LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1936-1937 | The Classics Chronological Series – 512 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Continuing the complete chronological reissue of Louis Armstrong's output for Decca during the swing era, this set finds Satch at his most exhibitionistic (hitting dozens of high notes on "Swing That Music"), fronting Jimmy Dorsey's orchestra, doing a "Pennies from Heaven" medley with Bing Crosby, joining in for two collaborations with The Mills Brothers and, on four selections, even making charming (if weird) music with a group of Hawaiians. Not essential but quite enjoyable. Scott Yanow   Tracklist + Credits :

BIX BEIDERBECKE WITH PAUL WHITEMAN – 1927-1928 | The Chronogical Classics – 1208 (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although this is technically the third volume in the Classics Bix Beiderbecke chronology, close examination reveals that volumes three and four retrace a timeline already traversed by the earlier installments, resulting in a reshuffled, non-linear progression that is atypical of the Classics Chronological Series yet seems oddly appropriate for an authentically surreal character like Beiderbecke. This volume follows a timeline from November 18, 1927 to April 22, 1928. Because the producers of this series ladled most of the "Bix & Tram" collaborations into the Frankie Trumbauer portion of their label's catalog, the entire Classics "Bixology" initially fit into two volumes (issued in 1996) with two additional volumes (issued in 2002) documenting Beiderbecke's tenure as a sideman with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra during the years 1927-1929. Shunned for years by jazz purists unwilling to stoop so low as to listen to Whiteman's string-infested ensemble, these are the great, marginalized and misunderstood works of Bix Beiderbecke. With arrangements by Bill Challis and quaint vocals by Hoagy Carmichael, Bing Crosby and the Rhythm Boys (among others), the listener is advised to enjoy the antiquated charm of late-'20s pop music while listening carefully for Beiderbecke's hot cornet passages in and among the more conventional (but also Beiderbecke-informed) trumpet breaks by Henry Busse. Beiderbecke's tallies vary; eight bars during "Mary," 16 bars muted during "Changes" and an entire chorus of 32 bars in "Dardanella." Naturally, there's never enough Bix to fully satisfy, but there never was to begin with. And he wasn't acting alone. Some of Beiderbecke's running buddies show up in the Whiteman flock; reedmen Frankie Trumbauer, Min Leibrook and Jimmy Dorsey, trombonist Bill Rank and bassist Steve Brown were responsible for helping Beiderbecke to conjure most of the jazz that wormed its way into these harmless, pleasantly dated performances. The singers are fun and the instrumentals are fascinating, especially the excerpt from Ferde Grofé's "Metropolis." Repeated listening allows truly devout Bixologists to identify his wonderful contributions and savor each solo, nuance for nuance and note by note. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist + Credits :

BIX BEIDERBECKE WITH PAUL WHITEMAN – 1928-1929 | The Chronogical Classics – 1235 (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is the fourth volume in the Classics Bix Beiderbecke chronology, and the second volume documenting the recordings he made with society bandleader Paul Whiteman. It traces a timeline from April 23, 1928 to September 13, 1929. Because all of Beiderbecke's "legitimated" jazz recordings as a leader and with Frankie Trumbauer's orchestra were reissued by Classics years prior to the Beiderbecke/Whiteman volumes, this is a highly unusual example of a non-linear progression in the more or less tidily sequential Classics Chronological Series. (Stray tracks have been known to appear out of order in other artists' Classics chronologies, but a deviation of this magnitude is unprecedented). What you get here is a Beiderbecke retrospective that picks up where the old '60s Columbia compilation LP Whiteman Days left off. Beiderbecke didn't exist long enough to leave more than meager recorded evidence of his remarkable artistry, and there's no escaping the fact that some of his oeuvre involves a large pop orchestra sugared over with keening violins and peppered with pretentious pop vocals. Then again, the Whiteman/Beiderbecke recordings sound better than generations of jazz critics have ever cared to admit in public. This charmingly dated popular music is well worth experiencing because of the jazz musicians -- in this case Frankie Trumbauer and Bix Beiderbecke -- who made a living for a little while by signing on with this established bandleader. Then again, Whiteman was well known as an arrogant, egotistical, bigoted boor whose reputation among jazz musicians was permanently tarnished following his notorious brawl in the men's room at the Club Whiteman with percussionist Vic Berton and saxophonist Paul Cartwright, during which Whiteman coldly instructed one of his waiters to bust out Cartwright's teeth with a blackjack. Although this information makes Whiteman appear more repulsive than ever, those who are truly smitten by the cornet artistry of Leon Bix Beiderbecke are encouraged to listen to what he was capable of accomplishing even as a sideman in an artificially sweetened pop orchestra fronted by a bloated, tuxedoed anti-Semite. And now that the Whiteman/Beiderbecke records have been compiled and made available to the public, the only remaining portion of Bix's legacy still waiting to be reissued by the producers of the Classics Chronological Series are the recordings he made with the Jean Goldkette orchestra. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist + Credits : 

