HENRY "RED" ALLEN – 1944-1947 | The Chronogical Classics – 1067 (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Having served heroically as a front-liner in so many hot bands during the 1920s and '30s, the mighty Red Allen waded into the middle of the 1940s ready to cook like a merry demon. Listeners are very fortunate to have the entire session of May 5, 1944, as it includes "The Theme," a six-minute jam that suggests part of the root system of R&B. An interesting thing occurs during Red's solo: the piano starts vamping on the bassline to "Call of the Freaks," a piece that both Red and trombonist J.C. Higginbotham had recorded some 15 years earlier with Luis Russell's orchestra. "Ride! Red! Ride!" is fast and frantic, a raucous two and a half minutes of over the top blowing and shouting. The transition from this rumble in the parking lot to the relaxation of the following track might cause whiplash. "Just a Feeling" features alto saxophonist Don Stovall, keening in a languid, Johnny Hodges sort of way. "Dark Eyes" begins as a sort of rhumba, with an incredibly funny vocal by Red and another member of the band who plies him with questions. They then pick it up and shake it hard. "Dear Old Southland" features J.C. Higginbotham's trombone. "Red Jump" is the perfect embodiment of the phrase "swing to bop." Boogie-woogie manifests as "Get the Mop," a shout-along stomp soon to be plagiarized by certain opportunistic white musicians for their own financial benefit. Red Allen quietly sued and won the case. This is the story behind the pop novelty "Rag Mop." With a cry of "wamp! wamp!," Red Allen charges into "The Crawl," a blistering ride that ends with basement blasts from the trombone. Red also "wamps" his way into "Buzz Me," a song strongly associated with Louis Jordan. Red's version is nastier and tougher, a bit like full-force Hot Lips Page.

"Drink Hearty" was used in a "soundie," one of those short movies featuring the band lip-syncing over their own record. Red seems to have employed the "wamp!" whenever possible during this time period. It was how he counted off each tune. An updated "Get the Mop" sprints at an insane pace, setting the stage for "Count Me Out" and "Check Up," two boppish runs during which Red sounds almost like Fats Navarro. When he sings the blues or belts out a ballad, Red has a lot of class, as he does on the two titles finishing off his 1946 Victor recordings (and on "A Shanty in Old Shanty Town" from 1947). The next session has apparently languished for years, having never been issued before. A chump announcer introduces Red's band to a live audience during the "Saturday Night Swing Session" in 1947. Higginbotham is still on board, along with Buster Bailey, Johnny Guarnieri, and jazz accordionist Roy Ross, who vamps neatly behind the horns. Allen really stretches out, taking all kinds of chances with his horn, particularly during eight and a half minutes of "Indiana." Switching over to the Apollo label, Red actually becomes "Mr. Wamp" on a very cool walk that seems to have sprouted directly from the "9:20 Special" (aka "Tush") by Earle Warren. "Old Fool" has more of that two-voiced comedy exchange with coordinated hollering from the band. Always willing to pursue an idea to its logical extreme, Red makes room for a comprehensive list of every kind of fool. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist + Credits :

CLARENCE WILLIAMS – 1924-1926 | The Classics Chronological Series – 695 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second CD in the Classics label's "complete" Clarence Williams series traces the pianist/bandleader's recordings during a 14-month period. The first six titles feature soprano great Sidney Bechet (who has a unique sarrusophone solo on "Mandy Make up Your Mind") while the first 13 also have Louis Armstrong. The pairing of these two classic and competitive greats is at its zenith on a brilliant version of "Cake Walking Babies from Home"; Satch gets the edge. In addition there are notable contributions on these 23 performances by trombonist Charlie Irvis, tenor-saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, cornetists Joe Smith, Bubber Miley and Ed Allen, clarinetist Buster Bailey and singer Eva Taylor among others. Williams's series of hot performances really epitomized small-group 1920s jazz and every entry in this Classics series is highly recommended. Other highlights include "Coal Cart Blues," "Shake That Thing," "Dinah" (which features Hawkins on baritone), "I've Found a New Baby" and two versions of "Santa Claus Blues." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    Mandy, Make Up Your Mind 3:07
Written-By – Johnston, Meyer, Clarke, Turk
2    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    I'm A Little Blackbird Looking For A Bluebird 3:13
