They would have been fortunate, because Ralph had an excellent, tight ensemble at the time - a big band with R&B inclinations, and even a country tune in the set.
The album comes from 1954, but presents songs that had appeared or were about to appear as singles or on the EPs below.
The LP starts off with a real winner - a scorching version of "Bumble Boogie" with Ralph tracing the flight of the bee on his trumpet - amazingly, too, although there is one clumsy edit that may have covered up a clam (to mix up bees and mollusks).
"Bumble Boogie" of course comes from "The Flight of the Bumblebee," an interlude in Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's 1900 opera The Tale of Tsar Sultan. In 1946 pianist Jack Fina had the idea of adapting it into a piano piece, which he then recorded with Freddy Martin's orchestra. More about that below - the Martin single is included as a bonus track.
The second item is much different - the "Love Theme (from The Glenn Miller Story)," here just called "Love Theme." It's a lovely, sensitive version of an early Henry Mancini composition. There was a version with words, too. Don Raye added the lyrics, making "Love Theme" into the ballad "Too Little Time." Steve Lawrence's version is included as a bonus.
"The Creep" is the handiwork of British bandleader Ken Mackintosh, writing as "Andy Burton." The busy lyricist Carl Sigman added words, not included in this recording.
"Purple Shades" is a slow number written by Dooley, Douglas and Lavere. "Douglas" is probably Lew Douglas, who was associated with Marterie's label, Mercury. "Lavere" is possibly the Chicago-based jazzman and sometimes singer Charlie Lavere, I have to hang down my head, because I don't know who Dooley might be. [Update: reader Boursin found the copyright registration for the song. The authors are Lew Douglas (as surmised), Frank Lavere and Phil Dooley. Thanks, Boursin!]
The song "Deep Forest" has a distinguished lineage. It was co-written by famed bandleader-pianist Earl Hines, British pianist-songwriter Reginald Foresythe and noted lyricist Andy Razaf. Hines first recorded it in 1932.
We're back in boogie territory with "Dry Marterie," which the bandleader himself co-wrote.
"Detour" is a Western swing standard wrote and first recorded by Paul Westmoreland and His Pecos River Boys. The hit version was by Spade Cooley, which can be found in this collection. Both Westmoreland and Cooley utilized vocalists, but Marterie's version is an instrumental boogie (of course).
Next is a standard, "Moonlight in Vermont," first recorded by Margaret Whiting in 1944. The authors were Karl Suessdorf and John Blackburn. Marterie's version was possibly prompted by the popular 1952 recording from guitarist Johnny Smith, with a tenor sax solo from Stan Getz.
"Pennsylvania Turnpike" is a rousing riff song of uncertain provenance. In this ode to blacktop, the band warns us, "Don't you hitchhike / And you better not ride a bike!"
| Reissue cover on the budget Wing label. Apparently Ralph always carried a trumpet. |
The bandleader Noro Morales wrote "Oye Negra" along with Johnny Camacho, and recorded it in 1942. For some reason, Marterie's single version was titled "Bongo Guitar (Oye Negra)." The bongo name was dropped for the LP.
From about the same time as "Oya Negra" was "Take the 'A' Train," one of the signature Ellington numbers, written for the band by Billy Strayhorn.
Another boogie closes the LP - the lively "Chicken Boogie," which Marterie wrote with arranger Billy VerPlanck. The latter worked freelance for many of the bands of the time, and played trombone in some of them. He may well have arranged some of the other songs on this album.
This latter song has a robust baritone sax solo from Charlie Spero, who is heard periodically in the album. The Mercury Records discography does not list a guitarist in the band, although one is heard throughout the set. That soloist may be George Barnes, although I believe he had left Chicago for New York by the time this LP was recorded.
The sound of the disc is really fine - clear and punchy.
Bonus Songs
| Jack Fina and Bumble Boogie |
"Bumble Boogie" was pianist Jack Fina's claim to fame. His 1946 version with Freddy Martin was a huge hit, and he soon went out on his own, with Martin's backing. Fina claimed to have written the piece, both on the label and later in the intro to a V-Disc he recorded. He did arrange it, but the composer was Rimsky-Korsakov, of course (sa-kov).
| Young Steve Lawrence and his early hit |
Steve Lawrence did well for King records with his recording of "Too Little Time," the "Love Theme from The Glenn Miller Story." His singing is suitably impassioned. His style is undoubtedly from the Sinatra school (and arranger Glenn Osser from the Axel Stordahl academy), but his phrasing here is reminiscent of the big voice belters who were then popular. It's a coincidence, but Steve even sounds like the marvelous country singer Marty Robbins, who was yet to have a pop hit when this record was made. This record was a indicator of Steve's great talent. His complete King recordings can be found here.
LINK to Dance Date and bonus songs