From the Vaults – “Capitol Jumps”
2000 Capitol Records
SQ Issue: Spring 2002, Volume 12, Issue 2
From the Vaults – “Capitol Jumps”
2000 Capitol Records
SQ Issue: Spring
2002, Volume 12, Issue 2
Featured Groups:
King
Cole Trio; Martha Tilton w/Paul Weston Orchestra; Coleman Hawkins; Benny Carter; Ella Mae
Morse; Stan Kenton; Cootie Williams; Alvino Rey; Johnny Mercer; Geechie Smith; Nellie
Lutcher; Sam Donahue; Crown Prince Waterford; T-Bone Walker; Julia Lee; Benny Goodman;
Peggy Lee; Charlie Barnet; Dizzy Gillespie; Kay Starr w/Frank DeVol Orchestra; Billy May;
The Four Freshman; Duke Ellington
This is a compilation CD featuring recording groups from the Capitol Records label from 1944 to 1953. The variety on this CD is wide but is predominately a very danceable one.
This Capitol offering does a good job of mixing jump blues, big band, straight blues and standard orchestra music into a pretty danceable CD.
There are a variety of tempos from slow ballady songs to jumpin’ boogie woogie and some be-bopish faster ones like the Stan Kenton offering, Artistry Jumps. Not one of my favorites, but very fast at 305 beats per minute.
There are some familiar tunes that you can dance along to including Fine Brown Frame by Nellie Lutcher, Tuxedo Junction by the Four Freshman and the slower, danceable Duke Ellington version of Satin Doll. The neat thing about Tuxedo Junction is that the Four Freshman do vocal instrumentation. That means they sing it but there are no lyrics. Quite a nice touch to a great standard tune.
You are going to find a bunch of great dance tunes that are lesser known but will soon be on your list of new favorites. Some new favorites making my list include Lean, Baby by Billy May, King Size Papa by Julia Lee & Her Boyfriends, T-Town Jump by Geechie Smith and Cement Mixer by Alvino Rey. These are all great danceable tempos with fun lyrics and great instrument solos throughout. There are other good tunes as well but these tended to stand out for me.
The other nice thing about this CD is that they laid it out pretty well. One of my pet peeves is when you get a compilation where they just stick the songs on there. This CD has a pretty good flow to it. Not the best but certainly not bad.
Bottom Line: To buy or not to buy….. BUY. If you do, here’s how: