BILLY KYLE – 1939-1946 (1997) The Classics Chronological Series – 941 | FLAC (tracks), lossless

The second of two Classics Billy Kyle CDs has all of the remaining titles the superior swing pianist led during his life (although he lived until 1966). Ten of the 23 numbers are lesser performances, with four featuring the dated organist Bob Hamilton and the vocals of O'Neil Spencer; two are jivey numbers by singer Jack Sneed and his Sneezers, and four others also emphasize O'Neil Spencer's singing along with the organ of Milt Herth. However, the other 13 selections are full of classic swing-oriented performances. The talented British trumpeter Nat Gonella is heard fronting a hot septet also including Kyle, clarinetist Buster Bailey and altoist Benny Carter (their version of "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" is a highlight); Kyle leads a couple of high-quality trio sets from 1939 and 1946, and he also heads a 1946 octet also featuring trumpeter Dick Vance, trombonist Trummy Young, clarinetist Bailey and tenor saxophonist John Hardee. The better half of this CD is so strong that it makes the entire set well worth acquiring despite the organists. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Nat Gonella With John Kirby's Orchestra–    You Must Have Been A Beautiful Day    3:03
2    Nat Gonella With John Kirby's Orchestra–    Just A Kid Named Joe    3:15
3    Nat Gonella With John Kirby's Orchestra–    Jeepers Creepers    2:58
4    Nat Gonella With John Kirby's Orchestra–    I Must See Annie Tonight    2:49
5    The Ramblers–    Honey In The Bee Ball    3:11
6    The Ramblers–    'Tain't What You Do (It's The Way That Cha Do It)    2:47
7    The Ramblers–    Money Is Honey    3:10
8    The Ramblers–    Lonesome Railroad    2:36
9    Billy Kyle–    Finishing Up A Date    2:40
10    Billy Kyle–    Between Sets    2:34
11    Jack Sneed And His Sneezers–    Paul Revere    2:48
12    Jack Sneed And His Sneezers–    Ole Chris (Christafo Colombo)    2:58
13    Milt Herth Trio–    Scatter-Brain    2:40
14    Milt Herth Trio–    The Moneys Have No Tails In Pago-Pago    2:42
15    Milt Herth Trio–    Peach Tree Street (Blues Song)    2:41
16    Milt Herth Trio–    Hezekiah (The Handwriting On The Wall)    2:46
17    Billy Kyle–    I Want You I Need You    3:03
18    Billy Kyle–    All The Things You Are    2:42
19    Billy Kyle–    I Got A Right To Sing The Blues    2:51
20    Billy Kyle's Big Eight–    H.R.S. Bounce    3:02
21    Billy Kyle's Big Eight–    Ooh, Baby, You Knock Me Out    2:50
22    Billy Kyle's Big Eight–    Date For Eight    3:00
23    Billy Kyle's Big Eight–    Contemporary Blues    2:58
Credits
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter (tracks: 1 to 4), Lem Davis (tracks: 20 to 23)
Bass – John Kirby (tracks: 1 to 4, 11, 12, 17 to 19), John Simmons (tracks: 20 to 23), Marty Kaplan (tracks: 9, 10)
Clarinet – Buster Bailey (tracks: 1 to 4, 20 to 23)
Drums – Buddy Rich (tracks: 20 to 23), Jack Maisel (tracks: 1 to 4), O'Neil Spencer (tracks: 5 to 16)
Guitar – Brick Fleagle (tracks: 1 to 4), Dave Barbour (tracks: 9, 10), Jimmy Shirley (tracks: 17 to 19), Teddy Bunn (tracks: 5 to 8)
Organ – Bob Hamilton (tracks: 5 to 8), Milt Herth (tracks: 13 to 16)
Piano – Billy Kyle
Tenor Saxophone – John Hardee (tracks: 20 to 23)
Trombone – Trummy Young (tracks: 20 to 23)
Trumpet – Charlie Shavers (tracks: 11, 12), Dick Vance (tracks: 20 to 23)
Trumpet, Vocals – Nat Gonella (tracks: 1 to 4)
Vocals – O'Neil Spencer (tracks: 5 to 8, 13 to 16), Teddy Bunn (tracks: 6)