Customer Reviews

Volume 1: Harry Reser's Six Jumping Jacks

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This is not the complete recorded works of the Six Jumping Jacks, but it serves as a terrific overview of an outfit that refused to take music too seriously. If you're a fan of the music on Max Fleischer cartoons, you'll definitely have a heart for what's in this collection.

The songs are silly, the arrangements inspired, and the singing is self-effacing. Together, it is a pre-echo of the Spike Jones City Slickers without the sound effects. This group was primarily a dance band, but one of the most entertaining ones that the late 20's produced.

The remastering job is first-rate, especially since the original masters are long since scrapped. These samples were taken from clean consumer copies, and except for a little wear noise here and there you'd swear it was right off the master.

If you've been looking through stacks of old 78s for years, like I have, you'll know how hard it is to find these records in playable condition. With this CD, it's never been easier to pick up a clean copy of these classics. Get it while you can.

Banjo master Harry Reser put together a lot of bands in the twenties and thirties but the six jumping jacks was his favorite. It is easy to see why. This was a very tight band with great musicianship. It also was absolutely giddy with fun. Simply novelty songs are turned into excellent twenties dance music, perfect for any speakeasy. Top this off with one of my favorite non-traditional vocalists, Tom Stacks, and you have a great album. Tom Stacks had a high pitched voice, a bad case of overgrown adenoids, and a love for singing that is infectious. His voice sounds is adolescent, full of fun, and absolutely sincere. That's what makes it so charming. Add this one to your twenties collection.

This is the first volume of giddy, wacky, super-cheerful pre-Depression novelty tunes by Harry Reser and his band. If you like the Cheap Suit Serenaders, you'll definitely want to pick this up! (DJ Joe Sixpack)