Monday, May 07, 2007

What's A Jean-Ager?


As promised, I'm trying to put up a new LP every day this week for you to download, so here is Monday's selection. How can you go wrong with a cover like this? I mean, come on! I know you want to go download Jazz For Jean-Agers-The Dazzling Trumpet Of Claude Gordon And His Orchestra (Liberty LRP 3022, 1957). The music is rather incidental compared to that great cover, but that doesn't make it any less important. Some of the tunes on here really swing, others hop, and the rest certainly roll merrily along. Mostly standards here, but there are a couple of originals, written by Claude with the one and only Billy May, so you know they're gonna be good. I don't know if it's the best song here, but the award for best title goes to 'Purple Shades'. The liner notes claim it was originally associated with Joni James, so I may have to try and find that version. The liner notes also talk quite a bit about the Spectra-Sonic-Sound contained on the disc, which is interesting since this is a year before stereo. You get lots of hi-fi, but only from the one speaker. Anyhow, hope you enjoy this one, and stay tuned for more great stuff tomorrow!

1 comment:

  1. Ernie (Not Bert),

    The liner notes by Dick Whittinghill on "Jazz For Jean-agers" really do capture the spirit of this vinyl offering.

    Swinging hard against the flow of changing musical tastes in the mid-fifties, Claude Gordon dives right back into the uptempo spirit of Glenn Miller in this tightly orchestrated effort. The two Claude Gordon-Billy May tunes are definite stand-outs!

    Thank you for sharing the music!

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