Written-By – Johnston, Meyer, Clarke, Turk
3    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    Cake Walking Babies From Home 2:59
Written-By – Smith, Williams, Troy
4    Eva Taylor–    Pickin' On Your Baby 3:17
Written-By – Jones, Reynolds
5    Eva Taylor–    Cast Away 2:51
Written-By – Brown, Stewart, Easton
6    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    Papa De-Da-Da 3:02
Written-By – Todd, Williams, Williams
7    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    Just Wait 'Till You See My Baby Do The Charleston 2:46
Written-By – Todd, Williams, Simmons
8    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    Livin' High Sometimes 2:31
Written-By – Belledna, Pinkard
9    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    Coal Cart Blues 2:50
Written-By – Hardin, Armstrong
10    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    Santa Claus Blues 2:34
Written-By – Straight, Kahn
11    Clarence Williams' Trio–    Santa Claus Blues 3:15
Written-By – Straight, Kahn
12    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    Squeeze Me 3:05
Written-By – Williams, Waller
13    Eva Taylor–    You Can't Shush Katie (The Gabbiest Girl In Town) 3:03
Written-By – Warren, White, Creamer
14    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    Shake That Thing 2:54
Written-By – Jackson
15    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    Get It Fixed 3:00
Written-By – Clarence Williams
16    Clarence Williams Stompers–    Spanish Shawl 3:07
Written-By – Elmer Schoebel
17    Clarence Williams Stompers–    Dinah 2:36
Written-By – Harry Akst
18    Eva Taylor–    I've Found A New Baby 3:01
Written-By – Palmer, Williams
19    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    I've Found A New Baby 2:53
Written-By – Palmer, Williams
20    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    Pile Of Logs And Stone (Called Home) 2:31
Written-By – Maceo Pinkard
21    Dixie Washboard Band–    Wait Till You See My Baby Do The Charleston 2:54
Written-By – Todd, Williams, Simmons
22    Dixie Washboard Band–    Livin' High 3:11
Written-By – Belledna, Pinkard
23    Dixie Washboard Band–    Wait Till You See My Baby Do The Charleston 2:32
Written-By – Todd, Williams, Simmons
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Unknown Artist (tracks: 14, 15)
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet – Don Redman (tracks: 5 to 9, 12, 13, 16, 17)
Banjo – Buddy Christian (tracks: 1 to 18)
Banjo [prob.] – Leroy Harris (tracks: 16 to 20)
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair (tracks: 16 to 20)
Clarinet – Bennie Moten (tracks: 21 to 23), Buster Bailey (tracks: 14, 15)
Cornet – Charlie Thomas (tracks: 14, 15), Ed Allen (tracks: 21 to 23), Joe Smith (tracks: 16, 17), Louis Armstrong (tracks: 1 to 13)
Piano – Clarence Williams
Sarrusophone – Sidney Bechet (tracks: 1)
Soprano Saxophone – Buster Bailey (tracks: 5 to 10), Sidney Bechet (tracks: 1 to 6)
Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet – Coleman Hawkins (tracks: 12, 13, 16, 17)
Trombone – Charlie Irvis (tracks: 1 to 10, 12, 13, 16 to 20)
Vocals – Eva Taylor (tracks: 1 to 15, 18 to 20)
Washboard – Jasper Taylor (tracks: 21 to 23)

CLARENCE WILLIAMS – 1926-1927 | The Classics Chronological Series – 718 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The third CD in the Classics label's Clarence Williams program reissues all of the pianist/bandleader's dates from a ten-month period, 23 selections in all. Such groups as Joe Jordan's Ten Sharps and Flats (performing a memorable version of "Morocco Blues"), The Dixie Washboard Band, The Blue Grass Foot Warmers and Clarence Williams's Stompers (or Blue Seven or Jazz Kings or Washboard Four). Williams uses some of the top musicians of the era (including cornetists Bubber Miley, Tommy Ladnier and Ed Allen, trombonist Jimmy Harrison, clarinetist Buster Bailey, Coleman Hawkins on tenor, Cyrus St. Clair on tuba and Jasper Taylor on washboard among others) for the heated and freewheeling performances. Highlights include "Jackass Blues," "I Found a New Baby," "Senegalese Stomp" and a truly classic version of "Candy Lips" (which features two clarinets in hot pursuit). All of the CDs in this valuable series are highly recommended to classic jazz fans. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Clarence Williams Stompers–    Jackass Blues 3:00
Written-By – Kassel, Stitzel
2    Clarence Williams Stompers–    What's The Matter Now? 2:20
Vocals – Don Redman
Written-By – Williams, Williams
3    Joe Jordan's Ten Sharps And Flats–    Morocco Blues 3:20
Vocals [Comments] – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Williams, Jordan
4    Dixie Washboard Band–    You For Me, Me For You 3:07
Vocals – Clarence Todd
