Jig Time

This set includes the first recordings of Gene Kardos and His Orchestra. I have yet to pick up the next two volumes. The musicians are top-notch, but as for the songs there is this from the liner notes:
The tunes given Kardos to record were bright and bouncy, but rarely of lasting quality. Just as the band had become a favorite "try-out" group for publishers of stock arrangements, it now introduced several little-known tunes destined to stay that way. "A lot of the tunes we recorded weren't exactly popular," said Red Hymie. "I think Eli Oberstein, the A&R guy at Victor, was being 'paid off' to get these tunes recorded. .... We did 'em, but....." If some songs remain obscure, they're still rendered with enthusiasm by the Kardos crew, which now had Nat Brown on trombone instead of Jules Harrison, and saxophonist Pete Salemi replacing Milt Small. With its second session, the Kardos band had found its true sound and line-up, which would remain intact through the band's tenure at Victor. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Jig Time (2:47)
2. Left My Gal In the Mountains (3:13)
3. Georgia On My Mind (3:12)
4. Lazy River (2:50)
5. Waiting For the Moon (2:58)
6. Red-Headed Baby (2:46)
7. Mean Music (2:52)
8. China Boy (2:42)
9. A Hot Dog, a Blanket and You (3:03)
10. Peter and Paul (3:02)
11. What Are You Thinkin' About, Baby? (3:05)
12. You've Got to Sell It (3:27)
13. Freddy the Freshman (2:41)
14. Now's the Time to Fall in Love (2:52)
15. Down On the Farm (3:04)
16. Sweet Violets (3:17)
17. Tell Tales (3:06)
18. You're Foolin' Yourself (2:54)
19. Business in F (2:55)
20. Corn-Fed Cal (3:17)
21. Blue Danube Blues (3:02)
22. I Wouldn't Change You For the World (2:57)
23. Fate Introduced Me to You (3:26)