Fascinating Rhythm [CD]
There are some very big names indeed included on this disc, from the aforementioned Duke Ellington to Paul Whiteman, Louis Armstrong and the Charleston Chasers. The last of these existed purely as a recording outfit, not a performing band. Some of major performers of the 20s and 30s did stints in the Chasers including Jack Teagarden, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and Jimmy Dorsey. (There’s a modern band called the Charleston Chasers, but they’re unconnected to the 1920s recording outfit.)
The one thing I do think is lacking from this CD is a female voice. A lot of the 1920s music I’ve got with female singers does tend to be less densely arranged, sometimes with nothing more than a piano for backing, and the tracks on this CD are all played by groups of musicians so there would be some jarring. However, something by Ruth Etting or Annette Hanshaw would have slotted in nicely. Nonetheless, you do get a good feel for the popular music of the decade from ‘Fascinating Rhythm’, and I’d definitely recommend it as a purchase if you’re getting interested in the 1920s and aren’t sure where to start listening.
Note: I’ll issue a mild of-its-time warning for terms for non-Caucasians in one song, ‘Let’s Do It’ (Arthur Rosebery and his Kit-Cat Dance Band).
Other CDs of 1920s music I have reviewed
Annette Hanshaw, I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling
Annette Hanshaw, Lovable and Sweet
I had great familiarity with music from this time as a child because my late Grandmother had been a Roaring Flapper in her day! Well, perhaps not quite roaring but she was certainly there with the best of them, Charlestoning her way round the dance rooms. She taught me to do a lot of the dances from that time. Mt friend's great aunt also was of that era and used to play them on the piano for us.
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