Friday, September 26, 2008

"Surveillance" September 26, 2008

(Week 140)

This RADIOLA! is in observance of the new law requiring Hamilton College to monitor student internet activity, lest students feel tempted to download music or commit some other heinous online act. Paranoia, here we come!

Also, I celebrate the new CD by the West End Jazz Band, "Sunny Side Up."

Tune in tonight at 8 PM Eastern on WHCL (with carefully monitored streaming HERE). I'll upload the show to my Live365 Station if the Feds don't get to me first.

Jimmie Noone’s Apex Club Orch – I’m Following You (1930) – JSP CD 926C
West End Jazz Band – Too Bad (2008) – “Sunny Side Up” Rivermont BSW 2208
Ipana Troubadors (W. Robison, v) – Wake Up! Chill’un, Wake Up! (1929) – Columbia 1779-D
Annette Hanshaw – Who’s That Knocking at My Door (1927) – Jasmine JASMCD 2542
Gene Kardos and his Orch. – What Are You Thinking About, Baby? (1931) – The Old Masters mb121
Dunn’s Original Jazz Hounds – What’s the Use of Being Alone? (1928) – Classics 658
Frank Crumit (w/The Virginians) – Mindin’ My Business (1923) – Victor 19295-B
Gertrude Lawrence – Someone to Watch Over Me (1926) – RCA Victor 09026-63294-2
Little Jack Little – There Ought To Be a Law Against That (1928) – PAST CD 7075
Rudy Vallee and his CT Yankees – You’re Driving Me Crazy (1930) – Vocalion CDEA 6132
Warner’s Seven Aces – Don’t Take That Black Bottom Away (1926) – Timeless CBC 1-038
Eddie Lang’s Orch (Mildred Bailey, v) – I Like To Do Things For You (1930) – The Old Masters mb103
Al Jolson – Let Me Sing and I’m Happy (1930) – ASV Living Era CD AJA 5195
Red Nichols and his Five Pennies – Keep a Song in Your Soul (1931) – Decca GRD-609
West End Jazz Band – St. Louis Shuffle (2008) – “Sunny Side Up” Rivermont BSW 2208
The Carpal Tunnel Kid – You Can’t Legally Sing This Song (2007) – Home Recording
Al Gallodoro with the Beau Hunks – Chicago (1999) – “Out of Nowhere” Basta 30-9092-2
Whispering Jack Smith – Me and My Shadow (1927) – ASV Living Era CD AJA 5372
Josephine Baker – I Want To Go Where You Go . . . (1926) – Columbia CK57740
Paul Whiteman’s Rhythm Boys – Wa-Da-Da (1928) – Naxos 8.120696
Dick Himber and his Essex House Orch (Joey Nash, v) – It Isn’t Fair (1933) – Renovation 7002
Benny Carter and his Orch – If Only I Could Read Your Mind (1936) – Jazz Oracle BDW 8047
Irving Aaronson and his Commanders – Let’s Misbehave (1928) – PAST CD 7845
Helen Kane – Button Up Your Overcoat (1929) – Pro Arte Digital CDD 483
Leslie “Hutch” Hutchison – I’ve Got You Under My Skin (1937) – Prism PLAT CD 566
Putney Dandridge and his Orch – Chasing Shadows (1935) – Putney Dandridge Vol. 1 (ToNY)
Lee Wiley – I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues (1933) – Columbia C2K 52943
Ted Lewis and his Band – Jazznocracy (1934) – Ted Lewis 1934 Deccas (ToNY)
West End Jazz Band – Tozo! (2008) – “Sunny Side Up” Rivermont BSW-2208
Dick Powell – You Can’t Stop Me From Dreaming (1937) – Great Movie Themes CD 60020
Jimmie Lunceford and his Orch – The Best Things In Life Are Free (1935) – Proper P1598
Annette Hanshaw – The Song is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On) (1927) – Jasmine JASMCD2542

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

WEJB's "Sunny Side Up" is HOT!


