Originally released in 1983 and reissued in 1992, Rhythm of the Day appears to have been among the first Red Nichols compilations ever to appear on compact disc. The 20 recordings, which appear in nearly chronological sequence, date from the years 1927-1932. These relics are beautifully remastered and the overall selection is superb. A native of Ogden, UT, Loring "Red" Nichols worked as a sessionman in countless studio orchestras and dance bands for many years prior to his rapid rise to fame as a popular bandleader during ...
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Originally released in 1983 and reissued in 1992, Rhythm of the Day appears to have been among the first Red Nichols compilations ever to appear on compact disc. The 20 recordings, which appear in nearly chronological sequence, date from the years 1927-1932. These relics are beautifully remastered and the overall selection is superb. A native of Ogden, UT, Loring "Red" Nichols worked as a sessionman in countless studio orchestras and dance bands for many years prior to his rapid rise to fame as a popular bandleader during the mid-'20s. "Rhythm of the Day" was recorded in October of 1925 by saxophonist Ross Gorman & His Earl Carroll Orchestra. "Alexander's Ragtime Band," the "Original Dixieland One-Step," and the "Honolulu Blues" were performed by trombonist Miff Mole's Molers. Most of the remaining records were issued under the banner of Red Nichols & His Five Pennies, a snappy moniker invented by someone at Brunswick and casually assigned to ensembles whose lineup could amount to as many as six, eight, nine, or twelve players. Nichols' cohorts during this period included Mole, multi-instrumentalist Adrian Rollini, reedmen Jimmy Dorsey, Pee Wee Russell, and Fud Livingston; guitarists Dick McDonough, Eddie Lang, and Carl Kress; pianist Arthur Schutt, and innovative drummer Vic Berton. The scat vocal on "Harlem Twist" is by drummer Chauncey Morehouse, "Waiting for the Evening Mail" is sung by trumpeter Johnny Davis, and trumpeter Wingy Manone sings "Corrine Corrina" backed by a terrific troupe that included future bandleaders Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa. This excellent Red Nichols sampler is quite similar to ASV/Living Era's 26-track retrospective, That's a Bargain! which appeared in 2005. It's a shame that the producers didn't treat the later edition as a sequel to the first, as the two albums have 11 titles in common. Another way to feast upon Nichols' recorded output is to acquire each of his entries in the Classics Chronological Series , although either of both of Living Era's samplers are still the ideal way to get to know the work of this prolific early jazzman. ~ arwulf arwulf, Rovi
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