VA - The Haunted House (20 Tracks to Make You Jump in the Night ) (Nimbus Records 2000)

The Haunted House 20 Tracks to Make You Jump in the Night Nimbus Records (2000)

Halloween music, anyone? I can't imagine that the commercial prospects of a CD featuring songs with a theme on the topics of ghosts, dark nights, and rattling noises in the attic would cause very many Wall Street investment companies to issue "Buy!" orders. That said, "The Haunted House" (Nimbus Records) turns out to be a thoroughly delightful journey into the dusty archives of some of America's greatest musical performers of the 20th century. The subtitle for this collection is, "20 tracks to make you jump in the night." Actually, the most drastic reaction I
can imagine is that purchasers might pat their feet after being injected with some of the jazzy rhythms in this droll album. The lineup of musicians is quite impressive, if you happen to remember the stars from the'30s,'40s and'50s. Artie Shaw's memorable theme, "Nightmare," is found within, along with a couple of cuts from the jazz king of the trumpet, the incomparable Louis Armstrong, who performs "The Skeleton in My Closet" with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and another gem, "You've Got Me Voodoo'd." Pianist Fats Waller is present with "Dry Bones." Jelly Roll Morton, who at one time claimed to have invented jazz, plays "Boogaboo. " Such famous blues singers as Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith are heard in rare cuts. Even the immortal Bing Crosby can be heard doing "The Headless Horseman." "The Haunted House" presents nearly 64 minutes of entertainment. The cleaning up of the sound from these ancient recordings is practically perfect. Those who have followed the history of jazz should appreciate this collection, although knowledge of any kind of music is not required. Just sit down and listen. I can almost guarantee a smile on your face. Thanks Jason scarstuff.blogspot.com

Track list

1. The Haunted House - The Three Ginx Listen Listen
2. Nightmare - Artie Shaw And His Orchestra Listen Listen
3. The Skeleton In The Closet - Louis Armstrong Listen Listen
4. Skeleton Jangle - The Original Dixieland Five Listen Listen
5. 'Tain't No Sin - Dan Russo And His Oriole Orchestra Listen Listen
6. Dry Bones - Fats Waller And His Rhythm Listen
7. Bogey Wail - Jack Hylton And His Orchestra/Sam Browne Listen
8. Boogaboo - Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers Listen
9. Black Cat Moan - Tiny Parham And His Muscians Listen
10. Black Cat, Hoot Owl Blues - Ma Rainey And Her Tub Washboard Band Listen
11. You've Got Me Voodoo'd - Louis Armstrong Listen
12. Mysterioso - Artie Shaw And His Gramercy Five Listen
13. Murder At Peyton Hall - Charlie Barnet And His Orchestra Listen
14. Dracula - Gene Krupa And His Orchestra Listen
15. Mr Ghost Goes To Town - Tommy Dorsey And His Orchestra Listen
16. Devil's Gonna Get You - Bessie Smith Listen
17. Satanic Blues - Bud Freeman And His Summa Cum Laude Orchestra Listen
18. With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm - Cyril Smith Listen
19. Ain't It Grand To Be Bloomin' Well Dead - The Barmy Brothers Listen
20. The Headless Horseman - Bing Crosby