[Dixielandjazz] Peanut Vendor - was Trombone Lovers

[Anton Crouch]

Hello all

The German trombonists are certainly accomplished players and the 
setting (a circus) is appropriate. However, the performance 
demonstrates, yet again, how hard it is for non-Latins to pull-off a 
decent performance of The Peanut Vendor (Il manisero). This one 
positively plods.

When Don Azpiazu and his Cuban orchestra introduced the piece to New 
York in April 1930, it caused a sensation. There were numerous "cover 
versions" but it can be argued that it wasn't until Stan Kenton recorded 
the piece in the late 1940s that the North Americans finally got it.

Of particular interest is Louis Armstrong's December 1930 recording. I 
don't think too many people would consider this a high point in 
Armstrong's career. His vocal is weird - from 'mani' ('peanuts') 
becoming the girl's name 'Marie' to one of his least successful scats.

All the best,
Anton