JELLY ROLL MORTON: DEAD MAN BLUES (piano solo)

Dead Man Blues a true classic by Jelly Roll Morton. Maybe the orchestra version is more famous, but Im quite fond of his piano roll recording made in Chicago 1922. I just wonder whether the actual disc was recorded around the same time, and why was a piano roll used? Couldnt Morton be bothered doing a live recording so to speak? Or have I misunderstood something? I probably have but then this Youtube-clip might bring somebody to set the record (ha ha) straight.

The recording is highly respected among jazz connoisseurs and I actually found the same recording on two different jazz club discs pressed in the 1940s-50s-ish. It is a dubbed recording, and quite crudely done, I have to say, but still the musical message isnt hidden beyond the surface noise. The yellow AFCDJ issue is as you probably can tell French, and I dont know how limitée the edition is, but unless my crap school French deceives me, it was available for subscribers only. AFCDJ stands for Association Francaise de Collectionneurs de Disques de Jazz In English: the jazz record collectors association in France. The other pressing shown in this video is an English Jazz Collector disc released by Jazz Art Society in London obviously also for collectors of historic jazz and also a Limited Edition I dont know how limited though.

I have to admit that Im not actually sure whether it is the AFCDJ or Jazz Collector disc youre hearing, since it was some time ago since I transferred the 78 rpm to my computer. I didnt bother transferring them both and maybe that was a mistake. I should probably listen to both and do some sort of comparison who knows, it may not even be the same recording! But that would surprise me, to say the least.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Jelly Roll Morton
• acoustic recording
• 78 rpm
• record collecting

[Pentagonshark666]

This is the proof why Jelly Roll Morton is the father of the jazz.

[gesellschaft13]

Just great!!

[torsbyn]

The recording has been transcribed in the book of Morton tranbscribed originals, together, with several other piano rolls by him.They have all been doctored afterwards - as most hand played rolls were - but it is a really fine arrangement: the left hand downward slurs, for example.

The recording sounds like 1922 but probably just because it has been overdubbed and copied once too often...

[earagones01]

Sentir música de discos de pedra amb el gramòfon de la iaia és una meravella.

[mason2042]

As to why Morton recorded it as a piano roll, I can't say for sure. But piano rolls were a significant part of the music business in that period. Most likely a piano-roll company offered him to chance to make a bit of extra money recording piano rolls. Not being averse to an easy payday, he would have said yes. It could have been that simple.

[harlsbottom]

The piano version really is fantastic. Works great with someone whistling along, too.

[althazarr]

What a great tune! I love listening to those piano solos. Thanks for sharing this.