Monday I received the newest CD from the West End Jazz Band, "Sunny Side Up," and they just keep getting better. Thanks to the brilliance of Mike Bezin's superb arrangements, and the disciplined hot, hard swinging of the band, this CD is tops. Mike has arranged eight Fletcher Henderson classics for the six-piece WEJB, and brings them to vivid life. Those gem-like charts would be worth the price of admission alone, but there is so much more to enjoy here--excellent dance medleys, novelties, star turns for every member of the band, "La Rosita," nods to King Oliver and The Coon-Sanders Nighthawks, and an original interpretation of "I'm Going to Float My Boat Right Back to Terre Haute."

This is the WEJB's first CD for Bryan Wright's excellent Rivermont label, and is beautifully packaged and produced, with delightful graphics by Dennis Scott (who is also the organist on their great "Movie Palace Style" CD).

The musicianship here should be noted as well. Mike's own cornet, with its echoes of Bix and Joe Smith, provides just the right sound for the Henderson pieces and the hot dance selections. Reedman John Otto has just the right alto tone for 1920s music. Add to that the metronomic Leah Bezin on banjo, and the equally stellar Frank Gualtieri on trombone, Mike Albiniak on drums, and Mike Wallbridge on tuba, and you have one of the finest bands working today.

My wife Sue, who is not easily impressed, loved this CD and said that the WEJB sounds so authentic and true to the period that "all they need are the scratches." I concur. All their CDs are worth having, but you've got to buy "Sunny Side Up."

Friday, September 19, 2008

"Ethics" September 19, 2008

(Week 139)

This RADIOLA! tries to find its moral compass, which possibly is in my other slacks.

Tune in tonight to WHCL at 8 PM Eastern (with streaming HERE). The show will be uploaded to Live365 this weekend--cross my heart.

Annette Hanshaw – Is There Anything Wrong In That? (1928) – Annette Hanshaw Vol. 5 (Sensation)
Emmett Miller and his Georgia Crackers – Right or Wrong? (1929) – Columbia CK66999
Ipana Troubadors (W. Robison, v) – Wake Up! Chill’un, Wake Up! (1929) – Columbia 1779-D
Colonial Club Orch. (Haring) (IK, v) – Chloe (1928) – Bob Haring (Crystal Stream)
Ray Ventura and his Collegians (Edoard S. Foy, v) – I Want to Be Bad (1929) – Columbia CK 52855
Cab Calloway and his Orch – Is That Religion? (1930) – Big Broadcast, Vol. 1 (Rivermont BSW-1141)
Gene Austin – Guilty (1931) – A Time to Relax (Take Two TT414CD)
Lee Wiley – A Hundred Years From Today (1934) – Sophisticated Ladies (Columbia C2K 52943)
Mae West – I’m No Angel (1933) – Come Up And See Me Sometime (Living Era CD AJA 5604)
Ambrose and his Orch (Sam Browne v) – Nevertheless (1931) – HMV Sessions (ToNY)
Ray Noble and his Orch (Al Bowlly, v) – How Could We Be Wrong? (1933) – Vocalion CDEA 6043
Stuff Smith and his Onyx Club Boys – It Ain’t Right (1936) – Smithsonian JAZ 1013
Mildred Bailey – Lies (1931) – Sweet Beginnings: Mildred Bailey Vol. 1 (The Old Masters mb103)
Putney Dandridge and his Orch – It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie (1935) – Putney Dandridge Vol. 1 (ToNY)
The Lion – It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie (1938) – Calypso Carnival (Rounder CD 1077)
David Giardina – I Want What I Want When I Want It (2008) – Alive in Tin Pan Alley!
Tom Lehrer – Lobachevsky (1953) – Songs and More Songs (Rhino R2 72776)
Sam Browne – Was That The Human Thing to Do? (1932) – Living Era CD AJA 5482
Champion Dance Kings (Elmer Grosso) – I May Be Wrong (1929) – Gennett & Other Rarities (ToNY)
West End Jazz Band – I May Be Wrong (2003) – Louder and Funnier (Legacy 2K 103)
Blind Willie Johnson – Nobody’s Fault But Mine (1927) – Columbia CK 47060
Ida May Mack – Wrong Doin’ Daddy (1928) – RCA Bluebird 07863 66065-2
Wilmoth Houdini – Johnnie Take My Wife (1928) – Calypso Breakaway (Rounder CD 1054)
Jimmie Noone’s Apex Club Orch (Elmo Tanner, v) – Should I? (1930) – JSP 926B
Harmony Kings’ Orch – Anything For Love (1938) – Calypso Carnival (Rounder CD 1077)
Paul Hamilton and his Orch – She Reminds Me Of You (1934) – ASV Living Era CD AJA 5060
Ethel Merman – Satan’s L’il Lamb (1932) – You’re The Top (Pro Arte Digital CDD 473)
Clarence Williams and his Orch – Chizzlin’ Sam (1934) – Quadomania 222495-444/C
Paul Whiteman and his Orch (Ramona, v) – Anything Goes (1934) – The Old Masters mb 116
Dawn Davis – My Private Affair (1933) – Listen to the Banned (ASV Living Era CD AJA 5030)
Fats Waller and his Rhythm – T’aint Nobody’s Business If I Do (1940) – Newsound 2000 nst065
Mezz Mezzrow and his Orch – Apologies (1934) – The Lion Roars! (ASV Living Era CD AJA 5272)

