Charlie Barnet - Skyliner

Well, as promised here's one of Charlie Barnet's most infamous albums from his orchestra's glory days.  If you ever buy or see a big band comp with Barnet included, the tune Skyliner is almost certainly going to be there.

If you Google "Charlie Barnet Skyliner", a prolific amount of albums will be displayed.  All you need to know is that this is the REAL deal, the original Skyliner on Decca.  His band arguably released their most popular sides with Bluebird during the late 30's and early 40's, but Skyliner was still one of the best.

As far as the playing goes, expect the usual quirky and fun style that you heard on the last post, Cherokee.  The soloing is sporadic but the ensemble work is tight.  Peanuts Holland really makes the session with an awesome rendition of Drop Me Off In Harlem.  I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure when this was released in 1944, the Foxtrot was the rage - and can be heard on Skyliner.  I hope some of you will take a chance on a great piece of jazz history, and one of the more interesting jazz figures from the big band era.  Barnet was well respected by Basie and Ellington, and as such remains in the annals of 40's jazz storytelling (mostly for the bands wild antics off stage).  It should also be noted that at the time of this recording, Barnet and other like minded leaders were moving away from "audience driven" jazz and into something more like what bop was to become.  At this point the arrangers were really key and Barnet knew it inviting some of the best to voice his orchestra.  Generally speaking, Barnet didn't care for being popular or mainstream - he just wanted to have fun playing the most contemporary jazz of the day.

I know that when you hear this music, it's hard to imagine that the players could have possibly been "cutting edge", or considered outsiders.  I think that overall, Barnet wisely towed the line between both sides of the coin.  The bottom line is, this fun, sophisticated music should never be forgotten!!

This was ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  The album is in excellent condition, an original US pressing!!  A real jewel in my collection, and in fabulous mono of course.   Get ready to have some fun... Enjoy!!!

DECCA DL8098
1944

The best I can find is a list of his band members for BOTH of his DECCA releases.  I can't nail down exactly who is on this album, but Peanuts Holland and Dodo Marmarosa are a definite.  Can anybody help??

Charlie Barnet (soprano, alto & tenor saxophones);

Peanuts Holland, Art Robey (vocals, trumpet); 

Frances Wayne, Kay Starr (vocals); 

George Bone, Conn Humphries, Murray Williams, Buddy DeFranco (alto saxophone); 

Kurt Bloom, James Lamare (tenor saxophone); 

Bob Dawes (baritone saxophone); 

Roy Eldridge, Art House, Irving Berger, Joe Ferrante, Chuck Zimmerman, Al Killian, Jimmy Pupa, Lyman Vunk, George Seaberg (trumpet); 

Lawrence Brown, Russ Brown, Kahn Keene, Wally Baron, Bill Robertson, Eddie Bert, Ed Fromm, Spud Murphy, Bob Swift (trombone); 

Dodo Marmarosa (piano); 

Tommy Moore, Barney Kessel (guitar); 

Jack Jarvis, Bob Elden, Irv Lang (bass); 

Cliff Leeman, Harold Hahn (drums)

Charlie Barnet - Cherokee

Perhaps my optimism is warping my judgement, but I would like to believe that the Crypt is finally reaching certain "non-believers".   Yes, sometime ago I set out to reign in jazz fans who don't like big band, mainstream and/or basically anything deemed old and uncool.  In that time I have shared quite a few albums and overall received great response.

With that in mind, I am really excited to share this classic album by Charlie Barnet.  For those unfamiliar with him, I would suggest reading up on him, if you like a really non-traditional story.  For our purposes, the Coles notes read like this...  Barnet had his heyday in the 40's with a really great big band.  He eventually drifted out of jazz, but left a few albums along the way - Cherokee is one of those.

In 1958 Barnet hand picked a band to take into the studio.  Everest had commisioned him to cut a session, and so he decided to put together an album of tunes which were hits for him.  Now here's something else you should know about Charlie Barnet, he was always a wildly progressive band leader.  The result of all this is an album which infuses west coast cool and east coast bop into some great big band standards.   I think he wanted to show the apathetic youth, and modern jazz fans that big band could adapt and measure up.  Boy was he right...

I chose this album so that hopefully anybody still unsure about big band, can experience the absolute fun and joy of the genre at its best.  The music moves quickly and excitedly, yet retains a really soulful vibe.  The thing that most any jazz fan will enjoy about Cherokee, is the non stop barrage of solos.  Yes indeed, Barnet was the genuine article.  I have some really wonderful mint sides from his earlier years, but wanted to try and grab everyone's attention with this first - my favorite of his to be sure.  This set swings as hard as they come!!

This was ripped from my original Everest LP.  Ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC, it's a really minty affair with top notch fidelity.  Be sure to read the liner notes penned by Nat Hentoff.  Enjoy!!!

Everest Records LPBR-5008
1958

Charlie Barnet (soprano, alto & tenor saxophones); 

Bunny Briggs (vocals); 

Pete Mondello (alto, tenor & baritone saxophones); 

Vinnie Dee (alto saxophone); 

Dick Hafer, Kurt Bloom (tenor saxophone); 

Danny Bank (baritone saxophone); 

Charlie Shavers, Markey Markowitz, Clark Terry, Al Stewart (trumpet); 

Billy Byers, Frank Sarroco, Bobby Byrne, Ed Price (trombone); 

Nat Pierce (piano); 

Chubby Jackson (bass); 

Terry Snyder (drums).