Page Mr. Volstead

Love Ain't Nothin But The Blues

2012-02-15T10:01:00.000-05:00

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

2012-02-10T18:38:00.001-05:00

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

Doin' The Raccoon

2012-01-21T12:34:00.004-05:00

NEW LINK: Another fine entry in the Classics Chronological series. "One of the top violinists of the pre-bop era, Eddie South was a brilliant technician who, were it not for the universal racism of the time, would probably have been a top classical violinist. A child prodigy, South graduated from the Chicago Music College. Since classical positions were not open to black violinists in the 1920s, South learned to play jazz (helped out by Darnell Howard). In the early to mid-'20s, he worked in Chicago with Jimmy Wade's Syncopators, Charles Elgar, and Erskine Tate. South's 1928 visit to Europe (where he studied at the Paris Conservatoire) made a deep impression on the violinist, particularly his visit to Budapest; later on, he would often utilize gypsy melodies as a basis for jazz improvising. In 1931, South returned to Chicago, where his regular band included the young bassist Milt Hinton. In 1937, he visited Paris and had the opportunity to record with Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. However, South never really had a major breakthrough commercially in his career. He did work on radio and television, but spent most of his life in relative obscurity, gigging in New York, Los Angeles, and especially Chicago. Eddie South's early recordings (covering 1927-1941) have been reissued on a pair of Classics CDs. In later years he recorded for Chess and Mercury, and also made a final set released by Trip." (allmusic.com) Scans included. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Someday, Sweetheart (12-23)
02. La Rosita (12-02-27)
03. The Voice Of The Southland (12-02-27)
04. By The Waters Of Minnetonka (12-09-27)
05. My Ohio Home (12-09-27)
06. That's What I Call Keen (05-10-28)
07. Doin' The Raccoon (03-12-29)
08. Two Guitars (03-12-29)
09. Marcheta (09-27-31)
10. Hejre Kati (09-27-31)
11. Old Man Harlem (05-03-33)
12. No More Blues (05-03-33)
13. Nagasaki (05-03-33)
14. My! Oh My! (06-12-33)
15. Mama Mocking-Bird (06-12-33)
16. Gotta Go! (06-12-33)
17. Eddie's Blues
18. Sweet Georgia Brown (09-29-37)
19. Lady Be Good
20. Dinah (09-29-37)
21. Daphné (09-29-37)
22. Somebody Loves Me (11-23-37)
23. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me (11-23-37)
24. Improvisation Sur Le Premier Mouvement Du Concerto En Ré Mineur De Jean-Sébastien Bach - Part 1 (11-23-37)

Pagan Paradies

2012-01-07T13:27:00.002-05:00

Hi-ho, doin' the new low down! For the first post of the new year, here is another Classics offering of Don Redman and His Orchestra. No Chick Bullock vocals here, but well worth the purchase. Redman shares the arrangements with Horace Henderson, and the vocals with Harlan Lattimore. Doin' The New Low Down brings together three of my favorite artists of the era: Don Redman, Cab Calloway and the Mills Brothers, and this is on top of an orchestra that includes Henry Red Allen, Bill Coleman and Benny Morton. Just a whole lot of good listening. Since I forgot to include the scans with the upload, just click on the images and they should open in full view, then you can save them. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Trouble, Why Pick On Me
02. Shakin' The African
03. Chant Of The Weed
04. Shakin' The African
05. I Heard
06. How'm I Doin' (Hey-Hey)
07. Try Getting A Good Night's Sleep
08. Got The South In My Soul
09. If It's True
10. It's A Great World After All
11. You Gave Me Everything But Love
12. Tea For Two
13. Hot And Anxious
14. I Got Rythm
15. Pagan Paradies
16. Two-Time Man
17. Underneath The Harlem Moon
18. Ain't I The Lucky One
19. Doin' What I Please
20. Nagasaki
21. Doin' The New Low-Down (Instr.)
22. Doin' The New Low-Down (Vocal)
23. How Ya Feelin'
24. Shuffle Your Feet / Bandana Babies

Stomp Off, Let's Go

2011-12-15T13:41:00.001-05:00

If there's anyone more influential in jazz, I've not heard them. Louis Armstrong was simply the greatest. Which means that any release calling itself the "Ultimate Collection" is fated to overlook a sizable quantity of "must listen" work, and unsurprisingly three cds hardly comes close to filling the bill. Still, this set does encompass his career a little better than many that are released on lesser labels which go out of print or straight to the bargain bin. There is also an informative booklet with session information and photos. If you find this on sale, you won't be disappointed. Unlike the Dorsey-Sinatra set, I'm going to post all three discs at once. All titles are by either Louis Armstrong or Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra, except as where noted. Happy Holidays. Enjoy. + + +

Tracks

1. Copenhagen
2. Shanghai Shuffle
3. Stomp Off, Let's Go
4. Drop That Sack
5. Melancholy
6. I'm Goin' Huntin'
7. I'm In The Mood For Love
8. On Treasure Island
9. Thanks A Million
10. Ev'ntide
11. Dippermouth Blues
12. Swing That Music
13. Pennies From Heaven - Bing Crosby
14. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
15. Once In A While
16. In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree
17. Jubilee
18. When The Saints Go Marching In
19. Shadrack
20. Ain't Misbehavin'
21. Jeepers Creepers

Disc 2:

1. Rockin' Chair
2. West End Blues
3. Savoy Blues
4. Hear Me Talkin' To Ya
5. I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)
6. You're A Lucky Guy
7. Wolverine Blues
8. Sweethearts On Parade
9. Perdido Street Blues
10. 2:19 Blues
11. Coal Cart Blues
12. Groovin'
13. Royal Garden Blues - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
14. Mahogany Hall Stomp - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
15. Blueberry Hill
16. You Can't Lose A Broken Heart - Billie Holiday
17. My Bucket's Got A Hole In It - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
18. Panama Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
19. New Orleans Function - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
20. You Rascal You (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead)
21. My Monday Date, Parts 1 & 2 - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars

Disc 3:

1. A Kiss To Build A Dream On
2. It's All In The Game
3. Someday (You'll Be Sorry) - Louis Armstrong With The Commanders
4. Basin Street Blues - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
5. When It's Sleepy Time Down South - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
6. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
7. Weary Blues
8. Wild Man Blues
9. Dippermouth Blues - Sugar Foot Stomp
10. Dear Old Southland Louis Armstrong
11. Stompin' At The Savoy - Ella Fitzgerald
12. I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
13. Sweet Lorraine
14. Hello, Dolly! - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
15. What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong's Orchestra And Chorus
16. Cabaret - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars
17. Dream A Little Dream Of Me - Louis Armstrong And The All Stars

Page Mr. Volstead

2011-12-05T11:58:00.002-05:00

In honor of Repeal Day, here is a re-post of a previous offering. On this day in 1933, the state of Utah (of all places!) ratified the 21st Amendment, thus forming the three-fourths majority necessary to amend the US Constitution. More about Repeal Day here.

Page Mr. Volstead is the name of this blog, taken from Bob Miller's 1930 recording on Champion 16024-B. Other than Chick Bullock, I often scan auctions for interesting titles. This one leaped out, and I was lucky enough to win it at a low price. I've yet to find another copy since, though I keep looking for one. You can read more about Miller and pick up a cd here). Though I favor jazz from the 1920s and 1930s, it was more often country music that gave voice to the common man. Miller had a string of hits doing just that. Mr. Volstead, of course, was the [ahem] brave Senator who introduced the bill - while over 4 million servicemen were conveniently at war in Europe - that became the18the Amendment (don't get me started on his modern-day counterparts). As we all know, Prohibition was a colossal failure on many levels, and though.alcohol may have been illegal, to say that everybody was doing it was not far off the mark (see Miller's lyrics after the track listings). The rest of this selection all revolve around the theme of drinking, or going out to drink, more or less based on the song title and even the band name, if nothing else. Most of the artists should be familiar to everyone, with the bulk of songs coming from my own 78s. I am still struggling to find the "optimal" point of audio restoration, in between doing too little and doing too much, neither of which is pleasurable listening. Please give feedback about the sound quality, it will greatly help future efforts. Big thanks to Radiola for help with audio tips and the use of a couple of transcriptions, and to Big Harlan Taylor and his posse for help with the graphics. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Billy Murray - The Alcoholic Blues (Columbia A2702) 1919
2. Clarence Williams - Speakeasy
3. All Star Collegians - Do You Think A Little Drink'll Do Us Any Harm (v.Tom Brown) Perfect 15509-B (1931)
4. Duke Ellington - Cocktails For Two (take 1)
5. Cab Calloway and His Orchestra - Hot Toddy (1932)
6. Miff Mole's Molers - A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight (1927)
7. Bob Haring and His Orchestra - Madeira (Cameo 691) 1925
8. Bar Harbor Society Orchestra - Vamp Me (Vocalion B 14448) 1922
9. Halfway House Orchestra - Barataria (Okeh 40318 B)
10. High Hatters - Medley of Drinking Songs Part 1(Victor 24299) 1933
11. All Star Trio and Their Orchestra - I'm Laughing All The Time (Victor 18835-B) 1921
12. Bob Haring and His Orchestra - Doing The Town (Cameo 683) 1924
13. Ted Lewis and His Band - Tiger Rag (Columbia 36301) 1926
14. Earl Shirkey and Roy Harper - When The Roses Bloom for the Bootlegger Col 15326-D (1928)
15. Frank Crumit - I Married the Bootlegger's Daughter (1925) 19739-A
16. King Oliver - Speakeasy Blues
17. Stuff Smith - Old Joe's Hittin' The Jug
18. Joe Venuti & Eddie Lang - In the Bottle Blues
19. Louis Armstrong and Savoy Ballroom Five - Tight Like This
20. Luis Russell and His Orchestra - It's Tight Like That
21. Bob Miller - Five Cent Glass Of Beer (Champion 16024-A) 1930
22. Troubadours - After Every Party (Victor 19011-A) 1923
23. Wingy Manone and His Orchestra - Weary Blues (Decca 7415-B) 1930
24. Gene Austin - St. James Infirmary (Victor 22299-A) 1930
25. Chick Bullock - Alcoholic Ward Blues B09374A 1930 Oriole 1903
26. Pine Top Smith - I'm Sober Now (Brunswick 80009) 1929
27. Bob Miller - Page Mr Volstead (Champion 16024-B) 1930

Page Mr. Volstead
by Bob Miller

This country was a desert long ago
And early settlers died of thirst they say
Some think it's drying up again, you know
I wonder how they get that way

Page Mr. Volstead, Page Mr. Volstead
Here comes Father with another load of gin
Brother Willie broke the rules
And he staggered home from school
Sister Susie totes a flask, ain't that sin?

Now they all take it
Know how to make it
As a cocktail mixer, Grandma is a wow!
Baby smiles and says "goo-goo"
For a bottle of home brew
And Grandpa is hijacking, Page Mr. Volstead now!

Mr. Volstead, Oh, Mr. Volstead
Uncle Henry is a Congressman, you know
He drinks his stuff on the sly
When he's sober he goes dry
Cousin Joe's a snooper, he makes lots of dough!

And brother Andy
Is making brandy
One drink makes you see more than three stars, I vow!
Lots of folks were deaf and dumb
'Til they started drinkin' rum
And now they all "speakeasy"
Page Mr. Volstead now!

Oh, Mr. Volstead - now, Mr. Volstead
You say Prohibition is dear to your heart
You think that law is okay
You say it will work, some way
But I wish you'd tell me when it's gonna start

The butcher, baker and undertaker
Everybody's selling it today, and how!
All sing 'Coming through the Rye'
That bootlegger's lullaby
Oh, keep the home-still burning
Page Mr. Volstead now!

When The Day Is Done

2011-11-27T12:30:00.000-05:00

It's never the wrong time of year to share some Django Reinhardt. Originally I had intended to begin with the 1935 set but grabbed the wrong one. Guess I'll have to get to that one later. Le Quintette du Hot Club de France was formed in 1934 by Reinhardt and Stéphane Grapelli, with a revolving lineup that originally included Django's brother Joseph (rhythm guitar), Louis Vola (bass), and Roger Chaput (rhythm guitar). The group recorded and toured regularly 1939 when the outbreak of WWII interrupted life. The Quintette was touring in England, where Grapelli chose to remain, while Reinhardt returned to France where he figured he'd be better off (not speaking any English). After the war they regrouped until into 1948. The sound quality of some of these transfers leaves a bit to be desired at times, but the music is incomparable. My favorites here are Ain't Misbehavin', Pennies From Heaven, and The Sheik of Araby. But really there's not a bad recording in the lot. Included are scans. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Django Reinhardt. Exactly Like You
02. Django Reinhardt. Charleston
03. Django Reinhardt. You're Driving Me Crazy
04. Django Reinhardt. Tears
05. Django Reinhardt. Solitude
06. Django Reinhardt. Hot Lips
07. Django Reinhardt. Ain't Misbehavin'
08. Django Reinhardt. Rose Room
09. Django Reinhardt. Body And Soul (04-22-37)
10. Django Reinhardt. When The Day Is Done (04-22-37)
11. Django Reinhardt. Runnin' Wild
12. Django Reinhardt. Chicago
13. Django Reinhardt. Leibestraum No 3 (04-26-37)
14. Django Reinhardt. Miss Annabelle Lee
15. Django Reinhardt. A Little Love, A Little Kiss (04-26-37)
16. Django Reinhardt. Mystery Pacific (04-26-37)
17. Django Reinhardt. In A Sentimental Mood
18. Django Reinhardt. The Sheik Of Araby
19. Django Reinhardt. Improvisation (04-27-37)
20. Django Reinhardt. Parfum (04-27-37)
21. Django Reinhardt. Pennies From Heaven
22. Django Reinhardt. Tiger Rag (07-07-37)

That's How It Goes

2011-11-19T12:06:00.001-05:00

At last, here is the final cd of the complete Tommy Dorsey and Frank Sinatra box set. This one contains live performances "on the air" from 1940-1942. Connie Haines shows up for a couple lines each on You're Part Of My Heart, You Got The Best of Me, That's How It Goes, When Sleepy Stars Begin To Fall, and One Red Rose. Each time she comes in for the second chorus backed by the Pied Pipers, and does not duet with Sinatra at all. Sinatra is in excellent form, and there is some scripted banter here and there as well as his 'farewell' from the band. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Theme- I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
02. Who
03. I Hear A Rhapsody
04. I'll Never Smile Again
05. Half-Way Down The Street
06. Some Of Your Sweetness (Got Into My Heart)
07. Once In A While
08. A Little In Love
09. It Came To Me
10. Only Forever
11. Marie
12. Yearning
13. How Am I To Know
14. You're Part Of My Heart
15. Announcements
16. You're Stepping On My Toes
17. You Got The Best Of Me
18. That's How It Goes
19. When Daylight Dawns
20. When Sleepy Stars Begin To Fall
21. Goodbye Lover, Goodbye
22. One Red Rose
23. The Things I Love
24. In The Blue Of Evening
25. Just As Though You Were Here
26. Frank Sinatra's Farewell To The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
27. The Song Is You

In The Blue Of The Evening

2011-10-31T14:33:00.000-04:00

Things have been so hectic that I didn't realize that I hadn't posted anything for October. Nothing spooky or Halloween-style however, but here is volume four of the complete Dorsey-Sinatra studio recordings. This disc contains several studio outtakes alternates, and remastered versions. In addition, there are the Stordahl / Sinatra sessions (tracks 21-24). Coming up next, the 5th and final cd which contains more rarities and airchecks. Enjoy.+

Tracks

01. Poor You
02. I'll Take Tallulah (From 'Ship Ahoy') [1994 Remastered]
03. The Last Call for Love [1994 Remastered]
04. Somewhere a Voice is Calling [1994 Remastered]
05. Just as Though You Were Here [1994 Remastered]
06. Street of Dreams [1994 Remastered]
07. Take Me
08. Be Careful, It's My Heart (From 'Holiday Inn') [1994 Remastered]
09. In The Blue of Evening [1994 Remastered]
10. Dig Down Deep
11. There Are Such Things
12. Daybreak (Based on the 'Mardi Gras' theme from Mississippi Suite) [1994 Remastered]
13. It Started All Over Again
14. Light a Candle in the Chapel [1994 Remastered]
15. Too Romantic (From "The Road To Singapore") [Take 2 (Rare Alternate Take) - Remastered - 1994}
16. Shake Down The Stars [Take 2 - Remastered - 1994]
17. Hear My Song Violetta (From "Johnny Apollo") [Take 2 (Rare Alternate Take) - Remastered 1994]
18. You're Lonely and I'm Lonely (From "Louisiana Purchase") [Take 3 - Remastered - 1994]
19. Our Love Affair (From "Strike Up The Band") [Take 2 (Rare Alternate Take) - Remastered - 1994]
20. Violets For Your Furs [Take 2 - Remastered - 1994]
21. The Night We Called It a Day [1994 Remastered]
22. The Lamplighter's Serenade
23. The Song Is You (From 'Music in the Air') [1994 Remastered]
24. Night And Day

Snootie Little Cutie

2011-09-16T12:12:00.001-04:00

And now the third disc from the complete Tommy Dorsey & Frank Sinatra recordings, with more fantastic music. Connie Haines duets on Let's Get Away From It All as well as the post title. I also like Blue Skies, Dolores and Everything Happens To Me. Coming up soon, the fourth and fifth discs. Enjoy. +
Tracks

01. Dolores
02. Without a Song
03. Do I Worry [1994 Remastered]
04. Everything Happens To Me
05. Let's Get Away From It All
06. I'll Never Let a Day Pass By (From 'Kiss The Boys Goodbye') [1994 Remastered]
07. Love Me As I Am (From 'Caught in the Draft') [1994 Remastered]
08. This Love Of Mine
09. I Guess I'll Have to Dream the Rest [1994 Remastered]
10. You and I
11. Neiani [1994 Remastered]
12. Free For All
13. Blue Skies
14. Two in Love
15. Pale Moon (An Indian Love Song) [1994 Remastered]
16. I Think of You [1994 Remastered]
17. How Do You Do Without Me
18. A Sinner Kissed An Angel
19. Violets for Your Furs [1994 Remastered]
20. The Sunshine of Your Smile [1994 Remastered]
21. How About You (From 'Babes on Broadway) [1994 Remastered]
22. Snootie Little Cutie

The World Is In My Arms

2011-09-03T10:05:00.003-04:00

Things are settling down again after some traveling, so hopefully I will be able to update this site more frequently. Here is the second disc of complete Tommy Dorsey - Frank Sinatra recordings. What more is there to say about Dorsey & Sinatra? Connie Haines shows up on Oh! Look At Me Know and You Might Have Belonged To Another. Good news, I did locate my Connie Haines cassette which she recorded in 1984. But more about that in a future post. For now, sit back and relax with the skinny kid from Hoboken, New Jersey. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Whispering
02. Trade Winds
03. The One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else)
04. The Call Of The Canyon
05. Love Lies
06. I Could Make You Care
07. The World Is In My Arms
08. Our Love Affair
09. Looking For Yesterday
10. Tell Me At Midnight
11. We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me)
12. When You Awake
13. Anything
14. Shadows On The Sand
15. You're Breaking My Heart All Over Again
16. I'd Know You Anywhere
17. Do You Know Why
18. Not So Long Ago
19. Stardust
20. Oh! Look At Me
21. You Might Have Belonged To Another
22. You Lucky People, You
23. It's Always You
24. I Tried

Hear My Song Violetta

2011-07-10T02:35:00.004-04:00

I didn't plan to post this one quite so soon, however it turns out that I have the box set with me on my travels. Therefore, to follow up the Connie Haines collection here is the first volume of the complete Tommy Dorsey / Frank Sinatra recordings. This is a fantastic collection, first because it contains their complete studio recordings together, second because it lets the listener hear how Sinatra grew as a vocalist, third because it has Connie Haines, and fourth because it shows just how really good the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra really was. Disc Five is a collection of airchecks. Some of my favorites from this disc are tracks 9, 10 and 11. I thought Jack Leonard was a fine vocalist with Dorsey, but Sinatra hits East Of The Sun like no one else, and combined with Tommy's trombone it is tops . I also recommend picking up the set for the booklet information. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. The Sky Fell Down
02. Too Romantic (From 'The Road To Singapore') [1994 Remastered]
03. Shake Down The Stars [1994 Remastered]
04. Moments In The Moonlight
05. I'll Be Seeing You (From 'The Royal Palm Revue') [1994 Remastered]
06. Say It (From 'Buck Benny Rides Again') [1994 Remastered]
07. Polka Dots and Moonbeams [1994 Remastered]
08. The Fable of the Rose [1994 Remastered]
09. This is the Beginning of the End (From 'Johnny Apollo') [1994 Remastered]
10. Hear My Song Violetta
11. Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread) [1994 Remastered]
12. Devil May Care
13. April Played the Fiddle (From 'If I Had My Way') [1994 Remastered]
14. I Haven't the Time to Be a Millionaire (From 'If I Had My Way') [1994 Remasterd]
15. Imagination
16. Yours Is My Heart Alone
17. You're Lonely And I'm Lonely (From 'Louisiana Purchase') [1994 Remastered]
18. East of the Sun (and West of the Moon) [1994 Remastered]
19. Tommy Dorsey & Frank Sinatra. Head on My Pillow [1994 Remastered]
20. It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow (From 'Louisiana Purchase') [1994 Remastered]
21. I'll Never Smile Again
22. All This and Heaven Too [1994 Remastered]
23. Where Do You Keep Your Heart

You Made Me Love You

2011-07-08T19:17:00.002-04:00

The posts have been fewer lately, however I've been busy with travel and summer. Things should pick up again next month. This compliation is getting a bit far from the Prohibition era music that I like best, but I like Connie Haines' music and she does some songs from the period. My first exposure to her singing was listening to old 1940s Abbott & Costello radio programs where she provided the weekly vocals. About 20 years ago or so I found an address and wrote to her for an autograph. Was I stunned! She sent several items including her autobiography, a cassette (which I still need to transfer), photos, press clippings, etc. Connie Haines got her big break with the Harry James orchestra, where Sinatra also started. Later she made the jump to the Tommy Dorsey orchestra, where Sinatra also went. The two did not get along at all, and apparently some of the band members didn't take to Frank's attitude toward Connie either. Nevertheless, the two sounded great together while with Dorsey. Haines had some solo success including a tribute album of Helen Morgan tunes, and later formed a gospel quartet with Jane Russell, Beryl Davis, and Della Russell. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Why Do I Love You
2. Bill
3. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
4. Man I Love
5. Lover Man
6. Stormy Weather
7. My Man
8. You Made Me Love You
9. Will You Still Be Mine?
10. Que Sera Sera
11. Teasin'
12. But What Are These?
13. How Come You Do Me Like You Do?
14. I Must Have That Man
15. What Has Happened To Joe
16. You're Sensational
17. Weary Blues
18. Ol' Man Mose
19. When My Dreamboat Comes Home
20. Mississippi Mud
21. Darktown Strutters Ball

