The Boswell Sisters: Nothing Was Sweeter

Nothing Was Sweeter collects some of the greatest Boswell sides, which is a welcome feat since there aren't a whole lot out there. Here you'll find early jazz greats like Johnny Lang, Joe Venuti, and Bunny Berigan trading riffs with the great vocal trio.

At first, the music may sound dated, just like many of the records from this era. But masterpieces like "Shout Sister Shout display a crack vocal unit that was up to something special. The sisters could swing like mad and Connie, who took the leads, was capable of belting out soulful renditions of even the most insignificant of pop tunes.

Perhaps only sisters are capable of the symbiosis captured here: impossibly close vocal harmonies that feature swells and sweeps of an almost telepathic nature. It's a treat to hear them tackle new (at the time) tunes like "It Don't Mean A Thing and "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea with aplomb. Stints with the Dorsey Brothers helped them gain notoriety and put them in front of a crack orchestra to truly display their gifts.

Nothing Was Sweeter belongs in any collection of vocal jazz. Though their style of music has fallen out of favor, their accomplishments deserve to live on.

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