SARA MARTIN — In Chronological Order Volume 4 (1925-1928) DOCD-5398 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

It is ironic that so many classic female blues singers recorded a ton of material between 1921 and 1924 and, when the recording techniques had advanced greatly and the musicianship of their accompaniments had vastly improved, the vocalists had much less opportunity to be documented. Sara Martin recorded three CDs worth of material during 1922-1925, and then just 23 tunes during the three years covered by this CD. Martin was at her best during the latter period, but she only had three recording sessions in 1926, one in 1927, and three in 1928 before her recording career came to an end. She was accompanied by many impressive players during this era including several groups led by Clarence Williams (which had such musicians as King Oliver, Charlie Irvis, Bubber Miley, and Benny Waters), Richard M. Jones' Jazz Wizards, the piano of Eddie Heywood on two duets, and three numbers with Harry's Happy Four, a hot quartet consisting of Harry Cooper and Louis Metcalf on cornets, pianist Earres Prince, and banjoist Bernard Addison. The diverse material is highlighted by "What More Can a Monkey Woman Do," a hot version of "Yes, Sir, That's My Baby," a rare vocal version of "The Last Time" (recorded two years later by Louis Armstrong's Savoy Ballroom Five), "What's the Matter Now," "Late Last Night," "Cushion Foot Stomp," and "Death Sting Me Blues." Vintage blues completists will want all four of the Sara Martin CDs, but others who just want a sampling of her best work are advised to get Vol. 4 and Vol. 3 first. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Your Going Ain't Giving Me The Blues  3:11
Alto Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Banjo [Prob.] – Buddy Christian
Cornet – ... Thomas
Orchestra – Clarence Williams' Blue Five
Piano, Vocals – Clarence Williams
Trombone [Poss.] – Charlie Irvis
Vocals – Sara Martin
2.    What More Can A Monkey Woman Do  2:58
Alto Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Banjo [Prob.] – Buddy Christian
Cornet – ... Thomas
Orchestra – Clarence Williams' Blue Five
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone [Poss.] – Charlie Irvis
Vocals – Sara Martin
3.    Some Of These Mornings  3:07
Banjo – Bernard Addison
Cornet – Harry Cooper, Louis Metcalf
Orchestra – Harry's Happy Four
Piano – Earres Prince
Vocals – Sara Martin
4.    Yes, Sir, That's My Baby  3:09
Banjo – Bernard Addison
Cornet – Harry Cooper, Louis Metcalf
Orchestra – Harry's Happy Four
Piano – Earres Prince
Vocals – Sara Martin
5.    Alabamy Bound  2:43
Banjo – Bernard Addison
Cornet – Harry Cooper, Louis Metcalf
Orchestra – Harry's Happy Four
Piano – Earres Prince
Vocals – Sara Martin
6.    That Dance Called Messin' Around  3:19
Piano – Eddie Heywood
Vocals – Sara Martin
7.    The Last Time  2:38
Piano – Eddie Heywood 
Vocals – Sara Martin
8.    What's The Matter Now?  3:11
Alto Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Brass Bass [Poss.] – Cyrus St. Clair
Cornet – Unknown Artist
Orchestra – Clarence Williams' Blue Five
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Sara Martin
9.    I Want Every Bit Of It I Don't Like It Second Hand  2:29
Alto Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Brass Bass [Poss.] – Cyrus St. Clair
Cornet – Unknown Artist
Orchestra – Clarence Williams' Blue Five
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Sara Martin
10.    Brother Bem  3:05
Alto Saxophone [Poss./Or] – Don Redman, Otto Hardwicke
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Brass Bass [Poss.] – Cyrus St. Clair
Cornet – Bubber Miley
Orchestra – Clarence Williams' Blue Five
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Sara Martin
11.    The Prisoner's Blues  2:44
Alto Saxophone [Poss./Or] – Don Redman, Otto Hardwicke
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Brass Bass [Poss.] – Cyrus St. Clair
Cornet – Unknown Artist
Orchestra – Clarence Williams' Blue Five
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Sara Martin
12.    Careless Man Blues  3:05
Alto Saxophone [Poss./Or] – Don Redman, Otto Hardwicke
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Brass Bass [Poss.] – Cyrus St. Clair
Cornet – Bubber Miley
Orchestra – Clarence Williams' Blue Five
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Sara Martin
13.    How Could I Be Blue  2:44
Alto Saxophone [Poss./Or] – Don Redman, Otto Hardwicke
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Brass Bass [Poss.] – Cyrus St. Clair
Cornet – Bubber Miley
Orchestra – Clarence Williams' Blue Five
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Sara Martin
14.    Late Last Night  2:29
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Artie Starks
Cornet [Poss.] – Shirley Clay
Drums – Cliff Jones
Orchestra – Richard M. Jones' Jazz Wizards
Piano – Richard M. Jones
Tenor Saxophone [Prob.] – Barney Bigard
Vocals – Sara Martin
15.    Some Sweet Day  2:26
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Artie Starks
Cornet [Poss.] – Shirley Clay
Drums – Cliff Jones
Orchestra – Richard M. Jones' Jazz Wizards
Piano – Richard M. Jones
Tenor Saxophone [Prob.] – Barney Bigard
Vocals – Sara Martin
16.    Cushion Foot Stomp  3:10
Alto Saxophone – Arville Harris
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair
Clarinet – Ben Waters
Orchestra – Clarence Williams' Blue Five
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone – Charlie Irvis
Vocals – Sara Martin
17.    Take Your Black Bottom Outside
Alto Saxophone – Arville Harris
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair
Clarinet – Ben Waters
Orchestra – Clarence Williams' Blue Five
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone – Charlie Irvis
Vocals – Sara Martin
18.    Hole In The Wall  2:55
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair
Clarinet – Arville Harris
Cornet – Ed Allen, King Oliver
Orchestra – Clarence Williams And His Orchestra
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone – Ed Cuffee
Vocals – Sara Martin
19.    Don't Turn Your Back On Me  2:47
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair
Clarinet – Arville Harris
Cornet – Ed Allen, King Oliver
Orchestra – Clarence Williams And His Orchestra
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone – Ed Cuffee
Vocals – Sara Martin
20.    Death Sting Me Blues  2:43
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair
Clarinet – Arville Harris
Cornet – King Oliver
Orchestra – Clarence Williams And His Orchestra
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Sara Martin
21.    Mean Tight Mama  2:56
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair
Cornet – King Oliver
Orchestra – Clarence Williams And His Orchestra
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Sara Martin
22.    Mistreating Man Blues 2:44
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair
Cornet – King Oliver
Orchestra – Clarence Williams And His Orchestra
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Sara Martin
23.    Kitchen Man Blues  2:31
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair
Cornet – King Oliver
Orchestra – Clarence Williams And His Orchestra
Piano – Clarence Williams
Trombone – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Sara Martin 

