Early Recordings: 1935-1950

Despite the relatively wide time span indicated by the title, actually all but two of these cuts were recorded in a short period of time, from 1935 to 1937 (the remaining pair were done in 1950). For the mid-'30s sessions, the only constant in ' lineup was violinist and singer (who was still in the group when this CD was issued in 2003). Half a dozen different guys take lead vocals (in both English and French) at various points, and three of the tracks were actually issued under the name . Original guitarist was still in the lineup in 2003 too, but actually he doesn't appear on any of the mid-'30s sides, although he's on the 1950 cuts. Not that it matters that much -- this is important early music, somewhat modernized by 1930s standards in how it's influenced by then-current American popular music, particularly ' . They play with some real high-stepping feel on the instrumental while their version of the standard was the first time the song (previously recorded by under the title ) had been issued under that name. The sound quality is uneven, as is unavoidable given the age of the source material and original recording conditions, but is overall quite acceptable. A slightly more conventional feel comes into play on the 1950 tracks. The package includes good liner notes by , who as of its 2003 release was drummer with the still active band. ~ Richie Unterberger