Sounds of early jazz and rock n roll are the latest releases by AVID Records
Soprano saxist and clarinetist Sidney Bechet was one of the first jazz superstars, with a vibrato as wide as the Grand Canyon. Things start off here with one of Bechet’s more obscure albums, a 1956 recording that features his room filling sax on “Laura”, “Stormy Weather” and “Willow Weep For Me”. Equally overlooked is the following year’s album with the legendary Sammy Price, with the two searing through same dark blues like “Tin Roof Blues”, “Jazz Me Blues” as well as a frantic “Dinah”. Bechet works his way through a slightly stiff French Big Band with some impressive “Soprano Blues” and “Gypsy Love Song”. With the ore flexible Teddy Buckner, a Louis Armstrong disciple, for a 1960 album that includes glorious reads of “All Of Me” and “I Can’t Get Started”. Traditional joys.
Elvis contemporary and Memphis neighbor Johnny Burnette was one of the early progenitors of rock and roll, dying before his time in a boating accident in 1964. He left some impressive albums in his wake. 1960s Dreamin’ which included his famous title track as well as “Finders Keepers”. The same year he goes a bit more on the pop side with “Big Big World” and a nice version of “Memories Are Made Of This”. His concise 1963 album has him mixing teen hits like “Girls” with doe-eyed pieces like “The Fool Of The Year”, and his “Hits” album includes “Big Big World” and his most popular tune “You’re Sixteen, You’re Beautiful and You’re Mine”. Gentleman rock, waiting for the British Invasion.