From the Record Shelves #307

I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise

LP RCA Vintage series LPV-555

The main attraction on this Paul Whiteman LP is the outstanding recording of Rhapsody in Blue. But there are also some early successes, including Whispering, the real big one from 1920. Further, there is a Cole Porter medley from Anything Goes and the fascinating When Day Is Done. On the early recordings, I especially dig the virtuoso saxophone obligatos that were in fashion and peaked in popularity at the time.

And there is this one, another fine George Gershwin tune from 1922. It’s not improvised jazz but nevertheless very well played music, and especially impressive is the intense blues-inspired trumpet solo.

The record is called volume one, but I don’t think that the second volume ever saw the light.

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