Description
“Bix Restored” is the CD version of Sunbeam Records’ mammoth 20-LP Bix anthology, and is the result of a worldwide search for the best existing 78 rpm records and test pressings of all recordings on which legendary cornetist Bix Beiderbecke appeared. These recordings are presented in sound quality far superior to all previous reissues of this material (including the original Sunbeam LPs), thanks to the vaunted efforts of remastering engineers John R. T. Davies and Michael Kieffer. Taken as a whole, the series presents for the first time anywhere ALL original issues and ALL extant alternate takes on which Bix plays, many of which are making their first appearance on CD. Nothing is left out – not even the alternate take of Part 3 of “Metropolis!”
Each set comes complete with a 24-page booklet compiled by Randy Skretvedt, author, entertainment historian and Past Times publisher. Record collectors who contributed recordings to this project include Dr. Demento and Brian Rust. Greater care was also taken to present these recordings at the proper pitch than has previously been possible. Since many of the original Victor recordings slow down gradually during the performance, these recordings have never been presented at the correct pitch (even on the original 78s!) until now, using digital speed correction methods and the infallible ear of musician Dan Levinson to guide us.
Volume 1 of “Bix Restored” covers Bix’s recording career from the beginning (February 18, 1924) through mid-September 1927, and contains 70 tracks (66 complete original recordings, plus the “Blue River” test groove and all three of Jess Stacy’s recordings of Bix’s unrecorded compositions). It includes Bix’s entire recorded output with the Wolverine Orchestra and Jean Goldkette’s orchestra, his first waxings with Frank Trumbauer’s orchestra, both of the Tram-Bix-Lang trio sides, and the Gennetts by Bix and his Rhythm Jugglers and the Sioux City Six.
“For those who truly love early Jazz from the roots of Ragtime, and Bix Beiderbecke’s valuable contributions to this art form, this album is a must! It is pure Jazz joy! Having the different takes of the same pieces to compare is wonderful. Through these you can clearly hear and feel Bix’s improvisation skills at work. The two takes of ‘Slow River’ are excellent examples of playing what he feels at the moment. They are both marvelous. The vocal music is fun to hear too. The vocals by the Keller Sisters on Sunday cuts are archetypal, and bring visions of Betty Boop dancing in my head when I listen to them. The re-mastering work done by John R.T. Davies and Micheal Kieffer is superb. This very jolly music, and is a “must have” album set for Bixophiles.” – John H. Baldus
Track List
Bix Restored, Volume 1 – Disc 1
1) Fidgety Feet – Wolverine Orchestra
2) Jazz Me Blues – Wolverine Orchestra
3) Oh! Baby – Wolverine Orchestra
4) Copenhagen – Wolverine Orchestra
5) Riverboat Shuffle – Wolverine Orchestra
6) Susie (of the Islands) (take A) – Wolverine Orchestra
7) Susie (of the Islands) (take B) – Wolverine Orchestra
8) I Need Some Pettin’ – Wolverine Orchestra
9) Royal Garden Blues – Wolverine Orchestra
10) Tiger Rag – Wolverine Orchestra
11) Sensation – Wolverine Orchestra
12) Lazy Daddy (take A) – Wolverine Orchestra
13) Lazy Daddy (take B) – Wolverine Orchestra
14) Tia Juana – Wolverine Orchestra
15) Big Boy – Wolverine Orchestra
16) Flock O’ Blues – Sioux City Six
17) I’m Glad – Sioux City Six
18) I Didn’t Know – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
19) Adoration – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
20) Toddlin’ Blues – Bix & his Rhythm Jugglers
21) Davenport Blues – Bix & his Rhythm Jugglers
22) Idolizing (take 2) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
23) Idolizing (take 5) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
24) Hush-a-Bye – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
Bix Restored, Volume 1 – Disc 2
1) Sunday (take 2) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
2) Sunday (take 3) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
3) Cover Me Up with Sunshine – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
4) I’d Rather be the Girl in Your Arms – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
5) Just One More Kiss (take 2) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
6) Just One More Kiss (take 4) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
7) Proud of a Baby Like You (take 1) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
8) Proud of a Baby Like You (take 4) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
9) I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover (take 1) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
10) I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover (take 4) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
11) I’m Gonna Meet My Sweetie Now (take 2) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
12) I’m Gonna Meet My Sweetie Now (take 3) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
13) Hoosier Sweetheart – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
14) Look at the World and Smile (take 1) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
15) Look at the World and Smile (take 2) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
16) Look at the World and Smile (take 3) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
17) My Pretty Girl (take 1) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
18) My Pretty Girl (take 2) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
19) A Lane in Spain (take 1) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
20) A Lane in Spain (take 3) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
21) Sunny Disposish (take 2) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
22) Sunny Disposish (take 3) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
Bix Restored, Volume 1 – Disc 3
1) Trumbology – Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
2) Clarinet Marmalade – Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
3) Singin’ the Blues – Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
4) Slow River (take 2) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
5) Slow River (take 4) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
6) Ostrich Walk – Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
7) Riverboat Shuffle – Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
8) I’m Coming Virginia – Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
9) Way Down Yonder in New Orleans – Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
10) For No Reason at All in C – Tram, Bix and Lang
11) In My Merry Oldsmobile (waltz version) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
12) In My Merry Oldsmobile (fox trot) (take 1) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
13) In My Merry Oldsmobile (fox trot) (take 2) – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
14) Three Blind Mice – Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
15) Blue River (test groove) – Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
16) Blue River – Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
17) There’s a Cradle in Caroline – Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
18) In a Mist – Bix Beiderbecke
19) Flashes (Bix Beiderbecke, composer) – Jess Stacy
20) In the Dark (Bix Beiderbecke, composer) – Jess Stacy
21) Candlelights (Bix Beiderbecke, composer) – Jess Stacy
22) Blue River – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
23) Clementine – Jean Goldkette & his Orchestra
24) Wringin’ an’ Twistin’ – Tram, Bix and Lang
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