ANDY KIRK AND HIS CLOUDS OF JOY – 1940-1942 | The Classics Chronological Series – 681 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Andy Kirk Orchestra was going through some major changes during the period covered by this CD. Tenor star Dick Wilson died prematurely; pop singer Pha Terrell had left; pianist and chief arranger Mary Lou Williams departed in early 1942 (Ken Kersey was her replacement on piano); and such interesting younger players as trumpeters Harold "Shorty" Baker and Howard McGhee and Al Sears on tenor gave the group a slightly different sound. Actually, the music on this CD (late-period swing) is consistently on a higher level than on most of the previous CDs in the Classics series. Highlights include "The Count," "Hey Lawdy Mama," "Boogie Woogie Cocktail" (featuring Kersey) and Howard McGhee's recording debut on the exciting "McGhee Special." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Midnight Stroll 3:19
 Sammy Lowe
Vocals – June Richmond
2    Little Miss    3:12
 Ned Washington
3    The Count    3:09
 Tom Gordon
4    Twelfth Street Rag    2:55
 Euday L. Bowman
5    (Ev'rything Happened) When I Saw You 3:06
 Mueller Johnson
Vocals – Henry Wells
6    If I Feel This Way Tomorrow (Then It's Love) 2:59
Vocals – Henry Wells
7    Or Have I 2:50
 Sam H. Stept
Vocals – Henry Wells
8    Cuban Boogie Woogie 2:19
Lake / La Vere
Vocals – June Richmond
9    A Dream Dropped In 3:05
 Marty Symes
Vocals – Henry Wells
10    Is It A Sin (My Loving You?) 3:04
 Marcus Carcus
Vocals – Henry Wells
11    Ring Dem Bells    2:49
 Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
12    Big Time Crip 2:58
 Wells / Mary Lou Williams
Vocals – Orchestra
13    47th Street Jive 3:11
 Roosevelt Sykes
Vocals – June Richmond
14    I'm Misunderstood 3:20
Grouya
Vocals – Henry Wells
15    No Answer 2:47
Wood / Hoffman / Siegler
Vocals – Henry Wells
16    Hey Lawdy Mama (Meet Me In The Bottom) 2:56
Easton
Vocals – June Richmond
17    Boogie Woogie Cocktail 2:46
Arranged By – Kenny Kersey
18    Ride On, Ride On 2:25
Tolbert
Vocals – June Richmond
19    McGhee Special 2:58
Arranged By – Howard McGhee
20    Worried Life Blues (Someday Baby) 2:27
 Henry Nemo
Vocals – Floyd Smith
21    Take It And Git 3:13
Chapman / Chapman / Green / Marshall
Vocals – Orchestra
22    Hip Hip Hooray 2:58
Nemo / Ebbins
Vocals – June Richmond
23    Unlucky Blues 2:50
Feather / Feather
Vocals – June Richmond
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Ben Smith (tracks: 16 to 23), Earl Miller (tracks: 12 to 15)
Bass – Booker Collins
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Rudy Powell (tracks: 1 to 11)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – John Harrington
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Dick Wilson (tracks: 1 to 15), Edward Inge
Directed By – Andy Kirk
Drums – Ben Thigpen
Guitar, Electric Guitar – Floyd Smith
Piano – Kenny Kersey (tracks: 16 to 23), Mary Lou Williams (tracks: 1 to 15)
Tenor Saxophone – Al Sears (tracks: 16 to 23)
Trombone – Henry Wells (tracks: 1 to 15), Milton Robinson (tracks: 16 to 23), Ted Donnelly
Trumpet – Clarence Trice (tracks: 1 to 15), Harold Baker (tracks: 1 to 15), Harry Lawson, Howard McGhee (tracks: 16 to 23), Johnny Burris (tracks: 16 to 23)