Celeste:
Is a keyboard equiped with a set of metal plates giving it a special, bell-like tone sound, first used by Fats Waller in the 30s as a novelty instrument.

Tracks
You've Got That Thing * Harmonica Harry * Old Playmate * An Ev'ning In Caroline * My Woman! * Sweet Sue - Just You * Somebody Loves You * There's A New Day Comin' * There's A Ring Around My Rainbow * Buy American! * Try A Little Tenderness * The Gold Diggers' Song * Stormy Weather * It's Sunday Down In Caroline * Lazybones * Rhythm * Night and Day * Ten Thousand Years Ago * Jazznochracy * White Heat * Pop! Goes Your Heart * Ah! There's Gonna Be A Wedding In The Band * Sweetie Pie * (I Got a) New Deal In Love * Earthquake * I Can Sew A Button.

l to r - standing: Dave Klein, John Lucas, Bob Escamilla, Jack Aronson, Harry Raderman
Centre: Tony Girardi, Don Murray,
Front kneeling: Muggsy Spanier, Sol Klein, George Brunies
Ted Lewis with clarinet is on the steps.

Those who have seen the light of day prior to the date of the first recording on this album will be familiar with a large percentage of the twenty-six songs within it. With my intensive listening to this Ted Lewis music, the remaining twenty percent of my score will make my cognisance rise to the total sum of them.

The release of this CD will bring this historical 30s era up to, supplanting it into today’s fashion of musical genre with ease, mindful of the 60s ‘Mouldie Figgie’ rivalry among the ‘Trad’ fanatics, of which I’m still one in England, in support of the kind and style of how jazz music takes their first place - portrayed by what is on offer here by Timeless Historical, I see no reason why not - it’s all down to trends - you see.

Ted Lewis died on 25 August 1971 having lived for about four scores and a bit or less years. In his early working days he was a member of tent shows touring the vaudeville circuit eventually settling in New York, in the early stages, playing in the Earl Fuller band. By 26 years old, he had, had formed his own group, and began making recordings mainly of novelty songs, yet, with sidemen jazz musicians of fame - Muggsy Spanier, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Frank Teschemacher, Jack Teagarden among them - that’s striking.

It is not with his clarinet (simple system) that Ted uses, but it was his voice, which becomes his lead instrument, mastered in spoken format, remaining constant in a manner uniquely applied to on all numbers. I did not find this as an irritant, because his voice grew on me, adding perfect harmony to, not taking away from, the overall theme and layout of his music. He was also through his business success, providing employment for musicians during the 30s lean years and that meant substance to be desired.

The words he uses in his songs, even today, will fit perfectly for youth to emulate that must be good for bring back standards.

The album gives a good insight into the musical progression made during the period, culminating in riff movement techniques, unsurpassed today as shown in Jazznochracy and White Heat for example - although not quite my scene.

The next number No21 Pop! Goes Your Heart on this one, and, on the opening one only can we hear the Ted Lewis clarinet. It is a tune from the show "Happiness Ahead" and the Lewis vocals keep abreast of it, but it is once more to hear cornetist Muggsy Spanier that brings joy, more so on the Hoagy Carmichael number Lazybones "how do you expect to get your day’s work done" vocalized superbly in top fashion by Lewis, and Try A Little Tenderness accompanied beautifully by guitar and the Jimmy Moore string bass, it being my favourite tune and early playing number, cramming in Stormy Weather with Shirley Jay in addition on vocals - there is so much here, definitely not overlooking Cole Porter’s, Night and Day with Fred Astaire on vocals.

The Walter Donaldson song, An Evening In Caroline "Whatever they say about those Caroline Skies," sung/spoken by Ted - 'you must have been a beautiful baby' - maybe so in October 1931, New York. However, I return to the 1929 opening number You’ve Got That Thing from the "Fifty Million Frenchmen" show to make note of the Harry Barth inspiring, exact off-beat sousaphone guffaw one to accord the dancing feet accentuated perfection before the dance bands became popular in the 40s, a movement that may have then influenced Benny Goodman as both were members of the Ted Lewis band when much later Benny became crowned as "King of Swing" being voted "Best" by polls taken by musical (USA) publications.

"I can lace a little shoe, think of what I can do for you" just some of the fascinating Lewis vocals as related on how he can Sew A Button on, and so on to Sweetie Pie featuring the Royce Sisters, where seeing the centre page Mark Berresford booklet photograph of them with the Ted Lewis band on 22 July 1934 at the Steel Pier Ballroom, Atlantic City, is to be impressed.

"Is Everybody Happy?" Ted Lewis - This "CBC 1.074 jazz" album will make one so.

Ian King
Kings Jazz Review
Saturday 10 April 2004