More André Previn on RCA Victor

Several years ago I offered two EPs and a 10-inch LP of Andre Previn's 1947-53 recordings on RCA Victor, a post I re-upped last year. Today we have two LPs from my collection with further examples of Previn's remarkable pianism from that era drawn largely from two Camden reissues - Mad About the Boy from 1958 and Love Walked In from 1964.

Now, record companies being record companies, there are a few duplications in this collection from my previous post. Heck, there are even duplications between the two Camden LPs, although I have eliminated those repeats in the download.

In addition to the 19 songs from these two LPs, I've added one non-LP single as a bonus. It comprises a tricky Latin-tinged arrangement of "The Gypsy in My Soul" with a unwanted revival of the 1919 chestnut "Dardanella," which has a vocal from Mack McLean of the Six Hits and a Miss vocal group. As far as I can tell, this the only time a vocalist appeared with Previn on his RCA records.

The songs in this collection feature three rhythm sections with some of Hollywood's finest accompanists. On the earlier sessions Previn used Al Viola on guitar, Chic Parnell or Lloyd Pratt on bass, and Jackie Mills on drums. Viola and Pratt were two-third of the Page Cavanaugh Trio at the time. Like that trio, the sound of Previn's groups throughout this period were influenced by the highly influential King Cole Trio, although Previn himself was an Art Tatum disciple.

In the second combo, Al Viola was replaced by Bob Bain and Jackie Mills by Ralph Collier. This group can be heard on the 1949-51 recordings, which sometimes also included a string complement. Finally, there are a few excerpts from a 1953 Gershwin session that included Al Hendrickson on guitar, Artie Shapiro on bass and Irv Cottler on drums. I have the complete Previn Plays Gershwin album and will post it at a later date.

Throughout, Previn chooses the best standards (Dardanella aside) and presents them with amazing fluidity and imagination. The sound is excellent. I can't help but give this a strong recommendation.

On my other blog, I've just uploaded a set of the four songs that Previn recorded for V-Disc in 1946, the year before he joined Victor.

Follow @BusterBig10Inch

At a 1947 jazz conclave: Buddy Childers, Lee Young,
Previn, Eddie Laguna, Vido Musso, Jimmy Mundy,
Willie Smith, Eddie Safranski (click to enlarge)