Nat Gonella and His Georgians – The Sheik of Araby

Recorded in London on October 29th 1935
Personnel:
Nat Gonella-trumpet and vocal / Albert Torrance, Ernest Ritte, Pat Smuts and Don Barrigo-reeds / Harold Hood-piano / Jimmy Mesene-guitar / Tiny Winters-sting bass / Bob Dryden-drums.

[libertytree]

This is a wonderful session. I'm a vocalist myself, and I can hear all the joy they had in it. That's what it is all about.

[syncopeter]

This essentially is a string of solos, Nat as Satchmo, a wonderful tenor solo in the style of Hawkins, some nice Hines inspired piano and Nat closing again with Armstrong inspired trumpet. A great side!

[luismantaras]

This is a funny rendition! I can't understand how Gonella sung while playing his Armstrong's styled trumpet at the same time! Perhaps I'm I too old and that could be the cause of my confusion. I don't think that recording studio was innovating in multiple tracks recording techniques in 1935. The tenor sax was gaining ground as a solo instrument at that time, while Hawkins was visiting Europe and that was a good solo, Barrigo perhaps? Who knows. I enjoyed it Andy!