RED NICHOLS – 1925-1927 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1212 (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This anthology collects sides released between 1925 and 1927 by Red Nichols under the usual assortment of monikers, including, this time around, Lanin's Red Heads, the Hottentots, Red & Miff's Stompers, and Red Nichols & His 5 Pennies. These combos usually included longtime associates Miff Mole on trombone and Jimmy Dorsey on clarinet and alto sax. As a cornet player, Nichols often gets dismissed as a version of Bix Beiderbecke lite, an assessment that isn't exactly fair, and he tackles Beiderbecke's own "Davenport Blues" here in his own easy style, showing allegiance more than competition. Other highlights here include the stripped-down "Jimtown Blues" and the intricate "Boneyard Shuffle." Nichols tackled more innovative and complicated arrangements a couple of years down the road from these recordings, and while this might not be the place to start to sample Nichols' massive 1920s output (he is rumored to have appeared on over 4,000 recordings during that decade alone), it is nonetheless a warm, bright, and pleasant listen. Steve Leggett 
Tracklist :
1    Lanin's Red Heads–    Jimtown Blues    3:08
2    Lanin's Red Heads–    King Porter Stomp    3:08
3    Lanin's Red Heads–    I Wouldn't Be Where I Am If You Hadn't Gone Away    2:55
4    Lanin's Red Heads–    Flag That Train    3:05
5    Lanin's Red Heads–    I'm Gonna Hang Around My Sugar    3:21
6    Lanin's Red Heads–    Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue 3:11
Vocals – Art Gillham
7    The Hottentots–    Down And Out Blues    2:59
8    The Hottentots–    The Camel Walk    2:54
9    The Hottentots–    Pensacola    2:36
10    The Hottentots–    Nobody's Rose    2:49
11    The Hottentots–    Lots O'Mama    2:40
12    Red And Miff's Stompers–    Alabama Stomp    3:47
13    Red And Miff's Stompers–    Stampede    4:38
14    Red And Miff's Stompers–    Hurricane    4:28
15    Red And Miff's Stompers–    Black Bottom Stomp    3:50
16    Red Nichols And His Five Pennies–    Washboard Blues    3:06
17    Red Nichols And His Five Pennies–    That's No Bargain    2:43
18    Red Nichols And His Five Pennies–    Buddy's Habits    2:51
19    Red Nichols And His Five Pennies–    Boneyard Shuffle    3:10
20    Red Nichols And His Five Pennies–    Alabama Stomp    2:55
21    Red Nichols And His Five Pennies–    Hurricane    2:56
22    Red And Miff's Stompers–    Delirium    3:04
23    Red And Miff's Stompers–    Davenport Blues    3:02
Credits :
Banjo – Tony Colucci (tracks: 1 to 6, 9, 10, 22, 23), Unknown Artist (tracks: 11)
Bass – Joe Tarto (tracks: 1 to 6, 12 to 15)
Clarinet – Dick Johnson (tracks: 7 to 10), Unknown Artist (tracks: 11)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Jimmy Dorsey (tracks: 12 to 23)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Alfie Evans (tracks: 1 to 6, 12 to 15), Clarence Heidke (tracks: 1 to 6)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – George Slater (tracks: 1 to 6)
Cornet – Unknown Artist (tracks: 11)
Directed By – Sam Lanin (tracks: 1 to 6)
Drums – Unknown Artist (tracks: 11), Vic Berton (tracks: 1 to 10, 12 to 23)
Guitar – Eddie Lang (tracks: 16 to 21)
Piano – Art Gillham (tracks: 5, 6), Arthur Schutt (tracks: 12 to 23), Bill Krenz (tracks: 1 to 4), Rube Bloom (tracks: 7 to 10), Unknown Artist (tracks: 11)
Saxophone [C-Melody] – Unknown Artist (tracks: 11)
Trombone – Miff Mole (tracks: 1 to 10, 12 to 15, 18 to 23), Unknown Artist (tracks: 11)
Trumpet – Hymie Farberman (tracks: 1 to 6), Red Nichols (tracks: 1 to 10, 12 to 23)
Violin – Unknown Artist (tracks: 5, 6)