Nearly 18 months after first recording “Wild Cat” for Okeh as a duo in early 1927, Venuti and Lang recorded it again for Victor.
It is an interesting comparison to listen to – as it demonstrates a couple of interesting things. Firstly, this performance is noticeably faster and more fluid – you hear how these two greats have gotten very comfortable playing with one another. Where the Okeh recording could feel a bit tentative at times, the Victor leaps forward with a vibrant confidence.
Secondly, you really hear the sound quality difference between the Okeh session and Victor session in these early days of electric recording. The Victor recording sounds cleaner and the three instruments are mixed well. Eddie’s guitar is bright and present where on the Okeh recording it was a little muddy and hollow.
Both great performances in their own right – but the Victor really lives up to its name in this match-up!
Recorded in New York City on June 21, 1928.
Released as Victor 21561.
Credits:
Joe Venuti- violin
Eddie Lang – guitar
Frank Signorelli – piano
Here are two other recorded versions of this tune for comparison:
Parlophone R 3330 (January 1927)
https://youtu.be/HQfyu9JO0ww
Bluebird B-10280 (June 1928)
https://youtu.be/n_H9VjPJKh8
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