Memphis Blues Band

W.C. Handy | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 28, 1994)
• Original Release Date: July 28, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Memphis Archives
• ASIN: B000003UE3
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,596 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #83 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > Memphis Blues

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Irreplaceable History, And Fun Old Music, April 7, 2000

By 

Robert English (Independence, OR USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Memphis Blues Band (Audio CD)

If you're familiar with the typical ragtime orchestra sound, and like it, you're in for a real treat. This is a very spirited group, and it makes other bands of the era (Art Hickman, Isham Jones, early Paul Whiteman) sound stoic and stale.
First became aware that W.C.Handy had recorded these "big band" sides when I saw the original entry in a Columbia Records catalog from 1918. All of the sides that he recorded then are featured on this CD, plus some he recorded in the early 1920's (for another label).
Sadly, the original masters were not used - commercial copies of uneven quality were the only source material available. Considering that, this reissue is nicely done, but be advised of the scratches and wear noises.
Though I could wish for better sound quality, I am well pleased with the fact that these indespensible ragtime orchestra sides are available once again.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ragtime to jazz, October 14, 2004

By 

Lee Hartsfeld (Central Ohio, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Memphis Blues Band (Audio CD)

Magnificent performances that, to my ears, document the evolution of ragtime to jazz. "Fuzzy Wuzzy Rag" (a piece blatantly borrowed from "Maple Leaf Rag"!) may very well be an example of pre-Original-Dixieland-Jazz-Band jazz, albeit recorded after that group's first waxings. Delayed history, I'm guessing. If "Fuzzy Wuzzy" hasn't gotten its proper historical due, perhaps the title has something to do with it. (Couldn't the composer have called it "Omnivorous-Mammal Stomp," or something?) Seriously, "Fuzzy" is ragtime gone wild, lively and contrapuntal as can be. The Six Brown Brothers, cranked up. Paul Whiteman, wired. No improvisation within earshot, but much early jazz, after all, had precious little ad-libbing. First-rate musicianship, including a bowed double bass that apparently gave the 1917 recording horn fits. Columbia-label 78s from this period are no gift to modern pick-ups; in light of this, the restored sound is quite good. Handy's place in jazz history is due for reevaluation.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid introduction to W. C. Handy's work, June 13, 2007

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Memphis Blues Band (Audio CD)

The CD's notes begin by saying: "William Christopher Handy, `The Father of the Blues,' was born in Florence, Alabama on November 16, 1873." He began his musical career in earnest in 1893. One of his best known works, "St. Louis Blues," appeared in 1914; it is described as "one of the most recorded songs in history and has been hailed as the `National Anthem of the Blues.'" It seems to me that his music crosscuts ragtime, jazz, and blues.

The recording quality varies from poor to adequate. Many of the cuts are very scratchy but on a par with the technology of the time period. The various works were recorded between 1917 and 1923.

Some illustrations: "Moonlight Blue" is played at a more stately pace. There is an orchestra of 12 persons (plus Handy as Conductor and Coronet player). The resulting sound is distinctively Handy's. No vocals. There is some nice piano playing (apparently by Charles Hillman).

"St. Louis Blues"--the musicians are unknown (except for Handy). The tune begins with some bawdy brass and the song is taken at a quick pace. It is, in effect, most infectious. Overall, the playing is pretty crisp, although is sounded to me like things got a little loose toward the middle. Nonetheless, a lot of fun to listen to, scratchy sound and acoustic technology notwithstanding.

"Yellow Dog Blues" is another sprightly paced tune. After listening to a number of cuts, one can begin to pick up what might be called the W. C. Handy "sound."

Finally, "Muscle Shoal Blues." Again, an infectious tune, well played.

This represents a useful beginning to the work of W. C. Handy. This is the first CD I have ever heard of his work, so I can't say how it compared with any other recordings. But it seems, to me, like a very nice introduction to his body of work.