LOUIS JORDAN AND HIS TYMPANY FIVE – 1943-1945 | The Chronogical Classics – 866 (1996) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Although Louis Jordan's greatest hits are continually reissued, this Classics CD (the fourth in the series) gives listeners an opportunity to hear many of his lesser-known recordings, quite a few of which sound as if they could have been hits too. Jordan, a fine R&Bish altoist who was an underrated singer and a brilliant comedic talent who knew a good line when he heard one (there are many memorable ones throughout this program), is heard in peak form. The 23 performances are Decca sides (including five not originally released), some V-Discs and the privately recorded "Louis' Oldsmbile Song." Bing Crosby sings duets with Jordan on "My Baby Said Yes" and "Your Socks Don't Match," there are two major hits ("G.I. Jive" and "Caldonia") and among the sidemen are the fine trumpeter Eddie Roane, the forgotten but talented pianist Tommy Thomas, trumpeter Idrees Sulieman (on the January 19, 1945 session) and (for the final two songs) pianist Wild Bill Davis. Other highlights include "You Can't Get That No More," "I Like 'Em Fat like That," "Deacon Jones" and "They Raided the House." Highly recommended. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist + Credits :

LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1945-1946 | The Chronogical Classics – 922 (1997) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The sixth CD in Classics' series of Lionel Hampton records documents his music during a one-year period. Hampton's big band, riding high after "Flying Home," continued to grow in popularity during this era. The vibraphonist's showmanship and his sidemen's extroverted solos generated constant excitement, as can be heard throughout these 20 selections. With the exception of Dinah Washington's lone vocal on "Blow Top Blues" and the original version of "Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop," most of the selections were formerly a bit rare, including a pair of rollicking V-disc performances ("Vibe Boogie" and "Screamin' Boogie"). Hampton is heard on 14 numbers with his big band (which included such key sidemen as trumpeter Joe Morris, tenorman Arnett Cobb, the eccentric Herbie Fields on alto and clarinet, and pianist Milt Buckner), four workouts with a septet, and two tunes (including a pair of vocals) with a rhythm quartet. Bing Crosby guests on so-so versions of "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie" and "On the Sunny Side of the Street" (sounding very much out of place), but otherwise, everything works. Stirring and accessible music. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :

EDDIE HEYWOOD – 1944-1946 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1038 (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second installment in the Classics Eddie Heywood chronology traces the pianist's progression from a successful Commodore leader and accompanist (see the first installment as well as Billie Holiday's later Commodore material) into a Decca recording artist via a pair of V-Disc performances cut on November 13, 1944. This compendium of amiable, sophisticated, and mature swing music features alto saxophonists Lem Davis and Marshall Royal as well as trombonists Vic Dickenson, Henry Coker, and Young Lion Britt Woodman, who is heavily featured on "Pom Pom." If the artistic high point of the entire album is Heywood's interpretation of Duke Ellington's gorgeous melody "I Didn't Know About You" (a prelude to later renditions by Johnny Hodges, Lee Konitz, Thelonious Monk, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk), the toy surprise in this package is a very hip-sounding Bing Crosby, featured on five tracks recorded in Los Angeles near the end of the summer of 1945. Bing seems unusually comfortable in this company, and for this reason these tracks should be counted among the best jazz recordings he ever participated in. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :

