From "Roots and Rhythm" 13th March, 2000 THE DORSEY BROTHERS Vol. 1 - Recorded In New York, 1928 Jazz Oracle 8004 Highly Recommended. A continuing series chronologically releasing all known (& some previously unknown) Dorsey Bros Orch sides, along with solo sides released during this time. There are 3 vols so far. This 1st one covers the 1928 Okeh sessions, released as by Dorsey Brothers & Their Orch. Jimmy (doubling on clarinet & alto) had just left the Paul Whiteman Orch to join brother Tommy (doubling on trombone & VERY hot trumpet) for a great series of jazz & hot dance numbers featuring many of the hottest white New York jazzers on original tunes & hits of the day. The early sessions feature such greats as Carl Kress, Adrian Rollini, Chauncey Moorehouse & Joe Tarto, including previously unreleased test pressings of 4 of the tunes. From 7/28 comes an ambitious project with an expanded version of the orchestra (including Mannie Klein) joined by string & vocal sections on the long "Was It A Dream?", conducted by Eugene Ormandy. Also heard is the unissued test pressing of the original 12" version (another test of this is heard on vol 2.). The last sides here are an even more impressive version of the orch with the important addition of Glenn Miller on trombone & even more important, arrangements. Eddie Lang joins on guitar & on one session both Jack Teagarden & Frank Teschmacher participate. Also from this time are Tommy's 1st 2 solo sides, playing hot trumpet fronting a quintet that includes Lang. (GM) THE DORSEY BROTHERS Vol. 2 - Recorded In New York, 1929-30 Jazz Oracle 8005 Highly Recommended. This volume starts off with a real treat - the 1st recordings together of lifelong companions Eddie Lang & Bing Crosby! From there the Bros. recreate the success of "Was It A Dream?" from the last volume (another 12" test pressing of that one is heard at the end of this vol) with an equally ambitious 2 part "Lover Come Back To Me." This is followed by 2 more Tommy solo trumpet sides as well as the 1st solo sides byu Jimmy. For some reason, the next Bros session was released as by The Travelers & then a final Okeh session with a more mawkish vocal by Irving Kauffman on some sentimental tunes as well as both issued takes of "Singin' In The Rain." From here, the Bros. left Okeh for American Record Corp. (ARC) labels with a band including Muggsy Spanier, Carl Kress & Ray Baduc, with both the Cameo & Broadway takes of "Have A Little Faith In Me."(GM) THE DORSEY BROTHERS Vol. 3 - Recorded In New York, 1930-33 Jazz Oracle 8006 Highly Recommended. The 3rd volume starts with a slowdown in sessions as Jimmy was playing with Ben Bernie full time. The only 1930 session here is back with Okeh, the band including Glenn Miller, Mannie Klein, Bud Freeman, Arthur Schutt & Eddie Lang among others. For a still unknown reason, this & the next 2 sessins, done for Melotone were released as by The Travelers. the 1st Melotone session has the 1st seesion with Bunnie Berigan in the fold playing fine hot trumpet. By the next session, at the end of ‘31, the Bros. are on Columbia with 4 tunes, including the never issued tune "Home." The remaining sides here, covering ‘32 & into ‘33 have the Bros on solo tunes done for Brunswick. Jimmy redoes Beebe, his Okeh solo tune, heard here in 2 takes, as well as Oodles of Noodles, heard here in the Columbia & Brunswick versions. Though Tommy's 3 solo sessions only covered 2 tunes & only 1 of them released, we're treated to 3 versions of "Three Moods," including 2 tests, as well as 2 test takes of "Maybe." (GM) http://www.jazzoracle.com