The Mystery Song

2011-06-01T15:28:00.006-04:00

Today I offer up another set of classic Ellington tunes, including several which usually find their way into those "best of" compilations. Personally however, I never get tired of hearing Ivie Anderson's performance on It Don't Mean A Thing along with Cootie Williams' trumpet. It has to be one of the most recognizable songs that conjures up vivid images of Prohibition and the Roaring Twenties. Included in the personnel are Johnny Hodges and Barney Bigard. Vocalists are Frank Marvin, Sonny Greer, Ivie Anderson, Cootie Williams, and Bing Crosby. Track 1 was issued as Earl Jackson and His Musical Champions, tracks 2-11 as Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, and the last 8 tracks as Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Is That Religion?
02. Creole Rhapsody (Pt. 1)
03. Creole Rhapsody (Pt. 2)
04. Limehouse Blues
05. Echoes Of The Jungle
06. It's Glory
07. The Mystery Song
08. Moon Over Dixie
09. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
10. Lazy Rhapsody
11. Mood Indigo - Hot And Bothered - Creole Love Call
12. Blue Tune
13. Baby, When You Ain't There (f. Cootie Williams)
14. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo - Lots O' Fingers - Black And Tan Fantasy
15. Dinah (Sonny Greer & Cootie Williams)
16. Bugle Call Rag
17. St. Louis Blues
18. Creole Love Call
19. Rose Room

Rent Party Blues

2011-05-10T03:15:00.008-04:00

The economy stinks, people are losing their homes - but the bankers are doing just swell. Eighty years later and it smells like a Depression to me. It's a wonder that we don't have rent parties again. I seem to have neglected much of my Duke Ellington collection for some reason, I know not why. I hope this entry rectifies this oversight somewhat. This is another fine set by the good folks at Classics, and since there's little that I could say about Duke Ellington that others haven't said, here's something from Allmusic.com about this particular set. "Despite the rise of the Depression, Duke Ellington's orchestra was able to continue a hectic recording schedule, cutting the 23 selections on this CD (which are all master takes) within a four-and-a-half-month schedule. Some of the numbers are remakes or pop songs of the era (though those are usually excellent) and there are vocals by Irving Mills, Frank Marvin, and Dick Robertson that are not up to the level of Ellington's instrumentalists, but there are also such gems along the way as "When You're Smiling" (featuring Freddy Jenkins' trumpet), "Maori," "Sweet Jazz of Mine," "Jungle Nights in Harlem," and particularly "Shout 'Em Aunt Tillie." Scans are included. Now shout 'em, Aunt Tillie, let's throw a rent party. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)
02. Rent Party Blues
03. Jungle Blues
04. Sing, You Sinners
05. St. James Infirmary
06. When You're Smiling
07. Maori (A Samoan Dance)
08. Admiration
09. The Mooche
10. Ragamuffin Romeo
11. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
12. Double Check Stomp
13. My Gal Is Good For Nothing But Love
14. I Was Made To Love You
15. Double Check Stomp
16. Accordion Joe
17. Cotton Club Stomp
18. Sweet Dreams Of Love
19. Jungle Nights In Harlem
20. Sweet Jazz O' Mine
21. Shout 'Em, Aunt Tillie
22. Sweet Mama
23. Hot And Bothered

Sidewalks Of Cuba

2011-05-04T23:54:00.009-04:00

A short set this time, with more bio than music. Henry Busee was born in Germany in 1894, ran away from home, worked his way westward, and eventually landed in California. In 1916 he formed Busse's Buzzards, a hot jazz band1, toured the country, and gained a reputation as a cornetist. Joe Venuti was one of his band mates. You can listen to their recording of Milenberg Joys here at the Red Hot Jazz Archive, it is also included in the download. Either way, I recommend checking out the Archive as they have a lot of information and a lot of great music to hear. In 1919 he had his first big break when he joined Paul Whiteman's outfit. Busse became a star with Whiteman (earning more than Bing Crosby), and co-wrote hits such as Wang Wang Blues and Hot Lips. Busse stayed with Whiteman until 1928 when he left to form his own band. Busse hit his peak in 1930-45, playing dance music before the war and swing during it. His music was often berated by Downbeat magazine, which called his a "sweet" or "Mickey Mouse" band. Despite this, the band enjoyed relative success over the years. His personal life wound up in gossip columns when he partied one night with a woman at the Hotsy Totsy Club and woke up married. (That bathtub hooch will do it every time!) He sought an annulment and during the 18 months to unwind the legal tangle, he toured Europe and staved off arrest for nonpayment of alimony. In 1935 he married Lorayne Brox, of the famous Brox sisters. At one point he played with Ray Bolger at the Chez Paree, a night club owned by notorious gangster Al Capone; Busse ran the house band there and worked for Capone. Henry Busse and his Orchestra continued to record and perform up until his death in 1955. Busse died at an undertaker's convention at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee while he was playing with the Shuffle Rhythm Band. (Well, if you have to go, there's no better place!) The recordings here are from an aircheck he did from the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 1948. Enjoy.+

Tracks

1. On The Sunnyside Of The Street
2. A Fellow Needs A Girl (v. Phil Gray)
3. Tennesee (v. Betty Taylor)
4. At A Sidewalk Penny Arcade (v. Phil Gray
5. Jealousy
6. Medley
a. Love Is Fun
b. I'm In Love (v. Betty Taylor)
c. Bride And Groom Polka
7. Laroo Laroo Lilli Bolero (v. Phil Gray)
8. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans
9. Sidwalks Of Cuba / Closing

Where Is Mr. Volstead?

2011-03-06T16:04:00.001-05:00

Hi All,

Please make a note of this blog address: http://whereismrvolstead.blogspot.com.

This blog here is a pre-emptive measure now that a craven coward has decided to attack my blog. It doesn't matter that the music is public domain, all it takes for RS or MU to remove the links is one anonymous complaint.

Now, the sniveling coward has threatened to have Blogger shut me down (despite claiming to "like" my blog). LOL.

Therefore, this new blog will exist to let people know where the blog is. Rest assured, the Page Mr. Volstead blog will continue to share this great (public domain) music from the Prohibition era (and the 30s-40s).

So please bookmark this blog address, or add it to the blogs you follow. If forced to move, I'm all set.

Cheers, and enjoy the music.

Chester Proudfoot

(Give Me That) Business in F

2011-02-17T09:00:00.011-05:00

This is another one that I had intended to post long ago, but on the other hand there is something to be said for not posting all the best stuff first. I really like the TOM series (am hoping to pick more up soon) because they have been issuing good quality releases of artists that are largely ignored by the larger producers. Check out Charlie Palloy, for a great example. I doubt anyone could do a complete Ben Selvin series, but what TOM included is still very entertaining. Many of these songs were covered by others, including Chick Bullock (gotta get my Bullock plug in!). If you read the post for Vol. 1, the liner notes suggest that these were throw-away tunes. However, the band performs them with gusto and I'm glad the recordings survive to this day. As did others in the era, Kardos recorded these under pseudonyms in an effort to record outside of his contract. From Amazon.com, "Gene Kardos led a popular dance band in New York in the early 1930s, but most of the records he recorded were released under a variety of names on different labels, which made it difficult for him to get proper credit for his accomplishments. The songs on this CD, for example, were released on the Crown label under the name of Joel Shaw and His Orchestra. Crown was a budget label that was started during the Depression--its slogan was "Two Hits for Two Bits"--and most artists who recorded for them used pseudonyms, particularly if they had recording contracts for other labels, as Kardos did. The Joel Shaw Orchestra, which was named for the band's piano player, had a propulsive rhythm. On tracks such as their cover of the Cab Calloway classic "Minnie the Moocher's Wedding Day" and on standards ("Dinah"), they were capable of playing some fine jazz. And selections like "Barnacle Bill (the Sailor)" and "Call of the Freaks" reveal a goofy sense of humor that only adds to the band's raucous, but good-natured sound. No matter whose name is on the label, the music of Gene Kardos and his band deserves to be heard." Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Stop The Sun, Stop The Moon
2. Business In F
3. Barnacle Bill
4. Sweet Violets
5. Some Of These Days
6. Alexander's Ragtime Band
7. Sing A New Song
8. If It Ain't Love
9. Business In Q
10. My Extraordinary Gal
11. Oh! Monah
12. Goofus
13. Dinah
14. Mouthful O' Jam
15. Whistle And Blow Your Blues Away
16. Darktown Strutters' Ball
17. Call Of The Freaks
18. How'm I Doin'?
19. The Scat Song
20. Minnie The Moocher's Wedding Day
21. When You're Getting Along With Your Gal
22. Who's Your Little Who-Zis?
23. One More Kiss, Then Goodnight

Shine On Harvest Moon

2011-02-12T09:00:00.008-05:00

Finally, I'm getting around to posting this! Ethel Waters' version of Shine On Harvest Moon is my absolute favorite (Laurel & Hardy's is a close second), and there's not a track here that I don't like. Compare her playful version (some say 'campy') of A Hundred Years From Today.to that of Jack Teagarden. On Dinah she brings it down from the jumpy Mills Brothers cut to something you could slow dance to, a sort of lazy, hot afternoon stay-in-the-shade type of song. Meanwhile, Miss Otis Regrets is now a mournful ballad in comparison to Cab Calloway's version, for example. Stormy Weather is simply one of the best. Musicians present include Manny Klein, Joe Venuti, Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, the Dorseys, Bunny Berigan, Dick McDonough, Benny Goodman, Jack & Charlie Teagarden, Art Karle, Taft Jordan & John Kirby. A virtual who's who of the day. Full scans included. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. River, Stay 'Way from My Door
2. Shine on Harvest Moon
3. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
4. Porgy
5. St. Louis Blues
6. Stormy Weather
7. Love Is the Thing
8. Don't Blame Me
9. Shadows on the Swanee
10. Heat Wave
11. Harlem on My Mind
12. I Just Couldn't Take It, Baby
13. A Hundred Years from Today
14. Come up and See Me Sometime
15. You've Seen Harlem at Its Best
16. Miss Otis Regrets
17. Dinah
18. When It's Sleepy Time Down South
19. Moonglow
20. Give Me a Heart to Sing To
21. I Ain't Gonna Sin No More
22. Trade Mark
23. You're Going to Leave the Old Home, Jim

Son Of The Sun

2011-02-11T17:05:00.012-05:00

Tearin' up the internet with three posts in one month! Jack Teagarden is simply one of the music giants, period. Both his trombone and vocals put an unmistakable stamp on the jazz era, influencing many other artists. But Big T deserves more than what I can write, so I'll get to the cd. This set takes Teagarden from a romping march, through the quintessential (IMO) version of Hoagy Carmichael's Rockin' Chair, and T's classic version of A Hundred Years From Today. I love the Classics series, but they often didn't use the cleanest transcriptions and there is some scratchiness on several tracks. For me, that's part of the ambiance though. Full scans with session info are included. Personnel include Nappy Lamare, Gene Austin, Joe Venuti, Benny Goodman, Bud Freeman, Charlie Spivak, Charlie Teagarden, and others. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Son of the Sun
2. You're Simply Delish
3. Just a Little Dance, Mam'selle
4. Rockin' Chair
5. Loveless Love
6. You Rascal You
7. That's What I Like About You
8. Chances Are
9. I Got the Ritz from the One I Love
10. China Boy
11. Lies
12. I'm Sorry Dear
13. Tiger Rag
14. I've Got It
15. Plantation Moods
16. Shake Your Hips
17. Someone Stole Gabriel's Horn
18. Love Me
19. Blue River
20. Hundred Years from Today, A
21. I Just Couldn't Take It, Baby
22. Fare-Thee-Well to Harlem
23. Ol' Pappy

Oh Lydia, Oh Lydia, That Encyclopidia ...

2011-01-27T08:00:00.011-05:00

The third and final disc of this set. This time we have tracks from At The Circus, Go West, and The Big Store. Okay, admit it - how many people never heard of the latter two films? The Big Store story (imdb.com) is "A detective is hired to protect the life of a singer, who has recently inherited a department store, from the store's crooked manager." Starring as "Tommy" is Tony Martin, who conveniently contributes a couple of vocal offerings just in case someone went to the theater to see something other than the Marx Brothers. Though I can't imagine what would drive such a person to do so. At The Circus, of course, features Captain Spaulding extolling the virtues of one Miss Lydia. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. At The Circus: Generique - Orchestre
2. At The Circus: Step Up And Take A Bow - Florencer Rice
3. At The Circus: Two Blind Loves/Train Musique/Beer Barrel Polka - Florence Rice/Kenny Backer/Orchestre/Chico Marx
4. At The Circus: Lydia The Tattoed Lady - Groucho Marx
5. At The Circus: Swingali/Blue Moon - Groucho Marx/Harpo Marx/Kenny Backer
6. At The Circus: Two Blind Loves - Kenny Backer
7. At The Circus: Circus/Step Up And Take A Bow/Circus & Generique Fin - Orchestre
8. Go West: Generique - Orchestre
9. Go West: You Can't Argue With Love - June McCloy/Groucho Marx
10. Go West: Theme Piano (Non Identifie) - Chico Marx
11. Go West: Riding The Range - John Carroll/The Marx Brothers
12. Go West: My Bony/Theme Harpe (Non Identifie) - The Marx Brothers/Harpo Marx
13. Go West: Generique Fin - Orchestre
14. The Big Store: Generique - Orchestre
15. The Big Store: If It's You - Tony Martin
16. The Big Store: Sing While You Sell - Groucho Marx
17. The Big Store: Theme Piano (Non Identifie) - Chico Marx/Harpo Marx
18. The Big Store: Harpo's Bazar - Harpo Marx
19. The Big Store: Tenement Symphony - Tony Martin/Chico Marx/Harpo Marx
20. The Big Store: Generique Fin - Orchestre

Hail, Hail, Fredonia!

2011-01-26T13:59:00.006-05:00

As promised, here is Disc Two of the Marx Brothers soundtracks. Here we have Duck Soup, A Night At The Opera, A Day At The Races, and a mere two tracks from Room Service. "Guest" vocalists include Kitty Carlisle and Alan Jones, the latter getting his big break in 1935's A Night At The Opera.

Enjoy. +

Disc Two

1. Duck Soup: Generique - Orchestre
2. Duck Soup: His Excellency Is Due - Margaret Dumont/Zeppo Marx
3. Duck Soup: Hymn To Fredonia - Margaret Dumont/Groucho Marx
4. Duck Soup: Fredonia Is Going To War - The Marx Brothers
5. Duck Soup: Generique Fin - Margaret Dumont/Orchestre
6. A Night At The Opera: Generique - Orchestre
7. A Night At The Opera: Alone - Kitty Carlisle/Alan Jones
8. A Night At The Opera: Chansons Italiennes - Choeurs/Orchestre
9. A Night At The Opera: Cosi Cosa/Theme Piano (Non Identifie) - Alan Jones/Chico Marx
10. A Night At The Opera: Alone - Harpo Marx
11. A Night At The Opera: Le Trouvere - Kitty Carlisle/Alan Jones
12. A Night At The Opera: Generique Fin - Orchestre
13. A Day At The Races: Generique - Orchestre
14. A Day At The Races: Blue Venetian Water - Alan Jones
15. A Day At The Races: Prelude En Do Mineur Op.23/Theme Piano (Non Identifie) - Chico Marx
16. A Day At The Races: Blue Venetian Water - Harpo Marx
17. A Day At The Races: Tomorrow Is Another Day/A Message From The Man In The Moon/All God's Chillun... - Alan Jones/Crinoline Choeurs
18. A Day At The Races: Generique Fin - The Marx Brothers/Alan Jones
19. Room Service: R.K.O. Signature/Generique - Orchestre
20. Room Service: Trad (Non Identifie) Generique Fin - The Marx Brothers/Orchestre

Whatever It Is, I'm Against It

2011-01-22T19:40:00.006-05:00

Although this isn't jazz, it is of the period. This set of soundtracks from the Marx Brothers films comes from Chanson Cinéma, the same people who put out the Paris-Hollywood cd that I posted a couple of years ago. They also have a three-cd set of soundtrack Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies, which will also be posted here some day. Today's offering includes songs and chatter from Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers, Monkey Business, and Horse Feathers. Although it sounds as if someone merely digitized these from analog sources, I don't know if anyone else has ever bothered to put everything together on cd. Plus, I think that Chanson Cinéma does a good job with packaging, and we consumers know that packaging is everything. Right? Discs two and three will be posted in the days to come. And remember - I don't know what they have to say, It makes no difference anyway, Whatever it is, I'm against it..No matter what it is or who commenced it, I'm against it. Enjoy. +

Disc One

1. Cocoanuts: Generique/Flo-Florida By The Sea - Orchestre/Choeurs
2. Cocoanuts: When My Dreams Come True - Mary Eaton/Oscar Shaw
3. Cocoanuts: When My Dreams Come True - Harpo Marx
4. Cocoanuts: When My Dreams Come True - Harpo Marx
5. Cocoanuts: Monkey Doodle Doo - Mary Eaton/Orchestre
6. Cocoanuts: I Want My Shirt - Basile Ruysdael
7. Cocoanuts: Theme Piano (Titre Non Identifie) - Chico Marx
8. Cocoanuts: When My Dreams Come True/Generique Fin - Mary Eaton/Orchestre
9. Animal Crackers: Generique/Butler's Song - Orchestre/Robert Greig
10. Animal Crackers: Hooray For Captain Spaulding - Margaret Dumont/Zeppo Marx/Groucho Marx
11. Animal Crackers: Titre (Non Identifie) - Chico Marx
12. Animal Crackers: Why Am I So Romantic - Lillian Roth/Louis Sorin/Harpo Marx
13. Animal Crackers: Generique Fin - Orchestre
14. Monkey Business: Generique - Orchestre
15. Monkey Business: Sweet Adeline - Groucho Marx/Zeppo Marx /Chico Marx/Harpo Marx
16. Monkey Business: Titre Non Identifie - Orchestre
17. Monkey Business: Theme Piano (Non Identifie) - Chico Marx
18. Monkey Business: O Sole Mio - Maxime Castle/Harpo Marx
19. Monkey Business: Theme Harpe - Harpo Marx
20. Monkey Business: Generique Fin - Orchestre
21. Horse Feathers: Generique - Orchestre
22. Horse Feathers: I'm Against It - Groucho Marx
23. Horse Feathers: Everyone Says I Love You - Zeppo Marx
24. Horse Feathers: Everyone Says I Love You - Chico Marx
25. Horse Feathers: Everyone Says I Love You - Harpo Marx
26. Horse Feathers: Everyone Says I Love You - Groucho Marx
27. Horse Feathers: Generique Fin - Orchestre

A Little Door, A Little Lock, A Little Key

2011-01-12T11:55:00.009-05:00

(updated links)
One week ago today jazz discographer and historian Brian Rust passed away at the age of 89. I think it's safe to say that most of us wouldn't know what little we do without his monumental works over the past several decades (all done before the advent of personal computers, mind you). I sure wouldn't. Thank you, Mr. Rust. Rest in peace.

The title of today's post is one of my favorite Wingy recordings, though most of his sides are a lot of fun to listen to. From Allmusic.com, "1935 and '36 were red-hot years for Fats Waller, and many musicians deliberately chose to record songs which had quickly become closely associated with him. Wingy Manone was capable of covering such tunes without sounding like an imitator. Unlike Waller's slow, almost erotic version, Wingy's "Sweet and Slow" trots along as briskly as "Lulu's Back in Town." Other songs popularized by Waller and revisited here are "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" and the cheerful "I've Got My Fingers Crossed." Wingy's bands during this time period featured reedmen Bud Freeman, Eddie Miller, Matty Matlock and Joe Marsala, and two of the sessions were bolstered by the presence of trombonists Jack Teagarden and George Brunies. Teagarden plays exceptionally fine trombone on the records made in October of 1935. His vocal contributions, however, consist only of spoken interjections. Johnny Mercer is heard making his own remarks during both takes of "I've Got a Note." Teagarden engages in a bit of conversation with Wingy on take one. Take two is markedly faster and hotter. Wingy was capable of singing and playing practically any song that came along. He performs "The Music Goes 'Round and Around" as if it had been written just for him, and takes on Louis Armstrong's "Old Man Mose" without flinching. "The Broken Record" comes as a pleasant surprise, giving the singer and band a chance to imitate a skipping record as the phrases "you're gorgeous," "I kiss you" and "I love you" each get stuck and are repeated six times apiece. (Note that this immortalizes the hasty rate at which 78 rpm records skip. It's much different from a 33-and-1/3 rpm skip.) Finally, as the trombone gets stuck in the same repetitious manner, Wingy says "Man, take that broken record offa there, and throw it out the window!" Enjoy.
+

Tracks

1. Sweet and Slow
2. Lulu's Back in Town
3. Let's Swing It
4. A Little Door, A Little Lock, A Little Key
5. Love and Kisses
6. Rhythm Is Our Business
7. From the Top of Your Head
8. Takes Two to Make a Bargain
9. A Smile Will Go a Long, Long Way
10. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself a Letter)
11. Every Now and Then
12. I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin'
13. You Are My Lucky Star
14. I've Got a Note
15. I've Got a Note
16. I'm Shooting High
17. The Music Goes 'Round and Around
18. You Let Me Down
19. I've Got My Fingers Crossed
20. (If I Had) Rhythm in My Nursery Rhymes
21. Old Man Mose
22. The Broken Record
23. Please Believe Me

How To Eat In A Cafeteria

2011-01-03T12:12:00.006-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! This record combines three of my favorites - Artie Shaw's music, the comedy of Robert Benchley, and old time radio. Two shows are presented here, the Old Gold "Melody & Madness" episodes from January 22nd and April 2, 1939. There are also some extra live band remotes from 1938-1939. Benchley was a member of the infamous Algonquin Round Table, wrote several books, and of course worked in film and radio. The Melody & Madness show resulted of his popularity, however he was not involved in the writing of it, and predictably the show was cancelled in 1939. Although I like Shaw's music, there is nothing out of the ordinary here except to hear that Shaw's band sounds just as good live. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Introduction / Comedy By Benchley
2. Rose Room
3. Benchley
4. My Reverie
5. Downbeat Award
6. Softly as in a Morning Sunrise
7. Comedy (Bounding Broomstick)
8. Oh! Lady Be Good
9. Introduction / Comedy By Benchley
10. One Foot in the Groove
11. Comedy (How to Eat in a Cafeteria)
12. Nightmare
13. I'm in Love With the Honorable Mr. So and So
14. Comedy (Bounding Broomstick)
15. I'm Coming Virginia
16. Introduction / Out Of Nowhere
17. Two Blind Loves
18. Serenade to a Savage
19. I Surrender Dear
20. Hold Your Hats

Baby's Awake Now

2010-12-15T11:34:00.004-05:00

This one comes from the Pearl label (1996). Some of the tracks sound a bit scratchy, and I was tempted to use some noise-reduction filters, but I didn't want it to affect Lee Wiley's voice in the least. Besides, noise-reduction often gets heavyhanded. This compilation includes input from Bunny Berigan, Jess Stacy, Bud Freeman, Joe Bushkin, Bobby Hackett, Max Kaminsky, and of course Eddie Condon. Full details are available in the scans included. I've also got several other Lee Wiley compilations to post in the future. From Allmusic.com, "Her husky, surprisingly sensual voice and exquisitely cool readings of pop standards distinguished her singing, but Lee Wiley earns notice as one of the best early jazz singers by recognizing the superiority of American popular song and organizing a set of songs around a common composer or theme -- later popularized as the songbook or concept LP. She was also a songwriter in her own right, and one of the few white vocalists with more respect in the jazz community than the popular one. Even more tragic then, that while dozens of inferior vocalists recorded LPs during the late '50s and '60s, Wiley appeared on record just once between 1957 and her death in 1975." Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Sweet And Low Down
2. Sam And Delilah
3. Baby's Awake Now
4. A Little Birdie Told Me So
5. I've Got Five Dollars
6. You Took Advantage Of Me
7. A Ship Without A Sail
8. As Though You Were There
9. Glad To Be Unhappy
10. Here In My Arms
11. Let's Fly Away
12. Let's Do It
13. Hot House Rose
14. Find Me A Primitive Man
15. Easy To Love
16. Looking At You
17. Why Shouldn't I?
18. Down With Love
19. Stormy Weather
20. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
21. I've Got The World On A String
22. Let's Fall In Love
23. It's Only A Paper Moon

