Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Larry Fine: Larry Fine Meets Stuff Smith: Fine Stuff

Larry Fine: Larry Fine Meets Stuff Smith: Fine Stuff

By Ken Dryden
April 1, 2011
View read count

Larry Fine: Larry Fine Meets Stuff Smith: Fine Stuff

Larry Fine was often shown playing the violin in various The Three Stooges shorts, but what many fans don't realize is that he really played the instrument. Fortunately, he was also interested in jazz and an admirer of

Stuff Smith

violin
1909 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Stuff Smith. This long forgotten radio broadcast likely originated from a Hollywood club during one of the recording bans put in place by James J. Petrillo in the 1940s. It was so obscure that even Anthony Barnett,

Stuff Smith

violin
1909 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Stuff Smith discographer and owner of the jazz violin label AB Fable, was unaware of its existence. He tried to acquire it to issue it himself, though the Japanese collector who stumbled across these performances decided to issue it himself.

The music is quite enjoyable, with Fine generally soloing first to avoid being overshadowed by the talented Smith. It's only natural that they would play "Three Blind Mice," which was the theme song for many of the Three Stooges' film shorts, this version is full of fun and hot solos. Dvorak's "Humoresque" was of great interest to jazz musicians with a classical background (especially

Art Tatum

piano
1909 - 1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Tatum), and this version does not disappoint.

Most of the rest of the date includes standards from the 1930s and 1940s, though Fine joins Smith in the jive vocal fun of the latter's hit song "I'se A-Muggin.'" The rhythm section is first rate, with pianist

Teddy Wilson

piano
1912 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Teddy Wilson, bassist John Simmons and drummer

Cozy Cole

drums
1906 - 1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Cozy Cole, with guitarist

Les Paul

guitar, electric
1915 - 2009

" data-original-title="" title="">Les Paul sitting in for the exciting finale of "Caravan" that stretches for an incredible twelve minutes. While the sound exhibits some wear from the source material and audience noise, it will be of great interest to fans of jazz violin, though its limited distribution in North America will make it hard to acquire.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Three Blind Mice; My Blue Heaven; Humoresque; Ain't She Sweet; I Know That You Know; Honeysuckle Rose; I'se A-Muggin'; Caravan.

Personnel

Larry Fine

Larry Fine: violin, vocals; Stuff Smith: violin, vocals; Teddy Wilson: piano; John Simmons: bass; Cozy Cole: drums; Les Paul: electric guitar.

Album information

Title: Larry Fine Meets Stuff Smith: Fine Stuff | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Shigatsubaka

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Leaps of Faith
< Previous

New Horizons
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.