Continuing our romp through Clarence Williams’ recordings of “High Society”, here we have take C from the same 1929 session that I posted yesterday.
Note that this record is credited to “Steele-Melrose” rather than A.J. Piron, as the OKeh release was credited. This is due to a very interesting history of copyright shenanigans that I will get into tomorrow when I post yet another later version of this tune recorded by Williams.
I was surprised to hear this take also had what sounds like a “clam” by Ed Allen around the 0:47 mark. Just serves as a reminder that these tunes were recorded live in one or two takes – sometimes after only one brief rehearsal – and what you got was what you got. I’ve also noticed that while I’ve seen certain classical artists or symphonies recording on Victor Red Seal could get 10 or even 15+ takes during a session, jazz and blues artists were often given just one – and three at best.
Two issued takes were recorded and released – this is take C. Yesterday I posted take A. Both takes were pressed as Okeh 8706 – and I’m not sure which take is more common – but take C was the only one master pressed for this later U.K. reissue.
Recorded in New York City on July 2, 1929.
Released in the U.K. as Columbia D.B. 3513 (take C) on their Swing Music Series.
Credits:
Ed Allen – cornet
Unknown Artist – clarinet, alto sax
Clarence Williams – piano
Floyd Casey – washboard
You can hear take A at:
https://youtu.be/xzbJwOpWn4o