MOUND CITY BLUE BLOWERS – 1935-1936 (1996) The Classics Chronological Series – 895 | FLAC (tracks), lossless

The Mound City Blue Blowers originally made history with a dozen high-quality novelty recordings during 1924-25 that featured the trio of Red McKenzie's comb, Dick Slevin's kazoo and banjoist Jack Bland; guitarist Eddie Lang solidified the rhythm on their later six numbers. However, other than McKenzie's participation, those dates had little to do with the 25 recordings on this Classics CD, the last issued under the Mound City Blue Blowers' name. In fact, other than taking four vocals on the first date, McKenzie makes only cameo appearances on kazoo during the remainder of the program, although he had clearly organized the bands. The six sessions feature overlapping personnel with some hot playing from either Bunny Berigan (on four of the dates) or Yank Lawson on trumpet and Eddie Miller or Forrest Crawford on tenor and clarinet. In addition to McKenzie, guitarist Nappy Lamare has eight vocals; there are also five from Billy Wilson, four from Spooky Dickenson and two by a vocal group. Only "High Society" and "Muskrat Ramble" are instrumentals, although there are strong solos on nearly every number. The music falls between Dixieland and small-group swing and is most notable for the playing of Berigan. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :     
1     What's the Reason (I'm Not Pleasing You?) 3:05
Jimmie Grier / Earl Hatch / Coy Poe / Pinky Tomlin
2     She's a Latin from Manhattan 2:59
Al Dubin / Harry Warren
3     You've Been Takin' Lessons 3:02
Tharpe / Watts   
4     (Back Home Again In) Indiana 2:44
James F. Hanley / Ballard MacDonald
5     Red Sails in the Sunset 2:48
Will Grosz / Jimmy Kennedy
6     I'm Sittin' High on a Hill Top 3:02
Arthur Johnston / Gus Kahn
7     On Treasure Island 3:01
Joe Burke / Edgar Leslie
8     Thanks a Million 2:40
Arthur Johnston / Gus Kahn
9     Eeny Meeny Meiny Mo 2:36
Matty Malneck / Johnny Mercer
10     A Little Bit Independent 2:49
Joe Burke / Edgar Leslie
11     I'm Shooting High 2:34
Ted Koehler / Jimmy McHugh
12     I've Got My Fingers Crossed 2:46
Ted Koehler / Jimmy McHugh
13     High Society 2:55
Armand Piron / Clarence Williams
14     Muskrat Ramble 2:52
Ray Gilbert / Kid Ory
15     The Broken Record 2:58
John Bunch / Cliff Friend / Harry Tobias
16     The Music Goes 'Round and Around 3:06
Eddie Farley / Mike Riley
17     I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself a Letter) 2:43
Fred E. Ahlert / Joe Young
18     Mama Don't Allow It 2:57
Cow Cow Davenport
19     (If I Had) Rhythm in My Nursery Rhymes 2:35
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin / Jimmie Lunceford / Don Raye
20     I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music 2:46
David Franklin
21     You Hit the Spot 2:35
Mack Gordon / Harry Revel
22     Spreadin' Rhythm Around 2:35
Ted Koehler / Jimmy McHugh
23     Saddle Your Blues to a Wild Mustang 2:47
Buddy Bernier / George A. Whiting
24     Wah-Hoo! 3:02
Cliff Friend
25     I'm Gonna Clap My Hands 2:52
Eddie Farley / Mike Riley
Credits :    
Bass [String] – Bob Haggart (tracks: 5 to 8), Harry Goodman (tracks: 1 to 4), Mort Stuhlmaker (tracks: 15, 16), Pete Peterson (tracks: 9 to 14, 21 to 25), Sid Weiss (tracks: 17 to 20)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Eddie Miller (tracks: 1 to 14), Forrest Crawford (tracks: 15 to 25)
Drums – Dave Tough (tracks: 15, 16, 21 to 25), Ray Bauduc (tracks: 1 to 14), Stan King (tracks: 17 to 20)
Guitar – Carmen Mastren (tracks: 17 to 20), Dave Barbour (tracks: 15, 16, 21 to 25), Eddie Condon (tracks: 17 to 20), Nappy Lamare (tracks: 1 to 14)
Kazoo – Red McKenzie
Piano – Frank Signorelli (tracks: 21 to 25), Gil Bowers (tracks: 1 to 4)
Trombone – Al Philburn (tracks: 1 to 4, 21 to 25)
Trumpet – Bunny Berigan (tracks: 1 to 4, 15 to 25), Yank Lawson (tracks: 5 to 14)
Vocals – Billy Wilson (tracks: 21 to 25), Nappy Lamare (tracks: 5 to 12), Red McKenzie (tracks: 1 to 4), Spooky Dickenson (tracks: 17 to 20)
Vocals [Vocal Trio] – Unknown Artist (tracks: 15, 16)