Everybody Stomp - The Harmony Recordings 1925-1929

The Original Indiana Five was an excellent dixieland-oriented band that never really rose out of obscurity. The ensemble recorded 98 selections during 1923-29 and six others as part of drummer Tom Morton's larger band; few have ever been reissued, whether on Lp or on disc. This CD, easily the definitive Original Indiana Five release put out to date, has all of the band's 23 recordings for the Harmony label (the quintet recorded for several companies) plus Morton's three selections for Harmony. The music is not innovative but is well-played and fits into the mainstream of jazz and dance music of the period. Trombonist Pete Pellizzi is the group's best soloist. Also heard from are clarinetist Nick Vitalo, pianist Harry Ford, drummer Tom Morton, occasionally banjoist Tony Colucci (whose presence really helps on some dates) and either cornetist James Chrstie (on the first dozen selections) or the superior trumpeter Tony Tortomas. Although Irving Kaufman sings on the three Morton numbers (Kaufman is less obnoxious than usual), there are only vocals on three of the 23 OIF numbers and only the one on "Delilah" is unbearable. Highlights of the CD (which is easily recommended to 1920's collectors) include "Everybody's Doin' The Charleston Now," "So Is Your Old Lady," "Spanish Mamma," "Stockholm Stomp," "Clementine" and "Birmingham Bertha."