Search - Harry James :: Feet Draggin Blues 1944-47

Superior Early Harry James

Tad Ulrich | Los Angeles, CA United States | 11/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Had I not been able to preview these songs beforehand I would likely have passed on this wonderful cd. The title, "Feet Draggin' blues" is hardly inspiring for a cd title and for all I could tell, it could have been produced by some bootleg off-label.



But don't be dismayed! This is some of the best early James I have heard. Furthermore the cd was produced by HEP Records/Metronome series. Anyone familiar with that label is aware of its emphasis on top quality productions. Certainly no less can be stated for this release. The cd insert is a booklet containing complete player personnel listings for each tune as well as track times, recording dates, photos and interesting liner notes and comments from musicians as well.



Musically I picked this up for the best James version ever of "I'm Confessin'", "Easy" (very similar to Goodman's "Jumpin' at the Woodside"), "Fryar Rock" and "September Song". I inherited those from my Dad's Columbia 78 RPS records which had been ruined over the years. Recorded between 1944 and 1947 these are really great tunes with a nice mix of both ballads and driving swingers arranged for the band by none other than Ray Conniff.



The entire program is outstanding with excellent sound quality as well. There are four nice vocals by Ginnie Powell (Boyd Raeburn's future wife to be), Kitty Kallen and old James stallwart, alto saxophonist Willie Smith. The remaining 16 selections are instrumentals.



If you are a fan of the big band era or just like big bands in general this cd offers you some of the best James ever. The current price makes it a bargain. Released back in 1999 you should get yours soon before it is too late! Now if someone would just release Harry James' outstanding Capitol Records "Today!" album in its entirety I'd be in seventh heaven!

"