Written-By – Mack, Johnson
5    Dixie Washboard Band–    My Own Blues 2:53
Vocals – Clarence Todd
Written-By – Clarence Williams
6    Dixie Washboard Band–    Boodle Am 3:06
Vocals – Clarence Todd
Written-By – Palmer, Williams
7    Dixie Washboard Band–    I Found A New Baby 2:53
Vocals – Clarence Todd
Written-By – Palmer, Williams
8    Blue Grass Foot Warmers–    Señorita Mine 2:38
Written-By – Unknown Artist
9    Blue Grass Foot Warmers–    Charleston Hound 2:51
Written-By – Williams, Waller
10    Blue Grass Foot Warmers–    How Could I Be Blue 2:47
Speech – Clarence Todd
Written-By – Unknown Artist
11    Blue Grass Foot Warmers–    Old Folks Shuffle 2:44
Written-By – Williams, Waller
12    Dixie Washboard Band–    Dark Eyes 3:10
Vocals – Clarence Todd
– Traditional
13    Dixie Washboard Band–    Gimme Blues 3:04
Vocals – Clarence Todd
Written-By – Clarence Williams
14    Dixie Washboard Band–    King Of The Zulus 3:25
Dialog – Clarence Todd, Clarence Williams
Written-By – Lil Hardin Armstrong
15    Dixie Washboard Band–    The Zulu Blues 2:55
Vocals – Clarence Todd
Written-By – Clarence Williams
16    Clarence Williams' Blue Seven–    Would Ja? 2:49
Written-By – Manning Sherwin
17    Clarence Williams' Blue Seven–    Senegalese Stomp 2:37
Written-By – Clarence Todd
18    Joe Sims (And Clarence Williams–    What Do You Know About That? 2:55
Vocals – Clarence Williams, Joe Sims
Written-By – Unknown Artist
19    Joe Sims (And Clarence Williams–    Shut Your Mouth 3:11
Vocals – Clarence Williams, Joe Sims
Written-By – Unknown Artist
20    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    Gravier Street Blues 3:00
Written-By – Clarence Williams
21    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    Candy Lips 2:44
Written-By – Lauria, Jackson
22    Clarence Williams' Washboard Four–    Nobody But My Baby Is Getting My Love 2:38
Written-By – Razaf, Williams
23    Clarence Williams' Washboard Four–    Candy Lips 2:43
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Lauria, Jackson
Credits :    
Banjo – Leroy Harris (tracks: 16, 17, 20, 21), Mike McKendrick (tracks: 3), Unknown Artist (tracks: 14, 15)
Banjo [?] – Buddy Christian (tracks: 1, 2), Leroy Harris (tracks: 1, 2)
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair (tracks: 16, 17, 20, 21), Ed Bergen (tracks: 3), Unknown Artist (tracks: 1, 2)
Clarinet [?] – Ben Whitted (tracks: 20, 21), Benny Moten (tracks: 20, 21)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Bennie Moten (tracks: 3 to 11, 22, 23), Buster Bailey (tracks: 16, 17), Don Redman (tracks: 1, 2), James Nichols (tracks: 3)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins (tracks: 16, 17), Unknown Artist (tracks: 12 to 15)
Cornet – Bubber Miley (tracks: 1, 2), Ed Allen (tracks: 3 to 11, 22, 23), Thomas Morris (tracks: 1, 2), William Logan (tracks: 3)
Cornet [?] – Addington Major (tracks: 18, 19), Louis Metcalf (tracks: 12 to 15, 18, 19)
Drums, Washboard – Jasper Taylor (tracks: 3 to 11)
Piano – Clarence Williams (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 17, 20 to 23), Fats Waller (tracks: 18, 19)
Piano, Directed By – Joe Jordan (tracks: 3)
Tenor Saxophone – Clarence Miller (tracks: 3)
Trombone – Jimmy Harrison (tracks: 16, 17), Joe Brown (22) (tracks: 3)
Trombone [?] – Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (tracks: 1, 2), John Mayfield (tracks: 14, 15)
Trumpet – Tommy Ladnier (tracks: 16, 17)
Washboard – Bruce Johnson (tracks: 12 to 15), Floyd Casey (tracks: 22, 23)

BENNIE MOTEN's KANSAS CITY ORCHESTRA – 1923-1927 | The Classics Chronological Series – 549 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pianist Bennie Moten led one of the finest jazz bands on record in the 1920s, a group that included many of the top musicians of the Midwest. On the first of four Classics CDs -- all of which are recommended to vintage jazz collectors -- that reissue the master takes of all of Moten's recordings, the band quickly evolves from a sextet in 1923 to a solid 11-piece orchestra. Despite a few novelty effects (including clarinetist Woody Walder occasionally getting weird sounds by playing only the mouthpiece of his horn), even the most primitive numbers on this set are quite enjoyable. Highlights include the original version of "South" (Moten's big hit), "Goofy Dust," "Thick Lip Blues" and "Sugar." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Elephant's Wobble 3:09
Bennie Moten    
2     Crawdad Blues 2:51
Bennie Moten    
3     South 2:46
Thamon Hayes / Bennie Moten
4     Vine Street Blues 3:02
Pete Johnson / Bennie Moten    
5     Tulsa Blues 2:51
Bennie Moten
6     Goofy Dust 2:40
Bennie Moten
7     Baby Dear 2:54
Thamon Hayes / Tubby Hayes / Bennie Moten
8     She's Sweeter Than Sugar 2:33
Bennie Moten
Vocals – William Little Jr.    
