Balloonacy

Lawdy, but I haven't had this many posts in one month since way back in 2010. No doubt it's due to the extra day this month. Here is the remaining Mills Blue Rhythm Band I have in my collection, and final in the five-cd series from Classics (I do not have the fourth, 1934-1936). From Allmusic.com, "The fifth and final Classics CD by the Mills Blue Rhythm Band starts out at the same high level as the fourth set. With trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen, trombonist J.C. Higginbottham, altoist Tab Smith and tenor saxophonist Joe Garland in the band (pianist Billy Kyle soon joined up as well), along with a solid rhythm section, the orchestra could swing quite hard, as shown on such numbers as "St. Louis Wiggle Rhythm," "Merry-Go-Round," "Big John's Special" and "Algiers Stomp." However, by 1937 (when the second half of this CD was recorded), Allen, Higginbottham and Garland had departed. The music is still worthwhile, with Smith and young trumpeters Harry "Sweets" Edison and Charlie Shavers in the band, but the enthusiasm was starting to drop. Due to the heavy competition from the many better-known orchestras, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band would soon become a forgotten part of history, but as the five Classics CDs show, the orchestra did create quite a bit of worthwhile music in the 1930s." Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Jes' Natch'ully Lazy (I Was Born That Way) (05 - 20 - 36)
02. St. Louis Wiggle Rhythm (05 - 20 - 36)
03. Merry - Go - Round (08 - 11 - 36)
04. Until The Real Thing Comes Along (08 - 11 - 36)
05. In A Sentimental Mood (08 - 11 - 36)
06. Carry Me Back To Green Pastures (08 - 11 - 36)
07. Balloonacy (10 - 15 - 36)
08. Barrellhouse (10 - 15 - 36)
09. The Moon Is Grinning At Me (10 - 15 - 36)
10. Showboat Shuffle (10 - 15 - 36)
11. Big John's Special (11 - 20 - 36)
12. Mr. Ghost Goes To Town (11 - 20 - 36)
13. Callin' Your Bluff (11 - 20 - 36)
14. Algiers Stomp (11 - 20 - 36)
15. Blue Rhythm Fantasy (02 - 11 - 37)
16. Prelude To A Stomp (02 - 11 - 37)
17. Rhythm Jam (02 - 11 - 37)
18. Jungle Madness (02 - 11 - 37)
19. The Lucky Swing (04 - 28 - 37)
20. Please Pity My Heart (04 - 28 - 37)
21. Let's Get Together (04 - 28 - 37)
22. Jammin' For The Jack-Pot (07 - 01 - 37)
23. The Image Of You (07 - 01 - 37)
24. When Irish Eyes Are Smiling (07 - 01 - 37)
25. Camp Meeting Jamboree (07 - 01 - 37)

Banking On The Weather

Banking on the weather, and today it's mid-30s and hot. Again. Today's entry comes from the Crown label, which lasted all of 1930-1933 until it was done in by the Depression. Fortunately several cds have been made available from TOM, and can be found at worldsrecords.com. Russ Carlson & the High Steppers is my second-favorite (after Charlie Palloy) of these, and no wonder, given that many of the sidemen used on the Carlson recordings were the same used in Chick Bullock sessions from the same period. Likewise, Bullock recorded no less than twelve of these same titles. These particular records were made in 1931-1932, and include vocals by Elmer Feldkamp, Dick Robertson, Harold Van Emburgh and others. As for Carlson himself, Randy Skretvedt writes in his lengthy liner notes, "Although little is known about Russ Carlson, he had a distinctive style as a pianist. Even though he doesn't solo often (usually being heard best as the backing to the vocalist) he has a full, somewhat florid way of playing; it's happy and bubbly." I'm sure you'll agree that this is a must-have for any collection. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Russ Carlson And His Orchestra - Banking On The Weather
02. High Steppers - The Cop On The Beat
03. Russ Carlson And His Orchestra - Everyone Says I Love You
04. High Steppers - Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now
05. High Steppers - Love Is Like That
06. The High Steppers (Teddy Lang's Orchestra) - When You're Over Sixty
07. High Steppers - Rain Rain Go Away
08. Russ Carlson And His Orchestra - Three On A Match
09. Russ Carlson And His Orchestra - Sleep Come On And Take Me
10. Russ Carlson And His Orchestra - Thou Shalt Not
11. Russ Carlson And His Orchestra - Lawd You Made The Night Too Long
12. Russ Carlson And His Orchestra - Holding My Honey's Hand
13. High Steppers - There's Oceans Of Love
14. High Steppers - Little Girl
15. Russ Carlson And His Orchestra - You're Blasé
16. Harold Van Embrugh and His Orchestra - Cabin In The Cotton
17. High Steppers - Is I In Love
18. Harold Van Embrugh and His Orchestra - Happy-Go-Lucky You
19. High Steppers - Crazy People
20. High Steppers - How's Your Uncle?
21. High Steppers - You Can't Stop Me From Loving You
22. High Steppers - Just A Blue-Eyed Blonde
23. Russ Carlson And His Orchestra - My Heart's At Ease
24. Harold Van Embrugh and His Orchestra - In A Shanty In Old Shanty Town
Happy 105th, WPT.

