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Thursday, August 30, 2018

Hi Fi-ing Herd - Woody Herman

Dandy Lion
Hi Fi-ing Herd
Woody Herman And His Orchestra
M-G-M Records E3385
1955

From the back cover: There are even a pair of cool tributes to the M-G-M mascot in Leo The Lion and Dandy Lion.

New Golden Wedding
East Of The Sun (And West Of The Moon)
Blue Flame
Prelude To A Kiss
Love Is Here To Stay
In A Little Spanish Town ('Twas On A Night Like This)
Hollywood Blues
I Would Do Anything For You
Dandy Lion
Cuban Holiday
By George
Leo The Lion

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Stan Rubin And His Tiger Town Five

Tin Roof Blues
Stan Rubin And His Tiger Town Five
Jubilee Records
JGM 1016

From the back cover: This is the first in a series of 12" albums by one of America's youngest, most spirited and talented Dixieland jazz bands. During the past two years, the boys have won national and international acclaim; the former made possible by prize-winning appearances on Paul Whiteman's radio and television shows aides by disc jockey programs which have featured Volume 1 on numerous occasions. The international acclaim was achieved during the summer of '53, when the group made its first tour throughout Europe.

Ted Husing, well-known WMGM disc jockey, recently termed the group one of the finest college jazz bands in the land. After the Tigertown Five's highly successful European trip, Elsa Maxwell wrote in her Journal American column, "I know they added enormously to as perfect a bit of Americana as you could ever get in France."

Stan Rubin '55 of New Rochelle, N.Y., organized the group on the Princeton campus during his freshmen year. Since that time his band has been booked constantly to give jazz concerts throughout the East. Appearances at the Dartmouth Winter Carnival, the University of Vermont's Kakewalk, Cornell, and the University of Pennsylvania have made the boys favorites among the college set.

The success of the band is illustrated by the warm welcome it received in Europe last summer, after it had played its way over on the S. S. Groote Beer. While in Paris, they caused a sensation on Bastille Day by playing on the Boulevard Saint Germain during the evening celebrations. The group was heard at such outstanding night spots as the Vieux Columbia, the Academie du Vin, and to be sure, Harry's New York Bar. After renting a car, the boys headed for the Mediterranean, where they were featured at MAXIM'S the largest night club on the French Riviera. This was where Elsa Maxwell saw them, and invited the boys to play at one of her gay parties. Celebrities including, Hedy Lamar, Claudette Colbert, Lady Ashley, Prince Bernadotte of Sweden and Aly Khan's two sons, were truly thrilled with the performance at the Tigertown Five on the porch of the Carlton Hotel in Cannes.

After an appearance in Sorrento, the group played at the famous Exselsior Palace at Lido Beach, Venice. A great tribute to their success was an appearance at the Taboris in Lausanne, Switzerland. Here they followed such name bands as Stan Kenton and Dizzy Gillespie. The group made a lasting impression on thousands of newly acquired European fans with their expert musicianship and great enthusiasm.

Back in the states the boys are still playing the college circuit, adding such schools as Colgate, Swarthmore, Rutgers, Vassar, Sarah Lawrence, and Smith to their growing list. Stan and company often find themselves with three or four engagements on a weekend, involving over a thousand miles of traveling in banjo player Dick Shallberg's '41 Chevy coupe.

Spring vacations find them in Bermuda at the Elbow Beach Surf Club, and Princeton grads always find the group playing at the biggest Reunions each June. Palisades Amusement Park recently featured the group in its opening day festivities. The boys have also planned a return trip to Europe for another gala organized tour, playing their way over in the S.S. Waterman. Newest addition to the group is sophomore Ed White playing bass in this album. – James L. Schisgall


Royal Garden Blues
Mississippi Mud
Panama
Tiger Rag
Muskrat Ramble
The Saints
Tin Roof Blues
Dixieland One-Step
Yes Sir, That's My Baby
Dixie
Basin St. Blues
The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise

The Dixieland Dandies On Bourbon Street

Cornpone
The Dixieland Dandies On Bourbon Street
Photo: Stephen P. Haas
Treasure Productions, Inc.
TLP 855

Suanee River
Bourbon Street
Way Down South
Just Thinkin'
High Off The Hog
Cornpone
Man Bites Dog
Forgetful
No Blues Allowed

Monday, August 27, 2018

The Piano Artistry Of Jonathan Edwards

Autumn In New York

The Piano Artistry Of Jonathan Edwards
With Darlene Edwards
Columbia CL 1024
1957

From the back cover: This album was originally conceived as a piano album, but the careful listener will detect a voice amidst the twinkling arpeggios. It is, of course, that of Mrs. Edwards, or, as she is known to her many friends and admires, Darlene. Mrs. Edwards, who is now a prominent clubwoman and a driving force in her community, returned from private life to take part in this album, selecting her own repertoire of sophisticated songs, several of which she originally introduced in Trenton, New Jersey. Once Mre. Edwards had forcefully expressed her willingness to participate in this album, Jonathan, always the devoted husband in spite of the many demands on his time and energy, accepted graciously.

It Might As Well Be Spring
Poor Butterfly
Autumn In New York
Nola
Stardust
It's Magic
Sunday, Monday or Always
Jealousy
Cocktails For Two
Dizzy Fingers
Three Coins In The Fountain
You're Blasé

The Original Salty Dogs

The Original Salty Dogs
G.H.B. Records
GHB-44

Available from online vendors so I will not be posting a sample. Presented here to share the original cover art and jacket note excerpt.

Personnel:

Lew Green, Jr. - Cornet
Jim Snyder - Trombone
Kim Cusack - Clarinet
Johnny Cooper - Piano
Bob Sundstrom - Tuba
Way Jones - Drums

From the back cover: Since 1947, the members of The Original Salty Dogs have been leading traditional jazz crusaders in the Midwest. Countless numbers of jazz enthusiasts have enjoyed the music of this unique group. It is unique in that to its fans, the band's brand of authentic, complete arrangements sound to be the well-rehearesed, polished work of full-time musicians; in reality, the band is composed of part-time musicians, each member pursing a full-time career in the business world.

Over the years, some of the faces have changed; during collegiate days at Purdue, often-times in a one-year period, half of the band would graduate (or drop out) only to be replaced by waiting, novice jazzmen. Since 1962, the personnel has remained constant in that after college, the present members of the band settled in the Chicago area playing numerous weekend club dates and jazz concerts. The tradition set down in 1947 has withstood all of these changes and today, The Original Salty Dogs Jazz Band continues to approach jazz with the same vigor and dedication as those members who have gone before.


Panama
You've Been A Good Old Wagon
Emperor Norton's Hunch
All The Wrongs You've Done To Me
Come Back Sweet Papa
Cornet Chop Suey
Tia Juana
The Chant
Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider
Flat Foot
Annie Street Rock