Bud Freeman 1939 1940

Bud Freeman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 9, 1998)
• Original Release Date: July 19, 1939
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Classics
• ASIN: B0000280UI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #552,265 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Bud's Best, July 19, 2011

By 

John C. Graham (toronto, ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bud Freeman 1939 1940 (Audio CD)

This is the Bud Freeman collection that I would consider essential. It's got the Bluebird and Decca Summa Cum Laude sides as well as the Columbia Famous Chicagoans with Jack Teagarden. The 24 sides were recorded between July 1939 and July 1940. The French Chronological Classics Records label has done a good job with the sound engineering.

Bud Freeman had left Benny Goodman's band in 1938 and formed his Summa Cum Laude Orchestra in '39. It was really an Eddie Condon group under Freeman's leadership. Condon and many of his musical associates, including Max Kaminsky-t, Brad Gowans-vtb, Pee Wee Russel-clarinet, and Dave Bowman-p played on all the recordings in this collection. Gowans is replaced by Teagarden on the 8 Famous Chicagoan sides. Clyde Newcomb-b and Danny Alvin-d play on the first 4 Bluebirds. Alvin is replaced by Al Sidell-d on the first 4 Deccas. Pete Peterson-b and Morey Feld-d play on the final 8 Deccas. Mort Stuhlmaker-b and the amazing Dave Tough-d play on the 8 Columbia Chicagoans.

The music is excellent. It may be a little rough in places but who cares. The musicians were in their prime and sound inspired whether playing ensemble or soloing. Max Kaminsky, for my money, drives the band beautifully through the familiar numbers and offers sterling hot solos that never fail to impress. Pee Wee is Pee Wee. You'll recognize him right away weaving around the melody, funky as all get out. The juice was probably freely flowing before, during, and after the recordings took place. Bud sounds great. Gowans provides some nice work and the bass players and drummers knew just how and what to do. Teagarden's vocal on one number is nice and his playing is superb.

I hope this one comes back into circulation. It's outstanding music in the Condon tradition. If you like that sort of music, you should track this one down.