Customer Reviews

1926-29

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unbelievable. I only knew Luis Russell's band when he played with Louis Armstrong. Here is a rare opportunity to discover a band that was among the greatest of his era. First, just have a look on the musicians: Albert Nicholas,Barney Bigard,Kid Ory,Johnny StCyr,Richard M.Jones,George Mitchell,Darnell Howard,Louis Metcalf,J.C.Higginbotham,Elmer Snowden,Red Allen,Charlie Holmes,Pops Foster,Bill Coleman,Teddy Hill,Paul Barbarin. What a hall of fame! There are very great vocals by Victoria Spivey. I received a shock when I first listened to this music. Red Allen is absolutely superlative on the October 1,1929 session. There is a special New Orleans flavor in this music you'll enjoy if you treasure the 20's.Even,sometimes, you could believe you're listening to an old Duke's record. A great discovery, and 23 tunes including "dirty TB blues","29th and Dearborn","the call of the freaks" and many more.

Again the same bunch of soloists: Red Allen,Nicholas, Higginbotham,Teddy Hill,Pops Foster,Barbarin,Holmes,and some new ones: Greely Walton, Dickie Wells,Vic Dickenson,Rex Stewart,Jimmy Archey. Again, great music: "song of the swanee","Saratoga shout","Saratoga drag","Panama"(listen to Paul Barbarin's drumming, and to Pops Foster's extraordinary bass playing). More of the great soloists were gone in 1934, when the last six tracks were recorded, but the 18 other tracks are in the same vein than the precedent album, that covers the years 1926-1929.If you like the first one, you'll have to buy this record.