The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

That bad ol' Santa really didn't do jack for me this year, but Woon somehow managed to find me a copy of Fletcher Henderson's 1931 Radio Rhythm, which is hot-hot-hot!. It's a reissue, Brunswick 80037-A (originally Brunswick 6176), but it sounds great!. Just thought I'd share.

I wish that was released on Edison Diamond Disc or Amberol.

Most enjoyable!

James.

Thanks for posting! I own the definitive Fletcher Henderson bio-discography, by Walter C. Allen ("Hendersonia: the Music of Fletcher Henderson and His Musicians," published by the author, ©1973, O/P) and would be happy to supply further information about this recording.

Good toe tapping Jass
Dwight

Kids listening to rap today don't know what they are missing. THOSE were musicians.

True that. Also, those kids better keep off my lawn! Henry, spill! I'd love to know more.

Allen's data are cryptic, but the basic info is there. I might add that "Radio Rhythm" is an example of the so-called "jungle style," marked by the minor key and the "growl" sounds (flutter tongue in muted brass). Henderson's orchestra was playing at Connie's Inn in NYC when it recorded these four tunes on Friday, July 17, 1931, and the recordings were issued under five different group names, Cody's example (originally Brunswick 6176) as the Savannah Syncopators, and the dub (80037-A) as Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra. The personnel listing is a veritable "Who's Who" of famous jazzers of the period, and Allen conveniently lays out the routine (solo and section work) by noting the measure groupings (4, 8, 12, 32) for each. (NB: there are some discrepancies between Allen's measure counts and my own, but in general his sequence of events is accurate). This is not to detract one bit from Allen's achievement, which is a monumental (651 pages!) treatment of a great American music master and his super-star sidemen.

Thanks, Henry! I sure would like to time-machine it back to that day's sessions. Just to round things out, here are links to the rest, as presented on YouTube by the estimable Heinz Becker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBolrPw9GhA (Bayou)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7fWxewdntE (David)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAM6xX6adqM (Rhythm)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvvZx6hyWvk (Rascal)

I put the link to Radio Rhythm in too, because some members may find it more convenient to listen to that way than the mp3.

I don't recall ever hearing the verse in "Rascal" about cutting ears and things off, before.

I hope these guys weren't working in their suit coats and ties, recording these in what was most likely a non-air-conditioned studio. In New York City. In the middle of July. Musta been some sweat flying by the time they got to the end of Radio Rhythm. Looks like NYC had an unusually hot summer in 1931. I'm pretty sure that had to be due to these sessions!:

Well, Cody, that's why it's a "hot" number (ugh---sorry!). Cause and/or effect? Or vice versa?

BTW, the personnel listings for the youtube cuts are at variance with those given by Allen. Thanks for posting all of these!

Also BTW, the guitarist Clarence Holiday was the father of Billie Holiday.