The Story Behind Evon Records
To fully appreciate this album, it's worth diving into the history of Evon Records. Evon was one of the last budget labels founded by music industry pioneer Eli Oberstein in the late 1950s, just before his death in 1960 at age 59. Oberstein was a key figure in the early days of the record business, working for several major labels, including RCA Victor, Columbia, and United Artists.
However, he was perhaps best known for launching a series of budget labels that reissued recordings from the catalogs of defunct record companies. Labels like Varsity, Royale, and Allegro brought classic performances by jazz, swing, and pop greats to new audiences at affordable prices. Evon followed in this tradition, and many of its releases, including "In The Tommy Dorsey Mood," hit the shelves after Oberstein's death when his son sold off the remaining back catalog to the Precision Radiation Instruments (PRI) company.
The Talents of Paul Payne
So who exactly was Paul Payne, the bandleader behind this tribute to Tommy Dorsey? Details on Payne's life and career are scarce, as he seems to have largely faded into obscurity. However, we can glean some insights from the notes of George T. Simon, the famed big band drummer, journalist, and historian.
According to Simon, Payne was a skilled pianist, arranger, and bandleader who toured with some top dance bands in the 1940s and 50s. He had a knack for emulating the styles of more famous orchestras and was particularly adept at capturing the Tommy Dorsey sound. Simon notes that Payne "has an uncanny ability to absorb the feeling of the late Tommy Dorsey's dance arrangements, and that ability has been used in its entirety in these recreations of eight tunes that will forever be associated with T.D."
Track-by-Track Breakdown
Let's take a closer look at the eight songs Payne and his band so lovingly recreate in the Tommy Dorsey style:
Side A
1. "Song of India" - Originally composed by Rimsky-Korsakov, this exotic melody was given the swing treatment by Dorsey in 1937 and became one of his signature tunes. Payne's arrangement stays true to the Dorsey blueprint, from the atmospheric introduction to the trademark trombone slides.
2. "Dark Eyes" - Another classical melody (this time a Russian folk tune) that Dorsey turned into a big band staple. Payne and company do an admirable job of replicating the dramatic flair of Dorsey's version.
3. "Barcarolle" - Dorsey's lush 1936 recording of this Offenbach composition was one of his biggest hits. The Payne band does it justice, with rich strings and lyrical trombone work that would make T.D. proud.
4. "Liebestraum" - Dorsey could always wring every drop of emotion out of a melody, as evidenced by his 1935 Decca recording of this Liszt piece. Payne's crew captures the dreamy romanticism perfectly.
Side B
1. "Spring Song" - Dorsey had a special affinity for adapting classical melodies to the big band idiom, and his recording of this Mendelssohn tune is a prime example. The Payne band delivers all the breezy charm of the original.
2. "Buy Me Violets" - This obscure Depression-era pop song is given new life by Payne's loving recreation of the Dorsey arrangement, complete with velvety trombones and a light-footed swing feel.
3. "Humoresque" - The lilting melody of Antonín Dvořák's "Humoresque No. 7" is an ideal vehicle for Dorsey's lyrical trombone stylings, and Payne and his band do an impressive job of channeling that magic.
4. "Blue Danube" - Johann Strauss II's famous waltz was another natural fit for Dorsey's brand of elegant swing. Payne rises to the challenge with a rendition that glides along like a dance on the banks of the titular river.
The Legacy of Tommy Dorsey
Listening to Paul Payne's heartfelt homages to these Tommy Dorsey classics reminds one of just how influential and beloved Dorsey remains decades after his untimely death in 1956 at age 51. Along with his trumpet-playing brother Jimmy, Tommy Dorsey helped define the sound of the swing era with his virtuoso trombone playing, inventive arrangements, and keen ear for melodic pop tunes.
His bands launched the careers of some of the greatest singers of the 20th century, including Frank Sinatra and Jo Stafford. And his recordings have endured as timeless examples of the big band craft at its finest. It's no wonder that a skilled musician like Paul Payne would dedicate himself to keeping the Dorsey flame alive.
Collectibility and Sound Quality
For record collectors, "In The Tommy Dorsey Mood" is a prime example of the sort of buried treasure one can still find by digging through the crates. Original copies on the Evon label are quite scarce and highly sought after by Dorsey completists. However, the quality of the performances makes this album worth tracking down.
