DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION AND APPRECIATION OF BRITISH JAZZ
FROM ANY ERA AND STYLE BUT WITH THE EMPHASIS ON MODERN JAZZ

Sunday, June 02, 2013

0300 Marie Bryant [In London 1952] FLAC 7(20.16)

Contributed by bluebird, who writes:-
Marie Bryant, USA born, was probably best known as a dancer in black revues rather than a singer but she can be seen and heard in the 1944 film clip of 'Jammin' The Blues' which features Lester Young amongst others.
She was in London in 1952, where she was appearing in the musical revue 'High Spirits' at the London Hippodrome, when these recordings were made.
The first three tracks were made for the small Lyragon label which specialised in recording calypsos and highlife music which was being introduced by the newly arrived black West Indian and African immigrants to the UK. They are taken from 78 rpm records and there is inevitably some background noise and crackle. Not really jazz, but some of the backing musicians had a later career in jazz.
The other four tracks were recorded with a regular jazz group and Marie sings these with a real jazz feel. There's some lovely trumpet from Humphrey Lyttelton too.
And just to show what she looked like during her dancing days, take a look at the 'cover' picture, unless Mr. BritJazz censors it.  It is shown purely in the interest of jazz history of course.
FLAC  from YouTube (Lyragon sides - thanks to original uploader) and cd re-issue with track details, label pictures and that  'cover' picture. Remember, it's for research purposes only. BritJazz doesn't do titivation.

(01-03)
Bertie King - alto
Mike McKenzie - piano
Unknown - guitar
Neville Boucarut - bass
Leslie Weeks - bongo
Marie Bryant - vocal
(04-07)
Humphrey Lyttelton - trumpet
Mike McKenzie - piano
Denny Wright - guitar
Jack Fallon - bass
Marie Bryant - vocal

01 Tomato (2:58)
02 Rhumboogie Anna (2:42)
03 My Handy Man (Razaf, Blake) (2:41)
04 Ain't Misbehavin' (Brooks, Razaf, Waller) (3:04)
05 Beale Street Blues (Handy)  (3:09)
06 Georgia On My Mind (Carmichael, Gorrell) (3:03)
07 Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (Barris, Koehler, Moll) (2:39)

Label: Compilation
Recorded:
September 03 1952 (01-03)
October 02 1952 (04-05)
October 24 1952 (06-07)
Lineage: CD and YouTube?>FLAC

13 comments:

  1. 300th!!
    Many, many thanks BritJazz.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Interesting post, and interesting cover (shades of Harrison Marks!)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for sharing it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marie Bryant! Not only interesting but exciting.
    Thank you VERY much, bluebird and BritJazz.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks bluebird

    ReplyDelete
  6. Profound thanks bluebird. 'My Handy Man' has a trumpeter, not Bertie King. Who could that be ? ps let's save Britjazz !

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you for the splendid rarity - now I shall find more of this gal!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I noticed the pw is lobo in reverse, like a wolf? heh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Didn't notice that. Also a sixth part of a Greek drachma!

      Delete
  9. Marie Bryant was also well known for some of the more RISQUE songs, one particular rendition of the calypso "Lovely water Melons" was much appreciated by my army friends.

    ReplyDelete
  10. She's fascinating in "Jammin' the blues" ! Any chance for a re-up ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are re-upping all posts, Bhowani, and should complete the exercise in the next few days at the latest. Most are done now but we still have about a hundred to go.

      Delete
  11. https://cjoint.net/?665oubfozv

    ReplyDelete