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What are you listening to?

Carlisle Blues

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,154
Location
Beautiful Horse Country
dhermann1 said:
McKinney's Cotton Pickers: A wonderful, terrific, very important band, silly name notwithstanding.


cottonbanner.GIF



William McKinney, showman-drummer, formed his Cotton Pickers in Springfield, Ohio in 1922, but it was not until the summer of 1928 that they commenced their short but illustrious recording career for Victor. In the autumn of 1931 Don Redman, who did most of the arrangements, took a band of his own, including in it several of the Cotton Pickers. The Cotton Pickers were based originally in the Greystone Ballroom in Detroit, opposite Jean Goldkette's excellent White orchestra, but by the early part of 1929 we find them in Harlem at various nightspots.

Their personnel varied as any personnel in a band this size, but in it's ranks were at one time such brilliant stars of the Harlem Jazz firmament as Benny Carter, Coleman Hawkins, Lonnie Johnson, James P. Johnson, Joe Smith, Ed Cuffee, Claude Jones and Fats Waller.

The original policy of the band was to play hot numbers, many of which were composed by Redman and/or other musicians in the band, but once in New York, with a recording contract from Victor that was demanding of all its artists a more commerical approach to work, the Cotton Pickers included a repertoire of the better popular hits of the day, giving them a rich and rare treatment, with warm section work and beautifully executed soli . Although the brass bass is supposed to be heavier than a string bass, in Billy Taylor's hands it is a living thing, giving adequate support to Wilborn's lively banjo and Austin's crisp drumming.

Taken from the book Recorded Jazz: A Critical Guide by Rex Harris and Brian Rust.

McKinney's Cotton Pickers - Cotton Picker's Scat - Victor 23012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkRQb37LCBI

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Fletch

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,865
Location
Iowa - The Land That Stuff Forgot
MCP IN DA HOUSE

These guys kicked a. They were more than a band, they were an all-steel diesel-electric streamliner of jazzmetology. I strongly suspect they were the reason John Nesbitt (their trumpeter-arranger) lost his mind.
 

LizzieMaine

Bartender
Messages
33,684
Location
Where The Tourists Meet The Sea
78s to just count the minutes till another trip to the dentist by --

Starting off in 1936 with Little Jack Little and his Orchestra and "I'm Shooting High," a great song from a year full of great songs. Jack is Ben Bernie's only true equal in the "I'm sort of singing the chorus but not really" sweepstakes.

Next, after taking time to wipe up the tea I've just spilled all over myself, it's Andy Kirk and his Clouds Of Joy in 1937 and "Dedicated To You." Pha Terrell (Or, Pha Terrible, if you must) sounds like he's got one eye on the lyrics and the other on his watch as he takes the vocal.
 

Fletch

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,865
Location
Iowa - The Land That Stuff Forgot
Dedicated to You was an ick song even when TD and Jack Leonard did it.
mogul.jpg

Mr. Chomping, of Seegar, Chomping & Co., to Sammy and Saul: "We need another Until the Real Thing Comes Along by 3:30. Grab that Hy Zaret kid from down the hall and get bangin'. ... Oh, and it don't have to be good, it just has to be 32 bars."
 

chanteuseCarey

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,962
Location
Northern California
Just talked with a fellow FLer about this, so I went and punched it up on YouTube. Melora Hardin singing "Begin the Beguine" from the soundtrack of Rocketeer. I love mimicing her voice, and I did get the amazing opportunity of singing it on stage on mic for a large room filled with Ballroom dancers. Hence my name chanteuseCarey... Here's two pics from that momentous occasion, Sept 12, 2008. I had on my favorite burnout silk red with brown beaded full length evening gown:

383917953.jpg

383917980.jpg
[YOUTUBE]<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-kf3K0ayi2c&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-kf3K0ayi2c&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]​
 

HadleyH

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,811
Location
Top of the Hill
I know I posted this song before but ohhhhhhhhhh McKinney's Cotton Pickers!!! :eusa_clap

WHAT AN AMAZING BAND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!


[YOUTUBE] <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ryUGs89-4Zc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ryUGs89-4Zc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> [/YOUTUBE]<<<<< MY FAVORITE SONG!!!!!!
 

Carlisle Blues

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,154
Location
Beautiful Horse Country
McKinney's Cotton Pickers - I Want Your Love - Victor 22683~~~:)

[YOUTUBE]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DkaAdR7jfeA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DkaAdR7jfeA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]
 

anon`

One Too Many
Amon Amarth - Runes To My Memory

[YOUTUBE]<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TVWBJHVSrAE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TVWBJHVSrAE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]
 

Chas

One Too Many
Messages
1,715
Location
Melbourne, Australia
re: McKinney's Cotton Pickers: I'm a long time fan; Don Redman was the principal arranger - as he was for Fletcher Henderson. It was Redman, more than anyone who was responsible for the evolution of hot jazz to swing, and laid the foundation for what was to become the "Swing Era". More so, I believe, than Armstrong, Goodman, Ellington or John Hammond.

But I digress.

I'm currently listening to Teddy Wilson's band(s) from 1938. Vocals by Nan Wynn and Billie Holiday.
teddywilson1.jpg

[YOUTUBE]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kaDWPjBCz60&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kaDWPjBCz60&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]
 

LizzieMaine

Bartender
Messages
33,684
Location
Where The Tourists Meet The Sea
78s to let the a spilled bottle of mineral spirits air out by --

First up, Smith Ballew and his Orchestra in 1932 and "Prisoner of Love," done about two-thirds too fast to be effective. And as much as I like Mr. Ballew, he isn't Russ Columbo.

Next, following a commercial for Kools, complete with Willie The Penguin, ahead to 1936 with Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra and a big hit tune from "Broadway Melody of 1936," "Got A Feelin' You're Foolin'," with a vocal by Eleanor Powell, who wraps up the job with a dandy tap solo.
 

kools

Practically Family
Messages
680
Location
Milwaukee
Open the Door, Richard-The Charioteers
Open Up That Door, Richard-Bill Samuels
Open the Door, Richard-Walter Brown with the Tiny Grimes Sextet
 

LizzieMaine

Bartender
Messages
33,684
Location
Where The Tourists Meet The Sea
78s to realize that the springtime sun shows up every single crumb on the floor by --

Starting off in 1927 with Correll and Gosden and a pleasing but ordinary bit of close harmony on "Round-A-Bout Way To Heaven." Hard to imagine in just a few years these two guys would be the best-known voices in America.

Next, ahead to 1930, and smile big for the Ipana Troubadours, S. C. Lanin Director, with a smooth version of the hit tune from "Check and Double Check," (Correll and Gosden take another bow), "Three Little Words." And avoid those creamy well-cooked foods that can lead to Pink Tooth Brush.
 

chanteuseCarey

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,962
Location
Northern California
A favorite for many years, that I love to sing, mimicing Ella's voice, with all her highs and lows, slides and slurs. The first song I sang for the Cubberly ballroom dancers in Palo Alto in 2008. I wore this dress!
384006538.jpg

[YOUTUBE]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PEM_63_P0CY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PEM_63_P0CY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]​
 

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