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Jimmie Lunceford & his Orchestra: Rhythm Is Our Business - His 53 Finest 1933-1945
£10.99
In stock
Catalogue Number
RTS4425
Three great jazz orchestras dominated the black big band scene of the 30s: those of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Jimmie Lunceford (1902-1947). Described as “one of the seven wonders of the Swing Era”, the latter was superior to either in terms of sheer virtuosity. Lunceford’s outfit achieved a standard of orchestral precision unrivalled at the time and probably never bettered in jazz history. Rhythm Is Our Business presents 53 superb examples, from his first successful record, coupling Jazznocracy and White Heat in 1934, through all the glory years to his final top 10 hit, The Honeydripper, in 1945, not long before his early death. All the outstanding jazz masterpieces are included, many featuring the supreme alto sax artistry of Willie Smith (Uptown Blues) or, later, the stirring trombone of Trummy Young (Margie). A feature of Lunceford’s triumph was the bold and imaginative arranging genius of Sy Oliver, responsible for 26 tracks (My Blue Heaven, Organ Grinder’s Swing, ’Tain’t What You Do), able fully to exploit the enormous talent on hand. This was a great dance band (For Dancers Only), perhaps the greatest for showmanship... the ultimate big jazz band.
Manufacturer: Wyastone Estate Limited, Wyastone Leys, Monmouth, NP25 3SR
Email: sales@wyastone.co.uk
Reviews:
“In the 1930s and 1940s, the Jimmie lunceford Orchestra was among the top three African American bands, along with the orchestras of Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Although Lunceford didn't have distinctive soloists like Basie and Ellington, it was a swinging and tightly knit group of excellent musicians and had a large following. This two-disc set of 53 tracks covers only a part of their recorded output, which speaks volumes for their popularity, the band recording for three of the top companies of the time - Victor, Decca, Columbia (and its associated labels, Vocalion and Okeh). Trumpeter, vocalist and arranger Sy Oliver is the man to credit for many of the band's arrangements and distinctive sound, although over time there were other arrangers including pianist Edwin Wilcox and trombonist / guitarist Eddie Durham contributed not only arrangements but some interesting guitar solos during his brief tenure with the band. Alto saxophonist and vocalist Willie Smith was one of the band's best soloists, but his section mate on tenor sax, Joe Thomas, was a pleasant player in the style of Coleman Hawkins. In late 1937 superb trombonist and vocalist, James'Trummy'Young joined the band. Trumpeter Paul Webster was a high note specialist long before Cat Anderson appeared on the scene with Duke Ellington, and his work addsan interesting component to the band's sound. It bears mentioning the swinging rhythm section of this band - pianist I Wilcox, guitarist Al Norris, bassist Moses Allen and drummer Jimmy Crawford, who are present on almost all of these recordings, performing together for nine years! In 1939 Sy Oliver left the band to arrange and sing with Tommy Dorsey's Orchestra, but he continued to provide arrangements for the band. Beginning in 1944, New Orleans clarinetist/saxophonist Omer Simeon joined the band - a name we jazz fans will be very familiar with. Lunceford's band was known not only for its great music but also as entertainers. Sadly, Lunceford died in July 1947 in Seaside, Oregon (a place I'm quite familiar with}, at only 45. To be honest, I haven't listened to many of these tracks in a long time but had an enjoyable time revisiting the great music created by this ensemble. The transfers are excellent, especially the Decca recordings which suffered from surface noise on the original /8s, even with almost mint copies. I consider this set a total bargain at £10.99!” Chris Tyle, Just Jazz