Jimmy Archey's Giants of Jazz with Dick Wellstood

[EliNewberger]

Typically, the tune is played in Bb, and this is in C. That probably accounts for the blinding speed.

[ifiwereu]

Why do folk criticize performances when they don't understand the speed could actually be the normal speed. Many stride pianists can play at what is perceived to be speeds of increased velocities.

[jazzgirl1920s]

I had this recording for years until I posted it on youtube. I always thought the tune was just played fast and was not sped up. I have heard Wellstood play solos at a pretty fast before. Possibly a reason for identifying a recording as sped up is an expert in music would know the key the tune in normally played in and if it is sped up that would change the key. Then if the sped up recording is in some wierd key or one musicians never play this tune in that would be the basis for the conclusion.

[solidmotion]

Wellstood's solo is pretty sweet. Even if this recording was sped up, the clarity more than makes up for it. Not only can you hear the solo, but you can hear every note he plays throughout. Many thanks for sharing this!

[jazzgirl1920s]

Thanks for the information that this recording was sped up. It is nearly 7 minutes long. I wonder how long it would be if played at the correct speed? As I said probably due to it being recorded on non professional equipment available at the time. Don't know if you knew this or have heard it but a collector told me a guy recorded hundreds of hours of jazz live at clubs and off the radio on a wire recorder and his kids threw them all out after he died because they had no way to play them.

[klikonojazz]

@solidmotion I Just Made a slower Version under: Jimmy Archey the little Giant of the Trombone

[JamesPriceJohnson]

nice. it sounds sped up though

[jazzgirl1920s]

Thanks for your astute observation that the recording sounds sped up. This may be due to the fact it was recorded off a radio broadcast or live at a club with an acetate recording machine. It may not have been professional equipment that was used to make the recording and the machine might have recorded at the wrong speed and when it was played back at 78 it played fast.

[Stompy23]

What a rousing, sizzling, hot performance!

[jazzgirl1920s]

Hi- I always enjoyed the Clarence Williams Blue Five recording of the same tune with Sidney Bechet and Louis Armstrong from 1925. That was a really hot recording. Then I found this Jimmy Archey band one and it is very good too. All the soloists on this Jimmy Archey recording play superb driving hot improvised solos I really enjoy. I had to share this one with the listeners. Dick Wellstood really stretches out on a long stride piano solo.