The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here are some takes by Arthur Briggs and his Savoy Syncopators which he recorded in Berlin in the late 20's with English vocals by Al Bowly. Arthur Briggs was a trumpet virtuoso who really new how to play hot solos.

Halleluja
Song of the Wanderer (my favorite)
Grammophon 21034

Do the Black Bottom with me
Souvenirs
Grammophon 21122

Thanks for posting these. I've not heard before any of the recordings Bowlly did with this band...although he did record with a great number! I think that during the late 20s and into the 30's he sang with (what seems like) most bands and appeared on almost every label!

This is a great selection. Like you my favourite vocal is "Wonderer", but "Halleuja" is a real swinging number even without a vocal. I really like that one.

THanks for posting these, Norman.

RJ

Briggs' recordings are always great, unfortunately very, very hard to find. He did also record Halleuja with Marek Weber's Orchestra on Electrola at about the same time which I certainly had posted during the 'old days'. I can post it again in case it got lost.
There is also a CD of his recordings available, unfortunately at a horrible low quality.