Search - Abe Lyman & His California Orchestra :: Hot Recordings by a West Coast Band, 1922-32

YOUNG MAN WHO WENT WEST

Barry McCanna | Normandy, France | 03/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Abe Lyman was a drummer and led an early West Coast dance band, which had in its ranks several hot players, including two from New Orleans, namely Ray Lopez on trumpet and Gus Mueller on clarinet. Like many similar bands of the time, they played a preponderance of popular tunes, but in amongst that fare they managed to work in some of a hotter variety.



The first seven titles were recorded acoustically, including their first for the rare Nordskog label. The Brunswick recording process was pretty advanced, but the difference is still noticeable at the switch to the electrical process. In fact the next three numbers are possibly the best in this compilation, being Everybody Stomp, Shake That Thing, and Too Bad.



Remastering is by the late John R.T. Davies, there's a full discography and the liner notes are excellent, This is a class product."