The first published recordings of the Louisiana Five were made for the Emerson Phonograph Company in New York City and were released on non-standard 7″ and 9″ formats. These are not terribly common to find out there – and almost always in rough shape – so one has to wonder how large the original press runs of these discs were.
The Emerson 9 inch Universal Cut record series included releases of “quick selling, popular, dance, vocal, and patriotic selections” and retailed for only 65 cents. Jazz was still an emerging musical art form in 1919, and only a few jazz artists made it onto this series.
Besides Louisiana Five (who also appeared on Emerson 9150, 9158, 9165, and 9178), the series featured mostly popular vocalists and military bands. A few other releases in this series showcased dance and novelty bands such as Van Eps Banta Trio, Emerson Xylo-Phiends, and Emerson Dance Orchestra.
I think I was able to coax some decent sound out of this well-loved acoustically-recorded disc that suffered from some warpage.
Alcide Nuñez is the real star of this record – his clarinet sounding loud and clear – and his optimistic playing making one wonder if one is truly listening to a sobbin’ blues or if this could instead represent a celebratory revelry.
Louisiana Five famously eschewed the trumpet/cornet and made the clarinet the melodic centerpiece of the band. One wonders if Nuñez’ experience with firecracker Nick LaRocca during his stint with the Original Dixieland Jazz Band had anything to do with that decision.
In 1927, Clarence Williams recorded the exact pairing of songs that appears on this record, and it is my working theory that he must have had a copy of this record in his personal collection.
I posted a transfer of this tune as performed by Williams back in January and put the word out that I was very interested in hearing this record. VERY thankful to @Desdemona202 (Colin Hancock), who found a copy and sent it to the jazz bunker at no charge! Thank you, sir! 🎺
You can compare Williams’ version here:
https://youtu.be/vaAKFcS1kAM
Recorded in New York City in March 1919.
Released as Emerson 9179 in June of 1919.
Side A: Matrix 3601-1
Credits:
Charlie Panelli – trombone
Alcide Nuñez – clarinet
Joe Cawley – piano
Karl Berger – banjo
Anton Lada – drums
Sources:
Emerson Records: The Complete Discography (1915-1928), 2nd Edition, by Allan Sutton (Mainspring Press)
Jazz and Ragtime Records, 1897-1942, 6th Ed, Brian Rust (Mainspring Press)
The flip side of this record, “Yama Yama Blues” can be heard at:
https://youtu.be/iqmlrfumjp0
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