Here Comes The Man With The Jive

So much to share, so little time. Today's offering follows up on a question about a side that I used in my Prohibition set (I also have some Jazz Archive cds with a handful of Stuff Smith sides). Smith was one of the top violinists of the era, and the band that he led at the Onyx Club was one of the best swing units around. This Classics set includes the first 24 sides recorded under Smith's leadership, including most of his pre-war sides. All of his Onyx Club Boys material is included, except for four songs from 1940 (they're on CC1054, 1939-1944). Musicians include Jonah Jones, Cozy Cole, and Buster Bailey. As Allmusic.com says, "Smith's hard-swinging violin, his enthusiastic vocals, and his interplay with Jones made this a particularly hot unit." The sides here are pretty clean, and one listen confirms the above opinion. This band really could swing, and they're a lot of fun. Along with Wingy Manone, this is an energetic band that I wish I could have enjoyed in person. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. I'se A Muggin'
02. I'se A Muggin' (alternate take)
03. I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music
04. I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket
05. I Don't Want To Make History
06. Tain't No Use
07. After You've Gone
08. You'se A Viper
09. Robins And Roses
10. I've Got A Heavy Date
11. It Ain't Right
12. Old Joe's Hittin' The Jug
13. Serenade For A Wealthy Widow
14. Knock, Knock, Who's There
15. Bye Bye Baby
16. Here Comes The Man With The Jive
17. Twilight In Turkey
18. Where Is The Sun
19. Upstairs
20. Onyx Club Spree
21. Sam The Vegetable Man
22. My Thoughts
23. My Blue Heaven
24. When Pa Was Courtin' Ma

Them There Eyes

Here's a combination of two of my favorites, Duke and Chick Bullock. In this addition to the large Ellington chronological series, Bullock handles the vocals on no less than six tracks (11, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20). I can't recall if I read it, or heard it somewhere, but apparently Ellington was a bit skeptical of Bullock's ability but liked the first session (Jan. 10, 1931) so much that he requested him for the next week's session (Jan 16). The Ellington/Bullock version of Rockin' Chair is a classic, and Bullock really belts it out on Sam and Delilah as well. Since my cd booklet is buried in a box somewhere, I can only provide info for the two Bullock sessions. These included Arthur Whetsol, Freddie Jenkins, Cootie Williams (t), Joe Nanton (tb)/Juan Tizol (v.tb), Johnny Hodges (cl, as, sop.sx), Harry Carney (cl, as, bar), Barney Bigard (cl, ts), Duke Ellington (p, ldr, arr), Fred Guy (b), Wellman Braud (sb), and Sonny Greer (d). Bigard is not on the second Bullock session. Enjoy - and Happy Carnival! +

Tracks

01. The Harlem Footwarmers - I'm So In Love With You
02. The Harlem Footwarmers - Rockin' In Rhythm
03. The Harlem Footwarmers - Nine Little Miles From Ten-Ten-Tennesse
04. Duke Ellington And His Cotton Club Orchestra - I'm So In Love With You
05. Duke Ellington And His Cotton Club Orchestra - What Good Am I Without You?
06. Duke Ellington And His Cotton Club Orchestra - Blue Again
07. Duke Ellington And His Cotton Club Orchestra - When A Black Man's Blue
08. Duke Ellington And His Cotton Club Orchestra - What Good Am I Without You?
09. Duke Ellington And His Cotton Club Orchestra - When A Black Man's Blue
10. Duke Ellington And His Cotton Club Orchestra - Mood Indigo
11. The Whoopee Makers - Them There Eyes
12. The Whoopee Makers - Rockin' Chair
13. The Whoopee Makers - I'm So In Love With You
14. The Jungle Band - Rockin' Chair
15. The Jungle Band - Rockin' In Rhythm
16. The Jungle Band - Twelfth Street Rag
17. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Rockin' In Rhythm
18. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - The River And Me
19. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Keep A Song In Your Soul
20. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Sam And Delliah
21. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - The Peanut Vendor
22. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Creole Rhapsody (Part 1)
23. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Creole Rhapsody (Part 2)