9     South Street Blues 2:45
Bennie Moten
10     Sister Honky Tonk 2:38
Bennie Moten
11     As I Like It 2:52
Bennie Moten    
12     Things Seem So Blue to Me 3:12
Bennie Moten    
13     18th Street Strut 3:00
Bartley Costello / Bennie Moten
14     Kater Street Rag 2:34
Bennie Moten    
15     Thick Lip Stomp 2:51
Bennie Moten    
16     Harmony Blues 3:33
Jelly Roll Morton / Bennie Moten    
17     Kansas City Shuffle 2:50
Bennie Moten    
18     Yazoo Blues 2:45
Bennie Moten
19     White Lightnin' Blues 3:34
Bennie Moten    
20     Muscle Shoals Blues 3:24
George W. Thomas
21     Midnight Mama 2:59
Bennie Moten    
22     Missouri Wobble 3:08
Bennie Moten
23     Sugar 2:49
Edna Alexander / Sidney Mitchell / Maceo Pinkard    
24     Dear Heart 3:11
Laforest Dent
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – LaForest Dent (tracks: 15 to 24)
Banjo – LaForest Dent (tracks: 8 to 14), Leroy Berry (tracks: 23, 24), Sam Tall (tracks: 1 to 7, 15 to 22)
Brass Bass – Vernon Page (tracks: 6 to 24)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Jack Washington (tracks: 23, 24)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Harlan Leonard (tracks: 3 to 24)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Kazoo – Woody Walder
Cornet – Ed Lewis (tracks: 23, 24), Harry Cooper (tracks: 3 to 14), Lammar Wright (tracks: 1 to 22), Paul Webster (tracks: 23, 24)
Drums – Willie Hall (tracks: 1 to 14), Willie McWashington (tracks: 15 to 24)
Piano, Directed By – Bennie Moten
Trombone – Thamon Hayes

BENNIE MOTEN's KANSAS CITY ORCHESTRA – 1927-1929 | The Classics Chronological Series – 558 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

During the period covered by this second of four Classics CDs, Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra was at the peak of its powers, dominating the jazz scene of the Midwest. There were not a lot of famous names in the group yet, but the soloists were colorful, and the band's ensembles could really rock in a pre-swing manner. The main players at the time included cornetist Ed Lewis, Harlan Leonard on various reeds, baritonist Jack Washington and Moten himself on piano. Highlights include "Moten Stomp," "Kansas City Breakdown," "Get Low-Down Blues," "Terrific Blues" and the remake of the band's hit "South." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     The New Tulsa Blues 3:03
Bennie Moten
2     Baby Dear 3:01
Tubby Hayes / Bennie Moten
Vocals – LaForest Dent, Thamon Hayes
3     Twelfth Street Rag 3:19
Euday L. Bowman
4     Pass Out Lightly (There Ain't Nothin' to It) 3:05
Jack Washington
5     Ding-Dong Blues 3:05
Bennie Moten
6     Moten Stomp 2:56
Bennie Moten
7     Justrite 2:40
Bennie Moten
8     Slow Motion 2:36
Bennie Moten
9     Tough Breaks 2:51
Bennie Moten
10     It's Hard to Laugh or Smile 2:41
Bennie Moten
11     Sad Man Blues 3:17
Bennie Moten
Vocals – James Taylor
12     Kansas City Breakdown 2:53
Bennie Moten / Woodie Walder
13     Trouble in Mind 3:06
Richard M. Jones
14     Hot Water Blues 2:30
Bennie Moten    
15     Get Low-Down Blues 2:56
Bennie Moten
Speech – Bennie Moten, Ed Lewis
16     She's No Trouble (Sweetheart) 3:19    
Hayes   
17     South 2:30
Bennie Moten / Jack Washington
18     Terrific Stomp 2:40
Bennie Moten / Jack Washington    
19     Let's Get It 3:15
Bennie Moten    
20     Kansas City Squabble 2:50
Bennie Moten    
21     Rite Tite 2:50
Bennie Moten
22     Moten's Blues 3:04
Bennie Moten
23     That's What I'm Talking About 3:04
Bennie Moten / Woodie Walder
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – LaForest Dent (tracks: 1 to 6)
