I Lost My Gal from Memphis
CD Retrieval RTR 79020
This tune is often played at a murderous tempo; at least this is what happens when it comes into the hands of a French jazz band in traditional jazz style. Especially the reed players love to show off their skills in a minor key. We also played it with my band Scaniazz at a more moderate tempo, and the inspiration came from a version by Andy Kirk around 1930. In the bridge, in the middle eight bars of the chorus, the tonality changes to major in the same key.
This version is an example of how you can totally change the tempo of a tune with good results. And here we have to do with a voice equilibrist in place of a reed player.
Roy Evans is a mystery. Up to date, or at least up to 1999, when the CD was released, no one knows anything about the singer, a baritone with a wide range.
In the accompanying group, we supposedly find names like the Dorsey brothers on trombone and clarinet, Mannie Klein on trumpet, and Rube Bloom at the piano. The year is 1930.