“Candy Lips” was originally recorded as a vocal performance by Eva Taylor, backed by Clarence Williams’ Blue Seven in late November of 1926 for Okeh, and then a second time as an instrumental by the debut of Clarence Williams’ Jazz Kings on the Columbia label in January of 1927 just four days before this session.
I believe this is the first record under the “Washboard Four” moniker and it does not disappoint – there’s a lot of energetic fun on this number.
It is a bit of a pastiche of instrumental version and vocal version, with Williams contributing a rousing scatted chorus in lieu of lyrics. The clarinet solo starts off a bit subdued and almost sorrowful – but injects the life back into the track with the help of Ed Allen’s carefully placed cornet growling.
Interesting side note – the two sides on this record were master pressed by Parlophone in the U.K. and the band name was given as Louis Armstrong’s Original Washboard Beaters.
Recorded in New York, January 29, 1927.
Released as Okeh 8440.
Credits:
Ed Allen – cornet
Benny Moten – clarinet
Clarence Williams – piano, vocals
Floyd Casey – washboard
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