Give the Drummer Some's
Favorite Downloads from the MP3 Blogosphere
On the strength of his historic 1939 version of "Body and Soul"—which only hints at the melody before launching into an improvised narrative of riveting emotional complexity—Hawkins established the tenor saxophone as the dominant voice in jazz and, if you believe the critics, single-handedly ushered in the age of the modern jazz solo. While a few writers and historians have had a chance to hear this newly uncovered gem (read Ben Ratliff's account here), the rest of us will have to wait until it's new owner makes it officially available for public consumption.
As a consolation, take the next three minutes and give a listen to Coleman Hawkins's original work of genius, followed by the wonderful Eddie Jefferson's note-for-note "vocalese" interpretation of Hawkins's performance:
Now on to this week's treasures...
Ray Terrace ~ "Oye el Cuchy Frito Man"
(Blog: Cuchyfritos)
From the album: Abaniquito (mp3)
Cuchi Cuchi Cuchi
Boffo boogalooist Ray Terrace brought in his famous brother Pete (Pedro Gutierrez, who later gave up music to practice medicine back in Puerto Rico) to arrange this set of Latin jazz smokers from 1965. Manny Roman and Willie Torres handle the vocal duties while the band churns madly.
Benny Hess ~ "Wild Hog Hop
(Blog: Rockin' Gypsy)
High on the Hog
Bennie Hess's papa, Vestral (yes, Vestral!) worked on the railroad with the legendary "singing brakeman" Jimmie Rodgers, who stayed at the Hess household in Texas on occasion, enthralling young Bennie with his yodeling. (Though Hess was a first-class huckster, promoter and bullshit artist, this appears to be fact.) Handing down the love of music from father to son continued when Bennie tossed his 4-year-old son, Troy, on stage as "America's Singing Souvenir." (Hear Troy sing his breakout number: Please Don't Got Topless Mother (mp3).
Phraiwan Lukphet ~ "Kham Tuean Khong Phi"
(Blog: Monrakplengthai)
From the cassette: Wiwa Sauen (mp3)
Good Luk
Legendary luk thung singer Phraiwan Lukphet crooned the themes to numerous beloved Thai films cementing his eternal popularity. I don't know what he is singing in the devastating numbers, but the melancholy is so thick you could cut it with a parang.
James "Wee Willie" Wayne ~ "Travelin' From Texas to New Orleans"
(Blog: Don't Ask Me ….. I Don't Know)
Wayne's World
There seems to be a bit of a Internet conundrum about the original authorship of the New Orleans R&B classic "Junco Partner." It's about 110% certain that record label exec Bob Shad, who'd received royalties on the tune going back to 1951, didn't write a damn thing. Many credit James Waynes, aka James Wayne, aka Wee Willie Wayne as the first to record, if not compose, the number. (If you were inclined to not necessarily believe everything the colorful Mr. Wayne had to say, who could blame you.) This collection delivers "Junco Partner (Worthless Man)" and 17 other jump blues monsters.
A.V.R.O. Dansorkest ~ "Conducted by Hans Mossel"
(Blog: Música Ácida)*
[Password = mza-acid]
From the album: Boris on the Bass (mp3)
Amster Amster Dam Dam Dam
Dutch national radio A.V.R.O. launched a dance orchestra in 1935, but it was disbanded after its conductor was implicated in a "minor sex scandal." A year later a new band was formed under the leadership of clarinetist Henri Emile (Hans) Mossel. Mossel would perish at Auschwitz in 1944.
*Note: This terrific blog has been shuttered, but the download is still active. Click on the link above to go straight to the Megaupload page where the download is hosted.
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Are there any clues for the password of the A.V.R.O. Dansorkest download? That would be great and at least helpful. Thanks so far
Posted by: wassn | August 25, 2010 at 03:20 PM
Wassn,
Oops, forgot to include the password. I have now added it ("mza-acid") above. Thanks for alerting me to the missing info.
Posted by: Doug Schulkind | August 25, 2010 at 04:00 PM
I hope no one gets upset with me over this. I totally understand that these blog owners are paying money to these services in order to exspose everyone to all of this fantastic art. I my self have donated to a few of the sites that I've frequented, and maintain a rapidshare account. (I think it was this huge collection of Ancient Chinese music that pushed me over the edge into "I suppose I'll pay for the convenience" land.
Having prefaced myself, with the utmost humility I want to put it out there that megaupload, uploading.com, and filefactory are all complete garbage, and if it were possible to poop on a web page, I would do so often upon these,, and with great gusto.
With absolutely no snark intended, why have bloggers chosen these services over the likes of media fire or even rapidshare (which still has the annoying "wait 60 seconds, but at least plays nice with download them all)? I'm particularly interested as I have been digitzing my LP's and am considering starting up a blog of my own.
Keep up the good work everyone
Posted by: Monkeyboy | August 25, 2010 at 10:01 PM
Doug, the password works, now everything is fine. And it´s great music, great versions. Thanks for searching the net, and finding gems like this
@ Monkeyboy: I am not upset about your favored location for getting rid of whatever but if it´s important to you to tell the world about it please explain why. Because I´m getting upset about people just complaining but not explaining.
And, with Rapidshare you have to wait 15 minutes for the second download if you are a free user. That´s what annoys me, so I prefer MF or MU.
Posted by: wassn | August 26, 2010 at 04:21 AM