Name: Live at the Savoy 1939-40
Brand: HEP Records
SKU: 527909
Price: 24.97 USD
Availability: InStock

Live at the Savoy 1939-40

Rating

Album: Live at the Savoy 1939-40
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Sugarfoot Stomp
2)	What Is This Thing Called Love
3)	Everybody Rock
4)	Southland Shuffle
5)	Japanese Sandman, The
6)	Can't We Be Friends
7)	Let's Get Together
8)	Digg Digg Doo
9)	Raggin' the Scale
10)	Copenhagen
11)	I've Found a New Baby
12)	Blue Lou
13)	Sly Mongoose
14)	Blue Skies
15)	In the Groove (At the Grove)
16)	Stompin' at the Savoy
17)	Harlem Stride, The
18)	One O'Clock Jump
19)	Jubilee Swing
20)	Sing You Sinners
21)	After You've Gone
22)	Peg O' My Heart
23)	Back Bay Shuffle
24)	Undecided

Album: Live at the Savoy 1939-40
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Sugarfoot Stomp
2)	What Is This Thing Called Love
3)	Everybody Rock
4)	Southland Shuffle
5)	Japanese Sandman, The
6)	Can't We Be Friends
7)	Let's Get Together
8)	Digg Digg Doo
9)	Raggin' the Scale
10)	Copenhagen
11)	I've Found a New Baby
12)	Blue Lou
13)	Sly Mongoose
14)	Blue Skies
15)	In the Groove (At the Grove)
16)	Stompin' at the Savoy
17)	Harlem Stride, The
18)	One O'Clock Jump
19)	Jubilee Swing
20)	Sing You Sinners
21)	After You've Gone
22)	Peg O' My Heart
23)	Back Bay Shuffle
24)	Undecided

Performer Notes

Personnel: Eddie Barefield, Hilton Jefferson (alto saxophone); Lonnie Simmons (tenor saxophone); Boby Stark, Bobby Stark (trumpet); John Trueheart (guitar); Teddy McRae, Wayman Carver (flute, tenor saxophone); Garvin Bushell (alto saxophone); Beverly Peer (baritone saxophone); Irving "Mouse" Randolph, Taft Jordan, Dick Vance (trumpet); Nat Story, Sandy Williams , George Matthews (trombone); Tommy Fulford (piano); Bill Beason (drums).
Liner Note Author: Frank Driggs.
Recording information: Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY (07/16/1939-??/??/1940); Savoy Ballroom, Harlem, New York, NY (07/16/1939-??/??/1940); The Grand Terrace Cafe, Chicago, IL (07/16/1939-??/??/1940).
This CD is surprising for two reasons. It is probably the only Ella Fitzgerald album ever that does not have a single vocal by Ella, being comprised entirely of instrumentals by her orchestra of 1939-1940, taken from radio broadcasts. The fact that Ella is absent (other than yelling out encouragement to her sidemen) should have been mentioned on the outside of the CD; she does not even sing her hit "Undecided." The other surprise is how good her orchestra sounds. The Chick Webb Orchestra, once Ella had proven to be a commercial success, recorded few exciting instrumentals during 1938-1939 and were obviously searching for a hit. After Webb's death in mid-1939, Ella was named the leader of the big band (though she did little other than sing), and the band lasted till 1942 without any further hits or making much of an impression. But these 24 selections show that, when allowed to cut loose, it was an excellent and potentially great swing orchestra. Surprisingly, Bobby Stark, a great player with Fletcher Henderson but one who rarely was given solos during his years with Webb, takes all of the trumpet solos heard on the first 20 selections; Taft Jordan gets his usual featured spot back during the final broadcast. Stark, though a bit streaky, is exciting throughout, and this is his best showcase since he left Henderson in 1934. Also distinguishing themselves are trombonist Sandy Williams (heard at his very best), clarinetist Eddie Barefield, Teddy McRae on tenor, and pianist Tommy Fulford. Wayman Carver has a rare flute solo on "I've Found a New Baby," drummer Bill Beason really drives the band throughout, and the completely unknown Lonnie Simmons is exciting while dominating the final two selections. There are many heated killer-dillers to be heard throughout this surprising program, which is mostly comprised of previously unreleased performances, making one reassess the largely forgotten Ella Fitzgerald Orchestra. But just don't expect Ella to sing this time around. ~ Scott Yanow

Professional Reviews

JazzTimes (p.93) - "The direct descendant of the Chick Webb Big Band, this largely forgotten orchestra is much stronger than expected....An excellent swing set..."