A veteran of territory bands from the Southwest and Midwest, Hot Lips Page struck out on his own in the latter half of the '30s to lead a big band. His experience with Bennie Moten and Count Basie's groups may not have translated into similarly stellar material and arrangements, but the rough-hewn yet fluid swing those outfits adhered to certainly found its way into his repertoire. This Classics disc finds Page during those early days from 1938-1940, and includes cuts both by his group and smaller combos featuring Kansas alto legend Buster Smith, pianist Pete Johnson, and tenor saxophonist Don Byas. There's plenty of Page's masterful blues and jazz singing ("Old Man Ben"), along with a fine array of his heated trumpet solos. A fine selection from one of the unwitting godfathers of jump blues and early R&B. Stephen Cook
Tracklist + Credits :
3.9.23
HOT LIPS PAGE AND HIS BAND – 1938-1940 | The Chronogical Classics – 561 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
29.4.23
ANDY KIRK AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1943-1949 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1075 (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
This compilation presents selections from the last several recording sessions (mostly for Decca) of bandleader Andy Kirk. 1943-1949 opens with three late 1943 songs from Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy, which included trumpeters Fats Navarro and Howard McGhee, tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest, and vocalist June Richmond. Next comes "Hippy-Dippy," one of the few surviving songs from the only visit Kirk's band made to the studios in 1944. This number is followed by two very popular sellers, "Get Together With the Lord" and "I Know," representing the 1945 period of Andy Kirk and His Orchestra (this time including Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis) and featuring vocals by the Jubalaires, who return to sing on the 1946 recordings of "I Don't Know What I'd Do Without You" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Other vocalists heard on 1943-1949 include Bea Booze, the Four Knights, Joe Williams, and Kenny White. Joslyn Layne
Tracklist :
1 Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy– Shorty Boo 2:59
Vocals – Unknown Artist
Written-By – Unknown Artist
2 Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy– Fare Thee Honey Fare Thee Well 2:59
Vocals – June Richmond
Written-By – Alston
3 Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy– Baby Don't You Tell Me No Lie 3:08
Vocals – June Richmond
Written By – Coleman
4 Andy Kirk And His Orchestra– Hippy-Dippy 2:32
Written-By – Unknown Artist
5 Andy Kirk And His Orchestra And The Jubalaires– Get Together With The Lord 2:49
Vocals – The Jubalaires
Written-By – Reichner, Jaffe
6 Andy Kirk And His Orchestra And The Jubalaires– I Know 3:17
Vocals – The Jubalaires
Written-By – Jennings, Brooks
7 Andy Kirk And His Orchestra– He's My Baby 3:21
Vocals – Beverley White
Written-By – Kirk, White
8 Andy Kirk And His Orchestra– Alabama Bound 2:56
Vocals – Bea Booze
Written-By – Williams, Jackson
9 Andy Kirk And His Orchestra– Soothe Me 2:55
Vocals – Billy Daniels
Written-By – Greene
10 Andy Kirk And His Orchestra– Doggin' Man Blues 3:04
Vocals – Bea Booze
Written-By – Moore, Jordan
11 Andy Kirk And His Orchestra– I Don't Know What I'd Do Without You 2:59
Vocals – The Jubalaires
Written-By – Kuhn
12 Andy Kirk And His Orchestra– I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry 3:00
Vocals – The Jubalaires
Written-By – Kuhn
13 Andy Kirk And His Orchestra– Now You Tell Me 2:54
Vocals – Joe Williams
Written-By – Roberts, Fisher
14 Andy Kirk And His Orchestra– Louella 3:05
Vocals – Joe Williams
Written-By – Stone, Marks
15 Andy Kirk And His Orchestra– So Soon 3:10
Vocals – The Four Knights
Written-By – Razaf, Luce
16 Andy Kirk And His Orchestra– I'm Falling For You 3:04
Vocals – The Four Knights
Written-By – Williams, Hubert
