WOOOW...this is TRULY AMAZING!!! I really and TRULY enjoyed watching this!!! This look like this was in the 1920's or 1930's!!!! I believe this is my first time hearing about The Brown Sisters! I know that there's a Gospel group currently out named The Brown Sisters in which I know also!!! But this is TRULY AMAZING and they sounded really good! How did you get this old film on here!?!?!
I love this old jazz. Inevitably, I start reading comments where jazz aficionados (a.k.a, snobs) engage tirelessly in one-upmanship about who influenced/copied/pre-dated whom, and it almost ruins it for me. Thank God I've got the music here to pull me back!!
I love the Brown Sisters and the Boswell's too!! I once read the great Ethel Waters was headlininfg a revue in which she starred and the Brown Sisters were featured. Billie Holiday was sent to Philadelphia (where they were to open) when Billie began to sing Miss Waters flew on the stage and said, "Ain't no other women gonna sing on this show with me but the Brown Sisters." The stage manager offered Billie train fare back to NY but Billie threw the money in Ethel's face and said "F-u and this!"
The Brown Sisters sang with Sol S. Wagner and his orchestra as well as Billy Banks Rhythmakers, in Chicago in 1920's & 30's. I only know that because my grandfather, 'Jimmy Lord' was in the band(s). He played with many others, but those are the only two that reference The Brown Sisters. Anyone with more or better info, please contact me on here, Thanks.
Can you believe the lyrics they could get away with back then? "That's why darkies were born!" Good lord...(Actually, Groucho Marx even says that line in one of the early Marx Bros. films -- clearly an in-joke reference to this song.
Oddly enough Randy Newman recorded this song on an early album. I'm not really sure why...
Interestingly, Ethel Waters does a version where she substitutes other words for "darkies" - "that's why schwartzes were born," she says at one point, and "that's why house rent parties were born" - it's unusual but typical of the fearless Waters. Re: Randy Newman's version, it's quite beautiful in its understated way.
The Brown Sisters' version of "Underneath the Harlem Moon". This trio never released any records, and they were clearly heavily influenced by the Boswell Sisters. This is, in fact, their only recorded performance, from the mid-1930s film Harlem Review. It's a terrific version, but at the end they add: "Ain't no sin to take off your skin and dance around in your bones!" Are they completely negating the racial aspect of the song by removing their skin?
How were they influenced by the Boswell Sisters? How they sing is common among tradtional jazz trios preceeding the Boswell Sisters and following them.
The Boswell influence is huge, as it was on all who heard it, black or white. The performance configuration, the voicings (low), the costumes (seen Transatlantic Merry go Round, they are wearing the same costume the Bozzies wear in "Rock and Roll," the arrangement, (minor verses, tempo changes. All these are an homage to the Boswells.
the Boswells revolutionized group singing as well as solo singing and were imitated by ALL who heard them.
The Brox Sisters came before the Boswells. There are some Brox Sisters vids on youtube. Also some sites around the net have song clips of them. They were fun.
Absolutely, this wonderful group is HUGELY influenced by the Boswell sisters. The Brox Sisters were somewhat earlier and were very good but in a different syle. The Boswells were influenced by the phrasings and rhythms of early jazz they heard growing up in New Orleans; Connee also said that Mamie Smith was an important influence. Listen to the Boswells and other groups from that era and earlier to understand how distinctive and influential the Boswells were.
but I *think* (not sure) that the Brown sisters have quoted from "T'Aint No Sin (to take off your skin and dance around in your bones)" That bit is not usually IN the song Harlem Moon.. or is it??
I agree--these women are terrific! Wonder if this was a one-and-only appearance of a vaudeville group. Catchy tune, too: "Ain't no sin / take off your skin / and dance around in your bones!"
WOOOW...this is TRULY AMAZING!!! I really and TRULY enjoyed watching this!!! This look like this was in the 1920's or 1930's!!!! I believe this is my first time hearing about The Brown Sisters! I know that there's a Gospel group currently out named The Brown Sisters in which I know also!!! But this is TRULY AMAZING and they sounded really good! How did you get this old film on here!?!?!
AjLVChi 8 months ago
So much talent.........I wish people sang like this today. WTG Brown Sisters. If you were around today I'd ask for a GROUP HUG.
