The record changer (Jan-Dec 1950)

GEORGE AVAKIAN BUCKLIN MOON records noted 12 Dixieland Rhythm Kings Weary Blues Sinister Bucket Blues Ancient Bottle Strut Tin Roof Blues This gutty little group from Dayton, Ohio, was ruled out of the recent Record Changer contest but impressed the judges, of whom I had the honor to be one, no end. Fact is, if they had not just made records, and as a result disqualified themselves at the last minute, my own hunch is they would have been in the money. Be that as it may, here are four Rood sides anyway and I think almost anyone who hears them will agree that the boys are off and running. Yeah, I know, there's a banjo and trombone so I suppose I am a little prejudiced, but I rate myself, an honest man (at least up to $10) and I don't think I'm tipping the scales when I say that these four sides rock along in fine style. Two of the sides are standbys and two are originals, one written by the band's trumpet, the other by the trombonist. I'm all for this kind of stuff ; maybe it is "carbon copy" to' an extent, but certainly less so than most, and after all you got to learn to crawl before you can walk. And from the sound of these the boys are just before running, anyway. I think most of you are going to want these and also that you'll hear more from out Dayton way before too long. Keep that banjo tuned up tight, Carrol — too much milk is supposed to cut your wind, Mayl, avoid it like the plague ! (J-D 3 & 4) (B. M.) Turk Murphy's Jazz Band 1919 Rag The Curse of an Aching Heart Struttin' With Some Barbeque Waiting for the Robert E. Lee I get a bang listening to Turk's new gang (well, new to me since my colkague Avakian usually handles these except, like now, when he's off on a junket) and as a matter of fact jazz on the west coast seems to have an infectious joi de vive lacking elsewhere. Makes me want to pack my other suit and grab the first thing smoking so T can get in the doings ! Tf you put down your change for these, and you could do a heck of a lot worse, you are going to get a brace of solid oldies and a couple with a nice little coating of hokum. The way that water gurgles around the Robert E, Lee made me send my youngest out to the nearest drug store for a bottle of Mother Sill's Sea Sick Remedy and T used up a couple dozen handkerchiefs on the vocal of Aching Heart. Like I always say, everything I am today I owe to my mother's early advice — KEEP AWAY FROM THEM SWINGING DOORS! All fooling aside, this band gets better every time I hear it and you'll have to walk a countrv mile to find a looser trombone than the Turk. (G.T.J. 11 & 12) (B. M.) Wild Bill Davison and His Commodores I'm Coming Virginia Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams On the Alamo Someday Sweethart All four of these are pleasant listening but I couldn't help remembering four other records of the same tunes by four other people. Sort of put their stamp on them, didn't they? Maybe all this means that tunes like this, once they have been given the treatment, ought to be retired like the jersey Red Grange wore at Illinois. Perhaps this is unfair for I like Wild Bill most of the time and little Davey Tough was one of my boys ; guess I must be getting old. But some of you who didn't have the kick of hearing just-released records of the same tunes by Bix, Louie, Red Nichols and King Oliver, will want to run through these for size. You may like them, especially if you're looking for a change of pace. (Commodore 628 & 630) (B. M.) The Castle Jazz Band Sugar Foot Stomp Sister Kate Royal Garden Blues Story Book Ball I've always had a high opinion of the Castle Jazz Band and these four sides aren't likely to make me change my mind. One of the first groups of this kind to form they have gone ahead playing together, learning how to get along with one another, and getting a little better all the time. Anyone who has the others will want this set, and if you haven't heard the band before here's a good. way to start out. I found Story Book Ball a little hard to take, but the rest are right on the nose. (Cas 12 & 13) (B. M.) Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra Crawdad Blues Elephant's Wobble This one has me a little baffled. The only Moten I knew up to this point was the big band that was rocking K. C. around 1928 and coming on the air late at night. This one, however, was made in St. Louis around 1923-24 and if the label hadn't had a name on it I would have guessed, the first time I heard it, that it was made in New York and was a Johnny Dunn group. Fellow on cornet is Lam?r Wright, according to the discographies, but he sure knew every Dunn break, and all those little trademarks that Johnny used like calling cards. A good example of jazz in that era and one I think anyone interested in jazz ought to have kicking around. (Temple 532) (B. M.) Louis Armstrong and His Hot Four You're a Real Sweetheart Last Night I Dreamed You Kissed Me Don't glom onto this one unless you know what you're doing ! True, you'll find the rare Louis Hot Four here (Armstrong, Noone, Hines and Mancy Cara) but most of the activity is by perhaps the world's worst female vocalist, a chirper by the name of Lillie Delk Christian. I personally think it's too big a price to pay for a shot at the very . rare background music, pal, but it's up to you. (Temple 527) (B. M.) Louis Armstrong & His Savoy Ballroom Five Basin Street Blues No Everyone knows Basin Street but No is one of those sides that you never hear much about. The more the pity because it is one of my favorite Louies and I've never been able to understand why it never seems to be mentioned as one of . the standbys. You won't find Johnny Dodds here, nor St. Cyr, for that matter, but the very capable Jimmy Strong and Mancy Cara more than carry their share of the load, and Fred Robinson, on trombone, takes the place of Kid Ory of the Hot Fives. All in all this is more than worth your time. (J.C. 519) (B. M.)