New horizons in historic jazz reissuing were revealed in 2005 when
Jazz Oracle came out with a double-CD compendium of recordings made for about a dozen different labels between October 1924 and February 1933 in Vienna, Paris, and Berlin, all involving bandleader
Lud Gluskin (1898-1989).
Andreas Schmauder, apparently one of the world's leading
Gluskin authorities, was asked to paw through literally hundreds of 78 rpm platters to designate the 48 titles included in this package, which is loaded with precious photographs and fascinating information.
Gluskin first appears as a drummer with
Paul Gason and His Versatile Orchestra.
"Ain't She Sweet?" is performed by
the Playboys, a Detroit-based band that would soon morph into an expanded and more versatile orchestra under
Gluskin's direction. Subsequent billings list the perpetually evolving group as
Lud Gluskin and His Versatile Juniors,
Lud Gluskin et Son Jazz Orchestre Lud Gluskin,
"Lud" Gluskin Ambassadonians,
Lud Gluskin and his Ambassadors Orchestra,
Jazz-Orchester Lud Gluskin, and finally
Lud Gluskin et son Orchestre, which is the name they appeared under most often when serenading patrons at the Casino de Paris. The sound of the band often brings to mind great old-time jazz heroes like the
Original Memphis Five,
Red Nichols,
Miff Mole,
Bix Beiderbecke,
Frankie Trumbauer,
Frank Teschmacher and
Jean Goldkette, whose arrangements were in fact used by
Gluskin from time to time. Material ranges from hot novelty dance music and traditional pop tunes to substantial jazz numbers like
"Tiger Rag," "Milenberg Joys," "Clarinet Marmalade," W.C. Handy's
"St. Louis Blues," Fats Waller's
"Whiteman Stomp," and
Fud Livingston's
"Feelin' No Pain." Jazz Oracle continues to astonish and delight all who are fascinated with obscure jazz records from the early 20th century. This installment is particularly rewarding. ~ arwulf arwulf
![Djangology [Columbia]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0090266395729_p0_v2_s90x140.jpg "Djangology [Columbia]")
