I’ve Got a Daddy Down in New Orleans
LP Grannyphone 03318
What strikes me immediately when I put on this LP is the good sound quality. It’s, in reality, very good transfers of originals in good condition that make it possible for us to enjoy the outstanding recording technique of the late twenties. And therewith the sound and playing of some great musicians. Red Nichols sounds as he was playing his cornet in my room and even the bass violin of Joe Tarto, playing with Emmet Miller has a full round and distinct tone.
But of course, this record is about Eddie Lang and his guitar that sounds so rich in all registers, and modern recordings show that it’s not easy to record a guitar.
Eddie whose real name was Salvatore Massaro was the son of a fretted instrument maker. He got to play and tour with the Mound City Blue Blowers and after that he was in demand to play with big bands, small groups and as accompanist to singers. His playing granted him a place in music history as the pioneer of jazz guitar. At the top of his career he was the personal accompanist of Bing Crosby, scheduled to appear on the screen in Hollywood in 1933, but it was also then that tragedy struck, and his life was cut short through a tonsillectomy at the early age of 31.
The album contains no less than 7 unissued recordings and this is one of them. Alma Henderson sings and Eddie plays very relaxed and efficient behind her and is also putting in a short solo. It’s a little gem, recorded in August 1927.