Balloonacy

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

Tracks

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

Swingin' in E Flat

From Allmusic.com, this fine big band was originally formed by drummer Willie Lynch as the Blue Rhythm Band in 1930 and as the Coconut Grove Orchestra, provided backup to Louis Armstrong on some records. In 1931, Irving Mills became their manager and the group was renamed the Mills Blue Rhythm Band. Lynch's departure later that year resulted in Baron Lee fronting the band until Lucky Millinder took over in 1934. They were also the Cotton Club backup band while Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington toured. Scans of the booklet are included. Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Ridin' in Rhythm
2. Weary Traveller
3. Buddy's Wednesday Outing
4. Harlem After Midnight
5. Jazz Martini
6. Feelin' Gay
7. Break It Down
8. Kokey Joe
9. Love's Serenade
10. Harlem After Midnight
11. Drop Me off in Harlem
12. Reaching for the Cotton Moon
13. Stuff Is Here (And It's Mellow)
14. Growl
15. Swingin' in E Flat
16. Let's Have a Jubilee
17. Out of a Dream
18. African Lullaby
19. Solitude
20. Dancing Dogs
21. Love's Serenade
22. Keep the Rhythm Going
23. Like a Bolt from the Blue