“Easter Parade” (1957) – Eddie Mitchell and His Orchestra * Written by Irving Berlin * 45: “Easter Parade” / “Freddie’s New Calypso” * Label: ABC-Paramount
A 1950 version on the Derby label (for whom tenor sax player Eddie Mitchell led the house band) has greater notoriety as a left-field hit. It reached #7 on the R&B chart, draping Irving Berlin’s candied squaresville melody in cavernous sounds, clanking saloon piano, and spontaneous vibes. But this 1957 redo on ABC-Paramount has more grab to it, sounding premeditated in the sense that the players knew a) that it would work and b) that they were in for a good time.