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Grade
Content Grade:
A
Sound Grade:
B
Picture Grade:
B
Specs
Produced by Sherwin Dunner and Richard Nevins Shanachie Home Video -$24.95 Fullscreen (1.33:1) Dolby digital mono 60 minutes, black and white, 1993
Review
Shanachie Home Video has put together some of the rarest and greatest jazz band numbers from the 20's and 30's for this video compilation, featuring the great Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Bill Robinson, and in her only film appearance, Bessie Smith. It is an incredible collection for all early jazz buffs.
The DVD has 16 chapter stops throughout the DVD but includes more songs as some of the numbers are run together in the same chapter. The entire contents are as follows: The Dorsey Brothers Band-1929-Get out and Get Under The Moon-all too short Duke Ellington-1930-Old Man Blues-The Duke is featured along with his Cotton Club orchestra with floor show and solos Boswell Sisters-1931-Heebie Jeebies-The trio harmonizes a Louis Armstrong number Dance Contest with James Barton, the Harlem Lindy Hoppers, and Chick Webb's Band-1929-Features several dance couples and an incredible dance solo in two numbers, Sweet Sue/Tiger Rag-Also part of chapter 3 Louis Armstrong-1930's-Armstrong and band does three numbers in this chapter-I Cover The Waterfront/ Dinah (a great Fats Waller tune)/ Tiger Rag-Armstrong looks young and full of energy on these songs, which he introduces Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra-featuring Bix Beiderbecke-1928-My Ohio Home-This very rare newsreel film includes the same number twice-once at normal picture an done close up-Bix Beiderbecke only filmed performance. Whiteman tears up is old Victor contract at the beginning of this newsreel. Bill Robinson-1932-Famous step dance to Swanee River-Mr. Bojangles is captured on a vaudeville stage doing this number he later did with Shirley Temple. The footwork is amazing. Duke Ellington and his Orchestra-1929-Again captured in the Cotton Club with the medley: The Duke Steps Out/Black Beauty/Cotton Club Stomp-Features Fredi Washington Charlie Wellman-1930-Alabamy Snow- famous radio personality of early jazz. Louis Armstrong and Orchestra-1931-This second selection of numbers features Chinatown, My Chinatown/ High Society. Bessie Smith-1929-St. Louis Blues-This semidramatic early "music video" has Bessie trying to win her man in this rare, only film appearance by the great blues singer. Tessie Maize and her Darktown Strutters-1930-Someday Sweetheart-Tessie was a featured performer at the Cotton Club. Tommy Christian and his Orchestra-1928-Who is it? Who?/Tommy Christian Stomp followed by an unknown tap dance duet with band in Whistle and Blow Your Blues Away/Mandy from 1931 Ben Bernie and his Orchestra-1925-Sweet Georgia Brown-featuring one of the first jazz solos on film by Jack Pettis Ruby Darby-1930-Tell The World He's Mine-a black faced performer, closes out this compilation.
Summary
Jazz band fans will love this disc as it captures the essence of the jazz age with its superstars in their prime. The film and sound quality are remarkable for the source material and hats off to Shanachie Home Video for compiling and giving us this rare glimpse into America's jazz roots.
