Take Two Records

Harry Reser was something of an enigma. At a quick glance you might take him for a straight-laced accountant or banker. He was, in fact, a master musician and banjo virtuoso second to none. Yet this distinguished looking gentleman conducted several of the zaniest novelty bands of the 1920's. His various groups were given names such as the Six Jumping Jacks, Seven Wild Men, Roving Romeos, and Jazz Pilots and the music they played was as bright and amusing as their names suggest. Nonetheless, the bands were always comprised of top-flight musicians and their novelty arrangements were precise and flawless.

The selections on this CD include some old standards such as At Sundown, My One and Only and Down South as well as several novelty tunes, including If My Baby Cooks As Good As She Looks and I'm Just Wild About Animal Crackers. Every selection provides enjoyable, toe-tapping performances with brilliant banjo segments by Harry Reser. Most of the humorous vocals here are provided by the inimitable Tom Stacks.