Chimes Blues -- King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band

[BobE1945]

When Joe and Louis first let rip in the studio they almost blew the acoustic recording apparatus up, so their next attempt at recording had them standing 20 feet away from the recording horn.

It was under this restriction that Louis recorded his first solo, exactly as it can be heard today, by anyone lucky enough to list to this gem of a record.

[koeselitzzz]

Anybody who thinks this 'solo' is overrated should try playing that bit, and playing it with that timbre. If you can't play it, you can't run it down. And NOBODY can play it like Louis Armstrong can play it. Take it from me. I've tried. And this is just a tiny bit -- just an indication of the great things to come.

[DrummerAmericain]

Thanks for this post! I was just reading about this recording in a book called "Jazzmen" by Fredric Ramsy Jr. and Charles Edward Smith. Fred and Charles write that when they first tried to record, Louis and Joe nearly destroyed all the equipment! Finally, they solved the problem by moving the two powerhouses twenty feet away from the recording "horn" they were supposed to play into.

[Jrogerssr]

First heard this piece by the Dukes of Dixieland, post WW II. They used real chimes which makes it a different piece of music.

I am thrilled to find what I think is the original version. It has certainly has stood the test of time.

[RadioFreeWisconsin]

Armstrong's solo here is overrated. Bix and Bechet were recording much better solos at this exact some period. I think Armstrong gets too much credit for "inventing" the solo. Even the Original Dixieland Jazz Band had featured solos. Larry Shields' solo on St. Louis Blues is particularly interesting.

[eqwalker1]

@RadioFreeWisconsin

Maybe because it isn't a solo? Know your facts before making comments that in retrospect make you look stupid.

[goodfellacarlos89]

@RadioFreeWisconsin Bix and Bechet were amazing there is no doubt. Armstrong getting too much credit? comparing an alto sax/ clarinet player to a cornet player? different league there. As for Bix, his solos were much more melodic sure, but the technicality and power and soul that Armstrong brought to jazz and music in general automatically makes him the single most important figure in American Music. Besides this is Louis's first recording. Not a solo BTW.

[bubblesandsea]

I have to listen to this because of stoopid homework >.<

[masterch33z]

@bubblesandsea same here :P

[Klaasklinkert]

Amazing that he was allowed two choruses! I love that number.

[flumbtosse3]

Armstrong´s solo from 1:52 is his first ever recorded solo. I can almost see them in front of me; Satchmo opening up, it is so obviously his powerful horn and almost silencing the others, a new era has begun. Amazing stuff by the 23-year old

[djangoman2008]

Thank you - Dj

[prittyugly86]

This is the only recording of King Oliver on cornet.

[Jazzbobill]

Louis' solo after the Chimes (his first ever with the Oliver band) is magnificent and I never tire of it.Copied it to death when I played horn.Keep 'em coming Bob!!

[Somerset45]

Never heard this one before-its "almost" as good as Oliver's Canal Street Blues-and that's tops!

[erwigaudio]

I found your videos as well. You posted some great stuff. Fuzzy Mabel by Morton is a collector's item.

I got intrigued by this Mabel Normand, Maybe i'll add some of her pictures to Oliver's first Mabel's dream recorded October 1923. I posted the second already.

Take care

Bob