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

Through the strength of the Internet, music discovery has become an easy, carefree experience. Freedom of choice has been combined with freedom from drudgery, as various services construct playlists for users who want new content for the moment, in the moment. I count myself among this crowd, ever hungry for the next best sound. Meanwhile, curiosity about what preceded present sounds has led to a re-discovery of the sounds of past decades. The 70s, 80s and 90s have each benefitted from those who either lived them, or wish fervently that they did. This is also a camp i’ve dwelt in since high school. Recently, however, I was suddenly drawn to open the bottle of sounds from the 1920s and 30s, a period that, but for the careful hand of preservation, might have been undiscovered by my ears.

One of the things I love about discovery is its expansive nature. It seems that when you start out upon a singular path, more avenues open up to you. For me, Googling where I could listen to examples of 20s and 30s music led me to come upon viable resources. Foremost of these has been Radio Dismuke, an Internet station that plays only 1920s and 30s music, of varying styles. Archive.org has also been a source of music, as has the National Jukebox, maintained by the Library of Congress. With the journey well underway, I wish to use this space to document what I feel are great examples of 20s and 30s music. I may also use this space to touch upon my exploration of sounds old and new on vinyl, though probably not as old as the 20s/30s. These journeys will explore tracks both instrumental and vocal, and I look forward to offering my perspective.