BUNNY BERIGAN AND HIS BOYS – 1935-1936 | The Classics Chronological Series – 734 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Bunny Berigan began his prime stretch of solo recordings with this collection of songs cut between 1935-1936. Berigan still worked as a sideman for the likes of Benny Goodman during this period, and he even did some session and film work, but it is his own material which has solidified his reputation as a top figure of the big band era. And while later sides from 1937-1939 would trump some of the ones included here, this collection still brims over with exciting and tight material from a variety of Berigan contingents. In addition to his first stab at "I Can't Get Started" (somewhat inferior to the classic version from 1937), Berigan is featured on a bevy of small group and a large ensemble highlights, like "Chicken and Waffles" and "Blues." There's also a clutch of songs cut under pianist and Goodman-alum Frank Froeba's leadership, which spotlight the pleasant-enough vocal talents of Midge Williams and Chris Bullock. Also on hand, jazz royalty like Artie Shaw, Cozy Cole, Eddie Condon, and Bud Freeman. A fine mix from Berigan's early heyday. Stephen Cook  
Tracklist :
1    Bunny Berigan And His Blue Boys–    You Took Advantage Of Me 3:24
Written-By – Rodgers - Hart
2    Bunny Berigan And His Blue Boys–    Chicken And Waffles 3:00
Written-By – Berigan
3    Bunny Berigan And His Blue Boys–    I'm Coming Virginia 2:44
Written-By – Heywood
4    Bunny Berigan And His Blue Boys–    Blues 3:00
Written-By – Berigan
5    Bunny Berigan And His Boys–    It's Been So Long 2:45
Written-By – Adamson, Donaldson
6    Bunny Berigan And His Boys–    I'd Rather Lead A Band 2:00
Written-By – Berlin
7    Bunny Berigan And His Boys–    Let Yourself Go 2:00
Written-By – Berlin
8    Bunny Berigan And His Boys–    Swing, Mister Charlie 3:06
Vocals – Chick Bullock
Written By – Robinson - Taylor - Brooks
9    Bunny Berigan And His Boys–    A Melody From The Sky 1:58
Vocals – Chick Bullock
Written-By – Alter, Mitchell
10    Bunny Berigan And His Boys–    I Can't Get Started 3:22
Vocals – Bunny Berigan
Written-By – Ira Gershwin, Vernon Duke
11    Bunny Berigan And His Boys–    A Little Bit Later On 2:50
Vocals – Chick Bullock
Written-By – Neiburg, Levinson
12    Bunny Berigan And His Boys–    Rhythm Saved The World 1:50
Vocals – Chick Bullock
Written-By – Cahn, Chaplin
13    Frank Froeba And His Swing Band–    Just To Be In Caroline 2:59
Vocals – Tempo King
Written By – Hines - Carpenter - Dunlap
Written-By – Carpenter, Hines
14    Frank Froeba And His Swing Band–    'Tain't Nobody's Biz'ness What I Do 2:29
Vocals – Tempo King
Written By – Brown - Sampsel - Markowitz
15    Bunny Berigan And His Boys–    I Nearly Let Love Go Slipping Thru' My Fingers 1:47
Written-By – Woods
16    Bunny Berigan And His Boys–    But Definitely 2:09
Written-By – Revel, Gordon
17    Bunny Berigan And His Boys–    If I Had My Way 2:03
Written-By – Kendis, Klein
18    Bunny Berigan And His Boys–    When I'm With You 2:45
Vocals – Chick Bullock
Written-By – Revel, Gordon
19    Frank Froeba And His Swing Band–    Whatcha Gonna Do When There Ain't No Swing? 3:16
Vocals – Midge Williams
Written-By – Neiburg, Levinson
20    Frank Froeba And His Swing Band–    Organ Grinder's Swing 3:08
Vocals – Midge Williams
Written-By – De Lange, Hudson
21    Frank Froeba And His Swing Band–    Rhythm Lullaby 2:59
Vocals – Midge Williams
Written By – Jenkins
22    Frank Froeba And His Swing Band–    It All Begins And Ends With You 3:12
Vocals – Midge Williams
Written By – Klages - Froeba - Palmer
Written-By – Froeba, Klages
Credits :    
Bass – Artie Bernstein (tracks: 13, 14), Artie Shapiro (tracks: 19 to 22), Grachan Moncur (tracks: 1 to 4), Mort Stuhlmaker (tracks: 5 to 12, 15 to 18)
Clarinet – Artie Shaw (tracks: 9, 10), Joe Marsala (tracks: 5 to 8, 13, 14, 19 to 22), Paul Ricci (tracks: 11, 12), Slats Long (tracks: 15 to 18)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Edgar Sampson (tracks: 1 to 4)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Eddie Miller (tracks: 1 to 4)
Drums – Cozy Cole (tracks: 9 to 12, 15 to 22), Dave Tough (tracks: 5 to 8), Maurice Purtill (tracks: 13, 14), Ray Bauduc (tracks: 1 to 4)
Guitar – Bobby Bennett (tracks: 19 to 22), Clayton Duerr (tracks: 13, 14), Dave Barbour (tracks: 5 to 8), Eddie Condon (tracks: 9 to 12, 15 to 18)
Piano – Cliff Jackson (tracks: 1 to 4), Frank Froeba (tracks: 13, 14, 19 to 22), Joe Bushkin (tracks: 5 to 12, 15 to 18)
Tenor Saxophone – Art Drelinger (tracks: 19 to 22), Bud Freeman (tracks: 5 to 8), Forrest Crawford (tracks: 5 to 12), Herbie Haymer (tracks: 13, 14)
Trombone – Jack Lacey (tracks: 15 to 18)
Trumpet – Bunny Berigan