Bunny Plays Bix

From the Victor Record Review (vol. 1, no. 9, p. 7).. 

I believe that this is a Victor publication, and therefore it is not surprising to see the amazing praise. Let me hasten to add that the praise is well deserved. Flashes is misspelled, as it is on the record sleeve and the record label.

Listen

In the Dark   http://www.jazz-on-line.com/a/ramc/VIC030338.ram

Flashes         http://www.jazz-on-line.com/a/ramc/VIC030169.ram

Davenport Blues    http://www.jazz-on-line.com/a/ramc/VIC030170.ram

In A Mist    http://www.jazz-on-line.com/a/ramc/VIC030168.ram

Candlelights     http://www.jazz-on-line.com/a/rama/VIC030171.ram

The scan of the article comes through the courtesy of Rob. As I said in my earlier posting, forumites are among the most generous people on the planet. Thanks a lot, Rob.

Rob wonders if the "Bunny plays Bix" date arose to capitalize on the success of Dorothy Baker's novel. Interesting and plausible speculation. My speculation in my Bix piano article is somewhat different, although not contradictory. In fact, both interpretations could well be correct: an opportunity as well as a tribute. Here is a preview of what I wrote.

"Candlelights was first recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Men (Irving Goodman, t; Ray Conniff, tb; Murray Williams, Gus Bivona, George Auld, rds; Joe Lippman, p,a; Hank Wayland, sb; Buddy Rich,d)on Nov 30, 1938, Victor 26122.

On that day, the group also recorded In A Mist, Flashes, and  Davenport Blues. The next day, they recorded In the Dark. All of Bunny Berigan's recordings of Bix's compositions were collected in Bunny Plays Bix, a 1954 10-inch extended play 45 RPM album, RCA Victor EPAT-434.

Bunny Berigan's recordings of Bix's compositions must [on re-reading, a bit strong; could be viewed would be better] be viewed as a Berigan tribute to Bix. It is noteworthy, moreover, that Bunny Berigan included three of Bixs compositions (In A Mist, Flashes, and Davenport Blues) in his booklet Bunny Berigan Modern Trumpet Studies.

Albert