JIGSAW PUZZLE BLUES (1933) by the Joe Venuti/Eddie Lang Blue Five

[psychoprosthetic]

Thanks for this. Didn't know this band at all, but I know Django admired Eddie Lang, so it's a history lesson for me.

[63rdwho]

I am not normally a lover of jazz, but this is beautiful..

[MrJimmienoone]

What beautiful bass sax playing!!! Why did this instrument fall out of favor with musicians? Possibly, because nobody can hope to come close to Adrian Rollini.

[sirjuandabicho]

Magnífico, gracias por compartirlo.

[quicktothe4]

Amazing!!!

[toti4]

can you imagine if Bix Beiderbecke would have lived long enough to play on this song

[cactusblue60]

@toti4: Bix on this record would have been beyond words.

[Galericulus]

For my money this original version should have been called "Jigsaw Puzzle Jazz". It's probably a generation thing, but I hate arrangements like this. In my opinion, Danny Kirwan did a fantastic job of picking out the best section of it and constructing a proper "Jigsaw Puzzle Blues" out of it. Considering what he was working from, Danny did a tremendous job. I have always loved his version. Now I view it with respect as well. Wonderful job Danny.

[invention13]

Was the bass sax and vibes player Adrian Rollini?

[wilsonmcphert]

@invention13

Yes. See background info above.

[erscott13]

180 degrees apart from DK's version. Both awesome.

[af4k]

But then we have to ask where id THEY get their inspiration from in the 1930s? It sounds like the typical club "tuba-bassed" jazz group of the era, with a little Hawaiian influence, possibly. What do you guys think?

[busessuck1]

@af4k Well they were practically the first jazz duo of their kind but the sound is reminiscent of stuff by like Noble Sissle and the early New Orleans string jazz ensembles - Eddie Lang himself was definately most influenced by Lonnie Johnson

[ridgely410]

Very nice slide show. I'd like to find some other Venuti/Lang recordings. I've always wondered where Danny Kirwan picked up this melody. He was hired by Fleetwood Mac when just a teenager in the late 60's - a naturally talented guitarist - and eventually slipped into a fog of alcoholism and emotional dysfunction. I first heard this song about 1970 and have associated it with Danny Kirwan ever since. Thanks for the history lesson.

[bigtone1348]

Totally glorious!

[hervebarlahan]

Yes it was the B side of Albatross

[mickscrill]

Love it !! i was a kid when i first heard this, not sure but i think it was the B side of Albatross ? think i still have it... but this is cool

thanks

[kingoma61]

"Jigsaw Puzzle Blues" was composed by Joe Venuti and Adrian Rollini. It was one of the last major recordings made by Eddie Lang before his death.

[madaxemanbeer]

The Clarinet part is defo a bit of an eye opener.