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Bix Beiderbecke, Vol. 1: Singin' the Blues
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MSRP: $6.99
Your Price: $6.99
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Manufacturer: Sbme Special Mkts.
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Additional Bix Beiderbecke, Vol. 1: Singin' the Blues Information
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In jazz's childhood, Bix Beiderbecke was the only cornet player to rival Satchmo in terms of influence on other musicians and on the development of the genre. Armstrong's syncopated delivery, his blues shadings, his unique phrasing--in short, his swing--became, rightly so, the benchmark, the standard by which jazz improvisation was not only judged, but actually defined. In a way, Bix represented both a practical and symbolic alternative to Armstrong. Though he was completely self-taught and couldn't read music, Bix's tone was incredibly pure, full, and lush, and his style was cooler, more restrained (but not reserved), and more plaintive than Louis's hot, ebullient playing--even though his actual tone remained bright and his note choices forceful. All of these 20 cuts come from 1927, and many of them rank among the finest performances of that classic era nudged between Dixieland and swing. A key component of these successes is Frankie Trumbauer, a remarkably fluent and lyrical C-melody sax player who was Beiderbecke's close friend and musical kindred spirit. The septet cuts from February and May are uniformly excellent, but "Singin' the Blues" (featuring Eddie Lang's prominent single-string guitar support), "Riverboat Shuffle," "I'm Comin' Virginia," and "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" are astonishing landmarks in jazz history. Also worth noting are two trio cuts featuring Beiderbecke on piano supporting Trumbauer and Lang, and "In a Mist (Bixology)," a Bix piano solo full of bold, unorthodox melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. --Marc Greilsamer
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What Customers Say About Bix Beiderbecke, Vol. 1: Singin' the Blues:
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On a cool autumn day, I would rather settle down with Beiderbecke, who speaks to me more softly and intimately, who spins the most beautiful and musical solos, who evokes a bittersweet mood of joy, and who manages to be unpredictable while seeming predictable. The first half of the album is decidedly excellent, opening with "Trumbology" which features Biederbecke rapidly maneuvering his cornet up and down scales, almost like an opera singer. In the 1920's, Bix Biederbecke was one of the best brass players, just as talented and great as Louis Armstrong, if not quite as groundbreaking. This lovely collection is a testament to his skill. This is followed by a rollicking version of "Clarinet Marmalade", the beautiful and classic "Singing the Blues", and then a very clever and forceful "Ostrich Walk." While the second half of the disc wanes in comparison, crammed with more traditional vocal performances, Biederbecke's genius still shines through in the strangest and loveliest places. Where Armstrong was hot and ebullient, Biederdecke had something different to offer, something cooler, more musical, rarely changing the mood of a piece, but always finding clever new ways to express it. Both musicians were tremendously influential on the music scene, but Armstrong was always a little more noticeable, perhaps because his music is so immediately engaging.
In the meantime, the best restorations thus far are the "Bix Restored" sets, and that's where you should begin if you have interest in Bix or the best of late 20s jazz in general. It's shameful that Sony/BMG, which now owns nearly EVERYTHING Bix recorded, including the Columbia and Victor Whiteman sides, has not done justice to Bix by releasing the beautiful boxed set that collectors worldwide would welcome. In addition to being among the most influential and beautiful jazz sides ever recorded, the original Okeh 78s were exceptionally well-recorded for their day, as any collector lucky enough to own one will tell you. Digital remastering was in its early days when Columbia issued this and its companion Bix disc, and it shows; the sound is flat, with the brilliance of the highs all but gone.
BUT. but it appears here in mediocre sound. For my money, the best sounding set out there NOT on Mosaic is the 2-cd 'Jazz Tribune Vol 48' on RCA (a US release).There is a WORSE sounding Beiderbecke cd out there, with Orrin Keepnews' name on it yet. One of the other reviews commented how this disc had no surface noise. that's another story. The noise reduction (sounds like an older analog process) removed enough of the upper frequencies that the label chose to add echo after the fact to cover up their handiwork. Well, they're right. So, "Blue River" is a brilliant performance.
The first I've hear about it. I'm ejoying very much this CD, Excellent remastered. No needle noise like firsts recordes.
If I'm feeling down Bix lifts me up. I've had this CD for a couple years now. I can think of no better recommendation. If I feeling good Bix helps me celebrate. I never tire of it. No matter what the circumstances of my life, I can't help but smile when I play this CD.
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