Wolverines Classic Jazz Orchestra: Wolverines Classic Jazz Orchestra

In 1974, when this album was recorded and first released, it was felt justifiable for a group of dedicated young musicians to transcribe and reproduce note-for-note, even unto solos, classic jazz recordings from the 1920s. Of course, they had no way of knowing that, within ten years of their project, digital remastering of reissues would obviate the need for such faithful preservation of the original sounds. However, it must be said that the 16-piece hand, plus vocalist Becky Riemer, does remarkably well with its reproduction of recordings by, among others, Earl Hines (Lois Deppe’s “Congaine”), Clarence Williams (“Bozo” and two others), Cab Calloway (“Bugle Call Rag”), Paul Whiteman (“Mississippi Mud,” on which Riemer substitutes the equally racist “honkies” for the original “darkies”), Fletcher Henderson (“Off To Buffalo”) and Jimmie Noone (“Oh, Sister, Ain’t That Hot?”). Also interesting is the track containing excerpts from Aaron Copeland’s 1926 “Concerto For Piano And Orchestra.”

Originally Published September 1, 1997