Search - Ted Weems & His Orchestra :: Marvelous! 1926-1929

Marvelous & HOT, are just the word to describe this music...

Mr. Hotsy Totsy | 03/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most people think of the boring society or "potted palm" music that Ted Weems was so popular for in the 30's & 40's, well you won't hear any of that here. This exellent CD on the Memphis Archives label reissues the same material on a British ASV Lp release, and it's pure hot jazz of the 1920's. This is Weems before he went totally commercial in the 30's and 40's. The band sticks mostly to enambles, and doesn't give much room for jazz soloists, yet the ensambles really are very HOT and they swing, and the vocals reflect the good times of the era. This CD is surprisingly very jazz oriented and ranks among the finest "hot dance" music of the 20's. Seroius jazz collectors will want this in their music library."

Marvelous is right!

"Gimpy" Peach Johnson | 01/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For a collector of 1920s jazz and dance bands, this CD is a breath of fresh air. Weems and his band play some real hot dance band music, and the sound quality is, well, marvelous! Before becoming "just another sweet band" in the 1930s and 1940s, Ted Weems led a pretty darn good dance band that made dozens of records for Victor in the 1920s. Many of the best of those are collected on this disc, and there isn't a dud in the lot. The Weems band has a distinctive sound that sets it apart from most other '20s bands--it's hard to put a finger on it, but when you hear a Weems record, you know it! Parker Gibbs's vocals are delightful, and the band has an infectious bright, "optimistic" sound. Just put this CD on and watch your troubles just float away. This CD is a little on the short side with only 18 tracks (52 minutes). I wish they had included a few other good Weems tunes of the era "I Found You Out," and my all-time favorite Weems record "Slappin' The Bass." I have the ASV Ted Weems set on LP, and for sound quality, this Memphis Archives release has it beat hands-down. No phony stereo sound, and a clarity that is lacking on ASV. Memphis Archives seems to have employed a minimal amount of "restoration;" surface noise is still audible, but it's very light and completely "natural" sounding--every track sounds as if you're listening directly to a clean "E" copy of each record. In my opinion, this is the best way to hear music from the 1920s, it gives you the feeling that you've really stepped back in time and just purchased a brand new copy of each and every 78. Other reissues that attempt to remove every last trace of surface noise often end up "muddying" the sound in the process or else produce a somewhat "harsh" processed sound. These recordings sound rich and warm, and have a presence and depth missing in most other reissues. Great music, great sound! Highly recommended!"

I have been looking for this for years. It is great! Thanks!

"Gimpy" Peach Johnson | 07/18/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No one could find this, but you did. I grew up with this on the jukeboxes in the 40's. He was tops then and still is in my book. Thanks again and I'll be looking for more."