Let’s Hear It For A Couple Of Real Whistle Blowers
Description says: “Traditional Afrikaans music using a slide whistle as a wind instrument”
The Hoosier Hot Shots were very popular during the depression. They were featured on WLS Barn Dance, and are generally categorized as “country” although their music has more in common with small-group jazz. They featured “Hezzie” on slide-whistle and various percussionary instruments, never taking themselves very seriously.
Take it away Hezzie…
“When’d ya’ writ it?
This is great…
From Wiki…
Cliff Edwards (June 14, 1895 – July 17, 1971), also known as “Ukelele Ike”, was an American singer and voice actor who enjoyed considerable popularity in the 1920s and early 1930s, specializing in jazzy renditions of pop standards and novelty tunes. He had a number-one hit with “Singin’ in the Rain” in 1929. He also did voices for animated cartoons later in his career, and is best known as the voice of Jiminy Cricket in Walt Disney’s Pinocchio (1940).
Lenny Breau, Rick Danko and Levon Helm
At 20 years old, Lenny Breau was a guitar phenom in Winnipeg. He made the acquaintance of George Sukornyk who became his manager. One of the first orders of business was to record a demo. Much later (2003) the date was released as The Hallmark Sessions.
From the liner notes…
Lenny flew to Toronto in early November 1961. I booked a recording studio at Hallmark Studios for November 28, 1961. On the day before, I made arrangements to take Lenny to Ronnie Hawkin’s home in Mississauga, in order to rehearse with Rick Danko, acoustic bassist, who played for Ronnie, and Levon Helm on drums. The rehearsal lasted about two hours with Lenny quickly running through the numbers with Rick and Levon that he contemplated recording.
“The Hallmark Sessions” were recorded on November 28, 1961. Lenny, Rick Danko and Levon Helm recorded the seven Jazz numbers in stereo. Lenny then recorded the two Country & Western numbers and the four Flamenco numbers in mono. What was astounding to the recording engineers, and to everyone present, was that Lenny played the entire Jazz session without any rehearsal or interruption. After a short coffee break, Lenny played the Country & Western numbers, changed guitars, and played the four Flamenco numbers – again, without rehearsal or interruption.
– George B. Sukornyk
It continues to surprise me that Lenny Breau gets precious little acknowledgement from the guitar playing community. I think his playing scares the hell out of most cats. He was a true virtuoso.
And, this record is eye opening in that his musicality was so well intact at such a tender age. It’s a joy to listen to. Recorded in an old school proper manner.
What is equally eye opening to me are the performances of Levon Helm and Rick Danko. They both display astute understanding of the art of accompaniment. And this isn’t three chord bonehead stuff. It’s real deal, straight ahead jazz with a bunch of changes. I have heard these guys cover a good deal of stylistic ground but, nothing in this realm.
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The post to blame: Most Peculiar Mama (Don't Eat Your Cat)
