Search - Richard Himber & His Orchestra :: It Isn't Fair

Complete Dick Himber vol 1.

JJA Kiefte | Tegelen, Nederland | 01/15/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Richard Himber started his own band with financial backing by Rudy Vallee int the early thirties. It was a hotel type band which first and formemost catered polite dance music for wealthy patrons of such swank spots as the Essex House and later the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. But it did so with excellent taste and Himber took great care to select only the best musicians around. Thus we find Tommy Dorsey as the featured trombone soloist. His solo on "Smoke Rings" makes interesting comparison with Billy Rauch whose big solo this was with Casa Loma (when listening to Rauch you are always aware of the effort that goes into his playing: will he make the high notes without fluffing or not? With Dorsey there is no such strain apparent). The string section (including a harp) dominates the proceedings and although Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman are also present on some titles, do not expect any jazz, but pleasing, unmannered, unspectacular dance music, with good but not especially inventive arrangements, interspersed with slightly nasal, but not unpleasing vocals by Joey Nash (who takes much care in singing behind the beat).

Remastering is carefully done, booklet provides complete discographical info but is scant with other info.

This will certainly appeal to dance music buffs."