ANDY KIRK AND HIS TWELVE CLOUDS OF JOY – 1929-1931 | The Classics Chronological Series – 655 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This highly recommended CD from the European Classics label has all of the early recordings of Andy Kirk's Twelve Clouds of Joy, although unfortunately not the alternate takes. The most famous soloists were pianist Mary Lou Williams (who was also responsible for most of the arrangements), violinist Claude Williams (who unfortunately left Kirk before he had his big success in the mid-'30s), and trumpeter Edgar "Puddinghead" Battle, although the lesser-known players mostly fare pretty well too. The selections are primarily hot vintage Kansas City jazz, including such tunes as "Blue Clarinet Stomp," "Cloudy," "Lotta Sax Appeal," "Mary's Idea," and "Once or Twice." This CD concludes with three numbers from 1931 when Kirk's Orchestra was briefly being used to back singer Blanche Calloway (Cab's older sister). Unfortunately, Kirk's ensemble would not record again for another five years, but these early titles -- which give listeners clues as to the big band's evolution -- stand alone as fine 1920s jazz. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Mess-A-Stomp 2:41
Written-By – Williams
2    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Blue Clarinet Stomp 2:48
Written-By – Kirk
3    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Cloudy 2:57
Written-By – Kirk
4    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Casey Jones Special 2:54
Written-By – Kirk
5    John Williams And His Memphis Stompers–    Somepin' Slow And Low 3:09
Written By – Unknown
Written-By [Uncredited] – John Williams
6    John Williams And His Memphis Stompers–    Lotta Sax Appeal 2:30
Written-By – Williams
7    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Corky Stomp 2:40
Written-By – Kirk, Williams
8    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Froggy Bottom 3:10
Written-By – Williams
9    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    I Lost My Gal From Memphis 3:16
Written-By – Tobias, De Rose
10    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Loose Ankles 3:21
Written-By – Kirk, Williams
11    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Snag It 3:07
Written-By – Oliver
12    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Sweet And Hot 3:07
Written-By – Freeman
13    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Mary's Idea 3:07
Written-By – Williams
14    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Once Or Twice 3:00
Written-By – Cobb
15    Seven Little Clouds Of Joy–    Getting' Off A Mess 2:47
Written-By – Williams
16    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Dallas Blues 2:40
Written-By – Wand, Carett
17    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Travellin' That Rocky Road 3:04
Written-By – Lovett / Smith
18    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Honey, Just For You 3:13
Written-By – Freeman
19    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    You Rascal You 2:41
Written-By – Theard
20    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Saturday 3:18
Vocals – Dick Robertson
Written-By – Brooks, Mitchell
21    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Sophomore 2:59
Vocals – Dick Robertson
Written-By – Hill, Causer
22    Blanche Calloway And Her Joy Boys–    Casey Jones Blues 3:02
Traditional
23    Blanche Calloway And Her Joy Boys–    There's Rhythm In The River 3:01
Vocals – Blanche Calloway
Written-By – Webster
24    Blanche Calloway And Her Joy Boys–    I Need Lovin' 2:49
Vocals – Blanche Calloway
Written By – Glamor
Written-By – Johnson
Written-By [Uncredited] – Henry Creamer
25    Mary Lou WIlliams–    Margie 2:27
Soloist, Piano – Mary Lou WIlliams
Written-By – Davis, Conrad, Robinson
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – John Williams (tracks: 1 to 14, 16 to 24)
Arranged By – Mary Lou Williams (tracks: 1 to 21)
Banjo – William Dirvin (tracks: 1 to 14, 16 to 21), Bill Dirvin (tracks: 22 to 24)
Bass Saxophone – Andy Kirk (tracks: 1 to 14)
Brass Bass – Andy Kirk (tracks: 1 to 14, 16 to 24)
Clarinet – John Williams (tracks: 2), Lawrence "Slim" Freeman (tracks: 2)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – John Harrington (tracks: 1 to 24)
Directed By – Andy Kirk (tracks: 1 to 14)
Drums – Ben Thigpen (tracks: 22 to 24), Edward McNeil (tracks: 1 to 21)
Guitar – William Dirvin (tracks: 1 to 14, 16 to 21)
Piano – Mary Lou Williams (tracks: 1, 3 to 24)
Tenor Saxophone – Lawrence "Slim" Freeman (tracks: 1, 3 to 14, 16 to 21), Lawrence Freeman (tracks: 22 to 24)
Trombone – Allen Durham (tracks: 1, 3 to 21), Floyd Brady (tracks: 22 to 24)
Trumpet – Edgar Battle (tracks: 9 to 14, 16 to 24), Gene Prince (tracks: 1, 3 to 8), Harry Lawson (tracks: 1, 3 to 24)
Trumpet, Vocals – Clarence Smith (tracks: 22 to 24)
Violin – Claude Williams (tracks: 1 to 14, 16 to 24)
Vocals – Billy Massey (tracks: 9, 14, 16, 18, 19, 22), Lawson (tracks: 2)