New Orleans Rhythm Kings - New Orleans Rhythm Kings (27 tracks) +Album Reviews

The FIRST Interracial collaboration in Jazz!

Walter Five | 13th Floor Elevator, Enron Hubbard Bldg. Houston T | 08/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't want to over-emphasise the above, as the New Orleans Rhythm Kings (NORK) stand on their own throughout 3/4ths of this CD without the able assistance of Mssr. Ferdinand (Jelly-Roll) Morton, but this is an incredibly notable and undeniably historic team-up. The NORK have been largely dismissed as (pardon the pun) pale echoes of King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, but I beg to differ with that opinion. Play this CD. Hear this incredible band. Compare them to any of their contemporaries in 1922-23, the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Kid Ory's Band, King Oliver's--they hold their own. It is true, that the NORK recording dates which *follow* these are simply not as good, as tight, as together, but those were *not* sessions played by the original line-up presented here--THESE really cook! Mssr. Morton is to be found on the cuts "Sobbin' Blues", Clarinet Marmalade (1st and 2nd takes), Mr. Jelly Lord (2nd and 4th takes), London Blues, and Milenberg Joys (1st &4th takes). Predating his "Red Hot Peppers" band by three years, these sides find the Jelly Roll King in fine form, a component and team player, comfortable in his role as a sideman. Not as florid or flamboyant as his Piano Rolls from the same period, to be sure, Morton gives enough to make his presence known, without overplaying.In a sane world, our children would be studying this disc in 6th Grade Musical History."

How could you not already have this one!

roarin20sGuy | 09/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're into dixieland this should have been one of the 1st CD's you should have picked up. Essential dixieland by The New Orleans Rhythm Kings otherwise known as N.O.R.K. featuring Jelly Roll Morton on several selections. Essential to collectors as well as the novice. This is DIXIELAND."

Essential Early Jazz

Peter Acebal | Christiansburg, VA United States | 12/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If some customer has read any of my reviews they notice I give out 5 stars often,but the stars don't come easily with me and this superb set is an example of essential music earning its stars;the NORK were the next critical white band in early jazz (after the Original Dixieland Jazz Band)and they display already a sense of collective character all their own (listen to their rendering of the ODJB's "Clarinet Marmalade" for a starter);the digital mastering on this CD is basically very good (although a bit too 'hazy' in spots) but that cannot detract the value of this wonderful set PLUS this set includes the 1923 sides the NORK recorded with Jelly Roll Morton and it is indeed a revelation to see how that notorious genius could put his ego aside and prove an ace team-player! Enjoy and Replay to your ear's and heart's content!"

The first jazz records, in listenable sound

bukhtan | Chicago, Illinois, USA | 02/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""When I first began my work, 'jazz' was a stunt," said Duke Ellington. To hear the kind of "stunt" music he had in mind, listen to the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. To hear the earliest real jazz music, in bearable sound, listen to the first records of the NORK. As their trombonist Brunies said himself, these white musicians tried to copy the black bands, and though he also admits they didn't altogether succeed, they tried hard. And came up with a music comparable to the King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band sides recorded the next year. Compared to NORK and King Oliver, the ODJB are indeed a 'stunt', like a child's windup toy, a pack of mechanical chimps whacking away, saleable because they were white. For music from that kind of stuff, people had to wait for Bix Beiderbecke, who could coax music from that jingle machine business the way Louis Armstrong could coax it out of cheap pop songs.

For other pre-Oliver jazz music, try the June 1922 Kid Ory 78's, with Mutt Carey, available on the first Kid Ory Chronogical Classics. But be prepared for hideous sound."

The Progress of Jazz

Peter Acebal | Christiansburg, VA United States | 12/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first had these recordings on LP some twenty-five (!) years ago so this CD came as a revelation to me - The NORK were a direct descendant of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band as the next most significant white jazz band and as such they directly influenced Bix Beiderbecke and the Wolverines two years later who in turn influenced scores of white jazzmen;but the NORK had a firmer command of the African-American Creole passion for polyphony and syncopation and in cornetist Paul Mares and trombonist George Brunies there are two first-rate jazz stylists;the inclusion here of their records with Jelly Roll Morton only emphasizes how far the NORK transcended the color lines.This set is a critical purchase,...no serious jazz lover should do without this excellantly presented set.Jazz Lovers dig in and Enjoy!"

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