Any Old Time

Artie Shaw & his Orchestra - "Any Old Time" (1958) - RCA Victor

Hello friends,

Tonight on the turntable we've got Jazz's favorite introvert, Artie Shaw.

This compilation, released in 1958, contains tracks recorded between 1938 & 1945 and was released four years after Shaw permanently retired from music.  RCA's Down Beat Jazz Milestone series are pretty good compilations that usually contain 22 to 24 minutes of music per album side.

Hailing from New Haven, Connecticut, Artie Shaw (born Arthur Jacob Arshawsky) was one of the Big Band Era's most famous bandleaders.  Known as the "King of Clarinet", he was an introvert and perfectionist; sort of the thinking man's Benny Goodman.  He died in 2004 after spending many years self-exiled in Europe and a small fortune in divorce court. Shaw was married 8 times, including to the actresses, Lana Turner & the future Mrs. Sinatra, Ava Gardner!  ("Hey Frank! How's my dick taste?")

The LP's titular tune features Billie Holiday on lead vocals.  Shaw was one of the first white bandleaders to hire a black lead vocalist to tour with him!  Good for him!  



Other great tracks include "It Had to Be You", "All I Remember Is You" (featuring Helen Forrest on vocals), "St. James Infirmary" (featuring "Hot Lips" Page on vocals), "These Foolish Things Remind Me of You", "Love Me A Little" (featuring Lena Horne), and the outstanding, nine-minute, "Concerto for Clarinet."

RATING: 4.5 Guess Who's Not Fun at Parties out of 5