Customer Reviews

Edison Laterals II

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

 

 

I have collected all of the Diamond Cut stuff, and this is probably the most historically important recording of the lot. It is all original unreleased material (I believe) taken from the Edison Archives. There were many famous people in this band like Jimmy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. A very nice treasure that I have added to my collection and the sound quality is great despite the fact that it was mastered in the late 20's.

The New York-based California Ramblers were one of the premier "hot" dance bands of the Roaring '20s. From 1922 to '27, the Ramblers recorded hundreds of sides under many pseudonyns, and for several labels. The driving force and musical heart of this band was bass saxophonist Adrian Rollini. His honking rhythm-sax typified the Ramblers "sound." Rollini's departure in 1927 (along with several others) marks the end of this orchestra's best era. The lesser group (with some new additions) continued on for several more years, adapting a repertoire better suited to their new personnel.

The twenty tracks on THE CALIFORNIA RAMBLERS * EDISON LATERALS 2 were cut in 1929 by that later band. Although not typical of the Ramblers' previous work, these examples are still quite nicely done, and show that even in musical infirmity, this bunch could still swing a dance number nicely. Sound quality is very good-- with more than a few songs here still considered perennial standards.

Album includes a 12-page booklet that recounts the California Ramblers' story in some detail.

TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 65:15

The California Ramblers' greatest period ended in late 1927 when a number of stalwarts left the Ramblers for England (Bobby Davis, Chelsea Quealey, Jack Russin and Adrian Rollini) and their vitrual monopoly as one of the very few hot white bands around New York was challenged by the likes of Roger Wolfe Kahn, Fred Rich, Bert Lown and most of all Ben Pollack. Manager Ed Kirkeby managed to find adequate replacements for the depleted band. Musicians such as Roy Johnston and Fred van Eps (tpt) and Pete Pumiglio (alto and clarinet) were certainly as good as Quealey or Davis, while Ward Lay (bass), Stan King (dms) and Tommy Felline (bjo/guitar) were still there to provide a rocksolid rhythmical basis. This is the band we here on these 20 tracks, with guest appearances by Miff Mole, Adrian Rollini and Glenn Miller, and the results are very good indeed. Although the band heavily relied on stock arrangements, there was more than enough room left for improvised solos. Although most titles are not too familiar even to seasoned ears the material is not substandard and easy to take. The vocals are mainly taken by Kirkeby, who may not be the world's greatest singer, but manages quite well. The two last tracks feature that wonderful singer Smith Ballew to boot.
The liner notes contain a very well written essay by Richard M. Sudhalter, audio quality is very good. Perhaps 20 tracks is a bit meagre (the disc was issued in 1994), but nevertheless runs 66 minutes.
Get your copy while it's still available

The New York-based California Ramblers were one of the premier "hot" dance bands of the Roaring '20s. From 1922 to '27, the Ramblers recorded hundreds of sides under many pseudonyns, and for several labels. The driving force and musical heart of this band was bass saxophonist Adrian Rollini. His honking rhythm-sax typified the Ramblers "sound." Rollini's departure in 1927 (along with several others) marks the end of this orchestra's best era. The lesser group (with some new additions) continued on for several more years, adapting a repertoire better suited to their new personnel.

The twenty tracks on THE CALIFORNIA RAMBLERS * EDISON LATERALS 2 were cut in 1929 by that later band. Although not typical of the Ramblers' previous work, these examples are still quite nicely done, and show that even in musical infirmity, this bunch could still swing a dance number nicely. Sound quality is very good-- with more than a few songs here still considered perennial standards.

Album includes a 12-page booklet that recounts the California Ramblers' story in some detail.

TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 65:15