I'm Crazy About My Baby

2010-12-14T11:48:00.001-05:00

There aren't many, if any, surprises in this Columbia series but the selection is still good nonetheless. Midge Williams and the Spirits of Rhythm are two artists who don't usually make the final cut for compilations. In any case, they saw fit to include a Chick Bullock tune, which was recorded with the Mills Blue Rhythm Band in 1932. This series was originally released on LP, and at some point I will post an LP-rip of the 1940s singers disc. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. (What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue - Ethel Waters
02. Blue Again - Louis Armstrong Orchestra
03. (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You - Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra
04. I'm Crazy 'bout My Baby - Fats Waller With Ted Lewis & His Orchestra
05. Dinah - Bing Crosby & The Mills Brothers
06. Old Yazoo - The Boswell Sisters
07. The River's Taking Care Of Me - Connie Boswell with Dorsey Brothers Orchestra
08. All My Life - Ella Fitzgerald with Teddy Wilson And His Orchestra
09. Doin' What I Please - Don Redman & His Orchestra
10. My Old Man - The Spirits Of Rhythm
11. Frankie And Johnny - Chick Bullock & His Levee Loungers
12. Chasin' Shadows - Louis Prima & His New Orleans Gang
13. Out Where The Blue Begins - Henry 'Red' Allen And His Orchestra
14. Lover Come Back To Me - Mildred Bailey & Her Orchestra
15. Rose Of The Rio Grande - Ivie Anderson with Duke Ellington And His Orchestra
16. Mean To Me - Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra
17. Mama's Gone -- Goodbye - Midge Williams And Her Jazz Jesters

Strange As It Seems

2010-12-13T11:50:00.000-05:00

Back to the Chronological series, this time for the earliest recordings of one of, if not the, greatest jazz pianists ever. "This comprehensive CD contains Art Tatum's very first recording (a broadcast version of "Tiger Rag"), four selections in which he accompanies singer Adelaide Hall (along with a second pianist) and then his first 20 solo sides. To call his virtuosic piano style remarkable would be a major understatement; he has to be heard to be believed. His studio version of "Tiger Rag" may very well be his most incredible recording; he sounds like three pianists at once." (Scott Yanow, allmusic.com) Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Tiger Rag
2. Strange As It Seems
3. I'll Never Be The Same
4. You Gave Me Everything But Love
5. This Time It's Love
6. The For Two
7. St. Louis Blues
8. Tiger Rag
9. Sophisticated Lady
10. Moonglow
11. I Would Do Anything For You
12. When A Woman Loves A Man
13. Emaline
14. Love Me
15. Cocktails For Two
16. After You've Gone
17. Ill Wind
18. The Shout
19. Liza
20. I Would Do Anything For You
21. When A Woman Loves A Man
22. After You've Gone
23. Star Dust
24. I Ain't Got Nobody
25. Beautiful Love

Scrap Your Fat

2010-12-12T12:19:00.003-05:00

Many years ago I had a double-LP set of Abbott & Costello radio shows that I listened to until I knew every line, laugh, song, etc. One of those shows featured Connie Haines singing "Salt Water Cowboy" and it was apparently the public debut of the song. One day the LP grew legs and disappeared (along with the rest of my collection) so for years I kept an eye open for a replacement. However, later copies of the LP had the song cut out! Enter, the digital age. I thought I had ripped the correct disc to share that song, but apparently got the wrong one. Now I have to go through everything and make sure I still have the right one! Regardless, although several of the songs here are familiar, this set includes versions by other artists and is still worth a listen. Click on the cover image for a high-res scan. Enjoy +

Tracks

1. Rosie The Riveter - The Sportsman Quartet
2. I'm A Hillbilly Yankeee Doodle Boy - Texas Jim Lewis with the Hoosier Hot Shots
3. The Guns In The Sky - Glenn Miller
4. If It's Gonna Help Win The War - The Hoosier Hot Shots
5. The G.I. Jive - Johnny Mercer
6. Praise the Lord and Pass The Amunition - Jimmy Carrol, David Broekman and His Orchestra
7. Off We Go Into The Wild Blue Yonder - Glenn Miller
8. I'd Like To Give My Dog To Uncle Sam - Ozzie Waters
9. D-Day - Nat King Cole
10. Scrap Your Fat' - Mildred Bailey
11. Keep The Home Fires Burning - Charlie Barnet
12. A Rodeo Down in Tokyo - Ozzie Waters
13. There'll Be A Jubilee - The Andrews Sisters
14. I'm Getting Corns For My Country - Cass Daley
15. There Ain't No Wings on a Foxhole - Meredith Wilson
16. The Tommy Gun Boogie - Slim Rodgers
17. This Is The Army - John Conte
18. 4-F Ferdinand - Harry "The Hipster" Gibson
19. Hillbilly Soldier Joe - The Johnson Sisters
20. Comin' In On A Wing and a Prayer - Anita Ellis
21. Here Comes The British - Johnny Mercer
22. Smoke On The Water - Wesley Tuttle
23. The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B - The Andrews Sisters.

Wave the Stick Blues

2010-12-09T15:21:00.009-05:00

Is it true that Paul McCartney played in a band before Wings? So goes the question from some youngster, probably more urban myth than reality. Yet there are nonetheless too many people who these days scarcely remember Rick Nelson, knew about his parents and their famous television program, and probably even fewer that know about Ozzie and Harriet's musical career. Well, (from Wiki), from 1930 through the 1940s, Nelson's band recorded prolifically—first on Brunswick (1930–1933), then Vocalion (1933–1934), then back to Brunswick (1934–1936), Bluebird (1937–1941), Victor (1941) and finally back to Bluebird (1941-through the 1940s). Nelson's records were consistently popular and in 1934 Nelson enjoyed success with his hit song, "Over Somebody Else's Shoulder" which he introduced. Nelson was their primary vocalist and (from August 1932) featured in duets with his other star vocalist, Harriet Hilliard. Nelson's calm, easy vocal style was popular on records and radio and quite similar to son Rick's voice and Harriet's perky vocals added to the band's popularity. In 1935, Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra had a number one hit with "And Then Some", which was number one for one week on the U.S. pop singles chart. Ozzie Nelson composed several songs, including "Wave the Stick Blues", "Subway", "Jersey Jive", "Swingin' on the Golden Gate", and "Central Avenue Shuffle". In October 1935 he married the band's vocalist Harriet Hilliard. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Head over Heels in Love
2. I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire
3. Wave the Stick Blues
4. Breathless
5. Between a Kiss and a Sigh
6. Everyone But Me
7. I Must See Annie Tonight
8. Gee, But It's Great to Meet a Friend (From Your Home Town)
9. Let's Have Another Cigarette
10. Roses in December
11. You and I Know
12. Old Curiosity Shop
13. Yes, Suh!
14. Have a Heart
15. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
16. Two Sleepy People

A Mellow Bit of Rhythm

2010-12-06T15:03:00.003-05:00

I found the Andy Kirk & His Twelve Clouds of Joy (Classics) to be so enjoyable, that I picked up this one on the Decca label. Mary's Idea is the name of a tune, but it also suggests how important she was to jazz. She recorded over one hundred tunes, and wrote and arranged hundreds for Andy Kirk, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Earl Hines, Tommy Dorsey and others. Williams began recording with Kirk when he made some sides in Kansas City in 1929, and stayed with the band into 1942. This disc gives just a snapshot of her talent, so check out the Andy Kirk cds as well. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Walkin' and Swingin'
2. Moren Swing
3. Froggy Bottom
4. Bear Cat Shuffle
5. Puddin' Head Serenade
6. The Lady Who Swings the Band
7. (Keep It) In the Groove
8. A Mellow Bit of Rhythm
9. Bear Down
10. Twinklin'
11. Mess-A-Stomp
12. What's Your Story, Morning Glory?
13. Mary's Idea
14. Close to Five
15. Scratchin' in the Gravel
16. The Count
17. Twelfth Street Rag
18. Baby Dear
19. Harmony Blues
20. Ring Dem Bells

Shadows on the Swanee

2010-11-29T16:52:00.003-05:00

Once again, kudos to the folks at Columbia for their packaging. The Art Deco series has yet to disappoint me. This two-disc set is the companion piece to The Crooners (posted January 2009, get it while Rapid$hare lasts if you haven't already). I'm sure there are other notable singers who might have been included here, such as June Richmond, Victoria Spivey or Ella Fitzgerald. But to omit Anita O'Day? I also think they should have included Ethel Waters' version of Shine On Harvest Moon, which in my opinion is one of the finest. ...(suddenly a feeling of déjà vu, but a check on the blog tells me I didn't post this already) ... Back to reality, this is probably one of the best collections on two cds that I've ever found, and I'm glad to be able to share it with everyone. An added bonus, some time ago I had scanned the entire booklet and all, which is included as high-res.tif files in the first folder.. I'll stop writing so you can start listening. Enjoy. + +

Tracks
Ruth Etting
1. Ten Cents a Dance
2. I'm Good for Nothing But Love
3. A Needle in a Haystack

Helen Morgan
4. (I've Got) Sand in My Shoes
5. I See Two Lovers (w/Jimmy Grier and His Orchestra)

Greta Keller
6. He's My Secret Passion
7. Willow Weep for Me

Annette Hanshaw
8. Big City Blues
9. Daddy, Won't You Please Come Home
10. Moanin' Low
11. The Way I Feel Today
12. Love Me Tonight
13. Moon Song

Ethel Waters
14. I Just Couldn't Take It, Baby
15. Shadows on the Swanee

Connie Boswell
16. Lullaby of the Leaves
17. Under a Blanket of Blue
18. I Cover the Waterfront
19. Say It
20. A New Moon Is Over My Shoulder

The Boswell Sisters
21. Doggone, I've Done It (I've Fallen in Love)
22. Mood Indigo
23. Sophisticated Lady
24. I Hate Myself
25. Rock & Roll

Disc Two

Frances Langford
1. Stormy Weather
2. You're Hi-Di-Hi-Ing Me
3. Nasty Man
4. Then You've Never Been Blue

Alice Faye
5. My Future Star [From "365 Nights in Hollywood"]
6. Oh, I Didn't Know

Lee Wiley
7. I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues [Alternate Take][#]
8. You've Got Me Crying Again
9. Let's Call It a Day [Alternate Take][#] (with Victor Young and His Orchestra)
10. Easy Come, Easy Go (with Johnny Green and His Orchestra)
11. A Hundred Years from Today (with the Casa Loma Orchestra)

Helen Ward (with Ed Loyd and His Orchestra)
12. Let's Put Two and Two Together

Ella Logan
13. Night Wind
14. Doin' the Uptown Lowdown

Maxine Sullivan
15. I Wish I Were Twins
16. Loch Lomond
17. The Hour of Parting

Mildred Bailey and Her Orchestra
18. Mad About the Boy [Alternate Take][#]
19. I See Your Face Before Me [Alternate Take][#]
20. Love's a Necessary Thing

Nan Wynn with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra
21. The Lamp Is Low
22. You Go to My Head

Ginny Simms and Her Orchestra
23. I Can't Face the Music
24. Sweet and Slow
25. I'm Out of Style

It's The Gypsy In Me

2010-11-23T17:28:00.004-05:00

I credit the marketing people from Classics Chronological for me buying this one. I hadn't heard of Wingy Manone, but I liked what I'd heard from their massive series thus far, I like the faux 78rpm label, and the blue stands out. And get a load of Wingy's face grinning out at you. I kjnew it had to be fun, and Wingy does not disappoint in the least. Excellent music - but don't take it from me! Here's the bio from Allmusic.com, Wingy Manone was an excellent Dixieland trumpeter whose jivey vocals were popular and somewhat reminiscent of his contemporary, Louis Prima. He had lost his right arm in a streetcar accident when he was ten, but Manone (who Joe Venuti once gave one cuff link for a Christmas present) never appeared to be handicapped in public (effectively using an artificial arm). He played trumpet in riverboats starting when he was 17, was with the Crescent City Jazzers (which later became the Arcadian Serenaders) in Alabama, and made his recording debut with the group in the mid-'20s. He worked in many territory bands throughout the era before recording as a leader in 1927 in New Orleans. By the following year, Manone was in Chicago and soon relocated to New York, touring with theater companies. His "Tar Paper Stomp" in 1930 used a riff that later became the basis for "In the Mood." In 1934, Manone began recording on a regular basis and after he had a hit with "The Isle of Capri" in 1935, he became a very popular attraction. Among his sidemen on his 1935-1941 recordings were Matty Matlock, Eddie Miller, Bud Freeman, Jack Teagarden, Joe Marsala, George Brunies, Brad Gowans, and Chu Berry. In 1940, Manone appeared in the Bing Crosby movie Rhythm on the River, he soon wrote his humorous memoirs Trumpet on the Wing (1948), and he would later appear on many of Crosby's radio shows. Wingy Manone lived in Las Vegas from 1954 up until his death and he stayed active until near the end, although he only recorded one full album (for Storyville in 1966) after 1960. (Scott Yanow). Enjoy. + - and Happy Thanksgiving!

Tracks

1. It Can Happen To You
2. It's The Gypsy In Me
3. Cottage By The Moon
4. And They Said It Wouldn't Last!
5. Fancy Meeting You
6. A Good Man Is Hard To Find
7. In The Groove
8. Let Me Call You Sweetheart
9. Easy Like
10. I Can't Pretend
11. Floatin' Down To Cotton Town
12. A Fine Romance
13. Formal Night In Harlem
14. Sweet Lorraine
15. Boo-HooYou Showed Me The Way
16. I Can't Lose That Longing For You
17. Oh, Say, Can You Swing?
18. The Image Of You
19. Don't Ever Change
20. (I Just Can't Imagine) Life Without You

Trav'lin' Light

2010-11-01T18:36:00.003-04:00

Continuing to post at breakneck speed (the lines on the road just like like dots ...), here's a shorter cd (an LP re-release) from Charlie Spivak. This is the only Spivak in my collection, for some reason, even though I find it very listenable. From Allmusic.com (Scott Yanow), "Despite coming up in the jazz world and spending his life around jazz musicians, Charlie Spivak rarely improvised and was most notable for his pretty tone. He moved to the U.S. with his family as a small child and grew up in New Haven, CT. Spivak began playing trumpet when he was ten, gigged locally as a teenager, and worked with Don Cavallaro's Orchestra. During most of 1924-1930 he was with Paul Specht's Orchestra, primarily playing section parts where his tone was an asset. Spivak was cast in the same role with Ben Pollack (1931-1934), the Dorsey Brothers (1934-1935), and Ray Noble. He worked in the studios during most of 1936-1937 and then had stints with the orchestras of Bob Crosby, Tommy Dorsey, and Jack Teagarden. Spivak formed his own band in November 1939 (financed by Glenn Miller) and, although his first orchestra failed within a year, his second attempt shortly after was more successful; in fact, Spivak became a major attraction throughout the '40s and he kept his band together until 1959. Spivak lived in later years in Florida, Las Vegas, and South Carolina, putting together orchestras on a part-time basis, staying semi-active up until his death at the age of 75. Among his better recordings were his theme "Let's Go Home," "Autumn Nocturne," and "Star Dreams." Charlie Spivak, who recorded as late as 1981, was married to singer Irene Daye (who was formerly with Gene Krupa's Orchestra)." Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Stardreams (Theme)
2. Mean to Me
3. Serenade in Blue
4. I Used to Love You
5. Cuddle up a Little Closer
6. Blue Lou
7. Laura
8. More Than You Know
9. Stardust
10. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive
11. Solitude
12. Trav'lin' Light
13. Blue Champagne
14. Let's Go Home
15. It's the Same Old Dream
16. Saturday Night (Is the Loneliest Night of the Week)

There's A Small Hotel

2010-10-27T18:31:00.002-04:00

(Now with 3 times the posts of last month!) Here's another entry from the Columbia Best of the Big Bands series. From Wiki: "At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill he formed his own campus jazz group, the Carolina Club Orchestra. The band recorded for English Columbia and Perfect/Pathe records in 1924-5. This first group toured Europe in the summer of 1924 under the sponsorship of popular bandleader Paul Specht. Kemp returned to UNC in 1925 and put together a new edition of the Carolina Club Orchestra, featuring fellow classmates and future stars John Scott Trotter, Saxie Dowell, and Skinnay Ennis. In 1926, he was a member of the charter class of the Alpha Rho chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity, installed on the Carolina campus in February of that year. In 1927 Kemp turned leadership of the Carolina Club Orchestra over to fellow UNC student Kay Kyser and turned professional. The band was based in New York City, and included Trotter, Dowell, and Ennis, and a few years later trumpeters Bunny Berigan and Jack Purvis joined the group. The sound was 1920s collegiate jazz. Kemp once again toured Europe in the summer of 1930. This band recorded regularly for Brunswick, English Duophone, Okeh and Melotone Records.

In 1932, during the height of the Depression, Kemp decided to lead the band in a new direction, changing the orchestra's style to a that of a dance band (often mistakenly referred to as "sweet"), using muted triple-tonguing trumpets, clarinets playing low sustained notes in unison through large megaphones (an early version of the echo chamber effect), and a double-octave piano.

One of the main reasons for the band's success was arranger John Scott Trotter. Singer Skinnay Ennis had difficulty sustaining notes, so Trotter came up with the idea of filling in these gaps with muted trumpets playing staccato triplets. This gave the band a unique sound, which Johnny Mercer jokingly referred to as sounding like a "typewriter." The saxes often played very complex extremely difficult passages which won them the praise of fellow musicians. Vocalists with the band at this time included Ennis, Dowell, Bob Allen, Deane Janis, Maxine Gray, Judy Starr, Nan Wynn, and Janet Blair. During the 1930s, Kemp recorded for Brunswick, Vocalion and (RCA) Victor records. Hal Kemp, Kay Kyser and Tal Henry were often having a Carolinian reunion in New York. All three were great musicians from North Carolina and enjoyed the olde' time get together, according to the newspaper from Chapel Hill, NC where Hal and Kay were in school." Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Got A Date With An Angel
2. Ah! But I've Learned
3. Shuffle Off To Buffalo
4. It's Winter Again
5. Forty-Second Street
6. Long About Sundown
7. Serenade For A Wealthy Widow
8. You're The Top
9. I've Got You Under My Skin
10. Lullaby Of Broadway
11. From The Top Of Your Head
12. Where Or When
13. I Can't Get Started
14. There's A Small Hotel
15. Pennies From Heaven
16. With Plenty Of Money And You

Vocals: Skinnay Ennis on all tracks except Bob Allen (10, 12) and Maxine Gray (14, 15).

All Or Nothing At All

2010-10-22T09:00:00.001-04:00

Although Chick Bullock was a popular vocalist during the 1930s, rumor has it that the skinny kid from Hoboken, NJ featured here was capable of singing for his supper, too. Volume three in this French series starts off with four tracks performed with Harry James and His Orchestra, with whom "the Voice" made his big break before Tommy Dorsey lured him away. With the exception of the final four tracks here, all are live airchecks that unlike today's "stars" who use technology to make their voices sound on key, Frank Sinatra could more than carry a tune. Dorsey had a big hit with Marie, vocalized by Jack Leonard, but I think Sinatra gives it a good turn as well. Full scans are included in this one. Enjoy. +

Tracks

Harry James and His Orchestra
1. From The Bottom Of My Heart
2. To You
3. From The Bottom Of My Heart
4. All Or Nothing At All

Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra
5. A Lover Is Blue
6. Careless
7. I've Got My Eyes On You
8. East Of The Sun
9. My Melancholy Baby
10. After All
11. I've Got My Eyes On You
12. Polka Dots And Moonbeams
13. Deep Night
14. Whispering
15. The Sky Fell Down
16. On The Isle Of May
17. It's A Blue World
18. The Fable Of The Rose
19. Marie
20. I'll Get By
21. East Of The Sun
22. I'll Never Smile Again
23. This Is The Beginning Of The End
24. Imagination
25. Yours Is My Heart Alone
26. Yours Is My Heart Alone

All tracks are airchecks except tracks 23-26.

