It was published about week ago and it s apparently the first in what should be a long series. It covers the period from 1938 to early 1940’s and the focus is music composed by Mercer or attributet to him. The interesting issue is when the music was composed but one has to listen to Steven’s presentation to get an idea of this.
The first two are quite like student works with the teacher not far away. The first one is Pigeons and Peppers recorded by Cootie Williams and His Rug Cutters in October 1937 and The Girl in My Dreams recorded by the Ellington band December 28, 1940.
Blue Serge and John Hardy’s Wife comes next in the program. They were recorded February 15, 1941. Jumpin’ Punkins was recorded at about the same date but Steven has chosen the version recorded at Hollywood Bowl August 31, 1947 to give exposure to a later band. Moon Mist is from the same occasion but was originally recorded Dec. 31, 1941 like Jumpkin Punkins.
For different reasons, Steven then let us hear Brown Suede recorded by Barney Bigard and His Orchestra on September 29 1941.
The last Mercer Ellinton composition in the program is A Slip of the Lip. It would have been interest to know more it.
Author: Ulf Lundin