Sidney Bechet: Viper Mad

What more can you ask from a song? A memorable, catchy melody, sung by O'Neill Spencer in perfect late-'20s/early '30s style; a novelty theme touching on the illicit; and buoyant, jaunty instrumental work played at a high level. All of which makes "Viper Mad" irresistible. The illicit part is the title, which meant mad for marijuanaa substantial presence in the background of jazz cultureputting this tune in the same happy family as the popular "hokum" songs by Tampa Red and others from that era. The score of 91 is for pure musical value; if a fun quotient were included, the rating would be 95.

After a brief ensemble opening, Sidney Bechet introduces the theme in rhythmic, rollicking, jaunty manner, then yields to the vocal choruses. Following those, Clarence Brereton takes the lead with some beautifully flowing trumpet work, including nicely placed blue notes, and Bechet responds with a soaring, ringing break on his soprano sax in his inimitable style before the final vocal chorus. This is highly enjoyable stuff, and the melody will keep reverberating in your head.