Swing Trumpet Kings

[king ubu]

Is this worth getting?

I will get the Eldridge Mosaic sooner or later, I suppose, so how are the other two albums included: "Harry Edison Swings Buck Clayton And Vice Versa" and "Red Allen Plays King Oliver"?

Here's the AMG write up:

This double CD gathers together three former LPs that are unrelated except that they feature swing-era trumpeters in the 1950s. The most consistent date is the largely predictable Harry Edison Swings Buck Clayton and Vice Versa. The two complementary trumpeters Edison and Clayton are joined by tenorman Jimmy Forrest (in excellent form) and a supportive rhythm section. Despite the title, there are no Clayton originals on the date, although Edison does contribute four mostly blues-based tunes. The music (which includes two alternate takes and a ballad medley) swings and is as tasteful as one would expect. Taste is not the main quality one thinks of while hearing the inaccurately titled Red Allen Plays King Oliver (few of the songs have anything to do with Oliver). The frequently uptempo music is quite exciting, has its erratic moments, and is often on the verge of going out of control; check out the false ending to "Bill Bailey." Trumpeter Red Allen sounds like he had been playing a little too long for the loud and drunken Metropole audience, taking wild chances, while clarinetist Buster Bailey (who always had very impressive technique) sometimes comes across as a bit nuts. The music (which also has solo space for trombonist Herb Fleming and either Bob Hammer or Sammy Price on piano) is certainly full of spirit and adventure. Roy Eldridge tries his best on Swing Goes Dixie, playing melody lines and riffs to the Dixieland standards in the ensembles (some of which might have been written out), although his more modern solos do not always fit the music. The band (which includes trombonist Benny Morton, clarinetist Eddie Barefield and pianist Dick Wellstood) is excellent, and the repertoire (which is highlighted by "That's A Plenty" two versions of "Royal Garden Blues," "Jazz Me Blues" and "Bugle Call Rag") is certainly unique for an Eldridge date. Roy was in prime form during the era, and he shows the influence of early-'30s Louis Armstrong on some spectacular solos. This historic reissue is certainly worth picking up by Dixieland, swing and mainstream collectors, for all three of these sessions were formerly rare. — Scott Yanow

What do you think?

The only track I happen to know is the alternate of "Memories for the Count" released on the Verve Elite Edition "Collector's Disc" - Jimmy Forrest steals the show there, in my opinion.

ubu

[Dan Gould]

Its worth it just for the Sweets/Buck Clayton date, which is quite superb.

[brownie]

I'll second Dan on the Sweets/Clayton date.

I'm also a big fan of Henry Allen. The 'King Oliver' album was not really his best but it is pretty enjoyable.

[king ubu]

Thanks! I shall put it on my "list", in this case...

ubu

[Brownian Motion]

I don't relish being the contrarian, but I disagree about this set. The Buck-Sweets sides are boring, and including alternate takes merely prolongs the boredom. The Red Allen sides demonstrate that Norman Granz did not understand how to effectively and imaginatively utilize this great swing trumpeter, saddling him with mostly dismal dixie warhorses like Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey and Bourbon Street Parade. Only on James P. Johnsons lovely Snowy Morning Blues does Red meet a tune worthy of his talents. It should also be mentioned that the other front-line musicians here, Herb Flemming and Buster Bailey, contribute little to the session.

The Eldridge sides are the best things here, but be forewarned: they have been dubbed off a record, not off the master tapes.

Edited June 25, 2004 by Brownian Motion

[DrJ]

I enjoy all these sessions. Not anyone's greatest day, but some great musicians having perfectly fine days.

The Red Allen set is kooky, but it works for me.

[montg]

Coincidentally, I was just listening to this a couple of nights ago. The Red Allen session knocks me out..the material is a little off the wall but that suits Allen's approach--his phrasing, tone etc. is a little off center anyway. I think it's great and the sound is really good too. The Clayton/Edison session has Jimmy Forrest (who's superb here and probably deserved equal billing) and Freddie Green. The themes are a little weak, but it's a blowing session and the blowin' is fine. If you like mainstream swing, from the original masters, I wouldn't think twice about picking this up.. especially if there's a copy on hand somewhere. I had a tough time tracking this down a couple of years ago (finally found it on a Canadian online store) and it's been long out of print.

[king ubu]

Thanks again! I think in spite of Brownian Motion's critical comments, I should put that on my list...

ubu