Search - Various Artists :: Viper Mad Blues

Fascinating and fun!

Brenna E. Lorenz | State College, PA United States | 09/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD introduces the listener to a very nice cross-section of 1920s and 1930s jazz and blues performed by 25 different artists, including Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Fats Waller, Leadbelly, and Gene Krupa. Some of these pieces are just plain beautiful music, like Blue Drag. Others, as one would expect, are roll-on-the-floor funny, like Fats Waller's "The Reefer Song" or Frankie "Half-Pint" Jaxon's version of "Willie the Weeper." (His sound effects are quite remarkable.) Some of these pieces seem to be unavailable on any other CD, like "Killin' Jive" by the Cats and the Fiddle. They performed this song in the movie, The Duke is Tops, but no CD of their material has yet been released. This is one of my favorite CDs."

Great album, tracks available elsewhere

Ian Mccullough | Nashville, TN United States | 09/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a terrific album and highly recommended. However, the individual tracks are all available legally through other channels. Try "Dope & Glory" or "Flashbacks: Drug Songs, high & low 1917-1944" if this type of music appeals to you. Can't beat the cover art though."