Man he was good. Really, trumpet royalty. I never saw my idols, Louis, Bunny, even Severinson, But we were in Disneyland 1973, and my dad was tired of standing in lines. We went for a beer (well I guess he did, I was 12) and who is playing? Harry James. He was a bit old to my eyes, but elegant and played the most amazing stuff. I signed up for band next semester, and was pretty much infatuated by all things trumpet for the next 6 years...
I was fortunate enough to see him in his silver years. He was still as great as in his movies. I also saw Louis Armstrong on stage in person, another giant in 1961, on tour, in Cairo Egypt.
Whether sound production or not ... in all fairness to Mendez ... he (Mendez) is cleaner and in pitch. I believe as great as HJ was (and he was a true legend!) in this genre Mendez possibly has no peer
No one can play it better, Period. James addes tone and warmth that none of the others do. His technique is flawless. It's obvious that the only skill you have is picking your nose!
@crtslex Was he as good as the legend suggests? I've heard he can play with such power so he chose to, with barely any strain. Could play high c laying the trumpet on his palm? Would love to hear stories about him. I'm guessing he had ridiculous endurance.
What may looks like "struggling" is most probably Harry mimicking Romanian street or folk musicians. It maybe not as classical as clean as Maurice's version, but surely sounds more in style to me.
had harry james had better dental care he might have achieved a lot more. his carreer was nearly cut short with bad teeth problems in his 40s. harry played selmer paris balanced trumpets most of his career then switched to king horns in 1954.
@Chappy83100 For warmth and the playful sound that should go with this piece, I'll take Dokshitzer's version . And he doesn't labour over the double-tongued intervals either. But this is great nonetheless. Just not my favorite trumpet version of the piece.
mai pe scurt interpretarea este REA! BADDDDD! Domnul se inneaca in note. Audiati-l pe Tanase Bucataru !!!!!! Is the Best !!!!!!!!!!!!! Tanase Bucataru!!!!!!!!!
@Steven7101 While better than many could manage, I think it's generally acknowledged this isn't Harry's finest performance. I'm surprised he struggled with this, given some of the other things he played with such mastery - such as his Concerto For Trumpet. I think with more woodshedding he could have nailed it better.
@Headwrench1982 That's stupid. You don't have to be famous to have a negative opinion on something. Also It's stupid to think that said opinion is invalid because the person isn't famous.
Yes we can all see that. Remind me to call you when I want to know the color of the sky. Wow. THAT'S what you took away from this? (We've got a live one here folks. Anyone want to dump some swampland?)
Harry James was a great trumpeter but this is not his best stuff, by far. This version is not nearly as good as Sergei Nakariakov's, Rafael Mendez' or Maurice Andre's. Each one of them is faster, cleaner, with better intonation. H.James puts more high notes in it but the sometimes faulty intonation tends to spoil the effect. The articulation also leaves some to be desired. Of all the versions cited above, I'd say Nakariakov has peraps the best articulation.
I'm one of them. Still a professional trumpet player 52 years later. And I got to play with him in the mid seventies.
Man he was good. Really, trumpet royalty. I never saw my idols, Louis, Bunny, even Severinson, But we were in Disneyland 1973, and my dad was tired of standing in lines. We went for a beer (well I guess he did, I was 12) and who is playing? Harry James. He was a bit old to my eyes, but elegant and played the most amazing stuff. I signed up for band next semester, and was pretty much infatuated by all things trumpet for the next 6 years...
I was fortunate enough to see him in his silver years. He was still as great as in his movies. I also saw Louis Armstrong on stage in person, another giant in 1961, on tour, in Cairo Egypt.
James has expression. He makes the trumpet talk.
If only I could play the trumpet like him
The definitive version of this is done by Maurice Andre.....Best there ever was.
Excellent performance!
Excellent musical performance !
