Phil Harris and His Orchestra-12th Street Rag

Phil Harris and his Orchestra’s take on this ragtime hit comes from 1932/33. This particular version is just one in a sea of releases, as the 12th Street Rag was a standout hit. Introduced in 1914, the song traveled along a pathway of steadily improving fortunes. 1927 marked the year that Louis Armstrong and his orchestra took a stab at the 12th Street Rag, and this was a turning point for the song. Such was the staying power of this piece that it was a Billboard number 1 hit in 1948! So, what is it about this song in particular?

The song begins with a classic intro, and then almost immediately leading into the swinging melody, This version is supported nicely by the banjo. A strength of the main melody is just how adaptable it is. One gets the sense that it can be performed on just about any instrument capable of making jazz. The b section features enough variety to keep the song fresh. Just when the listener believes the work to be reaching the point of predictability, the main melody is shifted a bit. For the final run-through, Harris and his orchestra return to the familiar take on the main melody. It is in this act that the song offers a reassurance to the listener. It is a lively piece, but not jarring or challenging. It exudes joy. This joyful quality in the piece likely made it popular for listeners who needed a pick me up in the days of the Great Depression. The relative simplicity likely ensured it was easy for bandleaders to learn and then tweak.

Harris had music in his genes. His father was a  bandleader and taught Phil how to be a drummer. Drumming was Harris’ first gig, but he moved on to lead his own band. He would move on to be succesful in the other emerging forms of mass media, a film and radio regular. It is interesting, then, to listen to him take on a piece from the early years of the 20th Century, marrying it with the just in development big band structure.

Link to Song via YouTube: 12th Street Rag