Search - Al Bowlly, Ray Noble Orchestra :: Hmv Sessions 5: 1930-34

MIX OF SWEET AND HOT, PLUS SOME CORN!

Barry McCanna | Normandy, France | 01/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This kicks off with the remainder of the first February 1933 sesssion, and runs until the first title cut on 24th May 1933, which reflects the fact that Noble's recording activities were intensifying, and with that went his use of Al's services. On the plus side, several of these sides (particularly "Stay On The Right Side Of The Road" and "Hustlin' And Bustlin' For Baby") were outstanding, with great ensemble playing and hot solos, but examples of Noble's arranging skills abound. There is also one of Al's best-known duets, with Frances Day, that is "When My Little Pomeranian Met Your Little Pekinese".



The grit in the oyster is the presence of three novelty numbers, namely "Wheezy Anna", "I'm One Of The Lads Of Valencia" and "The Village Band", on which Al's talents are somewhat wasted. I mentioned in my review of the first volume that this series was based on an earlier reissue of LPs, albeit spread over fewer volumes. This means that the liner notes are beginning to go out of synch with the actual tracks, which may not matter if you are purchasing the complete set, but may be a trifle inconvenient otherwise.



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