17 Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy– Little Girl, Don't Cry 2:35
Orchestra – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Jimmy Anderson
Written-By – Davis, Millinder
18 Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy– Drinking Wine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee, Drinking Wine 3:07
Orchestra – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Kenny White
Written-By – Williams, McGhee
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Ben Smith (tracks: 1 to 4), Joe Evans (tracks: 5 to 16), Reuben Phillips (tracks: 1 to 16)
Baritone Saxophone – Ed Loving (tracks: 1 to 4), John Porter (tracks: 7 to 16), John Taylor (tracks: 5 , 6)
Bass – Al Hall (tracks: 7 to 16), Booker Collins (tracks: 1 to 3), Lavern Baker (tracks: 4 to 6)
Directed By – Andy Kirk
Drums – Ben Thigpen (tracks: 1 to 16)
Guitar – Floyd Smith (tracks: 5 to 16)
Piano – Hank Jones (tracks: 5 to 16), Johnny Young (tracks: 1 to 4)
Tenor Saxophone – Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (tracks: 5 to 16), J.D. King (tracks: 1 to 4), Jimmy Forrest (tracks: 1 to 16), John Harrington (tracks: 1 to 4)
Trombone – Bob Murray (tracks: 1 to 16), Henry Wells (tracks: 7 to 16), Milton Robinson (tracks: 5 to 16), Joe Baird (tracks: 1 to 4), Wayman Richardson (tracks: 1 to 16)
Trumpet – Art Capehart (tracks: 1 to 4), Clarence Trice (tracks: 13 to 16), Claude Dunson (tracks: 5 to 12), Fats Navarro (tracks: 1 to 4, 7 to 10), Fip Ricard (tracks: 13 to 16), Harry Lawson (tracks: 1 to 12), Howard McGhee (tracks: 1 to 3), John Lynch (tracks: 5 to 16), Talib Daawood (tracks: 5, 6), Unknown Artist (tracks: 4, 11 to 16)
13.4.23
JABBO SMITH'S RHYTHM ACES – 1929-1938 (2006) The Classics Chronological Series – 669 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Although only 20 years old, trumpeter Jabbo Smith cut virtually all of
his finest recordings in 1929, when he was touted as a competitor to
Louis Armstrong. Smith's 19 sides with his Rhythm Aces (all of which are
on this essential CD) are some of the most exciting recordings of the
era. Often teamed in a quintet with Omer Simeon (on clarinet and alto),
pianist Cassino Simpson, banjoist Ikey Robinson, and the tuba of Hayes
Alvis (subs appear on a few numbers), Jabbo's reckless and explorative
trumpet flights are often thrilling. Highlights include "Jazz Battle,"
"Till Times Get Better," "Ace of Rhythm," and "Band Box Stomp," but all
of the performances (including Smith's trombone solo on "Lina Blues" and
his occasional and effective vocals) are well worth hearing. The CD
concludes with Jabbo Smith's four-song 1938 session, which is
disappointingly tame. Strange as it seems, Smith was past his prime by
1930 when he was only 21. Except for some early sideman appearances and
forgettable efforts in later years (plus one previously unissued Rhythm
Ace side from 1929 that was unearthed in the mid-'90s by the Retrieval
label), this CD essentially contains Jabbo Smith's entire legacy,
although he would live until 1991. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Jazz Battle 2:40
Jabbo Smith
2 Little Willie Blues 3:24
Jabbo Smith
3 Sleepy Time Blues 3:27
Jabbo Smith
4 Take Your Time 2:48
Jabbo Smith
5 Sweet and Low Blues 3:21
Jabbo Smith
6 Take Me to the River 2:51
Jabbo Smith
7 Ace of Rhythm 2:55
Jabbo Smith
8 Let's Get Together 3:30
Jabbo Smith
9 Sau Sha Stomp 3:06
Jabbo Smith
10 Michigander Blues 3:22
Jabbo Smith
11 Decatur Street Tutti 2:48
Jabbo Smith
12 Till Times Get Better 3:09
Jabbo Smith
13 Lina Blues 3:32
Jabbo Smith
14 Weird and Blue 3:03
Jabbo Smith
15 Croonin' the Blues 3:13
Jabbo Smith
16 I Got the Stinger 3:20
Jabbo Smith
17 Boston Skuffle 2:52
Jabbo Smith
18 Tanguay Blues 2:48
Jabbo Smith
19 Band Box Stomp 3:02
Jabbo Smith
20 Moanful Blues 3:00
Jabbo Smith
21 Rhythm in Spain 2:44
Jabbo Smith
22 Absolutely 3:00
Jabbo Smith / M. Williams
23 More Rain, More Rest 2:46
Jabbo Smith / M. Williams
24 How Can Cupid Be So Stupid? 3:10
Jabbo Smith
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