Customer Reviews

Bix Restored Volume 2: 1927-1928

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

 

 

The restoration of this material, mostly from Bix's early time with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, is phenomenal. With John R.T. Davies' outstanding restoration, I find myself forgetting this stuff was recorded 80 years ago. I have never heard Bix's "Whiteman" material in such good sound quality. Because the restoration is so good, you not only get to hear Bix's incredible improvisation on the Cornet, but you also hear the incredible Steve Brown's driving string bass on many of the selections. Bix was at his technical and musical peak when these recording were made, so this volume is definitely not to be missed. Plus, many of these recordings were successful popular hits. You'll also get to hear popular artists like Bing Crosby and the vocal group The Rhythm Boys. About 2/3 of the set is the Paul Whiteman material, but 1/3 of the set consists of various small group recordings, most of them under the direction of C Melody Saxophone innovator Frank Trumbauer (Prez, Lester Young often cited Trumbauer as a major musical influence on him). For anyone interested in early jazz and 20's pop music this set is a treasure trove.

...even if you have all the 'essential' Bix elsewhere. i just got all these sets in spite of all the duplication (including the Mosaic Bix/Tram/Tea set), and man, am i glad i did. the Whiteman material is awesome, sounds better than i've ever heard it before, and Bix is all over it, clear as a bell. the gennetts and Goldkette sides too - all sound way better than i've ever heard them. pure joy.

This is the 3rd volume I've purchased, having previously acquired the 1st and the 4th. (Actually I did get the 5th, but that's three bix rarities, followed by a bunch of 'tribute' numbers by some great bands who unfortunately ain't bix). There are so many riches in these volumes that I'll have to go back over them after I get the final one I don't have, Volume 3.

This one, Volume 2, is mostly Paul Whiteman numbers. As much as Whiteman is maligned for not being the King of 'Jazz', he did manage to corral some of the best (albeit white)musicians of his day. And the music they made ranged from orchestral to some downright real, honest hot jazz of the 1920s. There are the famous ones here, 'Changes', 'Mississippi Mud', 'There Ain't No Sweet Man', and one of my personal favorites, 'From Monday On'.

There's more than just Bix to discover. Whiteman's band was brimming with talent. Catch world class metal trumpet mute extraordinaire Henry 'Hot Lips' Busse on 'What Are You Waiting For, Mary', and 'Parade of the Wooden Soldiers'. Of course Bing Crosby handles a lot of the vocals on this set. And Steve Brown provides excellent string bass throughout.

As for the star of the show, Leon 'Bix' Beiderbecke, I was floored by 'Lonely Melody'. I'm now used to the genius of Bix, how he often holds the entire group together, even though they were musicians who could read music and he could not. I'm used to his few bars on some songs elevating a tune out of mediocrity. But on 'Lonely Melody' his solo is not his usual Dixieland blast. It's not particularly bluesy, but it's very sophisticated and seems to be pointing to the future of what he could have done.

I'm excited to get Volume 3, but I'll be very sad when the last cut fades out. The Bix Restored series has been thoroughly enjoyable.

This is some rare stuff, and nicely packaged. Bix was a genius. Hearing several different takes of each song sort of brings you back, as if you were at rehearsal with the original artists.