Papa De-Da-Da
CD Hot’n Sweet FDC 5109
Step into the time machine and travel back a century. On March 4 in 1925, a band under the leadership of Clarence Williams was in the studio to record and promote one of his own compositions (in partnership with Spencer Williams). His wife, Eva Taylor, is doing the vocal, and soprano saxophonist Sidney Bechet, together with two reedmen, Buster Bailey and Don Redman from Fletcher Henderson’s Orchestra, have worked out some fancy riffs to use. But the improvised contribution that turns the record into a great jazz performance is made by trombone player (Charlie Irvis or Aaron Thompson), not to speak of the most important ingredient in the shape of young Louis Armstrong, also a member of Henderson’s orchestra at the time. He plays fiery, bluesy muted cornet or trumpet and is well backed up by the banjo of Buddy Christian, another player from New Orleans.
This was the last recording of Armstrong and Bechet together with Clarence Williams’ Blue Five.