072740 1 year ago
this is awesome. thanks for posting.
punkrkboy 1 year ago
I love this old jazz. Inevitably, I start reading comments where jazz aficionados (a.k.a, snobs) engage tirelessly in one-upmanship about who influenced/copied/pre-dated whom, and it almost ruins it for me. Thank God I've got the music here to pull me back!!
nauort23 2 years ago
Does anyone have the lyrics????
hit004541 2 years ago
I'm speechless. One of my favorite songs done by a Boswell-influenced black female trio! Wonderful and amazing. Thank you!
ivycompton 2 years ago
I love the Brown Sisters and the Boswell's too!! I once read the great Ethel Waters was headlininfg a revue in which she starred and the Brown Sisters were featured. Billie Holiday was sent to Philadelphia (where they were to open) when Billie began to sing Miss Waters flew on the stage and said, "Ain't no other women gonna sing on this show with me but the Brown Sisters." The stage manager offered Billie train fare back to NY but Billie threw the money in Ethel's face and said "F-u and this!"
Lenswims 3 years ago 3
The Brown Sisters sang with Sol S. Wagner and his orchestra as well as Billy Banks Rhythmakers, in Chicago in 1920's & 30's. I only know that because my grandfather, 'Jimmy Lord' was in the band(s). He played with many others, but those are the only two that reference The Brown Sisters. Anyone with more or better info, please contact me on here, Thanks.
qtrtilldawn 3 years ago 2
Can you believe the lyrics they could get away with back then? "That's why darkies were born!" Good lord...(Actually, Groucho Marx even says that line in one of the early Marx Bros. films -- clearly an in-joke reference to this song.
Oddly enough Randy Newman recorded this song on an early album. I'm not really sure why...
ttuerff 4 years ago
@ttuerff
Interestingly, Ethel Waters does a version where she substitutes other words for "darkies" - "that's why schwartzes were born," she says at one point, and "that's why house rent parties were born" - it's unusual but typical of the fearless Waters. Re: Randy Newman's version, it's quite beautiful in its understated way.
ivycompton 1 year ago
The Brown Sisters' version of "Underneath the Harlem Moon". This trio never released any records, and they were clearly heavily influenced by the Boswell Sisters. This is, in fact, their only recorded performance, from the mid-1930s film Harlem Review. It's a terrific version, but at the end they add: "Ain't no sin to take off your skin and dance around in your bones!" Are they completely negating the racial aspect of the song by removing their skin?
qtrtilldawn 4 years ago
How were they influenced by the Boswell Sisters? How they sing is common among tradtional jazz trios preceeding the Boswell Sisters and following them.
BattleAngel 4 years ago
The Boswell influence is huge, as it was on all who heard it, black or white. The performance configuration, the voicings (low), the costumes (seen Transatlantic Merry go Round, they are wearing the same costume the Bozzies wear in "Rock and Roll," the arrangement, (minor verses, tempo changes. All these are an homage to the Boswells.
the Boswells revolutionized group singing as well as solo singing and were imitated by ALL who heard them.
Holleybe 4 years ago
Can you provide references to traditional jazz trios that sang in close harmony prior to the Boswell Sisters? Who did the Boswells sing like?
hoopjnky 4 years ago
NO ONE! And those who have been "Bozzed" know so! Love ya hoopjnky!!
JeriLynnKarr 4 years ago 2
The Brox Sisters came before the Boswells. There are some Brox Sisters vids on youtube. Also some sites around the net have song clips of them. They were fun.
grrluknow 3 years ago
Absolutely, this wonderful group is HUGELY influenced by the Boswell sisters. The Brox Sisters were somewhat earlier and were very good but in a different syle. The Boswells were influenced by the phrasings and rhythms of early jazz they heard growing up in New Orleans; Connee also said that Mamie Smith was an important influence. Listen to the Boswells and other groups from that era and earlier to understand how distinctive and influential the Boswells were.
infrogmation 2 years ago
"Underneath the Harlem Moon" dear, not "T'ain't no sin, take of your skin"
jozefsterkens 4 years ago
Yes the song is "Under the Harlem Moon"...
but I *think* (not sure) that the Brown sisters have quoted from "T'Aint No Sin (to take off your skin and dance around in your bones)" That bit is not usually IN the song Harlem Moon.. or is it??
anyone know??
best
~confetta
furlight 4 years ago
I agree--these women are terrific! Wonder if this was a one-and-only appearance of a vaudeville group. Catchy tune, too: "Ain't no sin / take off your skin / and dance around in your bones!"
smurfswacker 4 years ago
It's wonderful, isn't it? And until this surfaced we none of us knew anything about them
paulvernon100 5 years ago
WOW!! WHERE THE HELL DID THIS COME FROM? They could give the Boswell Sisters a run for there money!! WOW!!
genekrupajr 5 years ago
Hold thou tongue man! lol
JeriLynnKarr 4 years ago 2