FRANKIE LAINE — Mr Rhythm (review)

Album · 1954 · Vocal Jazz

4.5/5 · 2011-11-16
Matt

Often slated as Frankie's first long playing release but that is not the case as he had recorded "One For My Baby" back in 1951 which was released the same year on Columbia ( CL-6200) in 78, 45 and 10 inch ,33rpm format all at once. He then followed up with the 10 inch "New Orleans" (1953) album with Jo Stafford which was released under her name with roughly an equal contribution from both present in the release. "Mr Rhythm" was actually his third 10 inch release and again as with the previous two albums, Paul Weston's Orchestra (who was actually Jo Stafford's spouse) was backing Frankie Laine up. Carl Fisher who is on piano, had been playing with Frankie since the early days and knew how to make his piano swing when his contributed solos and backing when present. "Mr Rhythm" as well as Old Leather Lungs and Mr. Steel Tonsils would become Frankie's nick names bit it is Mr Rhythm that would be the most commonly used and when one listens to this little album that becomes apparent why with Jazz and all that Swing recorded from back in its hey-day included with a slight New Orleans traditional approach which is the injection of great rhythm and bounce more so than brass. None of this smokey Cabaret stuff for Frankie although he could sing many a beautiful ballad when required but his Jazz came more so with bounce and a stunning styling that he contributed to every tune he sang which he even would carry with him into his later Country and Popular albums during his later career.

Eight glorious tracks of vocal Jazz are present with "Someday Sweet Heart" leading us in with that bouncy swing being the backbone to this number and Frankie is singing pure swing and with the addition of a wonderful trumpet and tenor saxophone solo within, you will be foot tappin' and singing along to this great swinger that Frankie finishes up by hitting those high heights with his voice. The ballad "A Hundred Years From Today" follows with a beautiful low key sax solo providing that exquisite feel to the tune but listen closely to a master vocalist just sing the title with three note changes within just that.The swing is back with plentiful lashings in "Laughing At Life" and delivered with perfection from Frankie's vocals and whoever was playing that trumpet in Paul Weston's Orchestra sure could put some great licks down."Lullaby In Rhythm" a Benny Goodman tune is the finisher for this side and that bouncy rhythm with a mid tempo time is just hypnotic and a real brain sticker as I find this is the tune that I always sing to myself when thinking of this record or Frankie singing any Jazz. The classic "Willow Weep for Me" is given a beautiful version here from Frankie Laine where again he displays what a master with his voice that he was with all those up and down and extended notes that he sings within the song with crystal clear clarity and diction. " My Ohio Home" is another great number which starts mid tempo but finishes up in full swing mode. "Judy" is another mid tempo tune sung to perfection and this little ripper of a Jazz record finishes up with the standard ( well anyway it is today) "After You've Gone" ,and is the number with the most bouncing swing?, anyway Carl Fisher gets to sing with Frankie on this great album closer.

All these songs are considered classics today in music and not just Jazz and with this album you get to hear them done how they are supposed to be. Do not think that this is impossible to find as it is out on cd and it comes with Frankie Laine's first Columbia release "One For My Baby" in a lovely little double. Tell you what though, "the record sound absolutely marvellous". Golden Jazz vocals from the golden days of Jazz.