6/3/2008 Dig Up The Roots

We listened in to some jazz recordings from 1938 - 1942 (mostly). Tenor sax giant Lester Young, the 'Pres' started the show with Billy Holiday, 'Lady Day' as he and later everyone called her. Lester Young, one of those sensitive beautiful people the world consumes on a regular basis. Maybe that's why he had to fend it off with his horn held in front of him at 45 degrees - assume the defensive position. We heard a great live session with 'Destination Moon' and then what is considered the first jazz recordings with an electric guitar, provided by Eddie Durham along with the Kansas City Five.

Some of Charlie Parkers' first recording sessions with Jay McShann from 1940, show a young artist busting out of the confines he performs so brilliantly. We also here some early pairings with Dizzy Gillespie.

Not to belittle the rest, but we also heard tunes featuring Georgie Auld, Ben Webster, and Coleman Hawkins. The show closed with music from Shep Fields and his New Music - an all reed band from the early 1940's. Jimmie Guiffre closed the show with somber beauty with The Train and The River.