nourishing obscurity

I came across a youtube of Goodman’s 1945 band playing Fascinating Rhythm: it’s vile – reason enough on its own for the demise of the Swing Bands. So how would I introduce the song to someone who didn’t know it (if such there be )? The best conventional recording I’ve found is not by a jazz band but by a dance band – the Savoy Orpheans. Makes yer prahd to be British. It’s got the lyrics too.

Two miniatures, starting with The Cheesemonger – the fellow who spoiled youthful hours by intruding the odious I Left My Heart in Sanfranbloodycisco into innocent heads. In view of his performance here I’d reduce his sentence (i.e. no drawing and quartering).

T’other miniature is a solo on the old joanna. My golly.

Another duet – two classical musicians: not vulgar but Bulgar.

Lastly, young Master Cullum uses his piano as bongo drums. Vulgar all right, but it works too.

Some tune, eh?

Filed under: Dearieme, History & Culture, Music