Jack Payne & His Orchestra - Hot Bricks (1928)

[TheMartinharman]

In response to Wordsmith52's and Aaron1912's posts, up to about 1928 all Dance band recordings were recorded acoustically. The band played into a horn and a cutter attached to a vibrating membrane cut the rotating wax directly.In about 1928/29 electronic recording came in. The brass bass or sousaphone which provided the bass line on an acoustic recording was generally replaced by a string bass, and the banjo by the softer sounding guitar. This method came into the film studios at the same time.

[wa1ufo]

Awesome Captain-thanks!

[wdashwor]

Also, notice the bass saxophone (lower left 1:04). You can hear it's distinctive character as it doubles the sousaphone. I think these behemoth instruments were somewhat common back in that day. I love their sound.

[asatro66]

So good so good,fantastic to see this in so good film with excellent sound from 1928 ! It felt like reality today, and i was get a feeling for dancing ;-)

[charleshhooper]

glad to see jacks back

[MsTappingtoes]

Great !!

I love that thing he does with his hands (first time at 0:20).

[esti0esti]

@MsTappingtoes I agree. I love watching Mr Payne move full stop. Don't know if its the film but he seems just slightly out of sync, but his style is a delight. His whole stance reminds me of those v. early Disney cartoons when a character was conducting an orchestra. The jaunty knee-bends and rhythm changes. This is no insult, I could watch him over and over as he's so completely in it. Beautiful.

[luloops]

Love it! I was doing the Charleston around my living room to this haha, :D

[luvebug21]

thanks aaron such a lovely tune

[HarborGuy]

Love the tone of this arrangement. Great recording and orchestra ..

[wordsmith52]

Lovely rare visual appreciation. Does anyone know exactly why the sousaphone was ousted by the double bass in popular dance bands around the very early 30s? Was it for instance similar to what happened when bass guitars took over from double bass during 60s?

[Aaron1912]

Thanks. I think when talkies were being made, the pounding vibrations of a sousaphone had to be replaced with a softer bass instrument because the recording equipment couldn't handle it. Another possible reason is that smaller nightclubs were popping up in depression hit America and the double bass seemed more appropriate for smaller rooms and cafe bands.

[wordsmith52]

@Aaron1912 Thanks - yes that sounds very likely on reflection. I expect many sousaphone players fell upon hard times unless they could play other instruments.

[JCJasion]

@wordsmith52 - In the acoustic era, the string bass wouldn't record well. Many early bands DID use string bass. With the advent of the electric era, the string bass would record well. Many bands aiming for a more novel sound in their rhythm section, and after hearing pioneers using bass in their bands such as Jean Goldkette, Duke Ellington and Luis Russell, started switching over increasingly in the late 20's and early '30's.

[wordsmith52]

@JCJasion Thanks again for that. Yes I've always felt that thye double bass sounded and maybe even looked "cooler" (for want of a better word) than the more quirky sound / effect of the sousaphone.

[JCJasion]

@wordsmith52 - Ahhh, but then again there were tuba players who could play 'pizzicato' like Bass Edwards for Duke Ellington ( very EARLY Duke Ellington ) but more importantly John Kirby who had his aluminum string bass, AND his pizzicato tuba, which sounded a lot like an echoey bass with a little extra indefineable 'something'. Check out "Low-Down On The Bayou", 1931, from the Decca/MCA Reissue, and "Keep A Song In Your Soul" from The Columbia/Sony reissue - from 1930.

[wordsmith52]

@JCJasion That's interesting & will check said umbers out. Whilst not arguing particularly for double bass in preference to brass etc, the former could be bowed of course - as per example posted (not a good recording and last few bars missing and don't know title but if anyone does it would be nice to hear)

[Aaron1912]

The sousaphone really sets the beat for 1920's dance music, especially in great halls and ballrooms. A good examples is the Savoy Orpheans version of: When Erastus Plays His Old Kazoo. The pounding rhythm in many ways directs the dancers feet, and when there are hundreds of feet shuffling there has to be an instrument that can be heard over everything. By the 1930's, songs were much slower and softer and more bands were playing on the radio, and the double bass and even the harp took over.

[Aaron1912]

The sousaphone really sets the beat for 1920's dance music, especially in great halls and ballrooms. A good example is the Savoy Orpheans version of: When Erastus Plays His Old Kazoo. The pounding rhythm in many ways directs the dancers feet, and when there are hundreds of feet shuffling there has to be an instrument that can be heard over everything. By the 1930's, songs were much slower and softer and more bands were playing on the radio, and the double bass and even the harp took over.

[JCJasion]

@wordsmith52 - Wellman Braud often bowed his bass on early Ellington recordings. One to check out would be "What Can A Poor Fellow Do" recorded on OKeh in 1927.

[wordsmith52]

@JCJasion 

[wordsmith52]

@wordsmith52

[drigin1234]

Magical indeed!

[Turkeydoodlers]

Very nice, I have some jack Payne stuff

[bill3murr]

great tune and a nice job with the visuals. thank you.

[hotsickle]

WoOF !

[Masquerade03]

Strange the way was filmed with all those shots with Payne's back and nothing of his face. Nevertheless an interesting document! Thanks for sharing!