More of the Rhythm Boys

More of the Rhythm Boys July 29, 2006

Posted by Jeff in Jazz, Music, Swing.
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RIGHT: The Rhythm Boys — Al Rinker (1907-1982), Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby (1903-1977) and Harry Barris (1905-1962). Am I wrong or does Bing have a mustache?

Before I did my Bing Crosby post last Sunday, I will confess that I had forgotten all about the Rhythm Boys. Since then I’ve been obsessing on them (I have a way of doing that, in case you hadn’t noticed …)

Lo and behold, I’ve discovered a treasure trove of mp3s of Rhythm Boys cuts. I’m going to assume the ones with an orchestra backing are Paul Whiteman, with whom they performed for almost their entire career as a group.

I think these numbers are the cat’s pyjamas, especially this one. Imagine a world in which the same song could be covered by Maurice Chevalier, Bing Crosby and the Rhythm Boys … and the Marx Brothers.