A fine compilaton of a "scarce" vocal group from the 1940s courtesy of the Dee Jay Jamboree folks in Germany. This 3 CD series, released in 2001, compiles all of the commercial recordings made by the Delta Rhythm Boys from 1940 through 1950 in its first 2 volumes. Later recordings could not be included due to German copyright laws. The third CD consists of the Deltas' performances on transcription discs for radio broadcast and on "Soundies" - the first "music videos" which were played on machines similar to juke boxes with screens during the 1940s.
Several of the "Soundies" also appear on the video compilation "Rare Vocal Groups" which is also reviewed on this Web site.
The Delta Rhythm Boys developed from a vocal group originally formed in 1933 at Langston University in Oklahoma. Its original members were Otho "Lee" Gaines, bass, tenors Traverse Crawford and Joseph Adkins, and baritone Elmaurice Miler. The group performed at political rallies for candidates that lost an election, resulting in their becoming personae non grata in Oklahoma, so they transferred to Dillard University in New Orleans. At Dillard, Professor Frederick Hall recognized their talent and became their mentor. When Adkins graduated in 1936, he was replaced by Harry Lewis. This group was invited to travel to South America as the "Frederick Hall Quartet" for a series of personal appearances in 1937, and did not return to the United States until mid-January 1938, landing in New York. Since it was too late to return to Dillard for the balance of the school year, they sought work as a vocal group in New York and had considerable success in Broadway musicals. By 1940, Miller had left the group and been replaced by high tenor Clinton Holland, and pianist/arranger Rene DeKnight had also joined. This group signed with Decca Records in 1940 as, for the first time, the Delta Rhythm Boys.
In 1943, Harry Lewis left the group and was replaced by Kelsey Pharr. Clinton Holland left in 1945, to be replaced by Carl Jones.
The only recorded performances by the Delta Rhythm Boys during the period covered by this compilation which are excluded from it are those performances which took place within the context of "live" radio shows, such as Amos 'N' Andy, and have not, to date, been commercially excerpted from recordings of these programs.
Recommended to those who appreciate close harmony in several genres - jive, spiritual, "smooth" ballads, vocalese and rhythm & blues. A worthy addition to your collection.
Just A-Rockin' & A-Jivin' - Anthology Vol. 1 - 1941-1947
1. Gimme Some Skin (Mar 1941)
2. Dry Bones (1941)
3. Joshua Fit De Battle Of Jericho (1941)
4. Star Dust (1941)
5. Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition (Nov 1942)
6. Chilly 'N' Cold (Mar 1941)
7. Mad About Her, Sad Without Her, How Can I Be Glad Without Her Blues (Jun 1942)
8. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me (Apr 1944)
9. Take The "A" Train (Sep 1941)
10. The Things I Love (Jun 1941)
11. Let Me Off Uptown (Sep 1941)
12. She Believed A Gypsy (1941)
13. My Blue Heaven (1941)
14. Playin' The Game (Nov 1941)
15. Gee, Baby Ain't I Good To You (Feb 1945)
16. Just A-Sittin' And A-Rockin' (fast) (Dec 1945)
17. Don't Knock It (Dec 1945)
18. But She's My Buddy's Chick (Jul 1946)
19. Walk It Off (Jul 1946)
20. The Honeydripper (Sep 1945)
21. Baby, Are You Kiddin'? (Sep 1945)
22. Just A-Sittin' And A-Rockin' (slow) (Apr 1946)
23. No Pad To Be Had (Apr 1946)
24. What Would It Take? (Oct 1947)
25. Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me) (Dec 1946)
26. Hello, Goodbye, Forget It (Dec 1946)
27. A One-Sided Affair (Oct 1947)
Jump & Jive 'Til One O'Clock - Anthology Vol. 2 - 1947-1950
1. Fan Tan Fannie (Apr 1950)
2. St. Louis Blues (Nov 1947)
3. Never Underestimate The Power Of A Woman (Apr 1948)
4. Hey, John! (Keep Your Glasses On) (May 1947)
5. I'm Awfully Strong For You (May 1947)
6. Take The "A" Train (Nov 1947)
7. My Blue Heaven (Jul 1948)
8. You're Mine, You! (Apr 1948)
9. Bye, Bye, Alibi Baby (Mar 1947)
10. Every So Often (Jul 1947)
11. Dry Bones (Nov 1947)
12. I'm In Love With A Gal (Who's In Love With A Guy Who Looks Like Me But Ain't) (Sep 1947)
13. Jenny Kissed Me (Mar 1947)
14. I Can't Tell A Lie To Myself (Jul 1948)
15. One O'Clock Jump (Nov 1947)
16. Little Small Town Girl (With The Big Town Dreams) (Dec 1947)
17. It's All In Your Mind (Apr 1950)
18. I'd Rather Be Wrong Than Blue (Mar 1950)
19. Ain't Gonna Worry Than Blue (Dec 1947)
20. Don't Ask Me Why (Apr 1949)
21. Fantastic (Apr 1949)
22. Don't Ask Me Why (Mar 1949)
23. I Can Hardly Wait (Mar 1949)
24. Sweetheart Of Mine (Nov 1949)
25. The Laugh's On Me (Nov 1949)
26. Nobody Knows (Mar 1950)
27. If You See Tears In My Eyes (Mar 1950)
Radio, Gimme Some Jive - Performances 1941 -1945
1. A-Sittin' & A-Rockin' (AFRS* Transcription - 1945)
2. One O'Clock Jump (World Feature Transcription - 1945)
3. I'm Beginning To See The Light (World Feature Transcription - 1945)
4. Jersey Bounce (World Feature Transcription - 1945)
5. Are You For It? (World Feature Transcription - 1943)
6. St. Louis Blues (World Feature Transcription - 1943)
7. Star Dust (World Feature Transcription - 1944)
8. Get On Board Little Children (World Feature Transcription - 1944)
9. Texas Polka (World Feature Transcription - 1944)
10. Hey, John! (World Feature Transcription - 1945)
11. Snoqualimie Jo Jo (World Feature Transcription - 1945)
12. My Sacrifice (World Feature Transcription - 1945)
13. Darktown Strutters' Ball (World Feature Transcription - 1945)
14. Dry Bones (Soundie - 1945)
15. Jack You're Playin' The Game (Soundie - 1941)
16. Just A-Sittin' & A-Rockin' (Soundie - 1945)
17. Rigoletto Blues (Soundie - 1941)
18. Snoqualomie Jo Jo (Soundie - 1945)
19. Take The "A" Train (Soundie - 1941)
20. The More I Go Out With Somebody Else (World Feature Transcription - 1943)
21. Give Me Some Skin (AFRS Transcription - 1943)
22. I'm Beginning To See The Light (AFRS* "Jubilee" Transcription - July 1944)
23. Do Nothing 'Till You Hear From Me (World Feature Transcription - 1945)
24. Shoe Shoe Baby (AFRS* Transcription - 1944)
25. Paper Doll (AFRS* Transcription - 1944)
26. How High The Moon (AFRS* Transcription - 1944)
27. East Of The Sun (AFRS* Transcription - 1944)
28. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye (World Feature Transcription - 1944)
29. Bugle Woogie with Mildred Bailey (AFRS* Transcription - 1943)
*AFRS = Armed Forces Radio Service
