Editorial Reviews

In 2002 Renovation Records issued It Isn't Fair, a collection containing some of Richard Himber's earliest known recordings. Rarest of all, perhaps, is a medley of "Dancing on the Ceiling" and "Of Thee I Sing," dating from 1932. The other 24 vintage selections were recorded for the Vocalion and Bluebird labels between August 7, 1933 and March 19, 1934. On the Vocalions the group was listed as Dick Himber and His Essex House Orchestra; at his first session for Victor's budget Bluebird series, the violinist and bandleader received the more dignified billing of Richard Himber and His Ritz-Carlton Hotel Orchestra. The Essex band featured harpist Sam Amoroso, trombonist Jerry Colonna, lead clarinetist Artie Shaw and vocalist Joey Nash. On the October 2, 1933 recording of "Doin' the Uptown Lowdown," Johnny Mercer makes what must have been one of his first appearances on record. Other notable musicians who participated in the making of these recordings are Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Freddy Martin, Bunny Berigan and George Van Eps. Composed and recorded in 1933, It Isn't Fair would become a hit when it was revived by Sammy Kaye in 1949. ~ arwulf arwulf, All Music Guide All Music Guide

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