1938 in Music

Music reviews of music released in 1938.

1. Benny Carter and His Orchestra: “Farewell Blues” (8/10)

Django! Shockingly, his guitar is really prominent in the mix when normally Carter’s band mostly buries the guitar.

The solos from the horn players are pretty decent. Reinhardt only gets his fills in near the end, but they’re decent and worth the (short) wait.

2. Earl Hines’ Orchestra: “Solid Mama” (8/10)

This is prime-era swing. At this point the genre completely ceased to sound like trad jazz and it’s hard to hear the connection to the early music on this disc. Hines solo is brief but great.

3. Benny Carter and His Orchestra: “Blue Light Blues” (7/10)

Django! See my comment above about the mix, though on this one it’s a little less obvious.

Like a lot of Carter’s music from 1937-38 there is a slightly old timey feel to this but I enjoy that style so it is not a problem for me. Good soloing but no solo from Reinhardt which is weird.

Tommy Dorsey and His Clambake 7: “When the Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves for Alabam'” / “Everybody’s Doin’ It” (??/10)

Tommy Dorsey and His Clambake 7: “You’re a Sweetheart” (??/10)

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