Customer Reviews

Chicago Rhythm 1923-43

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

 

 

This 4 CD sat covers Jimmie Noone's recording career from 1923 to 1943. It's a comprehensive collection. Perhaps best known for his Apex Club Orchestra recordings, Noone was a New Orleans musician at heart. He moved to Chicago early in his career and made his name there.

In the same way that Bechet and Dodds saw the clarinet as a dominant rather than a secondary support instrument, Noone plays second fiddle to no one. He was a most accomplished musician. He was renowned for his tone and his fluency. Both these qualities are clearly in evidence throughout this collection.

Noone rarely recorded with the so-called "classic'' 7 piece format. It's clear that he preferred the freedom of smaller groups. It's also interesting that he 's happy to work within well defined head arrangements and to record popular songs. Until I heard this collection I was unaware that Noone was responsible, at least in part, for the popularity of "Sweet Lorraine."

Among the most interesting tracks are those with trio and quartet recorded in 1940 and 1941.

It's also interesting that he seemed to enjoy working with fine pianists including Earl Hines, Zincy Cohn and Frank Smith. The collection also includes some work with Louis Armstrong and Tiny Parham.

If you're seriously interested in jazz clarinet this collection deserves your attention. Jazz clarinet without Jimmie Noone would be a much less elegant,fluent and accomplished landscape.

Ye Gods! You'd think that for a 4 CD compilation tribute to Jimmie Noone, they'd get the right version of Messin' Around, (CD 1 track 4). Instead of the Cookie's Gingersnaps version (listed) they have Jimmie Blythe's Ragamuffins version featuring (wonderfully) JOHNNY DODDS! Kinda takes away from Noone, don't you think? Oh well. Still a great set.