Based in Vincennes, France, the
Fremeaux & Associes
label specializes in historical recordings of
classic jazz
and
blues
.
New Orleans Revival 1940-1954
is presented as a sequel to their earlier release,
New Orleans Jazz 1918-1944
. It focuses almost exclusively upon music made by the originators (or early second-liners) of the style rather than their younger emulators and imitators.
Bunk Johnson
,
Kid Ory
, and especially
George Lewis
get more room than anyone else, but with two discs to fill, the producers really went to town assembling a healthy selection of the Crescent City's best old-time players, warts and all. Highlights include a beautiful
duet by
Sidney Bechet
George Baquet
; a fascinating street parade version of
"Maryland, My Maryland"
played by
Louis Armstrong & His Dixieland Six
; and visitations from great musicians with interesting monikers like
Big Eye Louis Nelson
Punch Miller
Mutt Carey
, and
Wooden Joe Nicholas
. It's handy to have on hand an index of people sharing the same nickname, as in
Kid Thomas
Kid Rena
{|Kid Clayton|}
{|Kid Shots Madison|}
; to be able to compare the styles of clarinet legends
{|Albert Nicholas|}
{|Emile Barnes|}
; or to hear what trumpeter
{|Herb Morand|}
was up to after his tenure with
{|the Harlem Hamfats|}
. Part of the fun in hearing these mature musicians grind out their old-fashioned melodies is the relative absence of anything resembling glitz, glamour, or pretentious showmanship.
{|Kid Rena|}
, for example, glibly presents
{|"Get It Right,"|}
a bouncy shuffle better known as
{|"Do What Ory Say"|}
but originally entitled
{|"Kiss My Fuckin' Ass."|}
Most of the liner notes are in French. Anyone entranced by these amazing musicians may consult the New Orleans-based
{|American Records|}
label for more complete chronologically presented reissues. ~ arwulf arwulf