Beefsteak Charlie

2010-10-18T21:38:00.000-04:00

Jonah Jones was a trumpeter who broke in with Horace Henderson's band, later working with Stuff Smith, Benny Carter, Fletcher Henderson and later spent most of the 1940s with Cab Calloway's band. The first six tracks here are with Dick Porter and His Orchestra, with Jones on trumpet, Joe Marsala (cl), Dick Porter (p, v), Eddie Condon (g), Wilson Ernest Myers (b), and George Wettling (d). The Allmusic.com entry for this suggests that for the sake of rarity, the Porter sides are worthy of inclusion, but that Porter is a lousy Fats Waller rip-off of the highest degree. So much so, that Porter closes Track 5 with a completely out-of-context ad-libbed line cribbed from a different Waller tune. In many of the other tunes however, Jones shows off his ability to give out some real good swing. A scan of the session info is included in the folder. Enjoy. +

Tracks

Dick Porter and His Orchestra
1. Sweet Thing
2. (I'd Like To See Grandpa) Swingin' To A Swing Tune
3. Swing, Boy, Swing
4. May I Have The Next Romance With You?
5. There's No Two Ways About It
6. Poor "Robinson Crusoe"

Jonah Jones Sextet
7. Lust For Licks
8. Just Like A Butterfly
9. B.H. Boogie
10. 12th Street Rag

Milton Hinton And His Orchestra
11. Broadway Holdover
12. Bass Pandemonium
13. Everywhere
14. Beefsteak Charlie

Jonah Jones and His Orchestra
15. Rose Of The Rio Grande
16. You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me
17. Hubba Hubba Hub
18. Stompin' At The Savoy

I'm Hummin', I'm Whistlin', I'm Singin'

2010-09-16T21:12:00.000-04:00

September 16th is the 102nd birthday of Chick Bullock (thanks to Drizzz for the reminder). The actual birth date is in question, but we'll run with it anyway. I've been so busy that I haven't had much time to even look at this blog, much less upload new posts. But being the special day that it is, I hurriedly put together some songs for the occasion. This set only includes 16 tunes that I transferred from my 78s, and there are a couple of neat tunes here. For instance, you'll hear the likes of Jack Teagarden (Wagon Wheel), Joe Venuti, James P. Johnson, Clarence Williams, Russ Morgan, and the Dorsey Brothers among others. The version of Swaller-Tail Coat is the lesser-known version recorded with Todd Rollins and his Orchestra (the Clarence Williams version is in a CW post elsewhere here). My copy of this 78 is near-mint, so it should sound pretty good. There are cleaner versions of Out In The Cold Again and Old Street Sweeper on one of the Crooners and Clarence Williams cds (respectively), but I decided to include the transfers anyway. On Accounta I Love You is recorded with the Dorsey Brothers, but is credited to Smith Ballew on every pressing even though he had nothing to do with the session. Ya gotta love record companies! Well, happy birthday to Mr. Chick Bullock! And thanks to Drizzz, I was encouraged to get this post up today. Session information is included in the tags for each song. Enjoy! +

Tracks

1. All I Do Is Dream Of You
2. On Accounta I Love You
3. Out In The Cold Again
4. Sleepy Head
5. Stars Fell On Alabama
6. Blue Moon
7. Haunting Me
8. Swaller-Tail Coat
9. Wagon Wheels
10. Old Street Sweeper
11. May I?
12. I'm Hummin', I'm Whistlin', I'm Singin'
13. Lost In A Fog
14. Two Cigarettes In The Dark
15. Ha-Cha-Cha
16. Have A Little Dream On Me

Let's Misbehave

2010-08-09T22:39:00.002-04:00

Apologies for the lack of new posts, but work has been picking up of late. Good for the pockets, bad for the blog. On the other hand, I've been working on cleaning up more Chick Bullock tunes, and ripping some LPs which should be available soon as well ... As is normal for me, I go backwards in my musical exploration. I first picked up the 30s Volume 1, which I really enjoyed (and will post). So why not try the 20s? (even though there's no apostrophe!) I have loved My Blue Heaven since the first time I heard it, and have several versions of the tune. Gene Austin is still the best. With only 20 tracks, it's hard to select the best of an entire decade, especially from the Roaring Twenties. But the producers did very well here, I think. If nothing else, this cd stoked my curiosity and propelled me to pick up many records from the era. It's all good. (oh, and Rapidshare seems to have smoothed things out for the time being, so until my subscription ends I'll be using that) Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Let's Misbehave - Irving Aaronson & His Commanders
2. My Blue Heaven - Gene Austin
3. Collegiate - Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians
4. Alice Blue Gown - Edith Day
5. Little Orphan Annie - The Coon-Sanders Nighthawks
6. Lucky Lindy - Nat Shilkret & His Orchestra
7. Varsity Drag - George Olsen & His Music
8. Do Do Do - Gertrude Lawrence
9. Whispering - Paul Whiteman Orchestra
10. I Wanna Be Loved by You - Helen Kane
11. Black Bottom - Johnny Hamp
12. Makin' Whoopee - Eddie Cantor
13. Charleston - Paul Whiteman Orchestra
14. Prisoner's Song - Vernon Dalhart
15. My Pretty Girl - Jean Goldkette & His Orchestra
16. My Man - Fanny Brice
17. Black and Tan Fantasy - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
18. Louise - Maurice Chevalier
19. If I Had a Talking Picture of You - Johnny Hamp's Kentucky Serenaders
20. Rhapsody in Blue - George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman Orchestra

Bunny Berigan

2010-07-12T12:34:00.000-04:00

The selections here feature Bunny Berigan as a sideman while he was in New York City, the time interspersed by tours with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra and the Boswell Sisters. Recordings under Berigan's own name are found on cds elsewhere. From the liner notes: Much of his time between 1931-36 was spent in the recording studios and radio. Though there were short stints with various bands, for the most part during this period, Bunny could be found doing stuido work in one form or another. Berigan was one of a small clique of musicians that included the likes of the Dorseys, Benny Goodman, Dick McDonough, Carl Kress, Eddie Lang, Stan King, Chauncey Morehouse, Mannie Klien and others, whose wages were an astronomical several hundred dollars a week during the depression. He worked on call on radio, theater and hotel jobs and record dates. Most of this work featured very commercial music with an occasional jazz solo. ... During this period, Berigan recorded sides with Mildred Bailey, the Boswell Sisters, Lee Wiley, Bing Crosby, Ramona as well as Paul Whiteman. As the liner notes (much more in depth) go on to suggest, the recordings from this time are valued less for the vocal or ensemble work, but rather for the solos. Berigan was recording in an era of stock arrangements and stock singers, where the song was the most important thing, yet he still managed to add something of his own. Track 23 is Take 1 which was never issued in the US due to Berigan's "goof," and Smith Ballew had nothing to do with Track 20. Oh, and there are seven Chick Bullock vocals. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Ev'rything That's Nice Belongs To You - Freddie Rich and the CBS Studio Orchestra (as Maurice Sherman and His College Inn Orchestra) 21 February 1931
2. Under Your Window Tonight (Yoo-Hoo, I'll Call To You) - Owen Fallon and his Californians
3. In The Merry Month of Maybe - Freddie Rich and the CBS Studio Orch (as Ralph Bennett and his Seven Aces (All Eleven of 'Em) 4 June 1931
4. Too Many Tears - Eddie Kirkeby and His Orchestra (as Ed Lloyd and His Orchestra) 24 February 1932 (am)
5. Stop The Sun, Stop The Moon (My Gal's Gone) - ARC House Orchestra, 24 February 1932 (pm)
6. What Would You Do? - Bob Causer and His Cornellians, 1 March 1932
7. What Would You Do? - ARC House Orchestra (as Ed Lloyd and His Orcestra) 1 March 1932
8. Sing A New Song - Bennie Krueger and His Orchestra
9. I'm So In Love - ARC House Band directed by Bennie Krueger (as Bennie Kreuger and His Orchestra) 9 March 1932
10. Stop The Sun, Stop The Moon - ARC House Band (as Imperial Dance Orchestra) March 1932
11. Gosh Darn - ARC House Band (as Bennie Kreuger and His Orchestra) 6 April 1932
12. If I Had My Way 'Bout My Sweetie - ARC House Band (as Vic Irwin and His Orchestra) 8 April 1932
13. How Do You Do It? - Victor Young and House Orchestra, 17 September 1932
14. Underneath The Harlem Moon - Chick Bullock and His Levee Loungers, 26 September 1932
15. Mighty River - Chick Bullock and His Levee Loungers, 26 September 1932
16. All American Girl - ARC House Unit (as All Star Collegians) 1932
17. What Would Happen To Me (If Something Happened To You) - ARC House Orchestra (as Ed Lloyd and His Orchestra) 27 September 1932
18. Please - ARC House Orchestra (as Will Osborned and His Orchestra) 6 October 1932
19. You'll Get By (With A Twinkle In Your Eye) - ARC House Orchestra (as Will Osborned and His Orchestra) 27 October 1932
20. On Accounta I Love You - Dorsey Brothers Orchestra (as Smith Ballew and His Orchestra) 21 May 1934
21. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter - Studio Orchestra (as Chick Bullock and His Levee Loungers) 18 January 1936
22. And Still No Luck With You - Chick Bullock and His Levee Loungers, 8 May 1936
23. I'm An Old Cowhand - Chick Bullock and His Orchestra, 8 May 1936
24. When Is A Kiss Not A Kiss - Studio Orchestra (as Bob Causer and His Cornellians) 22/23 September 1936

Berigan plays all the trumpet solos except as noted: Track 2, Berigan plays the mute solo after the vocal. The trumpet prior to the vocal is not Berigan; Tracks 9, 10 include unknown trumpet; Track 11, possibly Mannie Klein (trumpet); Track 12, possibly Bobby Effros (trumpet); Track 13 includes unknown trumpet; Tracks 14-19 possibly include unknown trumpet. Note: Other than those listed, ARC trumpeters during the 1932-34 period would also include Frank Guarette, Mannie Weinstock, Mickey Bloom, and Tommy Thunen in non-feature roles; Track 20, possibly Charlie Spivak trumpet; Tracks 22, 23 possibly other trumpets. Track 24 is possibly Bunny Berigan, possibly 2nd trumpet. The liner notes go into more detail, these are only the trumpet notes.

Chick Bullock vocals: Tracks 5, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23.

Won't You Come Over And Say "Hello"

2010-06-28T15:41:00.003-04:00

(new link!)

Need I say it? I really like the Chick Bullock vocals here because I think he paired very well with Clarence Williams' style. I'm gonna rig myself up, in a swaller-tail coat ... Although Williams has been called a "decent pianist and a likable but limited vocalist," he was quite capable of putting together some of the best recording sessions. Many of the sides here include James P. Johnson, Roy Smeck, and Louis Jordan among others, and there is a lot of good music to be heard here. One of the criticisms of the Classics series is that it isn't always all-inclusive. Although recorded in the same recording session as track 20, this cd omits "Sashay, Oh Boy!" which also features Little Buddy Farrior on vocal. That said, if you haven't heard it yet, Williams' subsequent chronological entry set can be found elsewhere in this blog. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Swaller-Tail Coat (Miller)
2. Looka-There, Ain't She Pretty (Todd)
3. St. Louis Blues (Handy)
4. How Can I Get It? (Williams)
5. On The Sunny Side Of The Street (McHugh-Fields)
6. Won't You Come Over And Say "Hello" (Barnett-Williams)
7. Old Street Sweeper (Sullivan-Gray)
8. I'm Gonna Wash My Sins Away (Williams-Brevard)
9. Jimmy Had A Nickel (Siglar-Goodhart-Hoffman)
10. He's A Colonel From Kentucky (Tobias-Scholl-Mencher-Baer)
11. Pretty Baby, Is It Yes Or No? (Williams-Brevad)
12. Mister, Will You Serenade? (Williams-Hill-Robinson)
13. I Got Horses And Got Numbers On My Mind (Bernard-Wirges-Bibo)
14. New Orleans Hop Scop Blues (Thomas)
15. Let's Have A Showdown (Pinkard-Page)
16. I Can't Dance, I Got Ants In My Pants (Gaines-Williams)
17. Christmas Night In Harlem (Parish-Scott)
18. Ill Wind (You're Blowing Me No Good) (Koehler-Arlen)
19. As Long As I Live (Arlen-Koehler)
20. Tell The Truth (Scott-O'Frye)
21. I Can't Beat You Doin' What You're Doin' Me (Piron-Williams)
22. Trouble (Rofkin-Walman-Blank)

I'm An Old Cowhand

2010-06-20T15:08:00.015-04:00

Hardly the "essential," as many of these tracks are included in other collections, and it doesn't come close to sampling his 10 year career, but it is the only commercially-produced cd that is dedicated expressly to the vocals of Chick Bullock. Some of these show up in the Frank Newton collection, others in the Classics set of Bill Coleman, and there are others from a Bunny Berigan set that I've uploaded and hope to post this month. Despite that, there are a couple of alternate takes and tunes that don't show up elsewhere such as as Going! Going! Gone!, and No-One Loves Me Like That Dallas Man. I find the latter odd, because where normally the gender is switched to match the singer, Bullock sings it from the woman's point of view. I encourage people to buy a copy of the cd because there are some good liner notes and information on the life of Chick Bullock, including a rare picture of him in his later years, plus a younger picture of his wife. Overall, a worthy set of recordings and the quality is good. But an "essential" collection has to include some of his earlier and jazzier material, as well as some of his more romantic crooning from 1930-1931. Seriously, Amapola in an "essential" collection? Incidentally, There'll Be Some Changes Made was recorded during Chick's final recording session on February 12, 1941 Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Underneath The Harlem Moon
2. Mighty River 2:51
3. (When It's) Darkness On The Delta
4. Any Time, Any Day, Anywhere
5. Going!Going!!Gone!!!
6. Low Down Upon The Harlem River
7. No-One Loves Me Like That Dallas Man
8. Extra (All About That Gal Of Mine)
9. Frankie And Johnnie
10. I Can't Dance (I've Got Ants In My Pants)
11. Somebody Loves Me
12. I'm An Old Cowhand
13. Smiles
14. It Had To Be You
15. My Melancholy Baby
16. (Back Home Again In) Indiana
17. Dolores
18. Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy)
19. Oh! How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning
20. There'll Be Some Changes Made
21. It Had To Be You
22. My Melancholy Baby
23. (Back Home Again In) Indiana
24. Oh! How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning
25. My Melancholy Baby

Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble

2010-06-17T17:46:00.003-04:00

Life is full of good intentions, but it wasn't my goal to go so long between albums. That said, however, it is World Cup time, so it's still going to be a slow month for posting until it's over. The good news is that I've got an Mildred Baily LP set, some Bunny Berigan, and more Clarence Williams lined up. In the meantime, here is another selection from the McKinney's Cotton Pickers series. I find it a little odd that the label leap-frogged with the dates to include the latter Don Redman sides, especially considering that they have his work separately. But I guess that's what you get from a label that can't spell "chronological." Anyway, this set includes performances from Benny Carter, Doc Cheatham and more. Two versions of Chant of the Weed and Reefer Man leaves little doubt in my mind what the band did to relax. Enjoy. (and go Brasil!) +

Tracks

1. Never Swat a Fly
2. I Want Your Love
3. Hello!
4. After All, You're All I'm After
5. I Miss a Little Miss
6. To Whom It May Concern
7. You're Driving Me Crazy
8. Come a Little Closer
9. It's A Lonesome Old Town (When You're Not Around)
10. She's My Secret Passion
11. Do You Believe in Love at Sight?
12. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away)
13. Chant of the Weed
14. I Heard
15. Got the South in My Soul
16. Reefer Man
17. Chew, Chew, Chew (Your Bubble Gum)
18. Igloo
19. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
20. Ain't I Good to You
21. You Ain't Nowhere
22. About Rip Van Winkle
23. Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble
24. Chant of the Weed

Recording dates
Nov 4, 1930-Jan 17, 1940

Sloppy Drunk Blues

2010-06-01T19:37:00.001-04:00

Good grief, another month gone by. Here's another one of those tangents, though not irrelevant once you give a listen. During my search for Chick Bullock, in the days prior to having discographies available, I stumbled across some Clarence Williams' cds featuring the singer. Even better than adding a paltry four or five vocals to my Bullock collection, I now had yet another disc of cool music. Which means of course, another chance to share with everyone. The years covered here range from 1926 to 1939, and include Johnny Dodds, Clarence Williams, Louis Armstrong and others. Wine pairing recommendation: none. Open up a bottle of good beer. Repeat as needed. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Little Bits - Jimmy Bertrand's Washboard Wizards (featuring Johnny Dodds) 1926
2. Idle Hour Special - Jimmy Bertrand's Washboard Wizards (featuring Johnny Dodds) 1926
3. 47th Street Stomp - Jimmy Bertrand's Washboard Wizards (featuring Johnny Dodds) 1926
4. Cushion Foot Stomp - Clarence Williams Washboard Band 1927
5. PDQ Blues - Clarence Williams Washboard Band 1927
6. I'm Goin' Hunting - Jimmy Bertrand's Washboard Wizards (featuring Louis Armstrong) 1927
7. Forty And Tight - Beale Street Washboard Band (featuring Johnny Dodds) 1929
8. Piggly Wiggly - Beale Street Washboard Band (featuring Johnny Dodds) 1929
9. Pigmeat Stomp - Alabama Washboard Stompers (featuring Teddy Bunn) 1930/1932
10. Wild Man Stomp - Chicago Stompers (featuring Jimmy Blythe) 1931
11. Stomp Your Stuff - Chicago Stompers (featuring Jimmy Blythe) 1931
12. Pepper Steak - Alabama Washboard Stompers (featuring Teddy Bunn) 1930/1932
13. Sloppy Drunk Blues - Washboard Rhythm Kings 1932
14. Fire - Washboard Rhythm Kings 1932
15. Warehouse Blues - Washboard Sam & His Washboard Band 1938/1939
16. Booker T. Blues - Washboard Sam & His Washboard Band 1938/1939
17. This Time Is My Time - Washboard Sam & His Washboard Band 1938/1939
18. Block And Tackle - Washboard Sam & His Washboard Band 1938/1939

Shoo The Hoodoo Away

2010-05-12T09:00:00.004-04:00

Three posts in a week! Here is an LP-rip from a 1960s EMI release of Ambrose and His Orchestra recordings during their stay at the Mayfair Hotel between 1928-1932. To quote the liner notes by none other than Brian Rust himself, "the songs on this record are a random collection: choosing a representative cross-section from so much bounty was something of a problem. Where to start? Finally, we settled for something for everyone: something for those who like a good tune offered in quiet good taste; something for those who prefer something a little more adventurous musically; something for those who enjoy and appreciate the finer points of a good solo passage by a brilliant star of the Ahola or Polo calibre; something everyone knows because the melody has lingered on; and something which for some reason is not heard nowadays much, if at all, but which will arouse happy memories of those great days of peace and optimism." A bounty indeed! As Rust later suggests, 'Leven Thirty Saturday Night is a fantastic tune, and I'll add that Sam Browne doesn't disappoint on any of the eleven vocals he handles here. I took a high-res photo of both front and back covers which should make it easy to read the full notes by simply opening the image found in the file. My copy is amazingly clean, and there was only the very slightest editing done. It sounded great to me, hopefully others will agree. Enjoy. +

Tracks

Side One

1. The Free And Easy (vocal: Sam Browne) (Turk-Ahert)
2. Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You) (vocal: Sam Browne) (Kalmar-Ruby)
3. Singapore Sorrows (Le Soir-Doll)
4. Happy Go Lucky You (vocal: Sam Browne) (Murray-Goodhart-Hoffman)
5. Exactly Like You (vocal: Sam Browne) (Fields-McHugh)
6. A Bench In The Park (vocal: Sam Browne) (Yellen-Ager)

Side Two

1. 'Leven Thirty Saturday Night (vocal: Sam Browne) (Burnett-Grantham-Kirkpatrick)
2. Love Letters In The Sand (vocal: Sam Browne) (Coots-Kenny)
3. My Baby Just Cares For Me (vocal: Sam Browne) (Kahn-Donaldson)
4. Cryin' For The Carolines (vocal: Sam Browne) (Lewis-Young-Warren)
5. Shoo The Hoodoo Away (vocal: Ella Logan and Sam Browne) (Snyder-Harris)
6. Moanin' For You (vocal: Sam Browne) (Goulding-Dougherty)

But The Fair Señorita Doesn't Seem To Care

2010-05-10T21:26:00.001-04:00

As I attempt to bring the monthly post count back up to a respectable consistency, I offer up some Allan Jones for the discerning ear. Even though I'm a huge fan of classic films, I only first heard the infectious Donkey Serenade a few years ago in an RCA collection of 1930s music (which is in the queue to be posted soon). I don't really go much for the more operatic style in general, but sometimes one cannot help it. Jones had a terrific voice, and could act well enough to get the lead in Showboat opposite Irene Dunne. Comedy fans might recognize him opposite the Marx Brothers in A Night At The Opera and A Day At The Races. As irrelevant tangents sometimes lead, future posts will include the soundtracks from the Marx Brothers films, as well as a Jerome Kern tribute that includes some vocals by Irene Dunne. Someday. Anyway, this post was supposed to be about Jones, whose immense talent reportedly caused Nelson Eddy to get most of the former's footage cut from the Eddy/MacDonald film Rose Marie in 1936. If true, I wish he had not succeeded, but at least we can still listen to Jones' music. I have no Nelson Eddy in my collection though. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody [From the Great Ziegfeld]
2. Everything's Been Done Before [From Reckless]
3. Alone [From a Night at the Opera] - Kitty Carlisle Hart, Allan Jones
4. Cosi Cosa [From a Night at the Opera]
5. Make Believe [From Show Boat] - Irene Dunne, Allan Jones
6. I Have the Room Above Her [From Show Boat] - Irene Dunne, Allan Jones
7. You Are Love [From Show Boat] - Irene Dunne, Allan Jones
8. Blue Venetian Waters [From a Day at the Races]
9. Tomorrow Is Another Day [From a Day at the Races]
10. Woman's Kiss [From the Firefly] - Allan Jones, Jeanette MacDonald
11. Donkey Serenade [From the Firefly]
12. Giannina Mia [From the Firefly]
13. Sympathy [From the Firefly] - Allan Jones, Jeanette MacDonald
14. Donkey Serenade/Giannina Mia (Reprise) [From the Firefly] - Allan Jones, Jeanette MacDonald
15. First Thing in the Morning [From Everybody Sing]
16. Down on Melody Farm/Quartet from Rigoletto [From Everybody Sing] - Judy Garland, Allan Jones
17. One I Love [From Everybody Sing]
18. Show Must Go On [From Everybody Sing]
19. Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life [From the Great Victor Herbert] - Allan Jones, Mary Martin
20. There Once Was an Owl [From the Great Victor Herbert] - Allan Jones, Mary Martin
21. Thine Alone [From the Great Victor Herbert] - Allan Jones, Mary Martin
22. Wonderful Dreams/All for You [From the Great Victor Herbert] - Allan Jones, Mary Martin
23. Someday [From the Great Victor Herbert]
24. I'm Falling in Love With Someone [From Naughty Marietta]
25. Falling in Love With Love [From the Boys from Syracuse]
26. Who Are You? [From the Boys from Syracuse]
27. Sweethearts [From Sweethearts]

Cuban Belle

2010-05-09T18:03:00.001-04:00

When Don Azpiazu and his Havana Casino Orchestra recorded their version of El Manicero (known to gringos like me as The Peanut Vendor), they lit a Latin American-influenced fuse that became an enormous fad in the 1930s. You can find that song (as well as Green Eyes featuring my favorite vocalist) in the Don Azpiazu post elsewhere in this site. This cd is quite simply a fantastic collection of music, full of energy that makes me want to rumba (and if I had to dance for my supper, I'd starve). The band featured here is lead by Don Antobal, the brother of Azpiazu. The vocalist on 12 - count them, 12 - songs, is non other than Chiquito Bullo. No, really. That's the pseudonym they came up with, no doubt laughing about it every time.

Eusebio Santiago Azpiazu took the stage name of Don Mario Antobal (for unknown reasons, according to the liner notes, but surely it must have been to avoid confusion/coattail riding with his brother's band?). Azpiazu's band broke up in Paris in 1933, with some of the musicians finding their way into Antobal's unit for some of the later recordings, though the session info seems to be sparse. Track # 1 is the only to feature Azpiazu vocalist Antonio Machín. Most of the tunes here were written by Marion Sunshine or Moïses Simons (or both), the latter having written El Manicero. Well, there is a lot more info in the 9 pages of liner notes, so I will stop writing and recommend picking up a copy of the cd. Great music, including twelve Chick Bullock vocals! Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. La Mulata Rumbera
2. Los Tres Golpes
3. Para Vigo Me Voy (Say "Si Si")
4. Marianna
5. Hot Tamales
6. Mammy Bong
7. Spic And Spanish
8. Songo Songo
9. A Gozar (Let's Be Gay)
10. La Conga (Havana's Calling Me)
11. The Moon Over Cuba Was High And So Was I
12. My Margarita
13. Virgen (In A Cuban Garden)
14. El Trapero (Old Clothes)
15. The All Look Alike To Pancho
16. El Maraquero
17. The Night The Lady Said "No"
18. Tierra Tropical (The Cuban In Me)
19. No Se Puede (Said The Monkey)
20. Vienne La Conga
21. Cachita
22. Conga Karabalicero (Conga Drums)
23. Blue Bayou
24. Cuban Belle
25. Onile Bó (Whoa, Nellie, Whoa)

All recorded in New York:

29 December 1932    01, 02
4 May 1936                03, 04
18 May 1936              05
7 January 1937           06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 16
21 January 1937         11
2 July 1937                 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19
16 December 1937     21, 22, 23, 24, 25

Vocalists:

Antonio Machín           01
Panchito Risét              03, 13, 19, 20
Johnny Rodriguez         06, 08, 09, 16
Alfredo Valdés             22, 25
Chiquito Bullo              04, 05, 06, 07, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 21, 23, 24
(Chick Bullock)

The Dixieland Band

2010-04-30T15:09:00.000-04:00

I know that everyone out there bought lots of vinyl/shellac on Record Store Day a week ago or so, right? Although I didn't acquire this item recently, I found it in a shop (now closed, alas) along with several others from this label. Unfortunately I do not have the entire run of Bob Crosby, but I'll share what I can. This first set in chronological order goes from June 1, 1935 to November 8, 1935. Looking through Rust's info, there are some titles that they missed, but only about three or four, I think. Bob Crosby had a long career that included several bands, films, and even taking over from Phil Harris as bandleader on the Jack Benny Program for the program's final years. And compared to his more famous brother, Bob could certainly hold his own in the vocals department. The back cover image (included in the file) has further track information. Enjoy. +

Tracks

Side One

A1 Flowers For Madame
A2 The Dixieland Band
A3 In A Little Gypsy Tea Room
A4 Beale Street Blues
A5 I’m In The Mood For Love
A6 East Of The Sun (And West Of The Moon)
A7 Two Together

Side Two

B1 And Then Some
B2 Tender Is The Night
B3 Roll Along, Prairie Moon
B4 Treasure Island
B5 At Your Service, Madame
B6 Here’s To Romance
B7 I Found A Dream

Hello Montreal!

