CHICK WEBB AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1929-1934 (1990) The Classics Chronological Series – 502 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The perfect way to acquire drummer Chick Webb's recordings is to get his two Classics CDs which contain all of his performances as a leader, other than Ella Fitzgerald's features (which are in a separate Ella series) and a few numbers from Webb's final dates. On the first of the CDs, Webb leads a pickup band in 1929 (for "Dog Bottom" and "Jungle Mama"), an early orchestra in 1931 (highlighted by the first version ever of Benny Carter's "Blues in My Heart"), two numbers from 1933, and all of his classic swing sides of 1934. With arranger/altoist Edgar Sampson providing such compositions as "When Dreams Come True," "Don't Be That Way," "Blue Lou," and "Stompin' at the Savoy" (all of which would become better-known for their slightly later Benny Goodman recordings), trumpeter Taft Jordan taking some vocals purposely influenced by Louis Armstrong, Jordan, trombonist Sandy Williams, and tenor saxophonist Elmer Williams coming up with consistently hot solos, and the drummer/leader driving the orchestra, this was one of the top jazz big bands of the era. Highly recommended as is Classics' 1935-1938 Chick Webb volume. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :
1    The Jungle Band-    Dog Bottom 2:40
Vocals – Ward Pinkett
2    The Jungle Band–    Jungle Mama    3:19
3    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    Heebie Jeebies 3:08
Arranged By – Benny Carter
4    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    Blues In My Heart 3:09
Arranged By – Benny Carter
Vocals – Louis Bacon
5    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    Soft And Sweet 3:07
Arranged By – Benny Carter
6    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    On The Sunny Side Of The Street 2:54
Vocals – Taft Jordan
7    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    Darktown Strutters' Ball    2:51
8    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    When Dreams Come True    3:23
9    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    Let's Get Together 3:05
Arranged By – Edgar Sampson
10    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    I Can't Dance (I Got Ants In My Pants) 2:58
Vocals – Taft Jordan
11    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    Imagination 3:25
Vocals – Chuck Richards
12    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    Why Should I Beg For Love 3:07
Arranged By – Edgar Sampson
Vocals – Taft Jordan
13    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    Stompin' At The Savoy    3:11
14    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    Blue Minor 2:47
Arranged By – Edgar Sampson
15    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    True 2:44
Vocals – Charles Linton
16    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    Lonesome Moments 2:45
Arranged By – Edgar Sampson
17    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    If It Ain't Love 3:00
Vocals – Charles Linton
18    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    That Rhythm Man 2:57
Vocals – Taft Jordan
19    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    On The Sunny Side Of The Street 2:50
Vocals – Taft Jordan
20    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    Lona 2:49
Arranged By – Edgar Sampson
21    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    Blue Minor 3:06
Arranged By – Edgar Sampson
22    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    It's All Over Because We're Through 3:17
Vocals – Taft Jordan
23    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    Don't Be That Way    2:38
24    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    What A Shuffle 2:57
Arranged By – Edgar Sampson
25    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    Blue Lou    3:07
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Edgar Sampson (tracks: 6 to 25), Pete Clark (tracks: 6 to 25)
Banjo, Guitar – John Trueheart
Bass [String Bass] – John Kirby (tracks: 6 to 25)
Brass Bass, Bass [String Bass] – Elmer James (tracks: 1 to 5)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter (tracks: 3 to 5), Hilton Jefferson (tracks: 1 to 5), Louis Jordan (tracks: 1, 2)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Elmer Williams
Drums – Chick Webb (tracks: 1, 3 to 25)
Piano – Don Kirkpatrick (tracks: 1 to 5, 18 to 25), Joe Steele (tracks: 6 to 17)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Wayman Carver (tracks: 14 to 25)
Trombone – Robert Horton (tracks: 1, 2), Claude Jones (tracks: 18 to 25), Fernando Arbello (tracks: 14 to 17), Jimmy Harrison (tracks: 3 to 5), Sandy Williams (tracks: 6 to 25)
Trumpet – Bobby Stark (tracks: 14 to 25), Edwin Swayzee (tracks: 1, 2), Louis Bacon (tracks: 3 to 5), Louis Hunt (tracks: 3 to 5), Mario Bauzá (tracks: 6 to 25), Reunald Jones (tracks: 6 to 13), Shelton Hemphill (tracks: 3 to 5), Taft Jordan (tracks: 6 to 25), Ward Pinkett (tracks: 1, 2)