Friday, September 12, 2008

"My Troubles Are Over" September 12, 2008

(Week 138)

This RADIOLA! celebrates ditching Windows Vista permanently. It's another all-in-one CD player program (thanks to more defective technology)--but my main mood is one of joy and relief.

Tune in to WHCL tonight at 8 PM Eastern (with streaming HERE)--the show will be up on Live365 this weekend.

NBC Radio Chorus – Ding Dong The Witch is Dead (1939) – “Behind the Scenes at the Wizard of Oz”
The Goofus Five and their Orch – My Troubles Are Over (1928) – Goofus Five Complete Vol. 3 (ToNY)
Jimmy McHugh’s Bostonians – Whoopee Stomp (1928) – Jazz Oracle BDW 8015
Smith Ballew and his Orch – Wake Up, Chill’un, Wake Up (1929) – Jazz Oracle BDW 8035
Abe Lyman – Breezin’ Along With the Breeze (1926) – Abe Lyman Complete Recordings (ToNY)
Esther Walker – Good News (1927) – Brunswick 3666
Arden and Ohman Orch – Hallelujah (1933) – Arden-Ohman World Transcription Sessions (ToNY)
The Virginians – Apple Sauce (1923) – Complete Virginians (ToNY)
Waring’s Pennsylvanians – My Window of Dreams (1928) – Victor 78 RPM
George Formby – The Window Cleaner (1937) – “Let George Do It” Naxos CD
Red Nichols and his Five Pennies – Get Happy (1929) – Red Nichols Brunswick Vol 4 (ToNY)
Ted Wallace and his Campus Boys – Get Happy (1930) – California Ramblers (ToNY)
Johnny Johnson’s Statler PA’ns – Oh Gee! Oh Joy! (1927) – Johnny Johnson Vol. 1 (ToNY)
Libby Holman – Who’s That Knockin’ at My Door? (1927) – Eddie Lang “Langology” Vol.1 (Healey-ToNY)
Washboard Rhythm Kings – Call of the Freaks (1931) – Washboard Rhythm Kings Vol.5
Julia Gerity – Sittin’ on a Rubbish Can (1931) – Songs of the Depression
Louisiana Sugar Babes – Persian Rug (1928) – Victor 78 RPM
George Olsen and his Music (Fran Frey,v) – Pink Elephants (1933) – George Olsen Vol 8 (ToNY)
Kate Smith – I May Be Wrong But I Think You’re Wonderful (1929) – Miss Kate Smith 1926-1931
Art Gillham – Angry (1925) – Columbia 411-D (ToNY)
Abe Lyman and his Orch – Milenberg Joys (1932) – Complete Abe Lyman Vol. 8 (ToNY)
White Star Syncopators – Happy Days Are Here Again (1929) – Big John’s Specials–Grey Gull (ToNY)
Benny Goodman Orch – Hooray for Love (1935) – The RCA Years Disc 1
Mills Blue Rhythm Band – Let’s Have a Jubilee (1934) – Benny Carter Vol. 3
Libby Holman – Carefree (1927) – Eddie Lang “Langology” Vol.1 (Healey-ToNY)
Alfredo’s Dance Band – Glorianna (1928) – Alex compilation, ToNY
Bert Ambrose and his Orch – S’Wonderful (1928) – Bert Ambrose HMV Sessions 1928 (ToNY)
Johnny Dodds – Pencil Papa (1929) – Blue Clarinet Stomp
Ted Lewis and his Band – Buy American! (1933) – Complete Electric Columbias (ToNY)
Fats Waller – Cash for Your Trash (1941) – Fats Waller The Last Years (1940-1943)
Fletcher Henderson and his Orch. – Stealin’ Apples (1936) – A Portrait in Frustration
Raymond Scott’s Music – The Girl at the Typewriter (1939) – Microphone Music (Disc Two)
Willie Bryant and his Orch. – It’s Over Because We’re Through (1936) – Willie Bryant (1935-1936)