2010-04-21T12:38:00.000-04:00

This is one of my favorite cd finds because it includes so much fun music. One of the best things about Chick Bullock's music is that he recorded with so many different people, so that if you're someone who enjoys following the tangents whether or not they are relevant, the paths often lead to all sorts of discoveries (such as learning that the Waring Blender was developed by Fred). I can't recall this particular path, but I think it was a result of Glorianna and not the Bullock vocals. Poley McClintock's vocals are unmistakable, and he's been credited as one of the inspirations for the voice of Popeye.This collection includes sides recorded between March 1928 and November 1932, while Waring's Pennsylvanians were at their hottest. I wish they had included Any Ice Today, Lady? but the exclusion just means I have to find it elsewhere. Fred Waring himself is also heard on several vocals, showing that he could hold his own. I also have a cd included in the Waring biography by his daughter, which I'll post in the future. Look below the track listings for the personnel. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Farewell Blues (a) (v. Fred Waring & the band)
2. Bolshevik (a) (v. Poley McClintock & the band)
3. Hello Montreal! (a) (v. Fred Waring & the band)
4. Stack O'Lee Blues (b)
5. What A Night For Spooning (c) (v. Clare Hanlon)
6. Glorianna (c) (v. Clare Hanlon)
7. Navy Blues (d) (v. Clare Hanlon & quartet including P. McClintock)
8. Hello Baby (d) (v. William Morgan)
9. Good For You, Bad For Me (d) (v. Fred Waring)
10. Red Hot Chicago (d) (v. Fred Waring)
11. How'm I Doin'? (e) (v. Poley McClintock & the band)
12. I Heard (f) (vocal scat by Scat Davis, Frank Zullo & Poley McClintock)
13. Old Yazoo (g) (v. Frank Zullo & the band)
14. Holding My Honey's Hand (g) (v. Chick Bullock & Poley McClintock)
15. The Old Man Of The Mountain (g) (v. Chick Bullock & Poley McClintock)
16. You'll Get By (h)
17. Fit As A Fiddle (h) (v. male quartet)
18. Young And Healthy (h) (v. Tom Waring)
19. Dance Selections (h)
20. Flying Colors (h)

Waring's Pennsylvanians: Fred Waring directing: (a) Nelson Keller, George Culley and an unknown (t); Jim Gaillard and an unknown (tb); Fred Campbell (cl, as, bars, f); Will Morgan (cl, as); Earl Gardner (as); Elton Cockerill (cl, ts); Bill Townsend, Francis Foster, Scott Bates (vn); Tom Waring (p); Paul Mertz (p, arr); Fred Buck (bj, arr); Ed Rabel (bbs); Poley McClintock (d); vocals as indicated. (b) Fourth trumpted added. (c) Both unknown trumpets omitted; Clare Hanlon replaces the unknown trombone; Frank W. Hower (p) replaces Tom Waring. Two pianos used on #5. (d) add Wade Schegel, aka Dake Wade (t), Stuart Churchill (t, as, x) replaces Culley; one violin omitted; Charles Henderson (p) replaces Mertz. (e) Add Johnny "Scat" Davis (t); Gene Conklin (tb) replaces Gardener, strings omitted; Lou Bonnies (g) replaces Buck (bj); arrangements by Leo Vauchant. (f) Frank Zullo (t) replaces Schlegel; add unknown reed. (g) Davis Conklin and unknown fifth sax player omitted, Spencer Clark (bass) replaces Rabel (bbs). (h) Eddie Radel added on string bass. Note: the typos are as in the liner notes (i.e., the spelling of Schegel & Gardner).

There's A Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder

2010-04-07T11:56:00.000-04:00

I've fallen behind in my posting, so by request, here is an extended post of old Al Jolson from his glory days. Since I had to do some research on this anyway, this post marks a brief change in that I decided to include two additional collections which I had downloaded via a pay site. As for the label of the first CD, or lack thereof, I no longer have the booklet of this out-of-print disk (formerly an LP) that was issued by an Italian company and was unable to find one on the internet. The set also included records by Marlene Deitrich (I'm missing that booklet, too) and Cab Calloway (which I didn't get because his music is covered on Classics Chronological. If you have an invitation to Reci's Oldies blog, you can see the Calloway cover there. They were identical except for the photo and number of tracks of the featured artist.

Ok, on to the music! The first half of the cd includes recordings from the 1920s, while the latter half are re-recorded versions from late in Jolson's career (1940s). For some unfortunate reason, these latter recordings used a process that makes them sound as if they were overdubbed in an echo chamber, not to mention string sections taking the place of some fine jazz of the originals. From what I can tell by listening to Jolson in other media (e.g, old radio shows such as Eddie Cantor, Bing Crosby), he still had the pipes to sound good without using such a crutch.

The additional sets are listed below, and are nearly entirely transfers from original 78s. Surely there are better copies of Jolson discs in circulation that they could have used? Not even at Columbia? Oh well, at least we get to listen to him in his prime, even if these are simple transfers of low-fidelity recordings made with the use of a horn. Jolie sure could give a performance, that's for sure. As usual, Columbia's Art Deco series does not fail to satisfy, and includes sides from 1913 to 1925, when Jolson was in his prime. The other set, Black and White, has a mere 12 tracks, yet includes tunes likewise not heard on most Jolson collections. Disclaimer: the bitrates range from 96 to 192, and though I didn't hear any issues with the files, they are what they are and I cannot re-rip them should there be any problems. IFinally, I was initially going to add my own Jolson 78s, but most are covered in the additional collections which probably sound cleaner anyway. I am sure that I had several more sides, but apparently I may have sold them before recording them. Never be in a hurry to get rid of vintage records! Enjoy. + + +

Tracks

Al Jolson: 25 Phonographic Memories

1. California, Here I Come - March 1924
2. The One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else) - March 1924
3. I'm Sittin' On Top Of the World - December 1925
4. Miami - December 1925
5. Tonight's My Night With Baby - May 1926
6. Golden Gate - December 1927
7. My Mammy - 1927
8. There's A Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder - August 1928
9. Why Can't You - April 1929
10. Liza (All The Clouds Will Roll Away) - August 1929
11. When The Little Red Roses (Get The Blues For You) - 1930
12. Swanee
13. Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody
14. Sonny Boy
15. You Made Me Love You
16. For Me And My Gal
17. Let Me Swing And I'm Happy
18. Give My Regards To Broadway
19. Alabamy Bound
20. When The Red Red Robin Goes Bob Bob Bobbin' Along
21. Toot Toot Tootsie (Goodbye)
22. Carolina In The Morning
23. April Showers
24. Ma Blushin' Rosie (Ma Posie Sweet)
25. Easter Parade

You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet: Jolie's Finest Columbia Recordings (Columbia 1994) Art Deco Series

1. That Little German Band
2. Everybody Snap Your Fingers With Me
3. Back to the Carolina You Love
4. Revival Day Berlin
5. Sister Susie's Sewing Shirts for Soldiers
6. Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula
7. Where Did Robinson Crusoe Go (With Friday on Saturday Night)?
8. Down Where the Swanee River Flows
9. I Sent My Wife to the Thousand Isles
10. Tell That to the Marines
11. I'll Say She Does
12. On the Road to Calais
13. Swanee
14. In Sweet September
15. Avalon
16. O-Hi-O (O-My-O)
17. April Showers
18. Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goodbye
19. Morning Will Come
20. Stella
21. Waitin' for the Evening Mail
22. Hallelujah, I'm a Bum
23. You Are Too Beautiful
24. Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody

Black and White (Magnum Collections, 2001)

1. Snap Your Fingers (And Away We Go)
2. The Spaniard That Blighted My Life
3. My Yellow Jacket Girl
4. A Sleep in the Deep
5. That Lovin' Traumerei
6. Brass Band Ephraham Jones
7. That Haunting Melody
8. Rum Tum Tiddle
9. The Pullman Porter's Parade
10. You Made Me Love You
11. Sister Susie's Sewing Shirts for Soldiers
12. When the Grown Up Ladies Act Like Babies

Scene Changes

2010-04-06T09:27:00.000-04:00

Today I offer the second volume of Dick McDonough and His Orchestra, which I picked up solely for the Chick Bullock vocals. As the sole reviewer at Amazon noted (here), the collection is a disappointment and doesn't really highlight the artist. McDonough was a fine guitarist, but it isn't easy to hear that from these recordings as the music is essentially standard arrangements. On top of that, the transcription from 78 rpm to CD wasn't the best and there is sometimes more than a little surface noise and even clicks. Other reviewers warn about consistent sloppiness by the producer, but given my own amateur restorations, I am not one to complain. Besides, I was able to hear several Chick Bullock recordings that I still haven't found on 78. The last few tracks are Gene Gifford and His Orchestra. Alas, no liner notes with the CD to show who plays what, or when. I also have Volume 1, but will get to that later. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Take My Heart - Chick Bullock, Dick McDonough
2. Stars in My Eyes - Dick McDonough
3. Scene Changes - Chick Bullock, Dick McDonough
4. When the Moon Hangs High - Buddy Clark, Buddy Clark, Dick McDonough
5. South Sea Island Magic - Buddy Clark, Buddy Clark, Dick McDonough
6. Afterglow - Buddy Clark, Buddy Clark, Dick McDonough
7. I'm One Step Ahead of My Shadow - Chick Bullock, Dick McDonough
8. Now or Never - Chick Bullock, Dick McDonough
9. Love, What Are You Doing to My Heart - Dick McDonough, Larry Stewart, Larry Stewart
10. You're Giving Me a Song and a Dance - Dick McDonough, Larry Stewart, Larry Stewart
11. Girl on the Police Gazette - Chick Bullock, Dick McDonough
12. Mood That I'm In - Dick McDonough, Barry McKinley
13. I've Got Beginner's Luck - Dick McDonough, Barry McKinley
14. Shall We Dance - Dick McDonough, Barry McKinley
15. Two Hearts Are Dancing - Dick McDonough, Barry McKinley
16. And Then They Call It Love - Dick McDonough, Barry McKinley
17. You're Looking for Romance - Dick McDonough, Barry McKinley
18. My Cabin of Dreams - Dick McDonough, Barry McKinley
19. You and I Know - Dick McDonough, Howard Phillips
20. Old Flame Never Dies - Dick McDonough, Howard Phillips
21. That Old Feeling - Dick McDonough, Howard Phillips
22. Nothin' But the Blues - Gene Gifford, Wingy Manone
23. New Orleans Twist - Gene Gifford
24. Squareface - Gene Gifford, Wingy Manone
25. Dizzy Glide - Gene Gifford, Wingy Manone

Lindy Hopper's Delight

2010-03-18T19:46:00.000-04:00

In case you are one of those people who cannot chew bubble gum and walk at the same time, here is the next collection in the Classics series. This set includes twenty-two tunes with Ella leading the band after Chick Webb's passing. While the last cd had several tunes sugary enough to induce a diabetic coma, this set seems to find Ella and the gang somewhat reigning in the pop with some nice covers of standards. And then there's the wubba dolly which suggests to me that while Ella was the nominal leader, perhaps she hadn't yet acquired the confidence to really take charge. But I'm just guessing. Enjoy +.

Tracks

1. My Last Goodbye
2. Billy (I Always Dream of Billy)
3. Please Tell Me the Truth
4. I'm Not Complaining
5. You're Gonna Lose Your Gal
6. After I Say I'm Sorry
7. Baby, What Else Can I Do?
8. My Wubba Dolly (Rubber Dolly)
9. Lindy Hopper's Delight
10. Moonray
11. Is There Somebody Else?
12. Sugar Blues
13. Starlit Hour
14. What's the Matter With Me?
15. Baby, Won't You Please Come Home
16. If It Weren't for You
17. Sing Song Swing
18. Imagination
19. Take It from the Top
20. Tea Dance
21. Jubilee Swing
22. Deedle-De-Dum

The Dipsy Doodle

2010-03-10T11:03:00.002-05:00

Corrected info!

Apologies to all who downloaded the previous link! And thanks to those who let me know about the discrepancy. Ok - let's try this one again. I don't know how I managed to mislabel a rip, but the file that I thought was 1939 is in fact Ella singing with Chick Webb's Orchestra 1937-1938. This, despite the fact that I listened to the entire cd twice to make sure that there were no errors! All you should need to do is rename the folder, as the song files should all be fine otherwise. I have also updated the track listing below. No bubble gum this trip, but now I think I'll re-rip the other Ella cds I have just to make sure everything is okay the next time. Enjoy.+

Tracks

1. Big Boy Blue
2. Dedicated to You
3. You Showed Me the Way
4. Cryin' Mood
5. Love Is the Thing So They Say
6. All or Nothing at All
7. If You Ever Should Leave
8. Everyone's Wrong But Me
9. Deep in the Heart of the South
10. Just a Simple Melody
11. I Got a Guy
12. Holiday in Harlem
13. Rock It for Me
14. I Want to Be Happy
15. The Dipsy Doodle
16. If Dreams Come True
17. Hallelujah
18. Bei Mir Bist du Schön
19. It's My Turn Now
20. It's Wonderful
21. I Was Doing All Right
22. A-Tisket, A-Tasket

I've Got The World On A String

2010-03-02T21:46:00.002-05:00

I could swear that I had already shared this one, but I guess I just overlooked it after uploading. Here's an internet review from Bruce Woolf: "The Spirits of Rhythm were vocalists of the "jive" tradition, who could sing scat with the best of them. This collection follows the Spirits from their heyday in the 1930s through personnel changes in the 1940s, and includes 7 tracks where they back either Red McKenzie or Ella Logan.

The Spirits originally consisted of Leo Watson, Wilbur Daniels, Douglas Daniels, Teddy Bunn and Virgil Scoggins. This aggregation produced the 24 October and 20 November 1933 recording sessions. Bassist Wilson Myers joined the group beginning with the 6 December 1933 session. In 1941, Scoggins and Myers had left the group, and Wellman Braud was playing bass. The final Spirits of Rhythm session in January of 1945 featured a new lineup - only Leo Watson and Teddy Bunn remained from the original group, augmented by Leonard Feather, Ulysses Livingston, Red Callender, and Georgie Vann. Even though the McKenzie sides ooze "corn," this package is still recommended listening for all who are interested in the roots of vocal group harmony. The Spirits of Rhythm were among the progenitors of what was to become the "jump" side of of the Rock 'N' Roll tradition." Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. I Got Rhythm (24 Oct 1933)
2. Nobody's Sweetheart (20 Nov 1933)
3. I Got Rhythm (20 Nov 1933)
4. I've Got The World On A String (20 Nov 1933)
5. Rhythm (20 Nov 1933)
6. I'll Be Ready When The Great Day Comes (6 Dec 1933)
7. My Old Man (6 Dec 1933)
8. 'Way Down Yonder In New Orleans - Red McKenzie & the Spirits of Rhythm - (11 Sep 1934)
9. I've Got The World On A String - Red McKenzie & the Spirits of Rhythm - (11 Sep 1934)
10. From Monday On - Red McKenzie & the Spirits of Rhythm - (11 Sep 1934)
11. As Long As I Live - Red McKenzie & the Spirits of Rhythm - (11 Sep 1934)
12. Junk Man (14 Sep 1934)
13. Dr. Watson And Mr. Holmes (14 Sep 1934)
14. That's What I Hate About You (14 Sep 1934)
15. Shoutin' In The Amen Corner (14 Sep 1934)
16. It's A Long, Long Way From Tipperary - Ella Logan & the Spirits of Rhythm - (4 Sep 1941)
17. I Woke Up With A Teardrop In My Eye - Ella Logan & the Spirits of Rhythm - (4 Sep 1941)
18. From Monday On - Ella Logan & the Spirits of Rhythm - (4 Sep 1941)
19. Walkin' This Town (4 Sep 1941)
20. We've Got The Blues (4 Sep 1941)
21. Honeysuckle Rose (Honey-Sock-Me-On-The-Nose) (24 Jan 1945)
22. Scattin' The Blues (24 Jan 1945)
23. Suspicious Blues (24 Jan 1945)
24. She Ain't No Saint (24 Jan 1945)
25. Last Call Blues (24 Jan 1945)
26. Coquette (Chicken Croquette) (24 Jan 1945)

It's Tight Like That

2010-02-22T13:00:00.001-05:00

At last, a new post. And there's more where this came from, too. This McKinney's Cotton Pickers disc precedes the one posted some time ago (check the tabs) and has some very good tunes, including two versions of Four or Five Times and a version of Stardust. Milenberg Joys is another good one. Don Redman and the band were still playing some hot jazz with tight arrangements before turning a bit sweeter as they entered the 1930s. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Four Or Five Times
2. Put It There (Shag Nasty)
3. Crying And Sighing
4. Milenberg Joys
5. Cherry
6. Stop Kidding (Neckbones And Sauerkraut)
7. Nobody's Sweetheart
8. Some Sweet Day
9. Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble
10. Paducah - The Chocolate Dandies
11. Star Dust - The Chocolate Dandies
12. Birmingham Breakdown - The Chocolate Dandies
13. Four Or Five Times - The Chocolate Dandies
14. It's Tight Like That
15. There's A Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder
16. It's A Precious Little Thing Called Love
17. Save It, Pretty Mama
18. I've Found A New Baby
19. Will You, Won't You Be My Babe?
20. Beedle-Um-Bum
21. Do Something
22. Sellin' That Stuff

Chegou!

2010-02-11T07:02:00.000-05:00

Chegou! Good news - well, the best actually. After approximately 4800 miles our stuff arrived this past Saturday and the turntable, 78s and cds are intact. Carnaval begins tomorrow night, so next week I'll begin posting more from my collection. And thanks to a ton of bubble wrap and sturdy boxes, there is still a lot of great Chick Bullock music to hear. :-)

Gimme A Pigfoot And A Bottle Of Beer

2010-01-08T09:11:00.001-05:00

This is one of the few cds I managed to upload before the move. This is a 2-cd set from Jasmine which I picked up because it came up in the search criteria for Chick Bullock. From the notes: "Frank Newton had a special sound… he always believed in giving the people something different," the trombonist Dicky Wells once observed. Jazz historian Al Rose described Newton as "... an exciting, inventive trumpet player." Despite such acclaim, the career of one of jazz trumpet's most individualistic, dynamic stylists has been consigned largely to the footnotes and margins of the music's history. During his relatively short life (he died aged 48 in 1954) in a chequered career dogged by frequent bouts of ill health, Frank Newton still managed to record some 150 titles. ... At various times he is to be heard performing alongside soprano saxophonist Sidney Bechet; alto saxophonist Pete Brown; tenor saxophonists Don Byas and Bud Freeman; trombonists J.C. Higginbotham and Dicky Wells; pianists James P. Johnson, Willie "The Lion" Smith and Teddy Wilson; plus the singers Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith and Maxine Sullivan." And, of course, Chick Bullock, who handles the vocals on tracks 5-8 with Art Karle & His Boys. Although these four tracks are also available in the Mezz Mezzrow post, it is well worth hearing a third of Newton's recorded career. Enjoy. + +

Track List

Disc One:

Cecil Scott's Bright Boys
1. Bright Boy Blues
2. Springfield Stomp

Bessie Smith
3. Gimme a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer
4. Take Me For a Buggy Ride

Art Karle & His Boys
5. Moon Over Miami
6. I Feel Like a Feather in the Breeze
7. Susannah
8. Lights Out

Mezz Mezzrow Swing Band
9. Lost
10. Mutiny in the Parlour
11. The Panic is On

Teddy Hill Orchestra
12. At the Rug Cutter's Ball
13. Blue Rhythm Fantasy
14. Passionette

Frank Newton Uptown Serenaders
15. You Showed Me the Way
16. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
17. Who's Sorry Now? take 1
18. Who's Sorry Now? take 2

Teddy Hill NBC Orchestra
19. Big Boy Blue

Frank Newton Uptown Serenaders
20. I Found a New Baby
21. The Brittwood Stomp
22. 'cause My Baby Says It's So
23. The Onyx Hop

Charlie Barnet Orchestra
24. Emperor Jones

Maxine Sullivan
25. Blue Skies

Willie "The Lion" Smith
26. I've Got To Think It Over

Midge Williams Jazz Jesters
27. The Lady Is A Tramp

Disc Two

Buster Bailey Rhythm Busters
1. Chained To a Dream

Frank Newton Orchestra
2. Rosetta
3. Minor Jive
4. The World is Waiting for the Sunrise
5. Who?
6. The Blues My Baby Gave To Me
7. Rompin'

Frank Newton Quintet
8. Daybreak Blues

Port Of Harlem Jazzmen
9. Port of Harlem Blues
10. Mighty Blues
11. Rocking the Blues

Frank Newton Café Society Orchestra
12. Jitters
13. Frankie's Jump
14. Jam Fever # A
15. Jam Fever # B

Billie Holiday
16. Strange Fruit

Port Of Harlem Jazzmen
17. Blues for Tommy

Frank Newton Quintet
18. After Hours Blues

Frank Newton Café Society Orchestra
19. Vamp
20. Parallel Fifths

Buck Ram All Stars
21. Twilight in Teheran
22. Morning Mist
23. Swing Street

Happy New Year!

2009-12-30T14:26:00.000-05:00

Good news - the container with all of our belongs (most importantly, my 78s and cds) has reportedly arrived at the nearby port. Now, how long it will take for customs to clear everything remains to be seen. It is the holidays after all, and it also happens to be summer here in Brasil. The combination of which has been known to have deadly effect on the amount of work one might perform. And we haven't even considered other variables such as the beach or beer. Heck, even I keep distracting myself from work - as evidenced by the fact that I am posting this note.

So to cut to the quick, very soon I hope to post some more great Chick Bullock tunes that you will not find elsewhere, as well as more from my cd collection. My fingers are crossed in anticipation.

And a happy new year to everyone out there!

