Today: Spinning another cute lil’ 9″ Emerson disc by Louisiana Five. Funny enough, I found an ad from May 1919 that described these 9″ records as their “large size” records (compared to their other 7″ issues).
Another ad promoting the band bears the headline: “Do they have the ‘Blues’ in Boston?” and goes on from there: “Yes indeed, ‘Blues’ one-steps and fox-trots have taken staid, conservative Bostontown by storm. All New England, for that matter! New England Folks are one-stepping and fox-trotting to the melodious dance records which the famous Louisiana Five is making, these days, for the Emerson Phonograph Company.”
This was their second recording session – but their first that resulted in released material. Their first session for Victor in November 1918 went unissued (A take of “Yellow Dog Blues”).
This was not, however, the first record issued by the group. Another tune from this session (“Heart Sickness Blues”) and a tune from another session in February (“Orange Blossom Blues”) were first issued by Emerson in April of 1919 (catalog number 9150). This record was released a month later, in May of 1919.
Laughing Blues was an original composition co-credited to three of the L5 members. It features New Orleans – style ensemble playing that showcases Alcide Nuñez on clarinet with support from Charlie Panelli on trombone.
As you might expect from the title and the year of release, novelty “laughing” effects are presented by Nuñez starting at 1:46. Notably, two years before Louis Panico would popularize the “laughing” technique in “Wabash Blues” by the Isham Jones Orchestra.
Recorded in New York City on February 1, 1919.
Released as Emerson 9158 and reissued as Medallion 846.
Credits:
Charlie Panelli – trombone
Alcide Nuñez – clarinet
Joe Cawley – piano
Karl Berger – banjo
Anton Lada – drums
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