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

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