That's How Rhythm Was Born

That's How Rhythm Was Born

With their jaunty, close harmonies, vocal riffing, and deceptively casual fusion of black and white vocal models, New Orleans's Boswell Sisters set a prescient standard for vocal jazz during the late '20s and '30s that would reverberate through pop as well in the decades that followed, essentially cloned but somewhat degrooved by the better-known Andrews Sisters. The Boswells' hometown lode of seminal jazz shaped their romping, good-humored workouts. In addition, Martha (piano), Helvetia (violin, banjo, guitar), and leader Connie (cello, sax, guitar) were spirited accompanists as well as polished, ebullient singers who favored rhythmic dance songs and Tin Pan Alley novelties as well as recognizable early jazz masterpieces. This delightful 20-song compilation finds them ranging through works both slight and substantial but always charming; the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra is featured on the majority of the tracks, which includes works by Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer, Harry Warren, and Harold Arlen, as well as their discerning opener, "Rock & Roll," a saucy jazz-era dance manifesto. --Sam Sutherland

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