"THE JIVE IS JUMPIN'" - RCA & Bluebird Vocal Groups 1939-1952

There's barely a non-entertaining (forget uninteresting) moment among the 22 songs here. The Four Clefs were a self-contained unit, vocal, piano, guitar, bass, and drums built in, led by guitarist Johnny Green with Willie Chapman (drums, vibraphone) handling most of the lead singing. They didn't generate a big sound, but it was hot, tight, and punchy, with some fairly elaborate playing (check out the guitar solo and rhythm work on "V Day Stomp"), and at times very sophisticated, as on the surprisingly racy and smooth "When I'm Low I Get High." The Cats & the Fiddle, led by singer-guitarist Austin Powell, were discoveries of blues legend Tampa Red, and they displayed the kind of virtuosity with their singing that he did with his guitar -- "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water," "Nuts to You," and "That's on Jack, That's On" are worth the price of the disc as showcases for acoustic-textured harmony R&B, the voices subbing for what would've been a trumpet section in full-size jazz bands of the time. The Lewis Bronzeville Five were more blues-oriented, and better with a slower ballad style, which they show off magnificently here -- their "Natchez Mississippi Blues" is a surprisingly topical number referring to an infamous (and deadly) club fire in Natchez in 1940. The Four Vagabonds' contribution here consists of a pair of specifically wartime-oriented music, with R&B-styled renditions of "Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer" and "Rosie the Riveter." A chunk of this collection is given over to outfits that were, one way or another, crossing paths with Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five -- the Aristo-Kats, who are entertaining enough, despite sounding like warmed over Jordan; the Deep River Boys, who manage to beat Jordan to the punch at his own game with their version of "That Chick's Too Young to Fry"; and Bill Johnson & His Musical Notes, who sound more like Jordan than Jordan did. The best is saved for last: the Delta Rhythm Boys, who do vocal harmony versions of Count Basie's "One O'Clock Jump," arrangements of Billy Strayhorn's "Take the 'A' Train," and Hank Williams' "I'll Never Get out of This World Alive." And Steve Gibson & the Five Red Caps provide a coda with the hard-rocking "Boogie Woogie on a Saturday Night," cut in 1951 and brushing up against the coming rock & roll sound that would, ironically, push most of these groups out of the recording business. The excellent sound, and presence of detailed histories, personnel, and sessionography information make this a must-own release. (Bruce Eder, All Music Guide)trax:
1. The Jive Is Jumpin' - The Four Clefs 2. I Like Pie I Like Cake - The Four Clefs 3. V-Day Stomp - The Four Clefs 4. When I'm Low I Get High - The Four Clefs 5. Gang Busters - The Cats & The Fiddle 6. I Miss You So - The Cats & The Fiddle 7. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water - The Cats & The Fiddle 8. Nuts To You - The Cats & The Fiddle 9. That'S On Jack That'S On - The Cats & The Fiddle 10. Low Down Gal Blues - Lewis Bronzeville Five 11. Natchez Mississippi Blues - Lewis Bronzeville Five 12. Comin' In On A Wing And A Prayer - The Four Vagabonds 13. Rosie The Riveter - The Four Vagabonds 14. Jack You're Dead - The Arist-O-Kats 15. Watch Yourself Baby - The Arist-O-Kats 16. That Chick's Too Young To Fry - The Deep River Boys 17. Elevator Boogie - Bill Johnson 18. Shorty's Got To Go - Bill Johnson 19. One O'Clock Jump - The Delta Rhythm Boys 20. Take The A Train - The Delta Rhythm Boys 21. I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive - The Delta Rhythm Boys 22. Boogie Woogie On A Saturday Night - Steve Gibson
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