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Jumpin' at the Savoy
Jazz Archives No. 152, 1941/1947
2000 EPM Musique - 188, bd  Voltaire - 75011 Paris

Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra are:  Archie Johnson, William “Chiefie” Scott, Nelson Bryant (trumpets), George Stevenson, Donald Cole, Eli Robinson (trombones), George James, Billy Bowen (alto sax), Buster Bailey (clarinet, tenor sax), Stafford Simon (tenor sax), Ernest Purce (baritone sax), Bill Doggett (piano), Trevor Bacon (guitar), Abe Bolar (bass), Panama Francis (drums), Lucky Millinder (lead, vocals), Sister Rosetta Tharpe (vocals), Wynonie Harris (vocals).

"Bandleader and brilliant showman Lucius "Lucky" Millinder was born on August 8, 1900 in Anniston, Alabama.  He was fascinated by show-biz from an early age, hanging around the places where popular artists appeared, and he started out as a dancer and entertainer in Chicago clubs.  Although he didn't play an instrument himself he soon fulfilled his ambition of leading an orchestra, a role he took very seriously.  Not content with merely wielding his baton, he was above all an animator, driving the ensemble playing, stimulating the soloists and rousing the dancers...the link between the orchestra and what was happening on the dance floor." - Liner notes adapeted from the French by Joyce Waterhouse.

This CD has numerous tunes that will get you out on the dance floor and keep you busy.  No matter what tempos are in the pocket for you!  You will find a variety of tempos from slow, bluesy numbers to rockets that’ll get you flyin’ on the dance floor.

Millinder put together top notch musicians for his bands.  Most but not all are mentioned above.  Every song has solid musicianship.  Millinder scores big in my book with gems like Rock Daniel, an easy tempo (154 bpm) that swings nicely and features great preachy vocals by Sister Rosetta Tharpe.  He also scores with the instrumentals, Apollo Jump and Little John Special. 

There are other gems on here including the nice bluesy ballad Hurry, Hurry! featuring vocals by Wynonie Harris and another Harris featured song, Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well!, again a “preacher-style” tune with good humor.

Speaking of good humor, Tharpe shines on I Want a Tall Skinny Papa as she describes her perfect man.  She also shines on another preachy type with Down by the River Side, a fast (200 bpm) classic that really gets your toe tappin’ once it finally gets going.  It has a slow start but is worth the wait!

You’ll notice a lot of Gospel influence in this CD when you consider that Sister Rosetta Tharpe is also known as The Swinging Gospel Queen.

I’ve pointed out the highlights of the CD.  There are a few lowlights.  A couple of the tunes not mentioned have poorer recording quality and you hear scratches and hissing.  

But there are enough gems on here to overlook the few that don’t measure up from the technical standpoint.  Whatever your preferred dancing speed, you are going to find great stuff.  I say buy with confidence, knowing you are going to find something you like.

 Bottom Line:  To buy or not to buy … BUY!  If you do, here’s how: