Radio, Gimme Some Jive: Performances 1941-1945

Radio, Gimme Some Jive is the last of three Delta Rhythm Boys collections available from the German label Dee-Jay, featuring 29 exuberant performances from one of the brightest harmony/rhythm groups of the '30s and '40s. Led by tenor Carl Jones, the quintet could harmonize like few other groups of the era, but they also proved capable of up-tempo swing on the order of the Spirits of Rhythm or the Four Blazes. As the title indicates, these are transcriptions, originally recorded during the American war years for radio broadcast or movie soundtracks, plus the rare soundie (an early version of what was later known as music videos, available in nickelodeons). The sound quality isn't bad for the period, and the performances are solid, whether the group is tackling swing standards ("One O'Clock Jump," "Take the 'A' Train," "I'm Beginning to See the Light," "Just a-Sittin' and a-Rockin'," the latter their lone hit) or superficially silly harmony novelties like "Rigoletto Blues," "Snoqualomie Jo Jo," or "Texas Polka." There's also some wonderful interplay between lead and backing harmonies on many tracks, especially "Take the 'A' Train."