By the way that's Basil Rathbone at the beginning! He was great as Sherlock Holmes!
harry james was great....but in my mind its Al Hirt....can never forget him
I think he was among the tops
Whether sound production or not ... in all fairness to Mendez ... he (Mendez) is cleaner and in pitch. I believe as great as HJ was (and he was a true legend!) in this genre Mendez possibly has no peer
No one can play it better, Period. James addes tone and warmth that none of the others do. His technique is flawless. It's obvious that the only skill you have is picking your nose!
@crtslex
Was he as good as the legend suggests? I've heard he can play with such power so he chose to, with barely any strain. Could play high c laying the trumpet on his palm? Would love to hear stories about him. I'm guessing he had ridiculous endurance.
Это что то не слыханное!!! Судя по всему это был настоящий гений!!!
There is a delay in the audio. You notice it at 0:01
Timfoei Dokshizer Hora Stacatto
ЛУЧШЕ!!!
What may looks like "struggling" is most probably Harry mimicking Romanian street or folk musicians. It maybe not as classical as clean as Maurice's version, but surely sounds more in style to me.
@td1vu You are so right!
had harry james had better dental care he might have achieved a lot more. his carreer was nearly cut short with bad teeth problems in his 40s. harry played selmer paris balanced trumpets most of his career then switched to king horns in 1954.
Love the lighting! Where is Esther Williams?
@Chappy83100 For warmth and the playful sound that should go with this piece, I'll take Dokshitzer's version . And he doesn't labour over the double-tongued intervals either. But this is great nonetheless. Just not my favorite trumpet version of the piece.
He seems to be struggling with it a bit, both the piece and the trumpet.
The sound doesn't match the fingerings...look at 1:09 when e pushes valves 1 and 3, the music already stopped.
sick trompette.
Is that Basil Rathbone doing the intro? Sure looks and sounds like him.
Didn't he play backup for the James Gang?
Sure what ever you say LOL.
Horace who?
sounds like is on helium!
i prefer hear rafael mendez doing this piece one scale up and with victor young orchestra !!
mai pe scurt interpretarea este REA! BADDDDD! Domnul se inneaca in note. Audiati-l pe Tanase Bucataru !!!!!! Is the Best !!!!!!!!!!!!! Tanase Bucataru!!!!!!!!!
@Steven7101 While better than many could manage, I think it's generally acknowledged this isn't Harry's finest performance. I'm surprised he struggled with this, given some of the other things he played with such mastery - such as his Concerto For Trumpet. I think with more woodshedding he could have nailed it better.
@Headwrench1982 That's stupid. You don't have to be famous to have a negative opinion on something. Also It's stupid to think that said opinion is invalid because the person isn't famous.
cant say i like this very much :(....
koshmar
one of the downsides of old recordings
His lips must be on fire after that.
Yes we can all see that. Remind me to call you when I want to know the color of the sky. Wow. THAT'S what you took away from this?
(We've got a live one here folks. Anyone want to dump some swampland?)
Т.Докшицер лучше исполнял!
It's hard to think this is Harry James. He is awfully out of tune in every phrase. He is so impeccable in such recordings as Shiny Stockings.
bossniss
His finger movements is't bad, but his sound really bad. The double tonguing could also be a bit better...
ps.: I know it's a old recording...
Who cares? That man is related to me, that Harry James. Don't mock him. Mock him and you'll be facing me...
is he drunk while playing? im not joking lol
terrible!!!parece que andaba pedo...
@Axolo1991 NO, who does better! How long have you been playing trumpet! Your classic trumpet players with their monotonous tones make my ears ring.
Harry James was a great trumpeter but this is not his best stuff, by far. This version is not nearly as good as Sergei Nakariakov's, Rafael Mendez' or Maurice Andre's. Each one of them is faster, cleaner, with better intonation. H.James puts more high notes in it but the sometimes faulty intonation tends to spoil the effect. The articulation also leaves some to be desired. Of all the versions cited above, I'd say Nakariakov has peraps the best articulation.
Just shameful
THERE IS NO NEED TO WRITE IN CAPS!!!!
EVERYONEHASHISOWNOPINIONANDMINEISTHATHARRYSOUNDSABITBLANDINTHISVERSIONSOWHATYOUGONNADOABOUTTHAT?