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Welcome to the inaugural release in Archeophone's Jazz,
Dance, and Blues Series. Our CD of the Benson Orchestra of Chicago's
initial 26 releases is the first serious attempt at chronicling this important
dance band's contribution to the sound of 1920s American ballrooms. With
pianist and arranger Roy Bargy leading a crack stable of sidemen, the Bensons
were one of the top recording dance outfits of the early '20s, and they will
still make you want to dance today. This collection includes 26 tracks, over
79 minutes of playing time, and a detailed 24-page booklet featuring previously
undiscovered facts about the life and business of impresario Edgar A. Benson,
who founded and managed the band.
Song Hits Made into Dance Standards
The Benson Orchestra was given top material to record, and they held forth
on some of the big hits of the day, which are now standards: "Ain't
We Got Fun," "Chili Bean," "My
Little Bimbo," and "My
Sunny Tennessee," for starters. These were the songs people of eight
decades ago wanted to dance to, and you'll notice the Bensons putting their
stamp on all of it, stretching the material to its musical limits. Whether
you're a jazz afficionado or if you simply want some peppy music for your
next cocktail party, this is the CD for you!
Virtuoso Performances
All the members of the Benson Orchestra were skilled players. At the same time
they were doing the standard dance-hall fare, the Bensons were serving up
hot portions on songs like "Railroad
Blues." The clarinet solo and orchestra accompaniment on "Na-Jo" may
be the first example on record of stop-time rhythm. Note the saxophone solo
on "I'd Love to Fall Asleep and Wake Up in My Mammy's Arms" or
the trumpet work on "Somebody." This
collection is full of tight ensemble work (such as "No
One's Fool"), highlighted by standout solo work (note the end of
the sax part on "Oh Gee! Oh
Gosh!").
Top Performers
Except for Roy Bargy, who went on to work for many years with Paul Whiteman,
many of the names are forgotten today. Most of these men had active careers
in other orchestras after their tenure in the Benson.
- Roy Bargy (piano, arranger, leader)
- Matthew Amaturo (clarinet, alto sax, soprano sax)
- Rick Adkins (trumpet)
- Guy Carey (trombone)
- Tom Thatcher (tenor sax)
- Joe Baum (violin)
- Joe Miller (banjo)
- William Foeste (bass sax, tuba)
- Albert Walthall (violin)
- Arthur Layfield (drums)
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