Soundies were three-minute filmed versions of songs which have fortunately been saved through the years, giving today’s viewers a strong cross section of the music heard during the first half of the 1940s.
“Swingin’ On Nothing” is a simple riff tune that surprisingly has trombonist George Washington (rather than Armstrong) and Velma Middleton sharing the vocals.
Middleton does some of her colorful dancing and Armstrong, who beams throughout, takes a fine trumpet solo with his big band which also includes pianist Luis Russell.
-Scott Yanow
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