The Old South Wails - Dave Pell

 

Shi-Me-Sha-Wabble

The Old South Wails 

The Dave Pell Octet

Produced by Bill Miller

Capitol Records T1512

1961

From the back cover: In a considerably cooler climate than is usually found below the Mason-Dixon Line, the Dave Pell Octet swings solidly through the South with their Smooth, danceable stylings of Dixieland favorites.

Bringing a new, modern sound to this fine collection of Dixie chestnuts is the inventive writing of no less than six different arrangers, who have up-dated such two-beat classics as Ballin' The Jack and Sugar Foot Strut to suit the "soft-swing" style that characterizes the music of Dave Pell. 

Many of the tunes begin in the traditional Dixieland fashion, then make a subtle switch from hot to cool, as in Jazz Me Blues and Bill Holman's swinging, uptempo arrangement of Oh, Didn't He Ramble, which opens with a slow and stately intro that's reminiscent of a solemn Bourbon Street processional. Still another highlight is the famous jazz spiritual When The Saints Go Marching In, which is treated to a brilliant modern arrangement by Marty Paich, a Dave Pell colleague of long standing.

Here Dave is featured on tenor sax, along with Jack Sheldon, trumpet; Harry Betts, trombone; Med Flory, baritone. Marty Paich is on piano, and the rhythm section includes Lyle Ritz, bass; Tommy Tedesco, guitar and Frankie Capp on drums.

From Billboard - March 20, 1961: Dave Pell and his swingers, modern group turn to a flock of older Dixieland turkeys and hand them an entirely new and fresh interpretation. It may be said that some bear little resemblance to what they used to be. The group itself has much style and sound in a not too far out modern vein, with excellent stereo. The tunes include "Saints," "Jazz Me Blues," "Ballin' The Jack" and "Paper Doll."

Shi-Me-Sha-Wabble

When The Saints Go Marching In

Sugar Foot Strut

Ballin' The Jack

There'll Be Some Changes Made 

Paper Doll

Jazz Me Blues

Oh, Didn't He Ramble

Blues

Manhattan 

Ida! Sweet As Apple Cider

Tishomingo Blues