\"Wistful and Blue\"
Words by Ruth Etting, music by Julian Davidson
Performance by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
Recorded December 22, 1926, Chicago
Victor 20418-B
Personnel:
Paul Whiteman - director/ Henry Busse, Ted Bartell - trumpet / Vincent Grande - trombone / Max Farley - alto sax, clarinet, flute / Hal McClean - alto sax, clarinet / Charles Strickfaden - alto sax, baritone sax / Matt Malneck - viola / Harry Perrella - piano / Mike Pingitore - banjo / Wilbur Hall - guitar / Al Armer - string bass / George Marsh - drums / Bing Crosby, Al Rinker - vocal
This performance of \"Wistful and Blue\" is noteworthy for several reasons. The orchestra had been touring in the Chicago area and Paul Whiteman leased Orchestra Hall, the home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, for recording sessions on December 21 and 22 of 1926. The usual practice of recording a dance band was to use a studio where every effort was made to control echo and reverberation. On this recording it is immediately apparent that the recording was made in a large auditorium. This recording also is the first recording made of the young Bing Crosby with the Whiteman orchestra. Bing and Al Rinker perform a lively scat chorus which was quite a new thing at the time. In a few months, Harry Barris would join the duo and the famous \"Rhythm Boys\" would begin their important association with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. This recording is also one of the earliest Whiteman recordings to use a string bass (Al Armer) instead of a brass bass.
