Search - Bert Lown :: Bert Lown's Biltmore Hotel Orchestra 1929-1933

Great early '30s dance band

"Gimpy" Peach Johnson | 12/01/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Bert Lown's name may not be well-known today, but in the early 1930s, he directed one of the better dance bands, making dozens of records for Victor. This CD contains 23 of his recordings from 1929-1933, and a nice selection it is! Lovers of early '30s pop music will recognize such gems as "Bye Bye Blues," "I'll Be Blue Just Thinking Of You," "Here Comes The Sun," "Heartaches," and "When I Take My Sugar To Tea," but there are plenty of other more obscure but equally deserving selections, all in tasteful and interesting arrangements (many by Chauncy Gray). Generally, I'd say Lown's was more of a "sweet" band, but not as sugary as Lombardo's or, later, Garber's--there are definitely moments when the band turns up the heat and plays hot; just check out the first track, "The Jazz Me Blues." Having Adrian Rollini on bass sax for many of the numbers doesn't hurt--his occasional brief solos are always a delight. Randy Skretvedt has contributed some illuminating notes about Bert Lown, and the booklet contains full discographical information about each selection. These 75-year-old recordings have been beautifully restored--the sound quality is excellent. Incidentally, the recording of Lown's most famous tune, "Bye Bye Blues," used for this CD is the one made for Columbia on 08/21/1930, NOT the more commonly-heard recording for Hit-Of-The-Week. This version is very similar, but features some beautiful vibraphone from an unidentified player. Maybe it's Rollini? This disc contains some tuneful melodies that will keep your toes tapping. If you like 1920s and 1930s dance bands, you'll probably enjoy this disc. Recommended."

Snappy 30's dance music

"Gimpy" Peach Johnson | 10/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great collection of dance numbers mostly from 1930 - 32. Excellent sound quality and very good liner notes. Musicianship is solid, and there are plenty of very tastey licks from Adrian Rollini's bass sax. All but one of the tunes have singing, and many have trio vocals. Several tunes are of the jazz standard catalog, but many are forgotten little ditties brimming with pep and optimism. I've played this one alot."

Excellent

Jmark2001 | Florida | 06/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I collect music from the twenties and buy most of what I can find. I never know if I am going to end up with a great album or a dud. I never heard of this band until I saw it listed on Amazon. This is definitely one of the more exciting finds I have made. Check out "Under the moon" as just one example of the unknown but excellent songs on this album. This band plays with infectious glee. They also debuted the standard, "Bye Bye Blues," which they wrote. If you love twenties band music, this is an album that you should get into your collection befort it goes out of print. I love it."