........ "the two most influential jazz records of the 1920s" is a better description?
The vital statistics
West End Blues (Joe Oliver) Louis Armstrong nd His Hot Five
master W.400967-B OK 8597 Chicago, June 28, 1928
Louis Armstrong, t, v; Fred Robinson, tb; Jimmy Strong, cl,ts; Earl Hines, p; Mancy Cara, bj; Zutty Singleton, d.
Singin' the Blues (J. Russell Robinson and Con Conrad) Frank Trumbauer and His Orchestra
master 80393-B OK 40772 New York Feb 4, 1927
Frank Trumbauer, C-mel; Bix Beiderbecke,c; Miff Mole, tb; Jimmy Dorsey, cl, as; Paul Mertz. p; Eddie Lang, g; Chauncey Morehouse, d.
Similarities
- Both recordings waxed in the second half of the 1920s, at a time when jazz has matured.
- Both recordings issued by OKeh.
- Very similar instrumentation: c or t, tb, cl, p, d. Differences: c-mel in "Singin' the Blues;" no sax in "West End Blues." Guitar in "Singin' the Blues" banjo in "West End Blues."
- Both had a lasting impact on musicians.
Richard Hadlock in his magnificent book, "Jazz Masters of the Twenties," discusses in detail these two recordings.
West End Blues. "A milestone in the histroy of jazz."
Singin' the Blues. "Left an impression on virtually every saxophone and trumpet player."
