Jimmy Blythe

Returning to our series of the first reissues of early blues and jazz records, here is a Riverside LP of Chicago pianist Jimmy Blythe.

These records were made for the legendary Paramount label of Wisconsin in 1924, 1925, and 1928, a time when Blythe was active for the company, mostly as an accompanist. The sides here, in contrast, are primarily a showcase for Blythe's considerable solo skills.

The LP begins with 1924's Chicago Stomps (or Stomp, as it usually is given), which is reputedly the first recorded boogie-woogie tune, although elements of the style can be found in earlier records. These and the 1925 efforts sound to be acoustic recordings, with their limited frequency range. It's not until the final two items, made under the name of the Dixie Four in 1928 and electrically recorded, that you can fully hear Blythe's ringing tone. But even in the acoustic items, his rhythmic drive and vivid imagination are quite startling. This is compelling playing, full of the joy of living. Sadly, Blythe lived only a few more years after these sessions, dying in 1931 of meningitis. He was only 30.

Although this is a Riverside record, it was produced by the Bill Grauer-Orrin Keepnews team that did the "X" Records reissues that I have been presenting. The cover artist (Paul Bacon) is the same, as well. However, the Riverside item is pressed on red vinyl. I just love colored vinyl, although I am not sure why.

The LP sound was somewhat filtered, probably to lessen some of the noise of Paramount's poor quality shellac. I have opened out the sound, at the cost of bringing forward some of the grunge. I think it's worth it to hear a facsimile of what Blythe must have sounded like. Blythe also made many piano rolls, and I checked this record of Chicago Stomp(s) against a reissue of his piano roll of the same tune. The sound is much better on the latter, of course, but something is missing - even if it's only my emotional reaction to listening in on a great recording session some 85 years later.

REMASTERED VERSION - MARCH 2015