"Jazz vocalists can learn a lot by listening to horn players - especially horn players who sing. They don’t necessarily have the greatest tonal quality, but they’re usually terrific interpreters and often come up with wonderfully free and inspired vocal lines. You can hear good examples of this horn-player-as-inspired-singer principle on Jeepers Creepers: 1938-1941, a compilation of various Louis Armstrong performances just released by Frémeaux & Associés. Frémeaux, a French company that packages legacy recordings for redistribution, has been releasing Louis Armstrong albums for several years now; Jeepers Creepers: 1938-1941 is its ninth in a series. This set alone contains three discs and several hours of performances from Armstrong’s time as a new Decca recording artist. Joining Armstrong on vocals on various cuts are the big stars of the age: Maxine Sullivan and Dick Powell, trombonist Jack Teagarden (himself a singing horn player), Fats Waller and the Mills Brothers; among the players are Fletcher Henderson (piano), Lionel Hampton (vibes), Benny Goodman (clarinet, leader), Sidney Bechet (soprano sax) - it’s a perfect snapshot of jazz history. One curious thing, though. The original recordings were made in the US and during the years in question France was at war. How did Frémeaux acquire all of this tape? Curious, indeed. (Next thing you know, Germans will be buying the New York Stock Exchange.) Curious, but not complaining."
by Suzanne LORGE - THE NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD
by Suzanne LORGE - THE NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD
