Customer Reviews

1927-29

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In the early days of Jazz and the early days of recording (both industries growing together) there was a lot of rivalry between cities and bands to establish pre-eminence. Kansas City had a sound, and Bennie Moten was its premier exponent. He is, in my opinion, the finest musician Kansas CIty ever produced. Listen and decide for yourself. There is nothing but rollicking good-humor, brilliant playing, and swashbuckling composition on this collection.

Many pre-1930 collections show their age. This does not. Though a little hollow, the sound quality for recordings this old is amazing. You hear musicians who enjoyed their work (or if they didn't they faked it amazingly!), played with conviction, and at times, astonishing verve. This recording was made as ragtime was fading and the sweet low-down music (as it is called on the CD) is coming in, and we hear the best of both worlds.

Bennie died young, and what a loss. Not alcohol, not a jealous husband, not wild-living, but a tonsillectomy! This shows what could have been! He gathered a super group, gave them great material, arranged it wonderfully, and made the Kansas City sound. Soon after, a talented young pianist named William Basie joined the band and after Bennie's death, took this group to great heights. But the sound is here--young, raw, and energized. Great stuff! And thank you Classics Records for a comprehensive collection that sounds so good!

You may all be familar with Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Joe King Oliver and such, Bennie Moten is the Kansas City Sound. His recordings are the type of songs you will humm while bouncing down the street. Many great artists got there sound while playing in Motens band, people like Count Basie. The recordings are clean, the rythm section (drums, banjo, and tuba) is sharp and clear. The horn arrangements are very imaginative. You will play these sides over and over again.