Non-Stop Flight

2009-12-07T09:00:00.013-05:00

Desperately trying to post more than once a month, for Dec. 7th here is another Shaw collection from the time when Europe was already in the early stages of WWII. If you're like me, you'll like the imperfect sound from these live airchecks of Artie Shaw for the fact that they're not crisp and clean. It helps me imagine the music coming from the one big speaker from a 30's radio. I don't mind the announcer talking over the intros, or the corny chit-chat. In any case, the music is great and there are some very good tunes here. I just wish we had more of these live broadcasts. In the future I will post another Shaw broadcast with Robert Benchley. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Nightmare (Theme)
2. Begin the Beguine
3. Deep in a Dream
4. Back Bay Shuffle
5. Non-Stop Flight
6. I Have Eyes
7. Carioca
8. Better Than Average Girl
9. Jungle Drums
10. I Cried for You
11. Back Bay Shuffle
12. My Heart Belongs to Daddy
13. I Want My Share of Love
14. Diga Diga Doo, Pt. 1
15. Diga Diga Doo, Pt. 2
16. It's All Yours
17. Rosalie
18. Zigeuner
19. Copenhagen
20. Pastel Blue
21. Traffic Jam
22. I'm in Love With the Honorable Mr. So-And-So
23. Chant
24. Prosschai (Goodbye, Goodbye)
25. Nightmare (Theme)

Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue

2009-11-13T09:00:00.003-05:00

The reviewer at Allmusic.com bemoans the fact that ASV opts to include less popular versions (or British) vs. the hit versions, specifically Gene Austin's version of today's post title. I think he misses the point - that the collection is about the songwriter, not the performer. Relying on the hit versions would be too easy. Besides, Austin is represented here and now we get to hear the California Rambers (at least one of their lineups) and widen our exposure to the great music of the 20s and 30s. On another note, I can't imagine how Paul Robeson must have felt when he was given Henderson's tune to record. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Best Things in Life Are Free - Jack Hylton Orchestra
2. I'm Sitting on Top of the World - Frank Crumit
3. Don't Bring Lulu - Nathan Glantz & His Orchestra
4. Lucky Day - Howard Lanin & His Orchestra
5. Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue (Has Anybody Seen My Girl) - California Ramblers
6. (Here I Am) Brokenhearted - Gene Austin
7. Black Bottom Stomp - Annette Hanshaw
8. Bye Bye Blackbird - Layton & Johnstone
9. Magnolia - Johnny Marvin
10. Varsity Drag - Zelma O'Neal
11. Sonny Boy - Al Jolson
12. You're the Cream in My Coffee - Ruth Etting
13. If I Had a Talking Picture of You - Sam Browne with the Jack Hylton Orchestra
14. I'm a Dreamer, Aren't We All? - Frank Luther
15. Sunny Side Up - Joe Cassidy
16. Button up Your Overcoat - Ruth Etting
17. My Song - Rudy Vallée
18. That's Why Darkies Were Born - Paul Robeson
19. Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries - Hutch
20. Thrill Is Gone - Rudy Vallée
21. My Dog Loves Your Dog - Cliff "Ukelele Ike" Edwards
22. Animal Crackers in My Soup - Shirley Temple
23. Birth of the Blues - Bing Crosby, Jack Teagarden Orchestra
24. Together - Helen Forrest, Dick Haymes
25. Let's Call It a Day - Hutch

My Blue Heaven

2009-11-11T11:00:00.009-05:00

Today marks one year since I began this blog. I meant to post some WWI tunes for Remembrance Day but my audio software is on my other computer somewhere at sea. Instead, this post was published on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. This is another series that I like. Often these collections are routine retreads of everything that has already been published on 45 different cds or LPs (think of all those "anthologies" that are little more than a couple of tracks by Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Ellington, etc.). I like this cd because it doesn't include either Frenesi or Begin the Beguine. One of my favorite tunes of all time is My Blue Heaven, and I think Shaw gives it a pretty good treatment. At the time I purchased this, I was familiar with only a couple of titles. For me, that is the best time to pick up some music. It is an opportunity for discovery. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Love and Learn
2. Moon Face
3. The Same Old Line
4. You Can Tell She Comes from Dixie
5. Sobbin' Blues
6. Copenhagen
7. Cream Puff
8. My Blue Heaven
9. Streamline
10. Sweet Lorraine
11. Love Is Good for Anything That Ails You
12. No More Tears
13. Moonlight and Shadows
14. Was It Rain?
15. All Alone
16. All God's Chillun Got Rhythm
17. It Goes to Your Feet
18. Because I Love You

Whatchya Gonna Swing Tonight?

2009-10-29T09:00:00.003-04:00

I love a good melody, and there's a load of tunes here to keep you whistling for a while. Or at least until my next post. :-) I think they could have done without two consecutive Crosby solo tunes but will forgive the duet with Connee Boswell because it's Connee Boswell. I never tire of Tommy Dorsey's Marie, and somewhere I have a live version featuring Sinatra that I'll try to locate if and when all of our things arrive via container. Which reminds me, at some point thereafter I plan to post the four cds of complete Dorsey/Sinatra recordings (the sampler cd was posted some time back). In any case, I'm pretty sure this is the last 'Hits of' disc in my collection. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Bei Mir Bist Du Schon - Andrews Sisters
2. On The Sunny Side Of The Street - Louis Armstrong
3. Rockin' Chair - Mildred Bailey
4. That Old Feeling - Connee Boswell
5. Will You Remember - Sam Costa
6. Bob White - Bing Crosby & Connie Boswell
7. Moon Got In My Eyes - Bing Crosby
8. Sweet Leilani - Bing Crosby
9. I've Got You Under My Skin - Frances Day
10. Marie - Tommy Dorsey
11. Moon At Sea - Shep Fields
12. Leaning On A Lamp Post - George Formby
13. All God's Chillun Got Rhythm - Judy Garland
14. To Mary With Love - Geraldo
15. Oh They're Tough Mighty Tough In The West - Nat Gonella
16. Pennies From Heaven - Nat Gonella
17. Nice Work If You Can Get It - Billie Holiday
18. Slap That Bass - Ink Spots
19. Was It Rain - Frances Langford
20. Greatest Mistake Of My Life - Jimmy Mesene
21. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Dick Powell
22. Broken Hearted Clown - Harry Roy
23. Can I Forget You - Jean Sablon
24. September In The Rain - Arthur Tracy
25. Where Is The Sun - Valaida

Panama Limited Blues

2009-10-16T09:00:00.008-04:00

Yay, I found my other copy of Luis Russell! So by request, here's some hot jazz from the heart of Prohibition. Kid Ory, Barney Bigard, J.C. Higginbotham, Henry "Red" Allen, and Bill Coleman are just some of the names that perform on these terrific sides by Russell's bands. I think I included the scans (from years ago), but the cover didn't come out in color (sorry) for some reason.

By the time this is posted, the computer will have been packed away and the moving truck arrived. I've uploaded a few discs that I hope to get to in the coming weeks, but that will depend on internet access and time - and the sun. We're moving to Brasil! So until the next post - Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. 29th and Dearborn
2. Sweet Mumtaz
3. Panama Limited Blues
4. Tia Juana Man
5. Plantation Joys
6. Please Don't Turn Me Down
7. Sweet Mumtaz
8. Dolly Mine
9. Savoy Shout
10. The Call of the Freaks
11. It's Tight Like That
12. African Jungle
13. Slow As Molasses
14. The New Call of the Freaks
15. Feelin' The Spirit
16. Jersey Lightning
17. Broadway Rhythm
18. The Way He Loves Is Just Too Bad
19. Blood Hound Blues
20. Dirty T.B. Blues
21. Moaning The Blues
22. Telephoning The Blues
23. Doctor Blues

1, 2 Russell's Hot Six; 3,4 Ada Brown; 4 to 8 Luis Russell's Heebie Jeebie Stompers; 9, 10, 11 Luis Russell and His Burning Eight; 12, 13 Jungle Town Stompers; 17, 18 Lou and His Ginger Snaps; 19 to 22 Victoria Spivey; 11 Walter Pichon vocal; 15 J.C. Higganbotham vocal

Rehearsin' For A Nervous Breakdown

2009-10-13T09:00:00.006-04:00

Here's one that I haven't listened to in a while, which upon listening to it this week, I believe deserves more attention. It turns out that I had scanned the images at some point, so they're included in the file. I'm far from an expert, so here's what Wiki has to say: Kirby was born in Winchester, Virginia. In 1926, he moved to Baltimore, Maryland, a town he is still linked to by some. He played with Chick Webb and Fletcher Henderson. In the early 1930s, he performed some amazingly complicated tuba work on a number of Henderson's recordings. In an unusual move, Kirby picked up on the double-bass at the time when tuba was falling out a favor as the orchestra's primary bass instrument (few tuba players continued their role in the orchestra by switching to double-bass).

Kirby started his own band in 1937. The John Kirby Sextet, known as "The Onyx Club Boys" (usually including Kirby on bass, Charlie Shavers on trumpet, Buster Bailey on clarinet, Russell Procope on alto saxophone, Billy Kyle on piano and O'Neill Spencer on drums) would become one of the more significant "small groups" in a Big band era and had the first recording of Shavers' song "Undecided". Vocals were often performed by Maxine Sullivan, who also became Kirby's wife.

Kirby tended toward a lighter, classically-influenced style of jazz, which has both strong defenders and ardent critics. He was very prolific and popular from 1938-1941. After World War II his career declined and he died in Hollywood, California, just before a planned comeback. In 1993 he was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame.

Unlike other then-popular "novelty" jazz groups (like Raymond Scott), the Kirby Sextet is not particularly well remembered today, although in New York, the Wayne Roberts Sextet (formerly the 'Onyx Club Sextet') pays tribute, and in France it is commemorated by the band 'Kirby Memory', with vocals by Flora Sicot. His small group light jazz style is a great example of how swing can also be elegant. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Rehearsin' For A Nervous Breakdown
2. From A Flat To C
3. Pastel Blue
4. Undecided
5. By The Waters Of Minnetonka
6. It Feels So Good
7. Effervescent Blues
8. The Turf
9. Dawn On The Desert
10. Anitra's Dance
11. Sweet Georgia Brown
12. Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
13. Minute Waltz
14. Front And Center
15. Royal Garden Blues
16. Opus 5
17. Fantasy Impromptu
18. Blue Skies
19. Rose Room (In Sunny Roseland)
20. I May Be Wrong (But I Think You're Wonderful)
21. Little Brown Jug
22. Nocturne

East Of The Sun

2009-10-09T20:53:00.000-04:00

For whatever reason, I seem to have not uploaded 1934 yet. So we skip ahead to 1935, which should not disappoint. Two fantastic Astaire tunes open this year's set, recorded (respectively) with the Johnny Green and Leo Reisman Orchestras followed up by Ethel Merman, a couple of Fats Wallers, and even an Arthur Tracy version of a tune that Old Blue Eyes famously delivered with Tommy Dorsey. Wrap it up with my favorite version of Lullaby of Broadway, and there you have it. Tracks 3,4, and 21 were actually recorded in 1934 (albeit November or December), but interestingly Track 7 is from 1936 and Track 14 from 1939. Say what? Turns out that the latter was published in '35, recorded later that year and introduced later by Langford in a film. I think Track 7 was originally recorded by someone else in '35, but enough quibbling. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Top Hat, White Tie and Tails - Fred Astaire
2. Cheek to Cheek - Fred Astaire
3. Cucaracha - Harry Roy
4. Anything Goes - Jeanne Aubert & The Four Admirals
5. I Get a Kick Out of You - Ethel Merman
6. Easter Parade - Henry Hall & The BBC Orchestra
7. Everything Stops for Tea - Jack Buchanan
8. Lovely to Look At - Irene Dunne
9. What a Diff'rence a Day Made - Denny Dennis, Roy Fox & His Band
10. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter - Fats Waller & His Rhythm
11. Alone - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
12. From the Top of Your Head - Bing Crosby, The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra
13. Your Feet's Too Big - The Ink Spots
14. I'm in the Mood for Love - Frances Langford
15. Canoe Song - Paul Robeson
16. Bess, You Is My Woman Now - Lawrence Tibbett
17. My Very Good Friend the Milkman - Fats Waller & His Rhythm
18. Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup - Carroll Gibbons, Hildegarde
19. East of the Sun (And West of the Moon) - Arthur Tracy
20. Red Sails in the Sunset - Gracie Fields
21. Blue Moon - Frankie Trumbauer
22. I Wished on the Moon - Billie Holiday, Teddy Wilson
23. Lullaby of Broadway - Dick Powell

Spreadin' Rhythm Around

2009-09-28T09:00:00.002-04:00

Here's one that I've been meaning to get to for some time. I was reminded of this recently after I was outbid on a McKenzie's Candy Kids 78. One of these days I'll get one! From Scott Yanow at Allmusic.com comes the following description: The Mound City Blue Blowers originally made history with a dozen high-quality novelty recordings during 1924-25 that featured the trio of Red McKenzie's comb, Dick Slevin's kazoo and banjoist Jack Bland; guitarist Eddie Lang solidified the rhythm on their later six numbers. However, other than McKenzie's participation, those dates had little to do with the 25 recordings on this Classics CD, the last issued under the Mound City Blue Blowers' name. In fact, other than taking four vocals on the first date, McKenzie makes only cameo appearances on kazoo during the remainder of the program, although he had clearly organized the bands. The six sessions feature overlapping personnel with some hot playing from either Bunny Berigan (on four of the dates) or Yank Lawson on trumpet and Eddie Miller or Forrest Crawford on tenor and clarinet. In addition to McKenzie, guitarist Nappy Lamare has eight vocals; there are also five from Billy Wilson, four from Spooky Dickenson and two by a vocal group. Only "High Society" and "Muskrat Ramble" are instrumentals, although there are strong solos on nearly every number. The music falls between Dixieland and small-group swing and is most notable for the playing of Berigan. Enjoy. +
Tracks

1 What's the Reason (I'm Not Pleasing You?)
2 She's a Latin from Manhattan
3 You've Been Takin' Lessons
4 (Back Home Again In) Indiana
5 Red Sails in the Sunset
6 I'm Sittin' High on a Hill Top
7 On Treasure Island
8 Thanks a Million
9 Eeny Meeny Meiny Mo
10 A Little Bit Independent
11 I'm Shooting High
12 I've Got My Fingers Crossed
13 High Society
14 Muskrat Ramble
15 The Broken Record
16 The Music Goes 'Round and Around
17 I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself a Letter)
18 Mama Don't Allow It
19 (If I Had) Rhythm in My Nursery Rhymes
20 I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music
21 You Hit the Spot
22 Spreadin' Rhythm Around
23 Saddle Your Blues to a Wild Mustang
24 Wah-Hoo!
25 I'm Gonna Clap My Hands

The Sun Has Got His Hat On

2009-09-18T14:31:00.001-04:00

Here's the next in the series of Hits from ASV, another good mix of artists from both sides of the pond. I hadn't heard many of these until I picked up this cd a few years ago. That was before the era of streaming internet radio, so my exposure was limited and this was the first time I had heard Al Bowlly. Shocking, I know. Others have covered the tune, but can anyone top his version of Love Is The Sweetest Thing? And though I'm no Rudy fan by any great measure, he doesn't do too bad on the last track. Unfortunately I do not have the Hits of '33, so the next post in this series will cover 1934. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. As Time Goes By - Binnie Hale with the Savoy Orpheans, Carroll Gibbons - piano
2. Sun Has Got His Hat On - Ambrose & His Orchestra, Sam Browne - vocal
3. Clouds Will Soon Roll By - Ambrose & His Orchestra, Elsie Carlisle - vocal
4. Please - Bing Crosby, Anson Weeks & His Orchestra
5. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) - Ivie Anderson, Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
6. Love Is the Sweetest Thing - Al Bowlly, Ray Noble & His New Mayfair Dance Orchestra, Harry Jacobson - piano
7. Goodbye Blues - The Mills Brothers
8. I'll Never Be the Same - Carroll Gibbons & His Boy Friends, Anne Lenner - vocal, Matty Malneck - violin
9. Mad Dogs and Englishmen - Noël Coward, Ray Noble & His New Mayfair Dance Orchestra,
10. Mad About the Boy - Gertrude Lawrence with the Chenil Studio Orchestra
11. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You - Gene Austin, The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra
12. Happy Go Lucky You (And Broken Hearted Me) - Syd Lipton & His Grosvenor House Band, Sam Browne - vocal
13. Underneath the Arches - Flanagan & Allen with Henry Hall & BBC Dance Orchestra
14. By the Fireside - Al Bowlly, Ray Noble & His Orchestra
15. Gipsy Moon - Ray Noble & His New Mayfair Dance Orchestra, Richard Crooks - vocal
16. Isn't It Romantic? (Love Me Tonight) - Jeanette MacDonald with Nat Finston & Paramount Studio Orchestra
17. Song Is You - Lawrence Tibbett with Nat Shilkret & His Orchestra
18. I've Told Ev'ry Little Star - Mary Ellis with His Majesty's Theatre Chorus & Orchestra, conducted by Hyam Greenbaum
19. When We Are Alone (Penthouse Serenade) - Al Bowlly, Ray Fox & His Band
20. Say It Isn't So - Greta Keller with Victor Young and His Orchestra
21. Paradise - Bing Crosby with Victor Young & His Orchestra
22. When It's Sleepy Time Down South - Paul Robeson with Ray Noble & His New Mayfair Dance Orchestra
23. Auf Wiederseh'n, My Dear - Layton & Johnstone
24. Let's Put Out the Lights (And Go to Sleep) - Rudy Vallée and His Connecticut Yankees

I'm Playing With Fire

2009-09-09T13:44:00.000-04:00

At last, another set of Chick Bullock sides. This time I offer up 20 tunes from 1933, skipping 1932 because I've already packed all my records and seem to have not recorded several of them from '32. This is also the reason for the image at left (from 1938) because I don't have access to take photos. "So Little Time" seems appropriate these days. Anyway, with the exception of four tunes these are all from my 78s. I've added the session info in the tags. The track listings below indicate the name of the performer as printed on the 78 label, but are not necessarily the name of the band playing (e.g., Victor Young and His Orch are listed on the same song on Melotone and Perfect labels as Phil Romano, yet as Ed Loyd on Imperial). Lastly, these are not listed chronologically though they are all from 1933. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Now We're On Our Second Honeymoon - Bob Causer and His Cornellians
2. I'm Playing With Fire - Bob Causer and His Cornellians
3. Ain'tcha Glad - Chick Bullock and His Levee Loungers
4. Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore - Art Kahn's Orchestra
5. Delta Bound - Chick Bullock and His Levee Loungers
6. Did You Ever See A Dream Walking - Gene Kardos and His Orchestra
7. Have You Ever Been Lonely? - Chick Bullock
8. Isn't this A Night For Love - Chick Bullock
9. Stormy Weather - Chick Bullock and His Levee Loungers
10. Thanks - Chick Bullock
11. We'll Make Hay While The Sun Shines - Chick Bullock
12. Blue Prelude - Chick Bullock and His Levee Loungers
13. I Just Couldn't Take It Baby - Chick Bullock and His Levee Loungers
14. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - Chick Bullock and His Levee Loungers
15. There's A Cabin In The Pines - Chick Bullock and His Levee Loungers
16. Keep On Doin' What You're Doin' - Earl Harlan and His Orchestra (McKinney's Cotton Pickers)
17. Tired Of It All - Earl Harlan and His Orchestra (McKinney's Cotton Pickers)
18. You're Such A Comfort To Me - Gene Kardos and His Orchestra
19. Hold Me - Phil Romano and His De Witt Hotel Orchestra
20. You'll Never Get To Heaven That Way - Phil Romano and His De Witt Hotel Orchestra

How Can You Have The Blues?

2009-08-20T15:25:00.000-04:00

Here's another fine collection from the good folks at Yazoo. It's an interesting set with some familiar names, and some not. Seven Foot Dilly & His Dill Pickles? And who could forget the T.C.I. Section Crew? At least I've heard of Pine Top Smith and Memphis Minnie! Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. If I Had My Way I'd Tear the Building Down - Blind Willie Johnson
2. Cocaine Blues - Luke Jordan
3. Bow Wow Blues - Allen Brothers
4. Jive Man Blues - Frankie "Half-Pint" Jaxon
5. Jonah in the Wilderness - Henry Thomas
6. South Carolina Rag - Willie Walker
7. Whitewash Station - Memphis Jug Band
8. Automobile Ride Through Alabama - Red Henderson
9. Dirty Dozen No. 2 - Speckled Red
10. Tain't None O' Your Business - Butterbeans & Susie
11. It's a Good Thing - The Beale Street Sheiks
12. She's a Hum Dum Dinger (From Dingersville) - Jimmie Davis
13. Papa's on the Housetop - Leroy Carr
14. Let That Liar Alone - Rev. Edward W. Clayborn
15. Back in My Home Town - Frank Hutchison
16. Track Linin - T.C.I. Section Crew
17. Atlanta Strut - Blind Willie McTell
18. Arkansas Hard Luck Blues - Lonnie Glosson
19. How Can You Have the Blues? - Kansas City Kitty & Georgia Tom
20. Pickin' off Peanuts - Seven Foot Dilly & His Dill Pickles
21. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out - Pinetop Smith
22. When I Stopped Running I Was at Home - The Dixieland Jug Blowers
23. Frankie Jean (That Trottin' Fool) - Memphis Minnie

Tain't a Fit Night Out for Man or Beast

2009-08-13T10:45:00.001-04:00

Today I offer the only Bechet I could find in my collection, though I could swear I have another somewhere (I'll keep looking). Here's what Scott Yanow has to say on this set: The first in a series of Classics CDs focusing on the recordings of Sidney Bechet, this disc features the clarinetist/soprano-saxophonist on two early titles with blues singer Rosetta Crawford, his torrid 1932 session with The New Orleans Feetwarmers (which also features trumpeter Tommy Ladnier and is highlighted by "Shag" and "Maple Leaf Rag") and sides from Noble Sissle's somewhat commercial orchestra. Fortunately Sissle was wise enough to give Bechet plenty of solo space on some of his selections, most notably "Polka Dot Rag." Even with a few indifferent vocals, this CD is recommended to those not already owning this music." Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Down on the Levee Blues
2. Lonesome Woman Blues
3. Got the Bench, Got the Park
4. In a Cafe on the Road to Calais
5. Loveless Love
6. Basement Blues
7. Wha'd Ya Do to Me?
8. Roll On, Mississippi, Roll On
9. Sweetie Dear
10. I Want You Tonight
11. I've Found a New Baby
12. Lay Your Racket
13. Maple Leaf Rag
14. Shag
15. Under the Creole Moon
16. The Old Ark Is Moverin'
17. Loveless Love
18. Polka Dot Rag
19. That's What Love Did to Me
20. You Can't Live in Harlem
21. I Wonder Who Made Rhythm
22. Tain't a Fit Night Out for Man or Beast
23. I Take to You
24. Rhythm of the Broadway Moon

Dancing In The Dark

2009-08-10T09:00:00.001-04:00

I always like the ASV collections with their song selections. Where else are you going to get Arthur Tracy? And the Revelers were hugely popular but virtually unheard of these days. Plus you get Lawrence Tibbett for a taste of "culture." Good stuff, that's for sure. Look for more of this series soon. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Stardust - Bing Crosby, Victor Young & His Orchestra
2. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone - Gene Austin
3. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea - Cab Calloway & His Orchestra
4. Rockin' Chair - Ray Noble & His Orchestra, Paul Robeson
5. Peanut Vendor - Bert Ambrose & His Orchestra
6. Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You) - Ruth Etting
7. Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries - Hutch
8. When I Take My Sugar to Tea - The Boswell Sisters, The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra
9. Cuban Love Song - Lawrence Tibbett
10. Just One More Chance - Bing Crosby, Victor Young & His Orchestra
11. Lady of Spain - Tino Folgar
12. Marta - Arthur Tracy
13. Walkin' My Baby Back Home - Maurice Chevalier
14. Would You Like to Take a Walk? - Annette Hanshaw
15. I Don't Know Why (I Just Do) - Layton & Johnstone
16. Prisoner of Love - Russ Columbo, Nat Shilkret & His Orchestra
17. Dancing in the Dark - The Revelers
18. Sweet and Lovely - Al Bowlly
19. Lazy River - Louis Armstrong
20. River, Stay 'Way from My Door - Paul Robeson
21. Sally - Gracie Fields
22. Dream a Little Dream of Me - Ozzie Nelson & His Orchestra
23. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away) - Gus Arnheim & His Orchestra, Bing Crosby
24. Goodnight Sweetheart - Bud Noble

These 'N' That 'N' Those

2009-08-07T09:44:00.003-04:00

I can't believe I hadn't posted Lady Day previously, so here is the only collection I have of her music. I originally had great plans to get the rest of this Columbia series, but .... As one reviewer noted, Holiday had some rather mundane songs tossed in her direction during the beginning of her career that only give a glimpse of what was to come. However I think there are still some nice tunes and she teams up with Teddy Wilson on several tracks (3,5,6, 10-13). Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Your Mother's Son-In-Law
2. Riffin' The Scotch
3. I Wished On The Moon
4. What A Little Moonlight Can Do
5. Miss Brown To You
6. A Sunbonnet Blue (And A Yellow Straw Hat)
7. What A Night, What A Moon, What A Girl
8. I'm Painting The Town Red
9. It's Too Hot For Words
10. Twenty-Four Hours A Day
11. Yankee Doodle Never Went To Town
12. Eeny Meeny Meiny Mo
13. If You Were Mine
14. These 'N' That 'N' Those
15. You Let Me Down
16. Spreadin' Rhythm Around

Learn To Croon

2009-07-31T09:00:00.001-04:00

Another collection with some really nice tunes. How can you go wrong with Gene Austin, Chick Bullock and Al Bowlly? The most interesting track here may be Bing Crosby's "Boo Boo Boo" in which he pokes fun at the phrase identified with his singing, despite his never having recorded the song to disc. This tune is from a film soundtrack. And some humor by the editors of the disc, they position "Learn to Croon" in the lineup just ahead of Crosby. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Blue Kentucky Moon - Gene Austin
2. You Brought a New Kiind of Love to Me - Smith Ballew
3. Love Is the Sweetest Thing - Al Bowlly, New Mayfair Orchestra, Ray Noble
4. Cocktails for Two - Carl Brisson
5. Out in the Cold Again - Chick Bullock
6. Evening - Buddy Clark
7. Goodnight, Sweetheart - Russ Columbo
8. Learn to Croon - Sam Coslow
9. Boo Boo Boo - Bing Crosby
10. Singing a Song to the Stars - Cliff "Ukelele Ike" Edwards
11. Don't Tell Her What Happened to Me - Sammy Fain
12. Confessin' That I Love You - Art Gillham
13. Hold Me - Little Jack Little
14. Hello! Beautiful! - Nick Lucas
15. You're My Everything - Jack Miller
16. Try a Little Tenderness - Charlie Palloy
17. Happiness Ahead - Dick Powell
18. I Love to See the Evenin' Sun Go Down - Conrad Thibault
19. It's Only A Paper Moon - Conrad Thibault
20. Without That Certain Thing - Rudy Vallée

Percolatin' Blues

2009-07-22T09:44:00.002-04:00

It's been over a week since the last post, so hopefully this is worth the wait. Volume 2 was posted some time back, and this weekend I was fortunate enough to borrow a copy from a friend. There are some jumping tunes here, including one each from Bennie Moten and Jelly Roll Morton. Click on the cover for a hi-res image. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. To-Wa-Bac-A-Wa - Louis Dumaine's Jazzola Eight
2. Happy Pal Stomp - Roy Johnson's Happy Pals
3. Goin' Crazy With The Blues - Mamie Smith
4. Over In The Gloryland - Sam Morgan's Jazz Band
5. Mojo Strut - Pickett-Parham Apollo Syncopators
6. Four Four Rhythm - Paul Tremaine And His Aristocrats
7. The Boy In The Boat - Charlie Johnson And His Paradise Band
8. She's Sweeter Than Sugar - Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra
9. Florida Rhythm - Ross De Luxe Syncopaters
10. Texas And Pacific Blues - Frenchy's String Band
11. Everybody Loves My Baby - Taylor's Dixie Serenaders
12. Kansas City Stomps - Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers
13. Hot And Heavy - Ben Tobier And His California Cyclones
14. Percolatin' Blues - Fowler's Favorites
15. Slowin' Down Blues - Oliver Naylor's Orchestra
16. While You're Sneaking Out - George McClennon's Jazz Devils
17. Hard Luck - Floyd Mills And His Marylanders
18. Postage Stomp - Maynard Baird And His Orchestra
19. Mabel's Dream - King Oliver's Jazz Band
20. I'll Fly to Hawaii - Gowan's Rhapsody Makers
21. Arkansas Shout - Sammie Lewis With His Bamville Syncopators
22. Lot's O'Mama - The Hotentots
23. Sombody Stole My Gal - Frankie Franko And His Louisianians

Aren't Women Wonderful?

2009-07-14T13:35:00.001-04:00

Sophie Tucker billed herself as the last of the red hot mammas, and she certainly gave some gusto to her vocals. She originally performed in blackface until someone stole her makeup kit one night. She briefly joined the Ziegfield Follies until costars refused to share the stage with her. Professional jealousy, perhaps. Maybe she was too red hot. Anyway, here's another collection from ASV though it runs a short 16 tracks. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Follow A Star - Overture
2. Follow A Star
3. That's Where The South Begins
4. Oh! You Have No Idea!
5. Washing The Blues From My Soul
6. Makin' Wicky Wacky Down In Waikiki
7. There's Something Spanish In My Eyes
8. I'm The Last Of The Red Hot Mammas
9. Selection of Sophie Tucker's Songs
10. If Your Kisses Can't Hold The Man You Love
11. 'Cause I Feel Low Down
12. I Never Can Think Of The Words
13. That Man Of My Dreams
14. What Good Am I Without You?
15. Aren't Women Wonderful?
16. Some Of These Days

How's Your Uncle?

2009-06-24T10:41:00.003-04:00

Here is the remaining batch from 1931. Three cd versions are included (2 Luis Russell, and My Song) because my 78 versions are not as nice. There are five or so .wav files here, the rest are 78s. I recently picked up Sugar which I think Chick Bullock does a nice job singing. Shine On Harvest Moon is one of my favorites, and I love Roy Smeck's guitar work. How's Your Uncle? is a fun tune, I just need a cleaner copy! Recording information is in the idtags, and the tunes are listed below in order of recording dates. Enjoy. +
* Update: I did find a cleaner copy of How's Your Uncle? and a cover for the series has been created. Click the image for full size.

Tracks

21. I'll Be Glad When You're Dead (You Rascal, You) - Chick Bullock
22. I Can't Get Mississippi Off My Mind - Chick Bullock
23. (With You On My Mind, I Find) I Can't Write The Words - Johnny Hamp and His Orchestra
24. Goin' To Town - Luis Russell and His Orchestra
25. Say The Word - Luis Russell and His Orchestra
26. How's Your Uncle? - The Troubadours
27. Shine On Harvest Moon - Roy Smeck's Trio
28. Sugar - The High Hatters
29. My Song - Phil Spitalny and His Orchestra
30. You Can’t Stop Me From Lovin’ You - Chick Bullock
31. You Call It Madness (But I Call It Love) - Chick Bullock
32. Hiding In The Shadows Of The Moon - Lou Gold and His Orchestra
33. Old Playmate - Lou Gold and His Orchestra
34. You Try Somebody Else - Chick Bullock
35. Time On My Hands - Chick Bullock
36. One Of Us Was Wrong - Chick Bullock
37. Pagan Moon - Ted Black and His Orchestra
38. What Price Love? - Chick Bullock
39. Bend Down Sister - Chick Bullock
40. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea - Chick Bullock and His Levee Loungers

Hot Platter

2009-06-21T09:00:00.000-04:00

Today I offer my trumpeter and bandleader Erskine Hawkins, composer of "Tuxedo Junction" (his version made it to #7 nationally, while it went to #1 with Glenn Miller's version). His band was so popular that he was able to keep it together through 1953, an amazing feat considering that many bands fell apart at the end of World War II. This record includes the first formal recordings of Coleman Hawkins and his Orchestra, though he had cut some sides as early as 1936. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Rockin' Rollers' Jubilee
2. Miss Hallelujah Brown
3. Weary Blues
4. King Porter Stomp
5. Strictly Swing
6. Study in Blue
7. East Rider
8. Swing Out
9. Raid the Joint
10. No Soap (A Jitterbug Jamboree)
11. Swingin' on Lenox Avenue
12. Hot Platter
13. Gin Mill Special
14. Tuxedo Junction
15. Weddin' Blues
16. Uptown Shuffle
17. Baltimore Bounce
18. Saboo
19. Dolimite
20. Gabriel Meets the Duke
21. Midnight Stroll
22. Soft Winds

Let's Drink A Drink To The Future

2009-06-19T09:43:00.005-04:00

This is the first of two batches representing my collection of Chick Bullock tunes from 1931. Although I have 40 of his tunes from this year, there are still 70+ that I haven't yet managed to obtain. The Duke Ellington tracks here are the cd versions. I omitted Stardust as that can be found on the Mills Blue Rhythm Band post. A couple of tunes here are from some .wav files I obtained from another collector, which I only edited for start/stop points. The rest are my 78s. I tried to keep the filters to a minimum, however there are a couple where the records are not in good condition yet this is the only copy I have. Would you believe I keep getting outbid on How's Your Uncle? Someday I'll get a cleaner copy. I chose to include Green Eyes (see the Don Azpiazu post) because I think the 78 sounded pretty good.

Recording dates and personnel (as known) are included in the idtags for each tune*. The artists shown below are who is listed on the record label, though that was often different from who was credited for the session. The listing below is by order of recording date, from January 10 to August 4, 1931.

And once again, I am no sound engineer. Hopefully these sound good enough to listen to. Enjoy! +

Tracks

1. Them There Eyes - The Whoopee Makers
2. Rockin' Chair - The Whoopee Makers
3. I'm So In Love With You - The Whoopee Makers
4. You're The One I Care For - Chick Bullock
5. The River And Me - Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Orchestra
6. Keep A Song In Your Soul - Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Orchestra
7. Sam And Delilah - Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Orchestra
8. Would You Like To Take A Walk? - Jack Berger's Hotel Astor Orchestra
9. Teardrops and Kisses - Eddie Kirkeby and His Orchestra
10. That Little Boy Of Mine - The Melodiers
11. If You Should Ever Need Me - The Melodiers
12. Let's Get Friendly - Andy Sanella and His All Star Orchestra
13. I'm Mad About You - Andy Sanella and His All Star Orchestra
14. Bubbling Over With Love - Andy Sanella and His All Star Orchestra
15. Green Eyes - Don Azpiazu and His Havana Casino Orchestra
16. On the Beach With You - Chick Bullock
17. I'm Keepin' Company - Dick Cherwin and His Orchestra
18. As Long As You're There - Dick Cherwin and His Orchestra
19. It's The Girl - Chick Bullock
20. Let's Drink A Drink To The Future - All Star Collegians

* I forgot to add info for the Ellington tunes. Personnel include Arthure 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), Sonny Greer (d), Guy doubles on guitar on Them There Eyes. Omit Barney Bigard for The River and Me, Keep A Song In Your Soul, and Sam and Delilah.

How 'Bout That Mess?

2009-06-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

This is one of those cd's that raised my interest in jazz and big bands. Simply, it jumps with an abundance of energy. Although I love this style of music, in all honesty there aren't many that would qualify as "driving" music where you crank up the car stereo. This one is an exception to that rule. I think Krupa is the best drummer ever, even better than the mighty Chick Webb and others. Of course, that's just my opinion. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Drum Boogie
2. Full Dress Hop
3. There'll Be Some Changes Made
4. No Name Jive
5. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
6. The Babe Takes A Bow
7. Rhumboogie
8. St. Louis Blues
9. Boog It
10. Who?
11. Yes! My Darling Daughter
12. Tuxedo Junction
13. Deep In The Blues
14. Sweet Georgia Brown
15. How 'Bout That Mess?
16. Blue Rhythm Fantasy

Lullaby Of Broadway

2009-06-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here's another from Columbia's Art Deco series, with several popular tunes for the boy crooner from such musicals as 42nd Street, Footlight Parade, Gold Diggers of 1933, Dames, Flirtation Walk, and On the Avenue. This compilation is a sort of companion set to the other one I've posted, as that one features Powell's music from later in the 1930s. His version of Lullaby of Broadway is my favorite. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. We're in the Money (The Gold Diggers Song)
2. Pettin' in the Park
3. Shadow Waltz
4. I've Got to Sing a Torch Song
5. By a Waterfall
6. Honeymoon Hotel
7. Road Is Open Again
8. Lonely Lane
9. Wonder Bar
10. Don't Say Goodnight
11. I'll String Along With You
12. Pop, Goes Your Heart
13. Beauty Must Be Loved
14. Mr. and Mrs. Is the Name
15. Flirtation Walk
16. I See Two Lovers
17. Lullaby of Broadway
18. Words Are in My Heart
19. Lulu's Back in Town
20. Rose in Her Hair

An Unemployed Sweetheart

2009-06-09T09:07:00.004-04:00

(from Redhotjazz.com) "Lee Morse was a popular singer of the 1920s and early 1930s. She is best remembered today for the backing bands that were assembled for her recording sessions under the name of the Bluegrass Boys. The bands featured many of the best White jazz musicians of the 1920s. Presumably the band was called the Bluegrass Boys to make it sound like they were from the South (Kentucky is called the Bluegrass state). Lee Morse's family had Southern roots but she grew up in Oregon and Idaho, but few if any of the excellent Jazz musicians who played on these records were from the South. The band's music had nothing to do with the string band style of music that arose in the 1940s called Bluegrass."

Although it hasn't been updated in a while, there is an interesting page on Morse at www.leemorse.com where you can listen to some of her other songs, as well as check out some video shorts. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Want a Little Lovin'
2. He's Still My Baby
3. Side by Side
4. Old Fashioned Romance
5. Be Sweet to Me
6. Keep Sweeping the Cobwebs off the Moon
7. Don't Keep Me in the Dark Bright Eyes
8. Miss You
9. Blue Turning Grey over You
10. Tain't No Sin to Dance Around in Your Bones
11. Nobody Cares If I'm Blue
12. I Still Get a Thrill (Thinking of You)
13. Walkin' My Baby Back Home
14. By My Side
15. I'm an Unemployed Sweetheart
16. It's the Girls
17. Something in the Night
18. When I Lost You
19. Careless Love
20. Don't Even Change a Picture on the Wall

Out To Lunch

2009-06-04T09:00:00.001-04:00

From Wiki: A highly talented stride piano player and arranger, he left home at the age of only 21 as a sideman with the Wilbur Sweatman Orchestra but stayed less than a year. In 1925, he left for Europe as the musical director of The Revue Negre which starred Josephine Baker with Sidney Bechet in the band.

From 1932-1936, he led a fairly successful Harlem band employing many jazz musicians who were later to become famous in their own right such as Edmond Hall, Jabbo Smith and Vic Dickenson (although it's worth noting that his records were arranged to feature his piano more than his band). This was his most successful period with long residencies at the Savoy and Roseland ballrooms and at the Cotton Club. In 1937 he took his band on the road with a great deal of success.

He broke up the band in 1940 and used his arranging talents working for several non-jazz band leaders and for CBS. In 1948/9 he led a "novelty" band briefly but took a jazz band into The Cafe Society in 1950. From 1951 up until his death, he remained in NYC working mostly as a sideman with other Dixieland bands playing at festivals and various New York clubs and recording. Images can be found here. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Sunday
2. Swingin' Down the Lane
3. Honey
4. June Night
5. Church Street Sobbin' Blues
6. My Kinda Love
7. Junk-Man's Serenade
8. Twinkle Dinkle
9. Ja-Da! (Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Jing, Jing, Jing)
10. Walkin' the Dog
11. I Let a Tear Fall in the River
12. Spareribs and Spaghetti
13. Home Cookin' Mamma
14. How Much Do You Mean to Me?
15. Yacht Club Swing
16. Singing Hills
17. Out to Lunch
18. Little Rain Must Fall
19. I'd Believe in You
20. What's the Matter With Me?

Sweet Bands of the 30s (Record 5)

2009-06-01T12:38:00.005-04:00

Enfin! Here is the fifth and final disc from this enjoyable set. You'll hear a few more from Leo Reisman, Anson Weeks as well as four more vocals from Chick Bullock. This record takes us from July 27 to September 10, 1934. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Fun To Be Fooled - Leo Reisman and His Orchestra
2. What Can You Say In A Love Song - Leo Reisman and His Orchestra
3. Shoein' The Mare - Leo Reisman and His Orchestra
4. Then I'll Be Tired Of You - Freddie Martin and His Orchestra
5. A Needle In A Haystack - Leo Reisman and His Orchestra
6. Sweetie Pie - Anson Weeks and His California Orchestra
7. My Whole Day Is Spoiled - Anson Weeks and His California Orchestra
8. I Saw Stars - Joe Reichman and His Orchestra (v. Chick Bullock)
9. Have A Little Dream On Me - Joe Reichman and His Orchestra (v. Chick Bullock)
10. Don't Let It Bother You - Joe Reichman and His Orchestra
11. Out in The Cold Again - Joe Reichman and His Orchestra
12. Blue Sky Avenue - Todd Rollins and His Orchestra (v. Chick Bullock)
13. Talkin' To Myself - Todd Rollins and His Orchestra (v. Chick Bullock)
14. Rain - Don Bestor and His Orchestra

The Jumpin' Jive

2009-05-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Cab Calloway had so many great tunes during his career that it is hard to pick the "best of" much less narrow it down to 16 representative tunes. But this compilation jumps with his 1942 version of Minnie the Moocher, a great cover of Ellington's Take The 'A' Train, Dinah, and of course Reefer Man. A nice intro for people who don't know much of Cab Calloway's music. Enjoy. +

Now, can't you hear those hepcats call,
(Yeah!)
Come on, boys, let's have a ball!
The jim, jam, jump on the jumpin' jive
Makes you dig your jive on the mellow side,
Hep! Hep!

Tracks

1. Minnie The Moocher
2. Beale Street Mama
3. Angeline
4. Bye Bye Blues
5. Minnie The Moocher's Weddin' Day
6. Dinah
7. Wake Up And Live
8. Pickin' The Cabbage
9. You Gotta Ho-Di-Ho
10. Reefer Man
11. The Jumpin' Jive
12. Manhattan Jam
13. I Gotta Go Places And Do Things
14. Eadie Was A Lady
15. Take The 'A' Train
16. F.D.R. Jones

Sweet Bands of the 30s (Record 4)

2009-05-29T09:00:00.003-04:00

Here's record number 4 of the Sweet Bands of the 30s. Along with Casa Loma, there are some tunes from Ozzie and Harriet, Leo Reisman and a couple of Chick Bullock vocals. The fifth and final record will be posted soon as well. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. That's Love - Casa Loma Orchestra
2. Mr. Magician (Won't You Bring My Baby Back To Me?) - Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra
3. What's Good For The Goose (Is Good For The Gander) - Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra
4. Why Not? - Hal Kemp and His Orchestra
5. A Thousand Goodnights - Paul Small and His Orchestra
6. Waitin' At The Gate For Katy - Paul Small and His Orchestra
7. Ill Wind (You're Blowin' Me No Good) - Leo Reisman and His Orchestra
8. As Long As You Live - Leo Reisman and His Orchestra
9. Easy Come, Easy Go - Eddie Elkins and His Orchestra (v. Chick Bullock)
10. I Ain't Lazy-I'm Just Dreamin' - Eddie Elkins and His Orchestra (v. Chick Bullock)
11. Don't Let Your Love Go Wrong - Gene Kardos and His Orchestra
12. Do I Love You? - Leo Reisman and His Orchestra
13. Hot Dogs and Sarsaparilla - Ted FioRito and His Orchestra
14. You're A Builder-Upper - Leo Reisman and His Orchestra

Sweet Bands of the 30s (Record 3)

2009-05-27T11:00:00.001-04:00

Here is record three from the set. Look for the final two records soon (it's a lot of typing to fill the idtags!). This disc takes us from September 20, 1933 to February 3, 1934 and includes Chick Bullock with Gene Kardos and His Orchestra, as well as some more Casa Loma, Leo Reisman and Gus Arnheim with their respective orchestras. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. I'm Dancin' on a Rainbow - Freddie Martin and His Orchestra
2. When You Were The Girl On the Scooter (And I Was the Boy On The Bike) - Abe Lyman and His California Orchestra
3. Doin' The Uptown - Abe Lyman and His California Orchestra
4. Heaven Only Knows - Abe Lyman and His California Orchestra
5. Did You Ever See A Dream Walking? - Gene Kardos and His Orchestra
6. After Sundown - Richard Himber and His Essex House Orchestra
7. Our Big Love Scene - Richard Himber and His Essex House Orchestra
8. (When Your Heart's On Fire) Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - Leo Reisman and His Orchestra
9. Like Me A Little Bit Less (Love Me A Little Bit More) - Gus Arnheim and His Orchestra
10. Let's Fall In Love - Gus Arnheim and His Orchestra
11. Goin' To Heaven On A Mule - Gus Arnheim and His Orchestra
12. The Touch Of Your Hand - Leo Reisman and His Orchestra
13. Shadows Of Love - Casa Loma Orchestra
14. Lullaby In Blue - Casa Loma Orchestra

Fine And Mellow

2009-05-26T21:36:00.004-04:00

This is the remaining offering I have from Andy Kirk in my 'Classics' collection and it's probably my favorite. There are some nice Mary Lou Williams arrangements and tunes here, but I really like the vocals from June Richmond, who was one of two - count them, two - guest vocalists to ever appear on record with Cab Calloway (1938's Tee-Um, Tee-Um, Tee-I, Tahiti and Angels With Dirty Faces). She was one of the first black vocalists to be regularly featured with a white band (Jimmy Dorsey's), and it's a pity she didn't have a longer career.

The other Calloway guest vocalist? None other than Chick Bullock (a duet on the 1932 Git Along). I know there are more knowledgeable persons than I who read this, so please correct me if I'm wrong. So - no Chick Bullock on this offering, yet I worked him into the post nonetheless. Clever, ain't I?

The other vocalist here with Andy Kirk is Pha (pronounced "fay") Terrell. I thought Bullock at times was stretching the limits of his range and talents, but ..... well, I'll leave the verdict on Terrell to others.

