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One luxury afforded Eddie Condon on the LP era was the concept album, which he explored on the
two releases featured on this collection. Midnight in Moscow has the more unconvincing
gimmick of
the two (songs pertaining to specific countries), but is really quite good, due in large part to the
double threat of Peanuts Hucko and Bobby Hackett, who work together like a couple of linebackers.
They really tear the lid off of a swinging version of Tchaikovsky’s “Theme From Swan Lake” and
manage to make convincing music out of “Loch Lomond” and Londonberry Air.” Other tunes, such
as “The Sheik of Araby,” are comfortable versions of early jazz chestnuts.
For once Condon can be
heard, albeit faintly, and we get a glimpse of his prowess as a rhythm guitarist, suggesting that he
was as much a leader behind the instrument as he was without it. The second session, The
Roaring
Twenties, comes off as more of a growl than a roar. Every song seems slightly lethargic, as if it
was
recorded on a Sunday morning, and tunes selections like “Minor Drag” and “My Monday Date” seem
aptly titled. Given the consistency of the players involved, it’s hard to fault the musicians; it must just
have been an off day. There’s still some good soloing and it’s hard to fault a disc that includes two
complete sessions for the price of one.
See Combing the Collectables Catalog for related
reviews.
Visit Collectables on the web.
~ David Rickert
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Track Listing: 1. Meadowlands 2. Dark Eyes 3. Theme From Swan Lake 4. Hindustan 5. The Japanese Sandman
6. Loch Lomond 7. Londonberry Air 8. La Via En Rose 9. The Sheik of Araby 10. Midnight In
Moscow 11. Wolverine Blues 12. Chimes Blues 13. Put ‘Em Down Blues 14. Davenport Blues 15.
What-Cha-Call-‘Em Blues 16. Minor Drag 17. China Boy 18. My Monday Date 19. Apex Blues 20.
Heebie Jeebies 21. St. James Infirmary 22. That’s A Plenty.
Personnel: Eddie Condon-guitar; with Peanuts Hucko, Bobby Hackett, Dick Cary, Lou McGairty, Billy Butterfield,
Bud Freeman, and others.
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