King Oliver and his Dixie Syncopators: Farewell Blues

Track

Farewell Blues

Group

King Oliver and his Dixie Syncopators

CD

Farewell Blues (Frog UK)

Buy Track

Musicians:

Joe 'King' Oliver (cornet),

unidentified second cornetist, James Archey (trombone), possibly Omer Simeon (clarinet), possibly Paul Barnes and Barney Bigard (saxes), unknown piano, possibly Lawson Buford (tuba), possibly Paul Barbarin (drums)

.

Composed by Elmer Schoebel, Paul Mares & Leon Rappolo

.

Recorded: New York, November 18, 1927

Albumcoverkingoliver-farewellblues

Rating: 99/100 (learn more)

Despite all the acclaim for King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band and its historic issue of 37 sides, this cover of the New Orleans Rhythm Kings' "Farewell Blues" may rank as my all-time Oliver favorite. The NORK had recorded it five years earlier, also at Gennett Studios. Their white band was known to emulate the African-Americans—particularly Oliver—and they often succeeded. Listen to their composition "Angry" and their romping "Sobbin' Blues," both recorded the same day in August 1923.

But here the Dixie Syncopators take the NORK's hopping tempo and cut it 18% (by my metronomic measurement) down to size, giving the feel of a huge riverboat rolling. I like to call the effect "long-wave swing," where the piece as a whole swings—rather than any one section, segment or instrument. Note the final two coming-together choruses, with the clarinet rising on the second. Although they play from a printed score, this band ain't goin' nowhere, since they're already there and screaming for glory.

Reviewer: Peter Gerler

If you liked this track, also check out

King Oliver: Dippermouth Blues
Johnny Dodds: Perdido Street Blues
Kid Ory: Ory’s Creole Trombone

Related Articles

A History of New Orleans Music in 100 Tracks edited by Ted Gioia
The Dozens: Twelve Essential King Oliver Tracks by Peter Gerler
Joe ‘King’ Oliver by Peter Gerler



Tags: · ·

Comments are closed.