Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Elmer Snowden - Harlem Banjo

As much as Orin Keepnews' career is celebrated, in the grand scheme of things, I'm not sure he gets the credit he deserves.  This album is a perfect example of his contribution to the recorded history of jazz.

Snowden was brought out of relative obscurity to record what would become his calling card.  The art of jazz banjo was all but lost, so the beauty of this album is hearing a classic style in a modern recording.

This a a wildly fun and upbeat side, guaranteed to entertain.  It's presented here in VBR mp3, which while not ideal, does infact sound great.  The Crypt will be looking closely at some of Keepnews' lesser known sides from his Riverside imprint...  enjoy!!!

Banjoist Elmer Snowden only led two albums in the LP era, and his OJC CD reissue is his best showcase. Snowden, who is joined by pianist Cliff Jackson, bassist Tommy Bryant, and drummer Jimmy Crawford, is the lead voice throughout the dozen standards, all of which date from the 1920s or '30s. Snowden's banjo style is a lost art, and this is his definitive recording. - Scott Yanow/AMG

Riverside RLP 9348
1960

Elmer Snowden - banjo;  Cliff Jackson - piano;  Tommy Bryant - bass;  Jimmy Crawford - drums.
Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

13 comments:

  1. poppachubbySeptember 5, 2012 at 5:58 AM

    http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?o7wqba91kcrnywi

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mutha KlangerSeptember 5, 2012 at 6:26 AM

    nice one, Poppa. I do like me some pukka banjo. don't know this at all. thanks.

    btw, there are a couple of nice old-timey banjo
    LPs over on "Nine Hundred Miles From Home" that kick along rather nicely.

    ReplyDelete
  3. X75aSeptember 5, 2012 at 9:18 AM

    Poppachubby,

    Thanks for the Elmer Snowden. I know he was with the Duke Ellington Orchestra in the late '20's, so I can see where he plays some of his tunes here. I once bought an album that was self-titled on IAJRC 12. But, I don't have it anymore. It was pretty good though. Oh well, thanks once again.

    ReplyDelete
  4. swamielmoSeptember 5, 2012 at 9:49 AM

    thank you poppachubby, i am curious to hear this.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousSeptember 5, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    You always surprise!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousSeptember 5, 2012 at 2:04 PM

    Giving the credit to Keepnews and forgetting about Chris Albertson?
    http://stomp-off.blogspot.com/2010/08/if-you-have-done-some-browsing-on-this.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. poppachubbySeptember 5, 2012 at 2:50 PM

    Hey Anonymous, while we appreciate the info, your innuendo is WAY off base.

    ReplyDelete
  8. KingCakeSeptember 5, 2012 at 9:27 PM

    Guys, Guys --- Chris did indeed have the most important role in this particular session - however, Orrin deserves big credit for this whole series he did on forgotten musicians of an earlier age. I acknowledge a bit of prejudice based on having had a personal friendship with OK, but let's agree to give props all around.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2012 at 11:07 AM

    Thanks for posting this, most enjoyable music I've heard in a long time.

    ReplyDelete
  10. flatspinSeptember 7, 2012 at 4:08 PM

    Unexpectedly fun and very enjoyable. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  11. GastonSeptember 11, 2012 at 11:34 AM

    A charmer. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. chuSeptember 16, 2012 at 5:15 AM

    Elmer Snowden was actually the original leader of The Washingtonians before it became Duke Ellington's orchestra!

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousOctober 25, 2012 at 12:16 PM

    Invalid or deleted file, already!
    Is it possible to re-up? Thanks.
    Arvin

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)