STUFF SMITH AND HIS ONYX CLUB BOYS – 1936-1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 706 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This delightful CD has the first 24 titles ever led by violinist Stuff Smith, virtually all of Smith's prewar recordings and the complete output of the violinist's Onyx Club Boys (other than four songs from 1940). With trumpeter Jonah Jones and occasional drummer Cozy Cole the stars of the supporting cast, this was one of the top swing combos of the era. Smith's hard-swinging violin, his enthusiastic vocals, and his interplay with Jones made this a particularly hot unit. In addition to the hit "I'se A-Muggin'," highlights of the disc include "I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music," "After You've Gone," "You'se a Viper," "Old Joe's Hittin' the Jug," "Twilight in Turkey," and the classic "Here Comes the Man With the Jive." Highly recommended Scott Yanow      Tracklist + Credits :

WILLIE "THE LION" SMITH – 1938-1940 | The Chronogical Classics – 692 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is the one Willie "the Lion" Smith CD to get. The bulk of the release features Smith on 14 piano solos from January 10, 1939, performing six standards and eight of his finest compositions. Although Smith (with his derby hat and cigar) could look quite tough, he was actually a sensitive player whose chord structures were very original and impressionistic. On such numbers as "Echoes of Spring" (his most famous work), "Passionette," "Rippling Waters," and "Morning Air," Smith was at his most expressive. In addition, this CD has a couple of collaborations with fellow pianists Joe Bushkin and Jess Stacy and a four-song 1940 swing/Dixieland 1940 session with an octet featuring trumpeter Sidney DeParis. Because of the classic piano solos, this memorable set is quite essential. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :