ALBUM REVIEW

RADIO RHYTHMS - THE GREAT 1940s VOCAL GROUPS FROM LIVE RADIO SHOWS -
(Old Time Records CD # OTR-103)

This new (2002) package from Old Time Records takes a "first stab" at compiling vocal group harmony performances from live radio broadcasts. The 22 tracks in this compilation merely scratch the surface, presenting five vocal groups in performances beginning in 1936 and going up to 1949 or 1950. See my Web page about "lost" vocal group harmony performances for some information about this subject.

Other reviews on this Web site have provided information about the Four Knights, the Four Vagabonds, and the Charioteers, so I will just provide a little information about the Five Jones Boys and the Three Flames here.

The Five Jones Boys originally came from Carbondale, Illinois, and went to Los Angeles in the mid 1930s to exploit their talents. The lead tenor was Jimmy Springs; the others were William Hartley, Herman Wood, Louis Wood, and Charles Hopkins. The group performed in films in 1936 and 1937 and released two discs on the Variety label in 1937. Later in 1937, they became part of The Jones Boys Sing Band, and ultimately melded into Steve Gibson's Red Caps.

The Three Flames were a popular black vocal/instrumental trio who hosted THE THREE FLAMES SHOW on NBC TV in 1949. The group consisted of guitarist Tiger Haynes, pianist Roy Testmark, and bass player Bill Pollard. They were among the very first black performers to have their own television show. Featured guests included Hot Lips Page, Dinah Washington, Errol Garner and Dizzy Gillespie.

Given the source and age of these recordings, the sound quality, while not optimal, is fully acceptable. Your reviewer is particularly grateful for the inclusion of the two tracks by the Four Vagabonds from their 1936 appearance on the Amos & Andy Show in 1936, fully five years before they began making commercial recordings.

This package is an audio document which belongs in any historical collection of vocal group harmony.

Track Listing -
1. It Had To Be You - Four Knights (Red Skelton Show, 1948-1950)
2. Texas Is So Big - Red Skelton & the Four Knights (Red Skelton Show, 1948-1950)
3. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo - Four Knights (Red Skelton Show, 1948-1950)
4. Peter Cottontail - Four Knights (Red Skelton Show, 1948-1950)
5. Sing Baby Sing - Four Vagabonds (Amos & Andy Show, 4 Dec 1936)
6. Dinah - Amos & Andy & the Four Vagabonds (Amos & Andy Show, 4 Dec 1936)
7. A Slip Of A Lip Can Sink A Ship - Charioteers (Bing Crosby Kraft Music Hall, 26 Dec 1944)
8. Straighten Up And Fly Right - Charioteers (Bing Crosby Kraft Music Hall, 14 Dec 1944)
9. The General Jumps At Dawn - Charioteers (Bing Crosby Kraft Music Hall, 29 Jun 1944)
10. Speak To Me Of Love - Charioteers (Bing Crosby Kraft Music Hall, 19 Apr 1944)
11. Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet - Charioteers (Bing Crosby Kraft Music Hall, 15 Jun 1944)
12. Pistol Packin' Mama - Bing Crosby & the Charioteers (Bing Crosby Kraft Music Hall, 1944)
13. Shoo Shoo Baby - Charioteers (Bing Crosby Kraft Music Hall, 16 Dec 1943)
14. Runnin' Wild - Charioteers (Bing Crosby Kraft Music Hall, 18 Jan 1945)
15. Jeepers Creepers - Charioteers (Bing Crosby Kraft Music Hall, 30 Nov 1944)
16. Honeysuckle Rose - Five Jones Boys (Hollywood Spotlight, 1935)
17. I Heard - Five Jones Boys (Hollywood Spotlight, 1935)
18. I Gotta Feelin' You're Foolin' - Five Jones Boys (Hollywood Spotlight, 1935)
19. Sweet Georgia Brown - Three Flames (Barry Gray Show, 1947)
20. Them There Eyes - Three Flames (Barry Gray Show, 1947)
21. Day Dreamin' - Three Flames (Barry Gray Show, 1947)
22. Susan Candy Ball - Three Flames (Barry Gray Show, 1947)

Copyright � 2002 - Doo Wop Gino

Return to Album Reviews Listing.

Last updated 7 March 2002.

Yahoo! GeoCities Member Banner Exchange Info

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1