Friday, September 05, 2008

"All In One" September 5, 2008

(Week 137)

This RADIOLA! is a veritable Swiss Army Knife of music--all fitting neatly into CD Player Number One at WHCL.

Tune in tonight at 8 PM Eastern (with streaming HERE). The show will be uploaded to my Live365 station this weekend.

Guy Lombardo and his R.C.’ns – A Little Kiss Each Morning (1929) – Columbia 2017-D
Waring’s Pennsylvanians – Collegiate (1925) – Victor 19648-A
Ipana Troubadors – Wake Up, Chill’un, Wake Up (1929) – Columbia 1779-D
Kentucky Serenaders (Sam Lanin) – Aunt Hagar’s Blues (1921) – Regal 9134
Lane’s Dance Orchestra (Bob Haring) – Sometimes I’m Happy (1927) – Lincoln 2639
Red Nichols and his Five Pennies – That’s No Bargain (1927) – Brunswick 3407
Charles Kaley – Hello, Bluebird! (1926) – Columbia 807-D
Ruth Etting – I’ll Get By (1929) – Columbia 1733-D
Paul Whiteman and his Orch (v/Bing Crosby) – Tain’t So (1928) – Columbia 1444-D
Noah Beery (acc by Vitaphone Orch) – The Whip (1930) – Brunswick 4828
Zez Confrey and his Orch – Kitten on the Keys (1927) – Victor 20777-A
Ted Lewis and his Band – Angry (1925) – Columbia 416-D
Jack Chapman and his Orch – Dreaming of a Castle in the Air (1925) – Victor 19969-B
Broadway Nitelites (Franklyn Baur, v) – Thinking of You (1927) – Columbia 1164-D
Boston Society Orch (Tommy Gott) – Glorianna (1928) – Oriole 1396a
West End Jazz Band – Wedding Bells (2007) – “Singin’ in the Bathtub” Legacy 2K 107
Gary Lawrence and his Sizzling Syncopators – Stayin’ Alive (1980) – Columbia M35824 (LP)
Miss Emmett – I Don’t Want to Play in Your Yard (ca. 1896) – Cylinder, from 1970s LP reissue
Collins and Harlan – I’m Dreaming of You (1905) – Victor 4546
Columbia Band – Liberty Bell March (1901) – Columbia A116
Louisiana Sugar Babes – Thou Swell (1928) – Victor 21346-B
Bennie Moten’s K.C. Orch – Just Rite (1928) – Frog DGF-29
Paul Whiteman and his Orch – Ah-Ha! (1925) – Victor 19666-A
Cooper Lawley – Laugh, Clown, Laugh (1928) – Victor 21390-B
Berkes Bela – Akakos Ut Hallgato (1928) – Columbia 10138-F
Jack Kaufman – Prune Song (1928) – Challenge 540
Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm – Never Gonna Dance (1936) – Bluebird B-6506-B
Larry Clinton and his Orch (Bea Wain, v) – You Go To My Head (1938) – Victor 25849-A
Chicago Rhythm Kings – Stompin’ at the Savoy (1936) – Bluebird B-6412-A
Vernon Dalhart – Shine On, Harvest Moon (1928) – Cameo 8115
Roy Smeck – Bugle Call Rag (1937) – Yazoo LP
American Symphony Orch – Songe d’automne (1918) – UCSB Cylinder Collection