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 2 of “Bix Restored” covers Bix’s recording career from September 28, 1927 to February 28, 1928, and contains 64 tracks. It covers Bix’s freelance period during September-October 1927 (after the breakup of the Goldkette band), many of the great small group sessions with Frank Trumbauer, as well as the beginning of Bix’s career with Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra. Highlights of the set include the ultimate transfers of the ultra-rare Chicago Loopers recordings made for Pathe, the Bix & his Gang classics “Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down” and “Jazz Me Blues,” three takes of Whiteman’s “From Monday On,” featuring Bing Crosby & the Rhythm Boys, two takes of Whiteman’s “Washboard Blues” featuring Hoagy Carmichael’s first issued vocal, and even the “Grand Fantasia from Wagneriana.”
“The restoration of this material, mostly from Bix’s early time with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, is phenomenal. With John R.T. Davies’ outstanding restoration, I find myself forgetting this stuff was recorded 80 years ago. I have never heard Bix’s “Whiteman” material in such good sound quality. Because the restoration is so good, you not only get to hear Bix’s incredible improvisation on the Cornet, but you also hear the incredible Steve Brown’s driving string bass on many of the selections. Bix was at his technical and musical peak when these recording were made, so this volume is definitely not to be missed. Plus, many of these recordings were successful popular hits. You’ll also get to hear popular artists like Bing Crosby and the vocal group The Rhythm Boys. About 2/3 of the set is the Paul Whiteman material, but 1/3 of the set consists of various small group recordings, most of them under the direction of C Melody Saxophone innovator Frank Trumbauer (Prez, Lester Young often cited Trumbauer as a major musical influence on him). For anyone interested in early jazz and 20′s pop music this set is a treasure trove.” – R. Dixon
Track List
Bix Restored, Volume 2 – Disc 4
1) Humpty Dumpty / Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
2) Krazy Kat / Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
3) The Baltimore / Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
4) There Ain’t No Land Like Dixieland / Broadway Bellhops
5) There’s a Cradle in Caroline / Broadway Bellhops
6) Just an Hour of Love / Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
7) I’m Just Wonderin’ Who / Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
8) At the Jazz Band Ball / Bix Beiderbecke & his Gang
9) Royal Garden Blues / Bix Beiderbecke & his Gang
10) Jazz Me Blues / Bix Beiderbecke & his Gang
11) I’m More Than Satisfied (take 1) / Chicago Loopers
12) I’m More Than Satisfied (take 2) / Chicago Loopers
13) Clorinda (take 1) / Chicago Loopers
14) Clorinda (take 2) / Chicago Loopers
15) Three Blind Mice (take 1) / Chicago Loopers
16) Three Blind Mice (take 2) / Chicago Loopers
17) Goose Pimples / Bix Beiderbecke & his Gang
18) Sorry / Bix Beiderbecke & his Gang
19) Cryin’ All Day / Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
20) A Good Man is Hard to Find / Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
21) Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down / Bix Beiderbecke & his Gang
22) Sugar / Russell Gray & his Orchestra
23) Washboard Blues (take 1) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
Bix Restored, Volume 2 – Disc 5
1) Washboard Blues (take 4) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
2) Changes (take 2) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
3) Changes (take 3) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
4) Mary (take 2) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
5) Mary (take 4) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
6) Ramona / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
7) Smile (take 1) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
8) Lonely Melody (take 1) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
9) Lonely Melody (take 3) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
10) O Ya Ya / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
11) Dolly Dimples / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
12) There’ll Come a Time / Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
13) Jubilee / Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
14) Parade of the Wooden Soldiers / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
15) Ol’ Man River / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
16) San (take 6) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
17) San (take 7) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
18) Mississippi Mud / Frankie Trumbauer & his Orchestra
19) Together / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
20) My Heart Stood Still (take 1) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
21) My Heart Stood Still (take 3) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
22) Smile (take 4) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
Bix Restored, Volume 2 – Disc 6
1) Smile (take 5) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
2) Back in Your Own Backyard (take 3) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
3) Back in Your Own Backyard (take 4) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
4) There Ain’t No Sweet Man That’s Worth the Salt of My Tears (take 2) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
5) There Ain’t No Sweet Man That’s Worth the Salt of My Tears (take 3) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
6) Dardanella / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
7) Love Nest / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
8) Sunshine (take 2) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
9) Sunshine (take 3) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
10) From Monday On (take 3) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
11) Grand Fantasia from Wagneriana / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
12) A Shady Tree / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
13) Three Shades of Blue / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
14) Mississippi Mud (take 2) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
15) Mississippi Mud (take 3) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
16) Chloe / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
17) High Water / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
18) From Monday On (take 4) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
19) From Monday On (take 6) / Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra
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