SUPERB EARLY SWING SIDES
Barry McCanna | Normandy, France | 10/30/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For over a decade from 1920 Isham Jones recorded, with increasing intermittence, for the Brunswick label, his output being very much in the dance band idiom, embellished by hot solos. Mid-1932 marked a turning point in his career; he signed with Victor, and his recordings took on a more cohesive swinging feel, due not least to the arrangements of Gordon Jenkins. This superb selection of sides from this period mirrors those listed in Rust's Jazz Records and includes five of the six sides recorded in March 1936 under Woody Herman's leadership and issued as by Isham Jones' Juniors. A thorough illustrated liner note and discography completes this excellent reissue."
Rock your blues away!
JJA Kiefte | Tegelen, Nederland | 04/01/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Twenty six sides of Isham Jones' later edition (1933-1935), when the band recorded for Victor and Decca respectively, mainly concentrating on the jazzier side of the band. And what a band it is indeed, with a beautiful full bodied sound (through a unique combination of string and brass bass), spectacular section work (rivalling Casa Loma's precision) and some good soloists to boot (Johnny Carlson on trumpet, Sonny Lee on trombone and Saxie Mansfield on tenor). Titles like "China Boy", "Tiger Rag", "The Blue Room", "You're OK" are played at express train speed and though the relentless drive of the rhythm section might wear one down, these numbers are evenly spaced among the collection, with such mood pieces as "Blue Prelude", "Out of Space", "Melancholy Baby" and especially the excellent and haunting "Blue Lament" provide the necessary relief.
As on the Jazz Oracle Isham Jones cd, Ted Kendall did the remastering. When comparing the Victors (the first six tracks) with those on Jazz Oracle (although not the same titles), there is more noise suppression here and consequently a slightly duller sound. Be that as it may, the generous amount of titles, the excellent liner notes and complete discographical info, this is another very worth while reissue."
Track Listings (26) - Disc #1