Customer Reviews

Richmond Rarities

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This CD of rare hot territory dance orchestras from the 20's, recorded in Richmond, Virginia are absolutely hot. However there is one main reason for picking up this hard to find Canadian import CD, and that's for the 8 tracks led by Alphonse Trent's legendary territory band, he led the hottest territory band ever to play in Virginia. All of the music is enjoyable on this CD of hot jazz big band rarities from the 20's. You can get a sample of Alphonse Trent's band on "Louder & Funnier." If you like 20's hot jazz, you'll love all of these Richmond Territory Bands.

I agree with another review that this is an excellent CD. However, one correction: the tracks were recorded in Richmond, INDIANA - not Virginia. Richmond, Indiana was the home of the Starr Piano Company, the makers of Gennett Records which recorded a number of the jazz greats of the period.

The Gennett studios in Richmond, Indiana hold a special place in the affection of jazz collectors, not least because both King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, and Bix and the Wolverines, cut their first records there. By the late twenties the company had expanded into recording lesser-known territory bands, some of which were issued on subsidiary labels, and the complete recorded output of four of them is assembled here.

Alex Jackson & his Plantation Orchestra recorded five numbers in late 1927, four of which were issued. They play in a controlled manner, with a driving rhythm. Alphonso Trent & his Orchestra were based in Dallas, Texas and made four journeys to Richmond, in October and December 1928, March 1930, and March 1933, two numbers being issued from each session. The personnel included Snub Mosely on trombone and violinist Stuff Smith, and the recordings demonstrate a highly accomplished outfit, which managed to combine an intensity of purpose with a relaxed delivery. Their version of "Nightmare" is excellent, and "St. James Infirmary" gets a very up-tempo treatment. Zack Whyte's Chocolate Beau Brummels included trumpeter Sy Oliver and pianist Herman Chittison, and they produced a total of six issued titles during 1929. Two, namely "It's Tight Like That" and the stately "West End Blues" produced two and three alternate takes respectively, which are included here. The final group, Omaha-based Red Perkins & his Dixcie Ramblers, is the most obscure. They recorded four numbers over two days in May 1931.

The quality of the audio restoration is quite outstanding, as you'd expect of the late John R.T. Davies, and the background to the Gennett studio, and the bands involved, is set out at length in the 24-page liner booklet, complete with photos and discographical details. These are obscure recordings by bands which received less exposure than should have been their due, and Jazz Oracle is to be commended for making them available to a wider audience.

This CD is exactly what I needed to gain a fuller understanding of the music from that period. Richmond Rarities

This isn't about the musical content - it's about Jazz Oracle shipping burned CD-R. I received a copy and lo and behold discovered albeit professional artwork a burned CD-R. This appears to be a legitimate copy from a legitimate sell, one I've purchased from for years and complained about this fact, and they just go, hey we don't manufacture it, not real happy with that either. I have no problem if it's disclosed but that's not the case with this listing on Amazon or the item's packaging so hows a person to know? The main problem is Jazz Oracle not stating this on the product, wonder why they would do something like that ...duh? Still it's not right to the buyer! So Jazz Oracle sure took a hit in my books. FWIW