Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
Unissued take 6 of "Gems From Blackbirds Of 1928" by Warren Mills and His Blues Serenaders. The issued take is take 5 (on 12 inch Victor 35962 and also HMV EB-44). The recording interpolates four songs from the highly sucesful show, namely "I Can't Give You Anything But Love", "Digga Digga Do", "I Must Have That Man" and "Magnolia's Wedding Day" (all composed by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields).
The orchestra of 16 musicians directed by Warren Mills (Matty Malneck, assistant director) includes Mannie Klein (trumpet), Tommy Dorsey (trombone), Jimmy Dorsey and Arnold Brilhart (alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet), possibly Chester Hazlett (the subtone chalumeau register clarinet sounds a lot like Chester Hazlett), Eddie Lang (guitar) and possibly Arthur Schutt (piano). I don't know who the four violinists are, but presumably Matty Malneck is one of them, and nor do I know who the drummer, brass bass and string bass players are. Great slap bass work by the latter on "Digga Digga Do".
The hot trumpet solo in "Digga Digga Do" actually sounds rather like Tommy Dorsey on cornet, which he did occasionally play, but if that's the case then the trombone player that follows him can't be Dorsey! I suppose the trumpet solo could be played by Mannie Klein, who could play just about anything, in any style, or even Jimmy Dorsey, who also played cornet now and then!
In addition to the orchestra, there is mixed chorus of three women and six men, four of whom are listed on the original recording sheet as being black. I don't know who the vocalist is who sings "I Must Have That Man" but she is backed by some lovely counter-melodies by Eddie Lang.
WARREN MILLS AND HIS BLUES SERENADERS
Recorded at the Liederkranz Hall, New York, February 1st, 1929
49008-6…….Gems from "Blackbirds Of 1928"…….master vinyl pressing (78 rpm)
Takes 1, 2 and 3 were recorded at an earlier session, on Thursday, December 20th, 1928, with a different selection of songs from the musical (apart from "I Can't Give You Anything But Love"). On that occasion, the orchestra was larger - 25 musicians - and included a contingent from the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Both recording sessions were arranged by music publisher Irving Mills (publisher of the songs from "Blackbirds Of 1928"). I don't know of the genealogical relationship between Irving and Warren Mills. Apparently, Irving had a son called Warren.
Unissued take 6 of "Gems From Blackbirds Of 1928" by Warren Mills and His Blues Serenaders. The issued take is take 5 (on 12 inch Victor 35962 and also HMV EB-44). The recording interpolates four songs from the highly sucesful show, namely "I Can't Give You Anything But Love", "Digga Digga Do", "I Must Have That Man" and "Magnolia's Wedding Day" (all composed by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields).
The orchestra of 16 musicians directed by Warren Mills (Matty Malneck, assistant director) includes Mannie Klein (trumpet), Tommy Dorsey (trombone), Jimmy Dorsey and Arnold Brilhart (alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet), possibly Chester Hazlett (the subtone chalumeau register clarinet sounds a lot like Chester Hazlett), Eddie Lang (guitar) and possibly Arthur Schutt (piano). I don't know who the four violinists are, but presumably Matty Malneck is one of them, and nor do I know who the drummer, brass bass and string bass players are. Great slap bass work by the latter on "Digga Digga Do".
The hot trumpet solo in "Digga Digga Do" actually sounds rather like Tommy Dorsey on cornet, which he did occasionally play, but if that's the case then the trombone player that follows him can't be Dorsey! I suppose the trumpet solo could be played by Mannie Klein, who could play just about anything, in any style, or even Jimmy Dorsey, who also played cornet now and then!
In addition to the orchestra, there is mixed chorus of three women and six men, four of whom are listed on the original recording sheet as being black. I don't know who the vocalist is who sings "I Must Have That Man" but she is backed by some lovely counter-melodies by Eddie Lang.
WARREN MILLS AND HIS BLUES SERENADERS
Recorded at the Liederkranz Hall, New York, February 1st, 1929
49008-6…….Gems from "Blackbirds Of 1928"…….master vinyl pressing (78 rpm)
Takes 1, 2 and 3 were recorded at an earlier session, on Thursday, December 20th, 1928, with a different selection of songs from the musical (apart from "I Can't Give You Anything But Love"). On that occasion, the orchestra was larger - 25 musicians - and included a contingent from the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Both recording sessions were arranged by music publisher Irving Mills (publisher of the songs from "Blackbirds Of 1928"). I don't know of the genealogical relationship between Irving and Warren Mills. Apparently, Irving had a son called Warren.
