ALBUM REVIEW

THE BOSWELL SISTERS - THAT'S HOW RHYTHM WAS BORN -
(Legacy/Columbia CD #CK 66977)

This 1995 release is part of the Legacy/Columbia "Art Deco Series," celebrating the music of the 1920s through the early 1940s. It features the first of the "girl groups" to achieve real stardom in recorded music - Helvetia ("Vet"), Martha and Connie Boswell - collectively the Boswell Sisters, who reigned as "queens of pop" in the 1930s.

The first track on this CD is the "first Rock And Roll record" ever recorded. The song's title is, obviously "Rock And Roll," which was recorded in 1934, and any resemblance to the musical genre of a generation later is "purely conicidental." The tune is from the motion picture Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round, and actually refers to the "rockin' rollin' motion of the sea," rather than being a euphemism for the physical passions.

The girls' harmonies are somewhat reminiscent of those of the Mills Brothers' work of the same period, including "scat singing," and even to the extent of doing some "instrumental imitation." They were also accomplished musicians - Martha played piano; Vet played violin, banjo and guitar; and Connie played cello, saxophone and guitar.

While today's vocal group harmony aficionados give well-deserved homage to the Mills Brothers and the Ink Spots as progenitors of the art, the distaff side is essentially ignored. Perhaps giving a listen or two to this CD may cause you to give the ladies their due as well.

Listen and learn.

Dates in the track listing below are recording dates.

Track listing:

1. Rock And Roll - 4 Oct 1934
2. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea - 21 Mar 1932
3. Louisiana Hayride - 22 Nov 1932
4. Shuffle Off To Buffalo - 11 Apr 1933
5. Sophisticated Lady - 11 Sep 1933
6. Song Of Surrender - 14 Nov 1933
7. Sleep, Come On And Take Me - 6 Aug 1932
8. That's How Rhythm Was Born - 11 Sep 1933
9. The Sentimental Gentleman From Georgia - 13 Sep 1932
10. Coffee In The Morning And Kisses In The Night - 14 Nov 1933
11. Forty-Second Street - 11 Apr 1933
12. Minnie The Moocher's Wedding Day - 22 Nov 1932
13. The Darktown Strutters Ball - 23 May 1934
14. If I Had A Million Dollars - 4 Oct 1934
15. It's Written All Over Your Face - 10 Dec 1934
16. Charlie Two-Step - 13 Sep 1932
17. Trav'lin' All Alone - 5 May 1935
18. St. Louis Blues - 28 May 1935
19. Dinah - 13 Dec 1934
20. The Object Of My Affection - 10 Dec 1934

Copyright � 2002 - Doo Wop Gino

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Last updated 24 January 2002.

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