Regarding this cd, here is a bit from Allmusic and Scott Yanow: Andy Kirk's Twelve Clouds of Joy was a top-notch Kansas City swing band that, by 1939, featured the pop vocals of Pha Terrell, the more blues-oriented singing of June Richmond, creative arrangements by Mary Lou Williams, and some excellent soloing from pianist Williams and Dick Wilson on tenor. Most memorable in this entry in Classics' "complete" Andy Kirk CD series are "Floyd's Guitar Blues" (an odd but pioneering electric guitar feature for Floyd Smith), "Wham" and "Scratching In the Gravel." Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. You Set Me On Fire
2. (I Guess) I'll Never Learn
3. Close To Five
4. Floyd's Guitar Blues
5. "I Wanna" Go Where You Go - Do What You Do Then I'll Be Happy
6. S'posin'
7. I'll Never Fail You
8. Why Don't I Get Wise To Myself
9. I'm Getting Nowhere With You
10. I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With YouJoy
11. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
12. Big Jim Blues
13. Wham (Wham, Re, Bop, Boom, Bam)
14. Love Is The Thing
15. Why Go On Pretending
16. It Always Will Be You
17. Fine And Mellow
18. Scratchin' In The Gravel
19. Fifteen Minute Intermission
20. Take Those Blues Away
21. Now I Lay Me Down To Dream
22. There Is No Greater Love

Out of Nowhere

2009-05-19T12:30:00.008-04:00

This four-CD set does a superb job of summing up Bing Crosby's years with Decca. After nine titles from 1931 (which were acquired by Decca later on), the program concentrates on the 1934-1957 period and, in addition to the expected hits, all aspects of his career are covered. Despite a few Dixieland-flavored selections, Crosby had largely abandoned jazz by the late '30s, but his phrasing (which was influenced by Louis Armstrong) and appealing voice should be of interest to jazz listeners. His ballads grew in stature in later years, while the up-tempo performances tended to be less memorable novelties. Although it should be augmented by collections that focus on his recordings of the '20s and early '30s, this is the definitive Bing Crosby set. (Scott Yanow)

Several duets are included, among them Dixie Lee, Jimmy Durante, Al Jolson, Louis Armstrong, Connie Boswell and others. For more of Crosby's jazz recordings, check out other postings on this site. Enjoy. + + + +

Tracks

Disc One

1. Where The Blue Of The Night (Meets The Gold Of The Day) (1932 Single Version)
2. Out Of Nowhere
3. Just One More Chance
4. I'm Through With Love
5. I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five And Ten Cent Store)
6. At Your Command
7. I Apologize
8. Dancing In The Dark
9. Stardust
10. The Moon Was Yellow (And The Night Was Young)
11. Two Cigarettes In The Dark
12. With Every Breath I Take
13. June In January
14. Love Is Just Around The Corner
15. Soon
16. Down By The River
17. It's Easy To Remember
18. Red Sails In The Sunset
19. Silent Night, Holy Night
20. I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'
21. I'm An Old Cowhand (From The Rio Grande)
22. Pennies From Heaven
23. A Fine Romance
24. Sweet Leilani

Disc Two

1. Blue Hawaii
2. Too Marvelous For Words
3. It's The Natural Thing To Do
4. The Moon Got In My Eyes
5. Remember Me?
6. Bob White (Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight?)
7. Don't Be That Way
8. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
9. Small Fry
10. I've Got A Pocketful Of Dreams
11. Mexicali Rose
12. You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
13. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away)
14. Somebody Loves Me
15. What's New?
16. Sierra Sue
17. Trade Winds
18. Only Forever
19. New San Antonio Rose
20. Humpty Dumpty Heart
21. Deep In The Heart Of Texas
22. Wait Till The Sun Shines, Nellie
23. When My Dream Boat Comes Home
24. White Christmas
25. Easter Parade

Disc Three

1. Be Careful, It's My Heart
2. Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)
3. Moonlight Becomes You
4. Sunday, Monday Or Always
5. Mississippi Mud / I Left My Sugar Standing In The Rain
6. Pistol Packin' Mama
7. I'll Be Home For Christmas
8. San Fernando Valley
9. Close The Door Joe, We're Making A Disc!
10. Swinging On A Star
11. I Love You
12. I'll Be Seeing You (Rehearsal Glimpse)
13. I'll Be Seeing You (1993 Box Set Version)
14. On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe
15. Song Of The Fifth Marines
16. (There'll Be A) Hot Time In The Town Of Berlin (When The Yanks Go Marching In)
17. Don't Fence Me In
18. (Yip Yip De Hootie) My Baby Said Yes
19. Mine
20. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive
21. The Road To Morocco
22. You Belong To My Heart
23. It's Been A Long, Long Time
24. Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's An Irish Lullaby)
25. I Can't Begin To Tell You
26. Day By Day
27. MacNamara's Band
28. South America, Take It Away

Disc Four

1. Alexander's Ragtime Band
2. The Spaniard That Blighted My Life
3. Whiffenpoof Song
4. Now Is The Hour (Maori Farewell Song)
5. But Beautiful
6. Galway Bay
7. Far Away Places
8. Sing Soft, Sing Sweet, Sing Gentle
9. Dear Hearts And Gentle People
10. Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy
11. Play A Simple Melody
12. Sam's Song (The Happy Tune)
13. Harbor Lights
14. Autumn Leaves
15. Silver Bells
16. Getting To Know You
17. Gone Fishin'
18. In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening
19. Watermelon Weather
20. Thanks For The Memory
21. Around The World (In Eighty Days)
22. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
23. Gigi
24. Where The Blue Of The Night (Meets The Gold Of The Day) (1948 Single Version)

My Song

2009-05-14T08:42:00.006-04:00

Only one Chick Bullock song to be found here, but it is one I still haven't found on 78 yet. One of the reasons I like ASV's various artists collections is that they include songs which were not necessarily the biggest hits for these performers, so you get a broader feel for the music of the era. This set features 18 tunes from 1929 to 1932. The scans are now included in the re-uploaded file. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day) - Bing Crosby
2. Cheerful Little Earful - Seger Ellis
3. My Song - Chick Bullock
4. She's a New Kind of Old Fashioned Girl - Whispering Jack Smith
5. Got a Date With an Angel - Pat O'Malley
6. Living in Dreams - Russ Columbo
7. Orange Blossom Time - Cliff "Ukelele Ike" Edwards
8. She's Wonderful - Harry Shalson
9. Am I Blue - Smith Ballew
10. Here Lies Love - Sam Browne
11. Thrill Is Gone - Rudy Vallée
12. Ain't Misbehavin' - Gene Austin
13. My Sweet Virginia - Al Bowlly
14. Please - Val Rosing
15. Little by Little - Johnny Marvin
16. You're a Real Sweetheart - Sam Coslow
17. Sweet Sue, Just You - George Metaxa
18. Thank Your Father - Harry Richman

Sweet Madness - Sweet Bands (Record 2)

2009-05-11T10:57:00.009-04:00

Here is the second record from this 5-LP set (see April 22). Full info is in the idtags, but you can hear more tunes from Hal Kemp and his Orchestra, as well as Abe Lyman, Richard Hember and his Essex House Orchestra (which features Artie Shaw and Jerry Colonna), Anson Weeks (Bob Crosby vocal), another Casa Loma side and one from Freddie Martin and his Orchestra. I hope to get the rest of this set up a little quicker. Recording dates for these are from May 4, 1933 to September 20, 1933. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Living In Doubt - Hal Kemp and His Orchestra
2. Heart of Stone - Hal Kemp and His Orchestra
3. I Cover The Waterfront - Abe Lyman and His California Orchestra
4. Lying In the Hay - Abe Lyman and His California Orchestra
5. To Be Or Not To Be In Love - Hal Kemp and His Orchestra
6. It Might Have Been a Diff'rent Story - Hal Kemp and His Orchestra
7. Shadows On the Swanee - Hal Kemp and His Orchestra
8. Love Is The Thing - Richard Himber and His Essex House Orchestra
9. Love Is The Sweetest Thing - Richard Himber and His Essex House Orchestra
10. If You Lived In The Mountains - Hal Kemp and His Orchestra
11. Ain'tcha Glad? - Hal Kemp and His Orchestra
12. You've Got Everything - Anson Weeks and His Orchestra
13. Sweet Madness - Casa Loma Orchestra
14. Beatiful Girl - Freddie Martin and His Orchestra

Moten Swing

2009-05-10T09:00:00.001-04:00

Another nice set from Classics which concludes with Moten's famous December 13, 1932 recordings. Pianist and bandleader, Bennie Moten helped to establish what is called the Kansas City Jazz style. In 1922 he formed the B. B. & D. Trio (Beenie, Bailey and Dude, although they were popularly referred to as Big, Black and Dirty) and made his recording debut in 1923, when his band accompanied Blues singer Ada Brown on the song "Evil Mama Blues". In 1926, Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra began recording for Victor. Moten had several bands touring under his name in the 1920s. Moten started "raiding" another Kansas City band, The Blue Devils for musicians. Count Basie left the Blue Devils in 1929 and was followed by Jimmy Rushing, Hot Lips Page, Eddie Durham and Ben Webster, thus forming the nucleus of the future Count Basie Orchestra. When Moten died in 1935 from a botched tonsillectomy, Basie took over the band. Under his leadership the band emerged as one of the greatest of all Jazz bands. (from Redhotjazz.com) Some hi-res scans are here. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Count
2. Liza Lee
3. Get Goin' (Get Ready to Love)
4. Professor Hot Stuff
5. When I'm Alone
6. New Moten Stomp
7. As Long as I Love You
8. Somebody Stole My Gal
9. Now That I Need You
10. Bouncin' Round
11. Ya Got Love
12. I Wanna Be Around My Baby All the Time
13. Toby
14. Moten Swing
15. Blue Room
16. Imagination
17. New Orleans
18. Only Girl I Ever Loved
19. Milenberg Joys
20. Lafayette
21. Prince of Wails
22. Two Times

In The Groove

2009-05-07T21:39:00.004-04:00

The third Andy Kirk CD put out by the Classics label (reissuing all of Kirk's swing-era recordings) is primarily for completists, for the then-popular but rather dated singer Pha Terrell is on the majority of the songs. There are some good moments from pianist Mary Lou Williams and tenor saxophonist Dick Wilson (particularly on the instrumentals), with the most memorable numbers being "A Mellow Bit of Rhythm," "Twinklin'," and "The Big Dipper," but Terrell is often difficult to sit through. (from Scott Yannow) Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Downstream
2. In the Groove
3. Worried over You
4. Foolin' Myself
5. I'm Glad for Your Sake (But I'm Sorry for Mine)
6. I'll Get Along Somehow
7. A Mellow Bit of Rhythm
8. In My Wildest Dreams
9. Better Luck Next Time
10. With Love in My Heart
11. What's Mine Is Yours
12. Why Can't We Do It Again?
13. The Key to My Heart
14. I Went to a Gypsy
15. Lover, Come Back to Me
16. Poor Butterfly
17. The Big Dipper
18. Bear Down
19. I Surrender, Dear
20. Twinklin'
21. It Must Be True (You Are Mine, All Mine)
22. I'll Get By (As Long as I Have You)
23. Little Joe from Chicago

Here Comes The Sun (Chick Bullock Vol. 2)

2009-04-29T12:03:00.006-04:00

** Note - Apparently a couple of tracks were only coming through one channel, so I have re-recorded the 4 that I believe are the culprits. For those who already downloaded, you can get them as singles here. The download link below has been re-uploaded with the new files. Sorry for any inconvenience!

At last, here is the second batch of Chick Bullock from my collection of 78s that completes my holdings from 1930. To my knowledge none of these have been commercially released on cd. I had hoped to post this much sooner but, lo and behold, I managed to acquire a handful more 78s that included some sides from 1930. The first song “Should I?” is the same version as from Volume 1 (from an Australian Vocalion 697), however this time it comes from a Chicago Mail Order label called Homestead. This label isn’t even listed in the Chick Bullock discography, so of course I had to have it. It’s also slightly cleaner, and with my new turntable, sounds nicer to my ears and hopefully yours. “I’m Yours” by the Roy Smeck Trio was previously thought to have been rejected. As you can see and hear, it wasn’t.

Another recent addition is “So Beats My Heart For You” from the Challenge label (Sears & Roebuck). The discography listed this label as the only label release, however I’ve since learned it at least came out on Banner as well. Nonetheless, it is rare and I didn’t have it in my collection. The recording date and session info is the same as for “Just A Little Closer” and can also be found in the Idtags for that previous Bullock post.

The last new addition features Bullock teaming up with Roy Smeck’s Trio on “Somewhere In Old Wyoming” and “Rose of Romany.” Again, I’m no sound engineer, however the A-side here is pretty scratchy especially at the beginning. So I’ve included two versions, one with my standard single noise reduction filter, and the second with three passes through the filter (and some minor eq adjustment). Please let me know if it sounds any better, or if there is too much fidelity lost.

I’ve also included some pictures of the different labels, but be forewarned that I’m no photographer either. Enjoy. +

Tracks (in order of recording date)

1. Should I?
2. So Beats My Heart For You
3. I’ll Be Blue Just Thinking Of You
4. Don't Tell Her
5. If I Could Be With You
6. Here Comes The Sun
7. My Baby Just Cares For Me
8. Somewhere In Old Wyoming (version 1)
9. Somewhere In Old Wyoming (version 2)
10. Three Little Words
11. You're Driving Me Crazy
12. Rose of Romany
13. When The Organ Played At Twilight
14. I'm Yours
15. To Whom It May Concern
16. Crying Myself To Sleep
17. What Good Am I Without You

Sweet As A Song

2009-04-28T09:15:00.003-04:00

One of the great crooners, rivaling Bing Crosby. All one can do is listen and enjoy. This is the only Bowlly cd in my collection, however I have three or four LPs for which I'm in the process of ripping. They'll be posted sometime in the near future. I forgot to include it with the file, but a scan of the back cover with track and recording info is here. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Marie
2. Sweet Someone
3. Colorado Sunset
4. Is That The Way To Treat A Sweetheart?
5. When Mother Nature Sings Her Lullaby
6. Two Sleepy People
7. Sweet As A Song
8. Goodnight Angel
9. Any Broken Hearts To Mend?
10. Al Bowlly Remembers (medley): Lover Come Back To Me / Dancing In The Dark / I'm Gonna Sit Right Down
11. The Very Thought Of You
12. You're As Pretty As A Picture
13. Proud Of You
14. True
15. Summer's End
16. There's Rain In My Eyes
17. Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen
18. When The Organ Played "O Promise Me"
19. While The Cigarette Was Burning
20. Penny Sernade

Stealin' Apples

2009-04-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here's some more Fletcher Henderson for you. "In early 1935 Fletcher Henderson broke up his classic orchestra but a year later, with the success of so many other big bands, he formed a new ensemble. This Classics CD includes four songs from 1934, Henderson's entire output from 1936 and his first recording of 1937. The main difference between the two units is that the later one boasted the trumpet of Roy Eldridge and tenor solos from Coleman Hawkins's potential successor, Chu Berry. "Christopher Columbus" became a hit as did the band's new theme song ("Stealin' Apples") but the brief bit of glory would not last. However, Henderson's brand of swing music still sounds fresh today and this CD is easily recommended." (Scott Yanow, Allmusic.com) Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Wild Party
2. Rug Cutter's Swing
3. Hotter Than 'ell
4. Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away)
5. Christopher Columbus
6. Big Chief De Sota
7. Blue Lou
8. Stealin' Apples
9. I'm A Fool For Loving You
10. Moonrise On The Lowlands
11. I'll Always Be In Love With You
12. Jangled Nerves
13. Where There's You There's Me
14. Do You Or Don't You Love Me?
15. Grand Terrace Rhythm
16. Riffin'
17. Mary Had A Little Lamb
18. Shoe Shine Boy
19. Sing, Sing, Sing
20. Until Today
21. Knock, Knock Who's There?
22. Jim Town Blues
23. You Can Depend On Me
24. What Will I Tell My Heart?

Dancing On The Ceiling (Sweet Bands Record 1)

2009-04-22T13:30:00.006-04:00

This is the first record from a 1979 CBS 5-LP set called "Sweet Bands of the 30s." I'm going to post these one at a time because it takes a while to enter all the track info in the tags. As the LP seems to have sorted their tracks by recording dates, the first record includes tunes from January 1932 - January 1933. Since I don't have a scanner and couldn't find a better image on the internet, I've included high-res photos of the cover and back. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Snuggled On Your Shoulders (Cuddled In Your Arms) - Smith Ballew and His Orchestra
2. Dancing On The Ceiling - Smith Ballew and His Orchestra
3. Lazy Day - Casa Loma Orchestra
4. Love Me Tonight - Anson Weeks and His Hotel Mark Hopkins Orchestra
5. Sheltered By The Stars, Cradled By The Moon - Benny Krueger and His Orchestra
6. Wintergreen For President - Hal Kemp and His Orchestra
7. Ah! But I've Learned - Hal Kemp and His Orchestra
8. After Tonight - Casa Loma Orchestra
9. One Little Word Led To Another - Casa Loma Orchestra
10. Night And Day - Eddie Duchin and His Central Park Casino Orchestra
11. After You - Who? - Eddie Duchin and His Central Park Casino Orchestra
12. New Orleans - Casa Loma Orchestra
13. When The Morning Rolls Around - Hal Kemp and His Orchestra
14. Happy Times - Hal Kemp and His Orchestra

More Than You Know

2009-04-20T14:44:00.003-04:00

Bill Challis' claim to fame was as the most significant jazz arranger for the Jean Goldkette and Paul Whiteman Orchestras in the 1920s. By 1936, he was a freelance writer who often worked in the studios. On this recording and the follow-up set (both of which consist of radio transcriptions), Challis heads a large orchestra featuring such notable names as trumpeter Manny Klein, trombonists Jack Jenney and Will Bradley and clarinetist Artie Shaw, along with strings and a vocal quartet (going under the name of Bea and the Bachelors) that includes Bea Wain and Al Rinker. The performances (which include possibly the earliest version of "Let Yourself Go") are essentially dance music rather than jazz. There are few solos, and the emphasis is on the ensembles during such songs as "Temptation," "New Orleans" and "Broadway Rhythm," although "Clarinet Marmalade" has its moments. Decent music, but nothing too essential. From Scott Yanow, All Music Guide. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Great Day
2. Paradise
3. Riverboat Shuffle
4. Dardanella
5. More Than You Know
6. Mimi
7. In the Still of the Night
8. Life Is a Song (Let's Sing It Together)
9. Paris in the Spring
10. Medley: It Happened In Monterey/in A Little Spanish Town
11. Rockin' Chair
12. On Treasure Island
13. Clarinet Marmalade
14. Temptation
15. Get Thee Behind Me Satan
16. Sidewalks of Cuba
17. New Orleans
18. Let Yourself Go
19. The Moon Was Yellow
20. Broadway Rhythm

The Cotton Club Legend 1929-1941

2009-04-17T09:00:00.003-04:00

1985 seems to have been a good year for jazz compilations on LP. Here's a French issue that covers some of the bands who played at the famous Cotton Club in Harlem. Duke Ellington, Eubie Blake, Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Cab Calloway and more. There were other Prohibition-era clubs such as the Savoy, Roseland, Lafayette, Apollo and Connie's Inn but the Cotton Club was the place to be. Enjoy. +

Tracks

(side one)
1. A Nite At The Cotton Club - Duke Ellington and His Orchestra
2. Market Street Stomp - The Missourians
3. A Few Riffs - Fess Williams and His Royal Flush Orchestra
4. My Blue Days Blew Over - Eubie Blake and His Orchestra
5. Medley of Armstrong Hits - Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra
6. Drop Me Off In Harlem - Adelaide Hall with the Mills Blue Rhythm Band
7. Love Is The Thing - Mills Blue Rhythm Band
8. The Lady With The Fan - Cab Calloway and His Cotton Club Orchestra

(side two)
9. Daybreak Express - Duke Ellington and His Orchestra
10. Minnie The Moocher - Cab Calloway and His Cotton Club Orchestra
11. Swingin' Uptown - Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra
12. 'Long About Midnight - Willie Bryant and His Orchestra
13. The Scat Song - Billy Banks
14. King Porter Stomp - Teddy Hill and His Orchestra
15. Jeepers Creepers - Ethel Waters with Eddie Mallory and His Orchestra
16. Bojangles - Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra
17. Saint Louis Blues - Lena Horne with the Dixieland Jazz Group of NBC's Chamber Music of Lower Basin Street

New King Porter Stomp

2009-04-16T09:00:00.007-04:00

Here's some more from Fletcher Henderson. Following the departure of Don Redman (to form his own successful band), this volume includes performances by Coleman Hawkins, John Kirby, Claude Hopkins, Buster Bailey, Russ Morgan, and more. A scan of the session info is included. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Honeysuckle Rose
2. New King Porter Stomp
3. Underneath the Harlem Moon
4. Yeah Man!
5. King Porter Stomp
6. Queer Notions
7. Can You Take It?
8. Queer Notions
9. It's the Talk of the Town
10. Night Life
11. Nagasaki
12. Hocus Pocus
13. Phantom Fantasie
14. Harlem Madness
15. Tidal Wave
16. Limehouse Blues
17. Shanghai Shuffle
18. Big John's Special
19. Happy as the Day Is Long
20. Tidal Wave
21. Down South Camp Meeting
22. Wrappin' It Up
23. Memphis Blues

Cheek To Cheek 1935

2009-04-15T09:00:00.002-04:00

My new turntable has arrived so today I offer a rip from a 1985 LP, Cheek to Cheek 1935 (Nostalgia NOST 7657). I wish I could get copies of the other years featured in this series from Sweden, not just for the great music but for the liner notes by Anders R. Öhman. Even though I love many different styles of music, I have to nod in appreciation with Öhman's assessment. Here is just a sample:

"Fifty years later the music of 1935 seems more wonderful than ever. For decades we have now been used to watch how the young generations go "crazy" about very boring or bad, sometimes even directly harmful, types of music and/or of painfully incompetent or musically unstatisfactory artists. Radio, TV and record producers are to this day - often without realizing what they are doing - promoting extremely inferior music with a square, lifeless rhythm. A monotonous and noisy output of sounds, the level of which has been raised more andmore in order to get enough reaction from listeners. This development is singularly sad and unnecessary in view of the fact that we never had a greater number of technically competent musicians than at present, but they are, alas, often used to disadvantage.

Is this description of today's rock- and pop-music biased and unfair? It is, no doubt, somewhat exaggerated and generalizing but in the main it is, I am afraid, not far from reality. What is quite serious and very hard to excuse is that those who are responsible for the musical output in radio and TV take part in creating a demand or even a "need" for trash: by repeatedly hearing the kind of recordings I am referring to the listeners believe that this is music worth listening to. They get used to it, their receptive powers are degraded and the demand is there - it is a crime almost as serious as drug peddling! And the wealth of good, popular music and jazz is waiting in the shelves, unplayed." And here we are 24 years later and the quality of music today is, well, .... Enjoy. +

Tracks

(side one)
1. My Blue Heaven - Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra
2. King Porter Stomp - Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
3. Cheek to Cheek - Fred Astaire acc. by Leo Reisman and His Orchestra
4. Djangology - The Quintet of the Hot Club of France with Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelly
5. What a Little Moonlight Can Do - Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra. (v. Billie Holiday)
6. There's Rhythm in Harlem - Mills Blue Rhythm Band
7. The Dixieland Band - Bob Crosby and His Orchestra
8. I'm Getting Sentimental over You - Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra

(side 2)
9. Thanks a Million - Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra
10. Someday Sweetheart - Benny Goodman Trio (Goodman, Wilson, Krupa)
11. Top Hat, White Tie and Tails - Al Bowlly with Ray Noble and the Freshmen
12. When Day Is Done - Mildred Bailey and Her Swing Band
13. In a Sentimental Mood - Duke Ellington and His Orchestra
14. Drun't in Der Lobau - Greta Keller mit Orkester, Dirigent Peter Kreuder
15. Sometimes I'm Happy - Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
16. Lulu's Back in Town - Fats Waller and His Rhythm