"The Blue Room" (Joe Venuti, 1928)

[teebeesea]

One of my fave records...vocal is by pianist Rube Bloom, not Harold Arlen. But Arlen did make may vocal records...some of the best early ones are with the Arnold Johnson orch on Brunswick in 1928. Also many fine vocals with the Leo Reisman band all through the 1930's/

[65attila]

My great Uncle Joe Venuti was born in South Philadelphia NoT because he said so

but beciuase his sisters told me so.

[jaymebaer]

I assume the tasteful guitar work is that of Eddie Laing

[honeybee7700]

wow i love hearing harold arlen sing

[garylader]

Fantastic! I can't get enough of this recording! Does anybody know if Harold Arlen did any more vocal tracks with this group or otherwise? I never knew he was a vocalist!

[derekpillers2]

Great Fighting! You're An Up & Coming Boxer!

[johnohconnor]

Venuti at his best. Vocal is great. Was that Arlen? Thanks

[65attila]

Venuti's tone and technique were that of a classical violinist - he was trained that way and when he visited my mom[ His niece} we always listened to classical music

after dinner.

[pompenel]

Excellent!!!

[BboyHuGH]

I need learn this song for guitar plis i need help :(

[bhsisthebest]

Pure joy to listen to these masters. Thanks for posting.

[NoWheretic]

Thanks for this, it's great to find such a wealth of old jazz recordings being uploaded to youtube and really nice to be able to search out the names that cross your mind listening to music and find so many interesting things.

[neverknewtillnow]

Great recording "The Blur Four" were extrodinarilly versatile having Adrian Rollini on the bass sax and clarinet.

Harold Arlen who later turned his talents to songwriting with such notables as "Over The Rainbow" ,"Stormy Weather"

"Old Black Magic", Blues In the Night", "One For My Baby" and many more.

Who knew at the time the greats who would emerge from the "Blue Four"

[stillavril]

I love the bass saxophone woofling away in the back.

Great stuff.

[stillavril]

Thanks for posting this.

I haven't heard this for twenty years.

My Martin alto was built in 1928, how wonderful.

[RReady555]

It was a great year for music--glad I could help you "rediscover" this stunning number!

Best,

-RR

[sherwinjtb]

Maybe I should have checked the tempo first before I started playing, lol

Oh well, originals are always cool :)

I sometimes think the violin sounds much like a clarinet

[RReady555]

Thanks--yes, the two instruments have much in common (played by great musicians). Venuti was a master...

Best,

-RR

[neogawa]

Thanks, Love the man.

[RReady555]

Thank you. He's an artist for the centuries, certainly.

-RR

[dancingwithfrogs]

Actually he was not the best jazz violinist. He was the only one. Grapelly played a more squealing gypsy style that simply nerves sometimes. I adore Django Reinhardt but I have problems to enjoj his records accompanied by Grapelli on violin. Venuti´s style was always perfectly integrated in his bands.

[RReady555]

A unique genius, 'twas Joe. We're blessed that his life, career and discography were so extensive.

-RR

[dancingwithfrogs]

He was the best jazz violinist, much better than Stephane Grapelli or others.

[RReady555]

No argument from me...I'm always amazed at how timeless Venuti sounds. This 80-year-old performance is always fresh and innovative.