Banjo – Leroy Berry
Brass Bass – Vernon Page
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Jack Washington
Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Harlan Leonard
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Woody Walder
Cornet – Booker Washington (tracks: 7 to 23), Ed Lewis, Paul Webster (tracks: 1 to 6)
Drums – Willie McWashington
Piano Accordion, Piano – Buster Moten (tracks: 18 to 23)
Piano, Directed By – Bennie Moten
Trombone – Thamon Hayes

BENNIE MOTEN's KANSAS CITY ORCHESTRA – 1929-1930 | The Classics Chronological Series – 578 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

From 1929-30, the Bennie Moten Orchestra could hold its own with fellow big bands like Fletcher Henderson, Paul Whiteman and McKinney's Cotton Pickers, although it was the least known nationally of the four. The third of four Classics CDs completely reissuing Moten's recordings finds the young Count Basie taking over the piano slot and such stars joining the band as singer Jimmy Rushing and (by 1930) trumpeter Hot Lips Page. With cornetist Ed Lewis, Eddie Durham on trombone and guitar, clarinetist Harlan Leonard and Buster Moten (on accordion) also heard from, this was a mighty orchestra, as displayed on such numbers as "New Goofy Dust Rag," "The Jones Law Blues" and "New Vine Street Blues." The four imported Classics sets are certainly more complete than the two CDs put out domestically by Bluebird. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    That Certain Motion    3:00
 Bennie Moten
2    It Won't Be Long    2:47
 Bennie Moten
3    When Life Seems So Blue    2:50
 Bennie Moten
4    Loose Like A Goose    2:54
 Bennie Moten
5    Just Say It's Me    2:52
 Bennie Moten
6    New Goofy Dust Rag    2:38
 Bennie Moten
7    Rumba Negro (Spanish Stomp)    2:47
 Count Basie / Bennie Moten
8    The Jones Law Blues    3:05
 Count Basie / Bennie Moten
9    Band Box Shuffle    2:27
 Count Basie / Bennie Moten
10    Small Black    3:18
 Count Basie / Bennie Moten
11    Every Day Blues (Yo Yo Blues)    3:05
 Eddie Durham / Bennie Moten
12    Boot It    3:13
 Bennie Moten
13    Mary Lee    3:15
 Bennie Moten / Speckled Red
14    Rit-Dit-Ray 2:46
 Count Basie / Bennie Moten
Vocals – Willie McWashington
15    New Vine Street Blues    2:58
 Count Basie / Bennie Moten
16    Sweetheart Of Yesterday    2:37
 Bennie Moten / Carl Sigman
17    Won't You Be My Baby? 3:11
 Bennie Moten / Jimmy Rushing
Vocals – Jimmy Rushing
18    I Wish I Could Be Blue    3:08
 Count Basie / Eddie Durham / Bennie Moten
19    h! Eddie    2:54
 Eddie Durham / Bennie Moten
20    That Too, Do 3:18
 Count Basie / Eddie Durham / Bennie Moten
Vocals – Jimmy Rushing
21    Mack's Rhythm    3:00
 Count Basie / Bennie Moten
22    You Made Me Happy    3:20
 Eddie Durham / Bennie Moten
23    Here Comes Marjorie    2:53
 Bennie Moten / Henri Woode
Credits :    
Banjo – Leroy Berry (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 23)
Brass Bass – Vernon Page (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 23)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Jack Washington (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 23)
Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Harlan Leonard (tracks: 1 to 3, 6 to 23)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Woody Walder
Cornet – Booker Washington (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 23), Ed Lewis (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 23)
Directed By – Bennie Moten
Drums – Willie McWashington
