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.
, 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