Milt Shaw and His Detroiters-Running Between the Raindrops

Here’s a smaller, regional act that can be appreciated because of its sincere sound. This act found success in (where else?) the Detroit area in the late 20s and early 30s. Shaw and his orchestra were out not to reinvent the wheel, but ensure that their group had access to the best wheels at the time. They would cut records of established popular music, but with polish. Instrumentation and vocals were presented in the jazz style. Even while this strategy of “pandering” (as some might cynically label it) will last fleetingly, Shaw and his group may well have found success into the 30s and beyond. It isn’t as if the style lost all popularity as the years went by. The big band sound, the heir apparent to 20s hot jazz, lasted a bit into the 50s. It is therefore unclear why Milt Shaw cashed in his chips in February of 1931. Perhaps he felt he had reached the apex of his popularity. Perhaps he felt tastes would inevitably change and didn’t want to deal with a sharp decline. No matter the reason, his departure was one of a competent ensemble from the craft. Today’s tune should demonstrate that point.

The instrumental introduction is easy, breezy goodness. The presence is firm but not trying to overwhelm the listener. There are some tracks where one may feel compelled to dance. This song is more of a gentle invitation in that regard. Around the middle of the introduction we get to hear some beautiful violin. This reinforces the gentle nature of the piece. The lyrics make their arrival and there’s the interesting appearance of adversity. Or, at the very least, inconvenience. Rain is impeding the gentleman’s progress to his lover. Yet, he doesn’t seem to mind, as he’s “running between the raindrops”. Its simply too easy to slap a “love makes you feel better about any situation” label onto this song and call it a day. Rather, it lends lyrics more depth to think on a relationship that is worth suffering for. The rain will always be wet. This gent is going to get soaked. His love won’t change an iota of the situation. The presence of the bad makes the good that much more desirable. The lyrics even acknowledge that the gentleman could simply wait for the storm to cease. Still, brave or foolish, he presses onward. Certainly listeners could hope that their loved ones would rush through rain for them, all while taking in this song from a warm dry place.