Piano – Bennie Moten (tracks: 1 to 6), Count Basie (tracks: 7 to 23)
Piano Accordion, Piano – Buster Moten
Trombone – Thamon Hayes (tracks: 1 to 3, 6 to 23)
Trombone, Guitar – Eddie Durham (tracks: 7 to 23)
Trumpet – Oran "Hot Lips" Page (tracks: 17 to 23)

BENNIE MOTEN's KANSAS CITY ORCHESTRA – 1930-1932 | The Classics Chronological Series – 591 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The final of the four "complete" Bennie Moten Classics CDs, which contain all of the orchestra's recordings except for a dozen alternate takes, has the band's final selections from 1930 (including some vocals by Jimmy Rushing) and then all of the music from Moten's classic final session of Dec. 13, 1932. With trumpeter Hot Lips Page, trombonist Dan Minor, Eddie Durham (the main arranger) on trombone and guitar, baritonist Jack Washington, Ben Webster on tenor, bassist Walter Page and pianist Count Basie, the orchestra at times almost sounds like the Count Basie big band of 1937. "Toby," the original version of "Moten Swing," "The Blue Room," "Milenberg Joys," "Lafayette" and "Prince of Wails" are among the many memorable selections. Highly recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    The Count    3:10
 Tom Gordon
2    Liza Lee 3:01
 Bud Green / Sam H. Stept
Vocals – Jimmy Rushing
3    Get Goin' (Get Ready To Love) 3:00
 Tot Seymour
Vocals – Jimmy Rushing
4    Professor Hot Stuff    3:21
 Count Basie / Eddie Durham / Bennie Moten
5    When I'm Alone 3:15
 Bennie Moten / Jimmy Rushing
Vocals – Jimmy Rushing
6    New Moten Stomp    2:52
 Bennie Moten
7    As Long As I Love You (Jeanette) 3:07
 Bennie Moten / L. Wood
Vocals – Jimmy Rushing
8    Somebody Stole My Gal 3:02
 Leo Wood
Vocals – Count Basie
9    Now That I Need You 3:00
 Count Basie / Bennie Moten / Pinetop Smith
Vocals – Jimmy Rushing
10    Bouncin' Round    3:08
 Bennie Moten
11    Ya Got Love 3:14
 Al Goodhart / Al Hoffman / Oliver Nelson
Vocals – Jimmy Rushing
12    I Wanna Be Around My Baby All The Time 2:55
 George W. Meyer / Joe Young
Vocals – Jimmy Rushing
13    Toby    3:24
 Eddie Barefield / Bennie Moten
14    Moten Swing    3:18
 Bennie Moten
15    The Blue Room    3:18
 Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
16    Imagination 3:25
 B. Russell
Vocals – The Sterling Russell Trio
17    New Orleans 2:59
 Hoagy Carmichael
Vocals – Jimmy Rushing
18    The Only Girl I Ever Loved 3:10
 Bobby Ziegler
Vocals – The Sterling Russell Trio
19    Milenberg Joys    2:45
 Walter Melrose / Jelly Roll Morton
20    Lafayette    2:45
 Count Basie / Eddie Durham
21    Prince Of Wails    2:49
 Elmer Schoebel
22    Two Times 3:07
Sauberg
Credits :    
Banjo – Leroy Berry (tracks: 1 to 21)
Bass [String] – Walter Page (tracks: 13 to 22)
Brass Bass – Vernon Page (tracks: 1 to 12)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Eddie Barefield (tracks: 13 to 22)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Jack Washington (tracks: 1 to 21)
Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Harlan Leonard (tracks: 1 to 12)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Woody Walder (tracks: 1 to 12)
Directed By – Bennie Moten
Drums – Willie McWashington
Piano – Count Basie
Piano Accordion, Piano – Ira "Buster" Moten (tracks: 1 to 12)
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster (tracks: 13 to 21)
Trombone – Dan Minor (tracks: 13 to 21), Thamon Hayes (tracks: 1 to 12)
Trombone, Guitar – Eddie Durham
Trumpet – Booker Washington (tracks: 1 to 12), Ed Lewis (tracks: 1 to 12), Oran "Hot Lips" Page, Joe Keyes (tracks: 13 to 21), Dee Stewart (tracks: 13 to 21)