1/3 rpm skip.) Finally, as the trombone gets stuck in the same repetitious manner, Wingy says "Man, take that broken record offa there, and throw it out the window!" Enjoy.
+

Tracks

1. Sweet and Slow
2. Lulu's Back in Town
3. Let's Swing It
4. A Little Door, A Little Lock, A Little Key
5. Love and Kisses
6. Rhythm Is Our Business
7. From the Top of Your Head
8. Takes Two to Make a Bargain
9. A Smile Will Go a Long, Long Way
10. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself a Letter)
11. Every Now and Then
12. I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin'
13. You Are My Lucky Star
14. I've Got a Note
15. I've Got a Note
16. I'm Shooting High
17. The Music Goes 'Round and Around
18. You Let Me Down
19. I've Got My Fingers Crossed
20. (If I Had) Rhythm in My Nursery Rhymes
21. Old Man Mose
22. The Broken Record
23. Please Believe Me

03 January 2011

How To Eat In A Cafeteria


Happy New Year, everyone! This record combines three of my favorites - Artie Shaw's music, the comedy of Robert Benchley, and old time radio. Two shows are presented here, the Old Gold "Melody & Madness" episodes from January 22nd and April 2, 1939. There are also some extra live band remotes from 1938-1939. Benchley was a member of the infamous Algonquin Round Table, wrote several books, and of course worked in film and radio. The Melody & Madness show resulted of his popularity, however he was not involved in the writing of it, and predictably the show was cancelled in 1939. Although I like Shaw's music, there is nothing out of the ordinary here except to hear that Shaw's band sounds just as good live. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Introduction / Comedy By Benchley
2. Rose Room
3. Benchley
4. My Reverie
5. Downbeat Award
6. Softly as in a Morning Sunrise
7. Comedy (Bounding Broomstick)
8. Oh! Lady Be Good
9. Introduction / Comedy By Benchley
10. One Foot in the Groove
11. Comedy (How to Eat in a Cafeteria)
12. Nightmare
13. I'm in Love With the Honorable Mr. So and So
14. Comedy (Bounding Broomstick)
15. I'm Coming Virginia
16. Introduction / Out Of Nowhere
17. Two Blind Loves
18. Serenade to a Savage
19. I Surrender Dear
20. Hold Your Hats