A Monday night classic dance band tune to start the week off.
Written and recorded by Rudy Vallée earlier in 1929, this version of “I’m Just A Vagabond Lover” by Ben Selvin and his Orchestra is a bit more peppy and sweet. The vocalist delivers a studied performance that trades Vallée’s haunted melancholy for a more theatrical rendition.
No hot solos or breaks on this one – just a good memorable tune to fill the dance floor full of fox trotters with mischievous bedroom eyes.
I first heard this tune rather recently at the Bix Lives! Festival in Davenport, Iowa sung by the excellent @TJMullerMusic – and found this record the next day.
Recorded in New York City on May 3, 1929.
Released as Columba 1831-D.
Ben Selvin was a prolific bandleader whose performers at this time included such notables as Tommy Dorsey, Manny Klein, Mike Mosiello, Tommy Gott, Andy Sannella, Arthur Schutt, Rube Bloom, Dick McDonough, Carl Kress, Joe Tarto, and Tony Colucci. Unfortunately, I don’t have a confirmed list of credits for this particular session.
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