After gathering just over 100 tracks of 20s/30s jams, I suppose it would be time to begin really picking out some standouts. This one earns high marks for the name alone. After all, when a nor’easter is bearing down, what more would you want than a hot summer night? This instrumental was composed by Irving M. Bibo and Abe Lyman. Lyman was a bandleader in his own right, yet it doesn’t appear his orchestra took a crack at Summer Nights. A vocal rendition was cut in July of 1925, by duo Helen Clark and Lewis James. This version comes from just 1 month later, August 1925. This single is one of Bestor’s earliest recordings with Victor.
The composition itself seems entirely deserving of its title. It opens with a commanding yet gentle use of the horns, and then eases into the melody. This “A” section definitely sounds more exotic, while the bridge takes on more of a “swinging” persona. The “A” melody repeats, but with a backing banjo to help the piece sounding diverse. The introduction of new instruments also helps the composition to wed its exotic and swinging sides. While each is pleasant taken alone, together they wrap a nice bow around a short but hot package.
Link to Song on YouTube: Summer Nights-Don Bestor
Music Through the Mists of Time 