The vinyl pressing is surprisingly clean and quiet for a budget release of its era, allowing the intricate details of Payne's Dorsey-esque arrangements to shine through. The recording may lack the ultimate high fidelity of Dorsey's recordings for major labels like Victor and Decca, but it makes up for it in heart and enthusiasm.
Conclusion
In a just world, Paul Payne would be celebrated as a talented arranger and bandleader in his own right, not just a skilled imitator of a legend. But there is something noble and touching about his dedication to keeping Tommy Dorsey's music alive for future generations on "In The Tommy Dorsey Mood."
This album is a love letter to an era when big bands ruled the airwaves and dance floors, and virtuosos like Dorsey were pop stars. This hidden gem is worth uncovering for any record collector with a passion for the swing era or just an appreciation for impeccable musicianship and timeless melodies. It may not have the name recognition of a Dorsey original, but it has the sound and the spirit, which counts.
1. "Song of India" - Originally composed by Rimsky-Korsakov, this exotic melody was given the swing treatment by Dorsey in 1937 and became one of his signature tunes. Payne's arrangement stays true to the Dorsey blueprint, from the atmospheric introduction to the trademark trombone slides.
2. "Dark Eyes" - Another classical melody (this time a Russian folk tune) that Dorsey turned into a big band staple. Payne and company do an admirable job of replicating the dramatic flair of Dorsey's version.
3. "Barcarolle" - Dorsey's lush 1936 recording of this Offenbach composition was one of his biggest hits. The Payne band does it justice, with rich strings and lyrical trombone work that would make T.D. proud.
4. "Liebestraum" - Dorsey could always wring every drop of emotion out of a melody, as evidenced by his 1935 Decca recording of this Liszt piece. Payne's crew captures the dreamy romanticism perfectly.
Side B
1. "Spring Song" - Dorsey had a special affinity for adapting classical melodies to the big band idiom, and his recording of this Mendelssohn tune is a prime example. The Payne band delivers all the breezy charm of the original.
2. "Buy Me Violets" - This obscure Depression-era pop song is given new life by Payne's loving recreation of the Dorsey arrangement, complete with velvety trombones and a light-footed swing feel.
3. "Humoresque" - The lilting melody of Antonín Dvořák's "Humoresque No. 7" is an ideal vehicle for Dorsey's lyrical trombone stylings, and Payne and his band do an impressive job of channeling that magic.
4. "Blue Danube" - Johann Strauss II's famous waltz was another natural fit for Dorsey's brand of elegant swing. Payne rises to the challenge with a rendition that glides along like a dance on the banks of the titular river.
The Legacy of Tommy Dorsey
Listening to Paul Payne's heartfelt homages to these Tommy Dorsey classics reminds one of just how influential and beloved Dorsey remains decades after his untimely death in 1956 at age 51. Along with his trumpet-playing brother Jimmy, Tommy Dorsey helped define the sound of the swing era with his virtuoso trombone playing, inventive arrangements, and keen ear for melodic pop tunes.
His bands launched the careers of some of the greatest singers of the 20th century, including Frank Sinatra and Jo Stafford. And his recordings have endured as timeless examples of the big band craft at its finest. It's no wonder that a skilled musician like Paul Payne would dedicate himself to keeping the Dorsey flame alive.
Collectibility and Sound Quality
For record collectors, "In The Tommy Dorsey Mood" is a prime example of the sort of buried treasure one can still find by digging through the crates. Original copies on the Evon label are quite scarce and highly sought after by Dorsey completists. However, the quality of the performances makes this album worth tracking down.
The vinyl pressing is surprisingly clean and quiet for a budget release of its era, allowing the intricate details of Payne's Dorsey-esque arrangements to shine through. The recording may lack the ultimate high fidelity of Dorsey's recordings for major labels like Victor and Decca, but it makes up for it in heart and enthusiasm.
Conclusion
In a just world, Paul Payne would be celebrated as a talented arranger and bandleader in his own right, not just a skilled imitator of a legend. But there is something noble and touching about his dedication to keeping Tommy Dorsey's music alive for future generations on "In The Tommy Dorsey Mood."
This album is a love letter to an era when big bands ruled the airwaves and dance floors, and virtuosos like Dorsey were pop stars. This hidden gem is worth uncovering for any record collector with a passion for the swing era or just an appreciation for impeccable musicianship and timeless melodies. It may not have the name recognition of a Dorsey original, but it has the sound and the spirit, which counts.
