One of at least four Living Era
Paul Whiteman anthologies,
Say It with Music is a sampler of 23 jazz-flavored number one hits recorded between August 19, 1920 and November 3, 1933. That time line takes in
Whiteman's undisputed heyday as the most successful bandleader in all of pop music. The album opens with his very first Victor recording, "The Japanese Sandman." From a 21st century standpoint, this music is quaintly nostalgic, pleasantly pretentious and fascinatingly old-fashioned.
Whiteman's great gift to humanity was regular employment for scuffling jazz musicians, including, as heard on this compilation,
Bix Beiderbecke,
Bunny Berigan,
the Dorsey Brothers,
Frankie Trumbauer,
Joe Venuti,
Eddie Lang and big-eared string bassist
Steve Brown.
Whiteman also aided and abetted the budding careers of aspiring vocalists
Bing Crosby and his childhood friend
Mildred Bailey. Both may be heard on this excellent introduction to
Paul Whiteman.