Melbourne 1949

Very smart vinyl with a nice high gloss cover.

Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1914, pianist Graeme Bell formed and led a fine little Dixieland band in his native land, making solid little old-fashioned jazz records that compare favorably with those made by ensembles under the leadership of Lu Watters, Muggsy Spanier, Art Hodes, and Kid Ory. Bell should also be recognized as a co-founder of the Swaggie record label. Harlequin presents an invigorating parcel of hitherto unreleased recordings made during the spring and summer of 1948, a period when Bell and his Aussies had invaded and besieged the city of London. Some of these rare sides were left over from studio sessions that resulted in records issued by the Tempo and Esquire labels; the rest of the material was recorded live at the Streatham and Leicester Square jazz clubs. Some of the takes are "incomplete," meaning that the band is either rehearsing, horsing around, engaging in conversation, cutting up, leg pulling, or telling naughty jokes. The overall effect is remarkably entertaining. High points include the aborted take of "Willie the Weeper," "At a Georgia Camp Meeting," "South," "Strut, Miss Lizzie," "Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble," and "Where the Bloody Hell's Mary Gone."