”That jazz” is referring to a miracle in music that happened in the beginning of 1900s when people from a big variation of ethnical and cultural background inspired each other to play in a new fashion. Luckily all this coincided with the development of new inventions like the phonograph recordings, photography and film so that it became in part documented and still can be enjoyed today. In my early teens I happened to be exposed to ”that jazz” and it struck a string deep within me that has kept vibrating ever since.
Paul Bocciolone Strandberg
NEW Series: From the Studio and From the Record Shelves
Today’s Tune:
From the Record Shelves #343
My Good-For-Nuthin’ Man
CD Document DOCD-5366
When we look at the record production from March 1925, a hundred years ago, we find Clara Smith in there with a couple of recordings. She made many interesting and good ones in her recording career that spanned over eleven years, starting in 1923. This is a bit different from the rest because it has a country blues flavor, substituting the usual piano accompaniment with guitar played by Harry Meyers and the harmonica playing of Herbert Leonard.
I used to sing this song myself, first at the piano and later with my band, because I had heard it with Leroy Carr, and it comes as a surprise that it’s not a composition of his. Lyrics and melody are the same with the word “man” changed to “gal.”
Clara was not related to Bessie Smith, but they did some successful and unique duets together where their contrasting styles are evident. They recorded their last duet in the same year as the one we’re listening to today. I happened to look in the comments on the CD, and oops (!), the gossip of the day:
Still in 1925, the two singers were at a house party in New York, and being drunk, both of them had an argument that ended in a fistfight. It’s said that “Bessie won handily.”
Radioprogram (Swedish):
Radio Swingtime 100 – 1 november 2002
MY PRETTY GIRL – Nu är vi framme vid det näst sista avsnittet i denna unika radioprogramserie. Vi gläds åt livaktig jazz från New Orleans med Oliver Naylor och Halfway House Orchestra, vi njuter av Fletcher Hendersons fina orkester med arrangemang av (…) lyssna på radioprogramlyssna på Radio Swingtime 100
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Sensational CD with Narcisse Jazz Band
Melodious jazz inspired by the irresistible sound and pulse of the 1920’s. Buy at $10.00 (+shipping) (…) view the CDMore about Narcisse CD
Paul and His Gang – new CD Live in USA and Canada
Paul and his Gang was founded in Malmoe, Sweden by Paul Bocciolone Strandberg in 1990. At the most prestigious jazz festival for “old style jazz” in Breda, Holland they won the first prize in 1992. Their genuine interpretations of early jazz created an interest also in the US where (…) view the CDMore about Paul and His Gang CD Live in USA and Canada
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