[Dixielandjazz] Japanese Audio Park releases third Hit of the week CD

[Hans Koert]

The third Audio Park CD "Paper Hits volume 3" "Hit of the week 1930-1932" ,
produced by Tohru Seya and published by the Japanese Audio Park label has
been released. This Audio Park CD (APCD-6015) contains 20 numbers from the
early 1930s and is part of a series of three CDs.  

AUDIO PARK APCD-6003 - PAPER HITS VOL. 1 HIT OF THE WEEK 1930 - 1931 (CD)
AUDIO PARK APCD-6007 - PAPER HITS VOL. 2 HIT OF THE WEEK 1931 - 1932 (CD)
AUDIO PARK APCD-6015 - PAPER HITS VOL. 3 HIT OF THE WEEK 1930 - 1932 (CD

The first two tracks of the album are the well known Harlem Hot Chocolates
recordings, made by Duke Ellington in 1930. These Hit of the week recordings
of a black orchestra are remarkable, because the Durium Corporation intended
their weekly records specially for the white modal man. The two Ellington
sides are to be found on several contemporary issues, even on pirate labels
like Biltmore, released during the 78rp era. Although these two tracks are
not for the first time on CD, they should be part of every qualified
collection. Some collectors think, wrongly, that but little is to enjoy on
these brown discs, but if you have find out these Ellington sides or the two
so-called "girl" recordings of Freddie Rich, the Cornell Smelser or Charlie
Magnante accordion accompaniment or the howling guitar of Andy Sannella,
just to mention some, you know better.   
Helen Rowland is also to be found on this selection. Her appearance is
remarkable, because most crooners on Hit of the week are male vocalists. She
made several recordings for Durium and on this album she is to be found on
When It's Sleepy Time Down South. Her singing is not without merit and it is
outstanding that she never became a famous artist. 

This selection contains seven titles that have never been re-issued on CD.
One of them is by Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees and two recordings
from the latter days of the label are with Andy Sannella on hawaiian guitar
and Charlie Magnante on accordion.  
The information in the booklet is very accurate in both English and
Japanese. Some artist pictures, as they appeared early 1932 for a short time
on the "blank" reverse of the record to raise sales figures, are very
enjoyable. You'll find the Rudy Vallee, Erno Rapee and Nick Lucas, the
Crooning Troubadour" promotion pictures. How many collectors have (had) such
a record pinned on the wall? It is a pity that this time the short
copyright-free musical extras, used to fill up the two minute extra playing
time after the introduction of the 5-minute record summer 1931, have been
omitted. Thank goodness the sales talk announcements makes up again: This is
a new Durium record playing five minutes of continuous quality music, almost
twice the playing time of the average record. Such an announcement must have
been irresistible. Hummin' To Myself, the last US Hit of the week record
ever, released at your news-dealer June 23rd, 1932, closes this selection
with a xylophone break. For those collectors who have heard the other two
CDs in this set, and know the quality of the sound,  the choice isn't as
difficult; for all those others I'd suggest: Next Thursday, a new
Hit-of-the-week CD in your collection.

BTW: If you want a track list please contact me.

Hans Koert
Heinkenszand
(The Netherlands)

koerthchkz at zeelandnet.nl
http://www.people.zeelandnet.nl/koerthchkz