Delta Rhythm Boys

Formed in 1934 at Langston University, Oklahoma the original line-up of the group was bass Lee Gaines, baritone Kelsey Pharr, first tenor lead Carl Jones, second tenor Traverse Crawford, and pianist/arranger Rene DeKnight. The Delta Rhythm Boys exuded a classy elegance and sophistication that made them the most renowned and respected of the 40s groups who sang a blend of jubilee, pop and swing. In 1936 the group transferred to Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and began singing under the name Frederick Hall Quintet, after their mentor, the school's musical director. By 1938 the group had made it to New York and were appearing in Broadway shows such as Sing Out The News and The Hot Mikado as the Delta Rhythm Boys During 1941 they had success with two of their most memorable recordings, "Dry Bones" and "Take The 'A' Train", and also with recordings backing Mildred Bailey. The Delta Rhythm Boys also appeared in films for Universal during 1943-45. In 1945 the group were established on radio in programmes including Amos And Andy and The Joan Davis Show. In 1945 Decca teamed the Deltas with Ella Fitzgerald for some notable recordings.

Discography

I Dreamt I Dwelt in Harlem

The rise of groups like the Golden Gate Quartet took gospel music out of the conservative confines of the Black church, and opened the door for other groups who wanted to sing spirituals in a different way. One of the groups to achieve success in the more liberated climate was the Hampton Institute Quartet, who changed their name to the Delta Rhythm Boys, and were equally at home delivering a pop song as a gospel item. They teamed up with Ella Fitzgerald during the 1940s recording ban in America, when her career might have been put on hold. However much the gospel group might have been threatened with eternal damnation to even think about "La Cucaracha," their fearlessness, both musically and politically, is what made them one of the greats. 20 winners, and we can't decide which we like the best, pop tunes like "Little Lize," the sweet "It Was Wonderful Then," a swinging "La Cucaracha," the silly minstrel-show tune "Watermelon On The Vine," the hip "Gimme Some Skin" and "Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gave To Me," or gospel hits like "Wait Till I Put On My Crown," a rocking "Ezekiel Saw De Wheel," "Certainly Lord," "Mighty Day," and "Scandalize My Name" (which is actually more of a commentary on religious bigotry). There's a particularly fine, laid-back early version of "Georgia On My Mind," and the swinging title tune, the final cut, is a joy. All songs at least piano accompanied, recorded in NY in 1941.

Masters of Hip Harmony

Jubilee singing is the name given to a uniquely African-American style of vocal which has its roots in the gospel singing of slavery modified by freedom and popular music. It was first presented to northern white audiences in 1866 by the Jubilee Singers who went out to raise money for Fisk University of Nashville. That jubilee style had periods of significant popularity but none more than the 1930s and 1940s which saw many groups rise to national attention. The Delta Rhythm Boys recorded for Decca as a quintet with piano accompaniment and as backup singers for notables such as Charlie Barnet, Mildred Bailey, and Ella Fitzgerald. Most of their movies are obscure save You'll Never Get Rich, the first Bing Crosby and Rita Hayworth film on which they sang "Since I Kissed My Baby Goodbye." The Delta Rhythm Boys were not only one of the top black acts of their time, but also played a big role in breaking down color barriers in the entertainment field even while lending a helping hand to the Armed Forces Radio Service from which much of this material hails. We¼d put their harmonies right up there with the Ink Spots, Mills Brothers and Charioteers. Includes five tracks cut with Mildred Bailey on the Rockin¼ Chair Rhythm show.

Delta Rhythm Boys

"Boys" is the reissue of a 1957 LP of the same name, from the end of the five-man Jazz quintet's long and illustrious career, beginning in 1934 at an Oklahoma university. The "Boys," in these all-accompanied, upbeat collection of 13 cuts, bring us a tasty mix of jazz/swing covers (the Gershwins' "'S Wonderful" and "It Ain't Necessarily So," Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies," Rogers and Hart's "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" and Cole Porter's "It's All Right With Me." With wonderful humor and poise, the guys will begin a standard, then feel free to riff it into a joyous, upbeat, funny romp. "Poor Boy" and "Saturday Night Fish Fry" follow the basic rockabilly theme of "How'd I Get Into this Ridiculous Mess?" "There'll Be Some Changes Made," "The Riddle Song" and "Side By Side" are bright, upbeat foot-tappers, while "Young Man with a Horn" and "Something I Dreamed Last Night" are creamy-smooth slow-dance tunes. A varied repertoire with one thing in common—it's all wonderful stuff from the legendary, pioneering DRB.

Radio, Give Me Some Jive

Twenty nine track compilation contains radio & movie soundtrack performances from 1941-45 from the legendary & innovative Delta Rhythm Boys, who were one of the first vocal groups to wear matching color uniforms (most prior groups wore only black tuxedos) & one of the first groups to choreograph their moves on stage. This features the songs "A-Sittin' & A-Rockin'," "East Of The Sun," "Star Dust," "Darktown Strutters' Ball," "How High The Moon" & others.

Delta Rhythm Boys & Mills Brothers: Sing Brother Sing

In the 1930s and 40s, what had been as a gospel and vaudeville vocal style was adopted to popular songs, and the rich tradition of four-part harmony reached its peak—and The Mills Brothers and the Delta Rhythm Boys were the premier groups that captured America's attention. "Sing Brother Sing" includes 18 rare, early appearances by these two supergroups, including the Ohio-born Mills Brothers' 1932 hit "St. Louis Blues," their 1943 hit "Paper Doll" which became one of the biggest hits of the decade, and their 1944 #1 hit "You Always Hurt The One You Love." The DRB's 1941 hits "Dry Bones" and "Take The A Train" are very fine. Other winners are "Jack You're Playing The Game," a small movie in itself, "Opus One," featuring the Mills Bros. with Nat King Cole," "Lazy River," "Till Then," "Caravan" (check out the early vocal percussion and vocal horns) and "Swing Brother"—but there's really not a weak cut. Besides enjoying the butter-smooth harmonies, it's fascinating to watch the dancing and acting in the little skits that illustrate the songs. What is clear throughout is the sheer vocal power and hip sophistication of these pioneer groups, whose musical stylings laid the groundwork for every Pop and Soul group to follow. These gems may be thought of as early MTV videos, documenting two groups that are a source for much of the great music that has touched our lives.

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