Today's entry is a bit controversial. This is a group put together by composer, pianist, musical entrepreneur Clarence Williams. There's no doubt that he used a white singer-Dick Robertson. There is a question whether or not the guitar/banjoist is Roy Smeck, also white. It may be Jimmy McLin.
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| Clarence Williams |
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| Roy Smeck |
Robertson was on inumerable sessions during this era, many of which were black groups with him on vocals. Even if Roy Smeck was not on this session, he was on many other interracial recordings. As early as 1924, Smeck recorded with black musicians under the name of Alabama Joe.
The discography lists Smeck as playing guitar and steel guitar (stg), but I hear the musician playing guitar and banjo.
"Jimmy Had a Nickel" has a slightly "older" feel for 1934 jazz. There's washtub a la jugband, and it's a two-beat with a heavy tuba line, but it still swings. Allen plays nice cornet lead and a short muted solo, James P. Johnson rocks on piano and Scott plays a wailing solo on clarinet.
Clarence Williams and His Orchestra: Ed Allen, c / Cecil Scott, cl / James P. Johnson, p / Roy Smeck, g, stg / Cyrus St. Clair, bb (tuba) / Floyd Casey, wb (washboard)/ Dick Robertson, Clarence Williams, v, New York, January 17, 1934.
- Jimmy Had A Nickel– vDR- Voc 2629;
- He’s A Colonel From Kentucky– vDR- Voc 2629, EBW W-121;
- Pretty Baby, Is It Yes Or No?– vCW- Voc 2718;
- Mister, Will You Serenade?– vCW: Voc 2676, Br A-86050
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