Animals Celebrated in Song

Tunes about animals have certainly been topics of music since the beginning of time and will most likely be song- subjects intermittently in the futurehowever it has been a good many years since a noteworthy animal-related ditty has been introduced.

While some animal songs have become jazz classics that are rather quickly recognizedsuch as Wolverine Blues, others are listening rarities and one must look to vintage record collectors in order to hear these uncommon tunes.

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Nervous Puppies

McKenzies Candy Kids......Vocalion #15539

This 1927 offering features Red McKenzie on (comb and paper). He is accompanied by kazoo & banjo with Eddie Lang on guitar. McKenzie is listed as the composer of this tune.


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Billy Goat Stomp & Hyena Stomp

Jelly-Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers......Victor #20772

Recorded in Chicago in 1927, both tunes appear on the same record. Morton's musicians turn in an interesting performance but unfortunately the animal-sound imitations by Leu LeMars detract from the music...especially on the Hyena Stomp side.


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Camel Hop

Benny Goodman Orchestra......Victor #25717
Recorded in 1937 with Goodman's Famous All Star Aggregation. A spirited Harry James trumpet solo drives the band on this smoothly swinging tune. A Mary Lou Williams
composition.


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Muskrat (Muskat) Ramble

Louis Armstrong And His Hot Five......Okeh #8300

Recorded in 1926, this War-Horse is one of the All-Time Standards of Dixieland Jazz. It is universally performed as an (every man for himself)instrumental, however; The McGuire Sisters vocalized it during their heyday.


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The Mole

Harry James Orchestra......Columbia #36599

Recorded in 1941, when James was at the height of his immense popularity. This instrumental is devoid of a James solo but the James influence is maintained throughout this smoothly flowing rendition.


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Pink Elephants

Joe Venuti and His Blue Five......Columbia #E CB-601

This delightful tune was recorded in 1933. Accompanying Venuti were Eddie Lang, Jimmy Dorsey, Adrian Rollini and Phil Wall.

This is a marvelous instrumental, with stellar musicians at the very top of their form. The composer is the renowned Harry Woods and the lyricist is the equally notable, Mort Dixon. While the lyrics are both humorous and clever, few recordings with the vocal were ever produced.


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The Booglie Wooglie Piggy

Glenn Miller Orchestra......Bluebird #B-11163

This tune was recorded in 1941 and while it was a favorite of the juke box audience, it never made the Hit Parade. It features Tex Beneke & The Modernaires on the vocal backed by a better than average instrumental.

Cincinnati Dancing Pig

Gene Krupa Orchestra......Vi #20-3906

This is a jumpy ditty with a catchy melody. The vocal is done in folksy fashion by Bobby Soots who proclaims Cincinnati Dancing Pig to be barnyards Mr. Big.


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Skunk Hollow Blues

Johnny Hodges Orchestra......Vocalion #5533

Recorded in 1939, it is a Hodges composition performed by members from the Ellington Orchestra. Hodges at his very best, accompanied by the great Cootie Williams on trumpet.


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The Little Red Fox

Bob Crosby Orchestra......Decca #2924

Recorded in 1939 with vocal by Teddy Grace. This novelty number was one of five songs to appear in the Movie Musical, "That's Right, You're Wrong". While the songs were forgettable, somehow, The Little Red Fox made the Hit Parade three times; miraculously reaching the # 4 spot on one occasion. The film showcased the Kay Kyser Orchestra.


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Hound Dog

Elvis Presley

Recorded when Elvis was at the pinnacle of his fame. Borrowing an expression from TV host, Ed Sullivan; this song was one of Presley's, "Really, Really, Big Ones!"


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The preponderantly famous and most prolifically recorded tune, portraying the animal kingdom, is indisputably; Tiger Rag.

The Original Dixieland Jazz Band recorded it in 1917 on Brunswick #02500 and thirteen years later, in 1930, Louis Armstrong authenticated his ferocious assault on
Okeh #8800.

Four years later, in Paris, with an entirely different group of musicians Louis Armstrong again reprised
Tiger Rag on Vox #16058 with equally exciting results.

The list of famous, and not so famous, musicians who have recorded the song is endless, but one of the smoothest, rockingest and swingingest treatments of all is performed by Doc Evans and His Band on (33 1/3) long-playing
Audiophile #AP 33.

The distinctive "HOLD THAT TIGER" theme is a captivating melody line and most times is non-existent in frantic high speed tempo renditions but Evans maintains it delightfully throughout. In its alacrity, the band admirably reproduces the characteristic tiger growl, which most audiences come to expect whenever the song is presented.

While the TIGER may not be Lord of the Jungle, the species holds unmistakable title of KING, In the Land of Traditional Jazz!


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