1933 in Music

Music reviews of music released in 1933.

1. Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra: “Queer Notions” (9/10)

“Queer Notions” starts off with another faux-Eastern thing but soon jumps out of that into pretty classic swing. Hawkins’ solo is a classic. As is the one from the solo trumpet (whoever was playing it).

2. Benny Carter And His Orchestra: “Swing It” (9/10)

I have no idea who performed the first version of this song, but Benny Carter shows off every one of his abilities on the track, writing the chart, singing the vocal, playing three solos on three different instruments…If you ever wanted to hear what makes Benny Carter great.

3. Benny Carter and His Orchestra: “Symphony in Riffs” (9/10)

Apparently Carter’s most famous piece, I find it fairly compelling but not necessarily the most compelling thing of his I’ve heard. The solos are great but it also feels less ambitious than the title lets on. The group playing is pretty decent.

4. Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra: “Can You Take It?” (9/10)

“Can You Take It?” is one I’ve heard before somewhere for sure. That or its language was stolen for another song (or more). It’s pretty classic swing. You can see why some people regard Henderson’s band as the real the kings of swing when you listen to this.

5. Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra: “King Porter Stomp” (9/10)

“King Porter Stomp” is a real oldie – it predates jazz. Apparently Goodman cribbed Henderson’s arrangement and turned that into a standard, so that sucks for Henderson. It definitely swings. I’m guessing maybe Goodman’s was better produced or something. This has some classic solos.

6. Memphis Minnie: “My Butcher Man” (9/10)

A particularly dirty blues song from Minnie (who has her share), it feels kind of empowering relatively speaking. The playing is excellent and it’s one of her better tracks of the decade. You never thought “slice my pork chops” could be dirty, did you?

7. Benny Carter and His Orchestra: “Lonesome Nights” (9/10)

A ballad with creative group writing and some decent solos. It’s the group playing that you want to listen to this for.

8. Benny Carter and His Orchestra: “Synthetic Love” (8/10)

Another song on which Carter shows off on multiple instruments while he sings. This has a vibraphone on it, which I think was relatively rare at the time.

9. Horace Henderson and His Orchestra: “Happy Feet” (8/10)

“Happy Feet” has a rather large band for what is mostly a quartet during the verses. It’s an odd one though it gets more interesting when it nears the minute mark.

10. Benny Carter and His Orchestra: “Six Bells Stampede” (8/10)

Yet another track showing off the many talents of Carter, this is upbeat and fairly interesting. The end is fun (though probably already a common trope).

11. Benny Carter and His Orchestra: “Blue Lou” (8/10)

This is a swoony one, which I’m always a sucker for.

12. The Chocolate Dandies: “Krazy Kapers” (8/10)

Some great soloing by carter on two different instruments in this one. Plus some other solid solos and some good ensemble playing.

13. Spike Hughes And His Negro Orchestra – Sweet Sue, Just You (8/10)

Some great solos. Benny Carter only plays one instrument. (Shock! Horror!)

14. Benny Carter and His Orchestra: “Devil’s Holiday” (8/10)

An upbeat track with plenty of decent soloing, including a flute, which is fun.

15. Benny Carter and His Orchestra: “Love, You’re Not the One For Me” (8/10)

A ballad, so a little less my thing. But, as usual for credits under his name, Carter does a bunch of different stuff.

16. The Chocolate Dandies: “Once Upon a Time” (8/10)

This gentle ballad features an extended trumpet solo by carter followed by a piano solo. It’s a little low energy for me, I think.

17. Arthur Honegger: Symphonic Movement No. 3 (7/10)

The third, unnamed, “symphonic movement” is as vibrant as the other two but is considerably less daring, given its era. That being said, I almost like it the most of all three, though. There’s something about it that appeals to me.

18. Edward Elgar: “Mina” (5/10)

I’m pretty sure I heard a piano version of this and it’s an orchestral piece.

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