Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
The Coon-Sanders Orchestra play "Wabash Blues". Not a very hot side, but a nice arrangement that is superbly played (and recorded!). This is take 1, which as far as I can tell has never been issued (the 1965 RCA LP "Radio Aces" used the unissued take 3, which is virtually identical to take 1). There was no issue (of any take) on 78.
The highlight of the side, as far as individual performance is concerned, is the beautiful straight trombone solo by Rex Downing, before the vocal duet by Joe Sanders and Carlton Coon (they always do these harmonised vocals so well).
Just before the 4-bar coda, there is a brass-led quote from Franz Liszt's "Liebesträume" ("Dreams of Love"). The interpolation of classical works was a common occurrence in 1920s dance band arrangements, generally with a theme that matched the song's theme in some way, The link here seems rather tenuous, though the lyrics of "Wabash Blues" do mention a dream…still, it contrasts nicely with the rather dramatic ending.
COON-SANDERS ORCHESTRA
Joe Sanders, piano, vocals and Carlton Coon, drums, vocals, directing: Bob Pope and Joe Richolson - trumpets / Rex Downing - trombone / Harold Thiell and John Thiell - alto sax, baritone sax, clarinets / Floyd Estep - tenor sax, clarinet / Russ Stout - banjo / Elmer Krebs - brass bass
Recorded in Kansas City, December 13th, 1927
BVE 41371-1…….Wabash Blues…….Vinyl master pressing (78 rpm)
The Coon-Sanders Orchestra play "Wabash Blues". Not a very hot side, but a nice arrangement that is superbly played (and recorded!). This is take 1, which as far as I can tell has never been issued (the 1965 RCA LP "Radio Aces" used the unissued take 3, which is virtually identical to take 1). There was no issue (of any take) on 78.
The highlight of the side, as far as individual performance is concerned, is the beautiful straight trombone solo by Rex Downing, before the vocal duet by Joe Sanders and Carlton Coon (they always do these harmonised vocals so well).
Just before the 4-bar coda, there is a brass-led quote from Franz Liszt's "Liebesträume" ("Dreams of Love"). The interpolation of classical works was a common occurrence in 1920s dance band arrangements, generally with a theme that matched the song's theme in some way, The link here seems rather tenuous, though the lyrics of "Wabash Blues" do mention a dream…still, it contrasts nicely with the rather dramatic ending.
COON-SANDERS ORCHESTRA
Joe Sanders, piano, vocals and Carlton Coon, drums, vocals, directing: Bob Pope and Joe Richolson - trumpets / Rex Downing - trombone / Harold Thiell and John Thiell - alto sax, baritone sax, clarinets / Floyd Estep - tenor sax, clarinet / Russ Stout - banjo / Elmer Krebs - brass bass
Recorded in Kansas City, December 13th, 1927
BVE 41371-1…….Wabash Blues…….Vinyl master pressing (78 rpm)
