5.0 out of 5 stars
TERRITORY BANDS FROM ALABAMA & INDIANA, November 15, 2010
This review is from: Gennett Rarities (Audio CD)
During the twenties most jazz recordings were made in New York and Chicago, but Gennett, which began in New York, opened a second studio in Richmond, Indians in August 1921, and started recording on location in 1924, taking in Birmingham, Alabama. Jazz Oracle has focused on the so-called territory bands, and this compilation draws together six groups of recordings from Birmingham, all dating from July/August 1927, and two from Richmond dating from late 1927 and late 1929 respectively.
By their very nature, the Alabama sessions are rare and obscure, with no known personnel details for either Triangle Harmony Boys or Eddie Miles & his Florentine Orchestra. The first group is dominated by the clarinettist, but has a well-based rhythm section, heard to best advantage on "Sweet Patootie", the second is heard only playing "Is It Possible?" with an intensity that makes you wish for more. The best-remembered group is the Black Birds of Paradise, who recorded four titles for Gennett, three of them popular numbers of the day, all of which exhibit a laid-back and bluesy approach. Despite their primitive title, Frank Bunch & his Fuzzy Wuzzies are a very capable group, and play with great feeling. The Alabama section closes with the best of the four numbers recorded by Dunk Rendleman & the Alabamians.
Drummer Willie Jones & his Orchestra recorded three numbers in Richmond in November 1927 that show evidence of having been arranged with room for short breaks. The remaining eight numbers were recorded in October 1929 by the instrumental trio of Syd Valentine's Patent Leather Kids, who have the virtue of sounding greater than the sum of their parts. In the first four they accompany vocalist Horace Smith in four blues numbers, and the remaining four numbers show considerable merit.
As is normal with Jazz Oracle reissues, this compilation includes a comprehensive discography and an illustrated liner note regarding the groups involved and the recordings.
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