1936 in Music

My reviews for music released in 1936.

1. Anton Webern: “Variations for Piano” Op. 27 (10/10)

A major serialist set of variations, perhaps the major piano variations of serialism (I really don’t know). This is one of those pieces I wish I could write about better. I should listen to it again.

2. Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra: “Jim Town Blues” (9/10)

“Jim Town Blues” just jumps right into the big band thing, but sounds more sophisticated (and less obviously “swing”) than some of their other tracks from this period. It sounds like there is a clear desire to move beyond swing to something else.

Eldridge (or whoever) is still pretty traditional, but the arrangement does feel progressive.

3. Benny Carter and His Orchestra: “Gin and Jive”

This is a super upbeat, energetic swing number with fun group playing and a real dynamism. Great solos.

(Despite my claims in another track here, there is a piano solo which isn’t that weird.)

4. Benny Carter and His Swing Quartet Featuring Elizabeth Welch: “When Lights Are Low”

A track I’ve heard numerous times but not recently. This is the original so it deserves more attention than the Miles Davis version, which I’m not sure is enough of a departure. (Though I haven’t listened to it in ages.)

There’s a guitar solo which feels quite rare for this time period.

5. Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra: “Grand Terrace Swing” (9/10)

“Grand Terrace Swing” is another class swing song wherein all the conventions are internalized to the point where it’s hard to tell whether the band is moving forward or treading water. (Though the style would be popular for years after this.) On my god, a piano solo. That’s like the fifth one in this collection or something.

6. Memphis Minnie: “I’m a Bad Luck Woman” (9/10)

This one’s got a really engaging lead part with a some foot stomping and a typically great vocal from Minnie.

7. Benny Carter with Kwai Evans’ Orchestra: “Blue Interlude” (8/10)

Another song I feel like I have heard a million versions of. It’s one of those swoony songs from the period that I’m a real sucker for.

8. Benny Cart and His Orchestra: “Accent on Swing” (8/10)

This is a fun, upbeat swing song with some pretty good group writing.

9. Benny Carter and His Orchestra: “These Foolish Things” (8/10)

I have heard so many versions of this song – none of them recently – that it’s hard for me to sort out which is more definitive. But this is pretty early. The sound quality in this particular collection is not amazing.

10. Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra: “Stealin’ Apples” (8/10)

“Stealin’ Apples” is actually driven by piano, like “Happy Feet”, and we are again left wondering what happened to the band.

This is actually kind of forward thinking though, as when Chu Berry (or whoever it is) comes in, the band is still missing. It’s basically dixieland though, not proto-bop. It’s about 2 minutes in before it sounds like big band.

11. Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra: “Christopher Columbus” (8/10)

“Christopher Columbus” feels like a song we should hear in a swing film. It’s a little older than it sounds, apparently. The band playing is more interesting. The solos feel a little dated.

12. Memphis Minnie: “Hoodoo Lady” (8/10)

A typically strong vocal with a plodding rhythm (not sure if that’s from Minnie or her husband). Pretty good for its era.

Tommy Dorsey’s Clambake 7: “At the Codfish Ball” (??/10)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.