Found a very nice copy of this Sam Lanin recording of an Irving Berlin tune. If Brian Rust’s American Dance Band Discography is to be trusted, I believe Red Nichols and Jimmy Dorsey may be playing on it.
In any case, the quality of the musicians is high and the tune “Sunshine” had just been published. Paul Whiteman’s orchestra has the honor of being the first to record the song (having knocked it out in the studio just four days earlier on February 13, 1928). But this Gotham Troubadours version has a fresh energy that matches the humor and optimism of the Berlin composition – which is a sunny panacea that advises a little sunshine to solve most of life’s problems:
“Pay your doctor bills
Throw away his pills
You can cure your ills
with sunshine.”
In addition to this Lanin version, several others recorded the tune that same year, including Irving Kaufman, Little Jack Little, Nick Lucas, Jack Smith, and Seger Ellis. Lanin himself re-recorded it with his Ipana Troubadours the very next week.
Recorded in New York City on February 17, 1928.
Released as Okeh 40992.
Credits:
Sam Lanin – director, drums
Red Nichols (?) – trumpet
Sam Lewis (?) – trombone
Jimmy Dorsey (?) – clarinet, alto sax
Unknown Artist – piano
Tony Colucci (?) – banjo
Joe Tarto (?) – tuba
Scrappy Lambert – vocals