The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just played a reissue record from the 40's on the Creole Records label which says "Special Edition for collectors on vinyl". The band is Joe Turner and his Memphis Men playing Freeze and Melt, recorded April 4th, 1929. The record was originally issued on Columbia 1813. Could this be the famous Big Joe Turner of 50s rock and roll fame whom I saw with Count Basie in 1976? He would have only been 18 years old in 1929, so probably not, and there is no singing on this record. Could it be a Joe Turner who was a jazz pianist born in 1907 and died in 1990? But there is no piano audible on this record. What is audible is one of the hottest clarinets I've ever heard and a very hot string bass, and loud and very clearly recorded! Any ideas?

According to Brian Rust's book - Pseudonym on Columbia 1813-D, 5486 and 36157 for Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.

I have just listened to it on YouTube, where there are two posts, and both posters credit the recording to Ellington. The fine clarinettist gets no credit! Does Brian Rust's book tell us who he was?

Rust confirms Col. 1813-D (New York, April 4. 1929) and quotes "As for February 18, 1929 above".

The entry "above" is as follows:

"DUKE ELLINGTON'S ORCHESTRA : Duke Ellington-p-a dir. Arthur Whetsel-Freddy Jenkins-t/Cootie Williams-t-v/Joe Nanton-tb/Johnny Hodges-cl-ss-as/Harry Carney-cl-as-bar/Barney Bigard-cl-ts/Fred Guy-bj/Wellman Braud-sb/Sonny Greer-d-v".

"Freeze and Melt" really is one hot number. Ellington also recorded as "Sonny Greer and his Memphis Men"; "Saturday Night Function" and "Beggar's Blues" are both excellent blues sides also on Columbia. This and the aforementioned are great examples of the superiority of Columbia's recording techniques over Victor's. That bass alone is a killer!