Love Ain't Nothin But The Blues

Better late, than never! Just a mere three years (!) after posting volume one of this series, today's selection is volume two of the great Frankie Trumbauer. Tram's music is highly evocative of the era, and there isn't a bad side in the set. I recommend picking up all three cds for the booklet information as well. From Allumusic.com, "The second of three TOM CDs that put the focus on the great C-melody saxophonist Frankie Trumbauer includes his features with Paul Whiteman's Orchestra and his own sessions as a leader during a 12-month period. Cornetist Bix Beiderbecke had departed by then, but Tram is in prime form. He shares the spotlight with cornetist Andy Secrest, violinist Joe Venuti and guitarist Eddie Lang; among the singers, Bing Crosby and Mildred Bailey make appearances. The music ranges from pre-swing jazz to high-quality dance music. Highlights include "Nobody's Sweetheart," "Manhattan Rag," "Runnin' Ragged," "Happy Feet" and "Get Happy." Highly recommended to 1920s collectors, as are the other two CDs in this rewarding series." Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra - At Twlight
02. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - Love Ain't Nothin' But The Blues
03. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - Love Ain't Nothin' But The Blues
04. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - How Am I To Know
05. Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra - Nobody's Sweetheart
06. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - Turn On The Heat
07. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - Manhattan Rag
08. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - Sunny Side Up
09. Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra - Should I?
10. Joe Venuti's Blue Four - Runnin' Ragged
11. Joe Venuti's Blue Four - Apple Blossoms
12. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - My Sweeter Than Sweet
13. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - What Wouldn't I Do For That Man
14. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - Happy Feet
15. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - I Like To Do Things For You
16. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - Get Happy
17. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - Deep Harlem
18. Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra - Sitting On A Rainbow
19. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - What'S The Use?
20. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - Hittin' The Bottle
21. Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra - New Tiger Rag
22. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - Bye Bye Blues
23. Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra - Choo Choo

Wobally Walk

This one goes a tad outside the norm for this blog - okay, more than a tad - but it reaches back to the 20s as it covers four decades of Fred Waring's music career. And it's probably a safe bet that no other blog has posted this collection yet. The book looked interesting, and it still does - as it sits up there with several other "I'll get to that one of these days" titles. From Allmusic.com, "It would probably be stretching the definition considerably to put Fred Waring in the jazz category, though he was very popular utilizing some concepts from the improvisational school. Waring led a dance-based banjo band at 18; he attended Penn State, then formed Fred Waring's Collegians, who ultimately became the Pennsylvanians, although they were based in Detroit. They recorded extensively in the '20s and enjoyed some success. The 1929 film Syncopation and 1930 stage show The New Yorkers helped Waring's band become popular sensations. They got steadily more commercial and lightweight in the '30s, while becoming widespread radio and film performers. The band appeared in a film with Dick Powell in 1937, were at the 1940 World's Fair, appeared on Broadway in 1945, then in a cartoon film in 1948. They also scored pop hits in 1947 and 1949, and became the first band to land their own television show in 1949. They became a diversified empire, with businesses, workshops for glee club directors, publishing wings, a monthly journal, real estate and a corporation to run it all from 1950-1970. The recepient of a 1982 Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions to American music, Waring continued to perform until his death on July 29, 1984." Scans of the disc and the book cover are included, and if you look close enough you'll see sisters Rosemary and Priscilla Lane at the microphone during a 1930s performance. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Sleep
02. Collegiate
03. Wobally Walk
04. Love For Sale
05. Sing! Sing! Sing!
06. Mama Don't Allow
07. Comin' Through The Rye
08. Baseball
09. Battle Hymn Of The Republic
10. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
11. I Got Rhythm
12. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
13. Funiculi, Funicula
14. So Beats My Heart For You
15. So Long, Mary
16. Dry Bones
17. Bali Ha'i
18. Fanny
19. Stars And Stripes Forever
20. Remember
21. Mr. Frog A Courtin' He Did Ride
22. September Song
23. Hora Staccato
24. Some Enchanted Evening
25. Without A Song
26. All The Things You Are
27. Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor
28. Sleep