JACK TEAGARDEN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1941-1943 | The Classics Chronological Series – 874 (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The fifth Classics CD to reissue all of trombonist/vocalist Jack Teagarden's early recordings as a leader has more than its share of gems. A dozen selections feature his 1941 big band, and unlike earlier sessions, there are no indifferent vocals or unnecessary pop baggage. Teagarden is heard in prime form on "Chicks Is Wonderful" (which strangely enough is an instrumental), "St. James Infirmary," "A Hundred Years from Today," and "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen." There are also two selections that Teagarden performed in the movie Birth of the Blues with Bing Crosby: the classic title cut (sung by Crosby) and "The Waiter and the Porter and the Upstairs Maid" which finds Teagarden, Bing, and Mary Martin all interacting in cheerful form. The last seven numbers on this highly enjoyable CD feature Teagarden jamming with the Capitol International Jazzmen in 1943. He takes three vocals (including "Stars Fell on Alabama") and is well showcased on a previously unissued "Mighty Lak' a Rose." In addition, tenor saxophonist Dave Matthews takes his greatest solo on "In My Solitude"; Billy May takes his hottest trumpet solos throughout the date; pianist Joe Sullivan is a strong asset; and the clarinet spot is taken by either Jimmie Noone or Heinie Beau. "I'm Sorry I Made You Cry" and "'Deed I Do" are both quite hot. Recommended. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist
1    Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra–    Dark Eyes    3:16
2    Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra–    Prelude In C Sharp Minor    3:19
3    Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra–    Chicks Is Wonderful    3:18
4    Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra–    Blues To The Lonely    2:58
5    Bing Crosby, Mary Martin With Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra–    The Waiter And The Porter And The Upstairs Maid    3:08
6    Bing Crosby With Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra–    The Birth Of The Blues    3:12
7    Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra–    Blue River    3:07
8    Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra–    St. James Infirmary    3:13
9    Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra–    What Did I Do To Be So Black And Blue    3:04
10    Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra–    A Hundred Years From Today    2:58
11    Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra–    A Rhythm Hymn    2:58
12    Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra–    Prelude To The Blues    3:13
13    Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra–    The Blues Have Got Me    3:07
14    Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra–    Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen    3:04
15    The Capitol International Jazzmen–    Clambake In B Flat    2:46
16    The Capitol International Jazzmen–    Casanova's Lament    2:54
17    The Capitol International Jazzmen–    In My Solitude    2:57
18    The Capitol International Jazzmen–    I'm Sorry I Made You Cry    2:52
19    Jack Teagarden's Chicagoans–    Mighty Lak' A Rose    2:47
20    Jack Teagarden's Chicagoans–    Stars Fell On Alabama    2:57
21    Jack Teagarden's Chicagoans–    'Deed I Do    2:36
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Joe Ferdinando (tracks: 1 to 14), Tony Antonelli (tracks: 1 to 14)
Bass – Art Shapiro (tracks: 15 to 21)
Bass [String Bass] – Arnold Fishkind (tracks: 1 to 10), Myron Shapler (tracks: 11 to 14)
Clarinet – Heinie Beau (tracks: 19 to 21), Jimmie Noone (tracks: 15 to 18)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Danny Polo (tracks: 1 to 14)
Drums – Paul Collins (tracks: 1 to 14), Zutty Singleton (tracks: 15 to 21)
Guitar – Dave Barbour (tracks: 15 to 21), Perry Botkin (tracks: 5 to 10)
Piano – Ernie Hughes (tracks: 1 to 14), Joe Sullivan (tracks: 15 to 21)
Tenor Saxophone – Art Beck (tracks: 1 to 14), Art Moore (tracks: 1 to 14), Dave Matthews (tracks: 15 to 21)
Trombone – Fred Keller (tracks: 11 to 14), Jack Teagarden, Joe Ferrall (tracks: 1 to 14), Jose Gutierrez (tracks: 1 to 14), Seymour Goldfinger (tracks: 1 to 10)
Trumpet – Art Gold (tracks: 11 to 14), Billy May (tracks: 15 to 21), John Fallstitch (tracks: 1 to 10), Pokey Carriere (tracks: 1 to 14), Sid Feller (tracks: 1 to 4), Truman Quigley (tracks: 5 to 14)
Vocals – Bing Crosby (tracks: 5, 6), Jack Teagarden (tracks: 4, 5, 7 to 10, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20), Mary Martin (tracks: 5)

LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA - 1936-1937 {CC, 512} (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Continuing the complete chronological reissue of Louis Armstrong's output for Decca during the swing era, this set finds Satch at his most exhibitionistic (hitting dozens of high notes on "Swing That Music"), fronting Jimmy Dorsey's orchestra, doing a "Pennies from Heaven" medley with Bing Crosby, joining in for two collaborations with The Mills Brothers and, on four selections, even making charming (if weird) music with a group of Hawaiians. Not essential but quite enjoyable. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Yes! Yes! My! My! 2:35
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin
2     Somebody Stole My Break 2:44
David Franklin
3     I Come from a Musical Family 2:58
David Franklin
4     If We Never Meet Again 3:07
Louis Armstrong / Horace Gerlach
5     Lyin' to Myself 3:09
Stanley Adams / Hoagy Carmichael
6     Ev'ntide 2:50
Hoagy Carmichael
7     Swing That Music 2:50
Louis Armstrong / Horace Gerlach
8     Thankful 2:54
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin
9     Red Nose 3:01
Bonnie Lake / Marion Lake
10     Mahogany Hall Stomp 2:51
Spencer Williams
11     The Skeleton in the Closet 3:06
Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston
12     When Ruben Swings the Cuban 2:34
Harry White
13     Hurdy Gurdy Man 2:57
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin
14     Dippermouth Blues 2:43
King Oliver
15     Swing That Music 2:49
Louis Armstrong / Horace Gerlach
16     Pennies from Heaven 4:24
Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston
17     Pennies from Heaven 4:19
Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston
18     To You Sweetheart, Aloha 2:56
Harry Owens
19     On a Coconut Island 3:08
Alex Anderson
20     On a Little Bamboo Bridge 3:13
Robert Fletcher / Al Sherman
21     Hawaiian Hospitality 3:04
Ray Kinney / Harry Owens
22     Carry Me Back to Old Virginny 2:59
James A. Bland
23     Darling Nellie Gray 2:42
Louis Armstrong / Don Hanby  

BING CROSBY – The Bing Crosby CBS Radio Recordings 1954-56 (2009) 7xCD BOX-SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Aficionados of Bing Crosby's '50s recordings have often looked in vain for more material along the same lines. Crosby's artistic highlights of the era, outings like 1956's Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings and 1957's Bing with a Beat, simply let him exercise his interpretive chops with arrangements that were as loose and seemingly unstudied as his singing. The reissue label Mosaic has consistently made the dreams of vocal and jazz fans come true for years, so the release of The Bing Crosby CBS Radio Recordings 1954-56 is only a half-surprise. Recorded by Crosby for use on a short radio show (it was one of his last regular appearances on a medium that was quickly losing the race to television), these 160 sides usually feature only a small quartet led by keyboard player Buddy Cole. These are small but valuable trifles; Crosby excelled in this setting, and despite his fears about a weakening voice, he sounds fine. Granted, there are few surprises here, especially with the material. These are, in the main, standards of the past, many of them songs from the '20s and '30s that Crosby surely knew by heart (even if he hadn't sung all of them before in front of a microphone). Recorded at the same time as his career retrospective A Musical Autobiography, this functions as the flip side of that release, including very few songs he was associated with, but allowing him to use the lessons he'd learned over 30 years of professional performance. John Bush  

Tracklist 1:

1 If I Give My Heart To You 3:23

2 Mandy 1:39

3 Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep 2:52

4 I'm A Fool To Care 2:52

5 Hey There 3:04

6 Anyone Can Fall In Love 2:56

7 I Need You Now 3:06

8 I Want To Be Happy 1:48

9 Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now 2:06

10 But Not For Me 2:20

11 Honeysuckle Rose 2:25

12 The Nearness Of You 2:06

13 Ain't Misbehavin' 2:12

14 Just You, Just Me 2:08

15 Once In A While 3:39

16 You Took Advantage Of Me 2:29

17 Ol' Man River 2:18

18 Thou Swell 1:46

19 'S Wonderful 1:46

20 Oh, Look At Me Now 1:30

21 I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm 2:32

22 All Through The Night 2:58

23 Taking A Chance On Love 2:01

Tracklist 2:

1 We're In The Money (The Golddiggers' Song) 1:39

2 This Can't Be Love 1:28

3 I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me 1:24

4 Love Is The Sweetest Thing 2:01

5 Back In Your Own Backyard 2:13

6 I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan 2:30

7 Don't Take Your Love From Me 2:55

8 You're In Kentucky Sure As You're Born 1:57

9 Young And Foolish 3:05

10 My Own True Love (Tara's Theme) 3:02

11 Sunday 1:42

12 That's All I Want From You 2:22

13 Unsuspecting Heart 3:07

14 A Man Chases A Girl 2:56

15 Melody Of Love 1:23

16 Darling, Je Vous Aime, Beaucoup 3:11

17 How Important Can It Be? 2:17

18 I Hear Music 1:38

19 As Long As I Live 2:13

20 Try A Little Tenderness 3:33

21 What Is There To Say? 2:38

22 Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White 2:36

23 Danger! Heartbreak Ahead 3:26

Tracklist 3:

1 In A Little Spanish Town 2:12

2 It's A Most Unusual Day 1:55

3 Unchained Melody 2:46

4 Something's Gotta Give 1:59

5 I Belong To You 3:07

6 Keep It Gay 1:44

7 Just A Baby's Prayer At Twilight 3:18

8 You Do Something To Me 1:24

9 Nice Work If You Can Get It 1:47

10 How Long Has This Been Going On? 2:44

11 'Deed I Do 1:58

12 Cocktails For Two 3:00

13 Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea 1:59

14 How Am I To Know? 2:48

15 I Get A Kick Out Of You 2:26

16 I See Your Face Before Me 2:51

17 The Lady Is A Tramp 2:00

18 I'm Yours 3:16

19 Get Happy 2:15

20 My Ideal 3:03

21 Gypsy In My Soul 2:05

22 That's The Way Love Goes 2:02

Tracklist 4:

1 I'll Never Say "Never Again" Again 1:59

2 It's All Right With Me 3:46

3 Serenade In The Night 3:34

4 Wake The Town And Tell The People 2:29

5 She's Funny That Way 3:31

6 If I May 2:46

7 Domani (Tomorrow) 2:30

8 I'll Never Stop Loving You 3:04

9 Goodnight, Sweet Dreams, Mary Lou 2:55

10 Love Me Or Leave Me 2:20

11 (You Gotta Have) Heart 2:35

12 Swanee 2:03

13 Shhh In Madrid 2:25

14 Avalon 1:40

15 Blue Star (The Medic Theme) 2:54

16 Love Is A Many Splendored Thing 2:59

17 The Tender Trap 3:07

18 My Blue Heaven 2:20

19 What Is This Thing Called Love? 2:19

20 When I Take My Sugar To Tea 2:57

21 Someone You Love 3:21

22 Avalon Town 2:08

23 There Should Be Rules 2:48

Tracklist 5:

1 New Sun In The Sky 1:39

2 Love And Marriage 2:20

3 Merci Beaucoup 2:30

4 Way Down Yonder In New Orleans 1:47

5 Waitin' For The Evening Mail 2:35

6 Isle Of Capri 2:54

7 I Feel A Song Comin' On 1:21

8 You're The Top 2:30

9 Breezin' Along With The Breeze 2:07

10 Anything Goes 1:55

11 Manhattan 2:32

12 From This Moment On 1:53

13 Yours 2:56

14 We'll Be Together Again 2:46

15 My Funny Valentine 3:31

16 Jeannine, I Dream Of Lilac Time 3:05

17 Carolina In The Morning 2:11

18 Crazy Rhythm 2:08

19 You Turned The Tables On Me 2:24

20 That Old Black Magic 2:16

21 Arrivederci Roma 2:30

22 No, Not Much 2:55

23 On The Alamo 2:52

Tracklist 6:

1 Come Rain Or Come Shine 3:30

2 If You Can Dream 3:18

3 I Can't Get Started 3:14

4 Little Man, You've Had A Busy Day 2:46

5 I've Got A Crush On You 2:07

6 Margie 2:32

7 Yes Sir! That's My Baby 2:44

8 The Object Of My Affection 2:56

9 Sometimes I'm Happy 2:08

10 When My Baby Smiles At Me 2:00

11 I Got Rhythm 2:01

12 Just Around The Corner 3:35

13 Strike Up The Band 2:03

14 Muskrat Ramble 2:17

15 That's A-Plenty 1:57

16 At The Jazz Band Ball 2:15

17 Smiles 2:11

18 I'd Climb The Highest Mountain 2:14

19 My Baby Just Cares For Me 2:35

20 Fine And Dandy 1:44

21 Georgia On My Mind 3:19

22 Alabamy Bound 1:52

23 When The Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along 2:03

Tracklist 7:

1 You're Driving Me Crazy 2:52

2 On The Street Where You Live 2:30

3 If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight) 2:16

4 I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face 2:41

5 Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise 3:21

6 Too Marvelous For Words 2:31

7 Moonglow 3:16

8 Chinatown, My Chinatown 1:37

9 I Wish You Love 3:01

10 Lullaby Of Broadway 2:43

11 I Almost Lost My Mind 2:53

12 You're Sensational 3:19

13 Then I'll Be Happy 2:28

14 Don't Blame Me 3:36

15 My Heart Stood Still 3:12

16 L'Amour, Tonjours, L'Amour (Love Everlasting) 2:03

17 Button Up Your Overcoat 1:49

18 Chicago 2:02

19 Get Me To The Church On Time 2:21

20 More Than You Know 2:32

21 Cheek To Cheek 2:00

22 I'm Confessin' That I Love You 3:41

23 They Didn't Believe Me 2:55

Credits:

Bass – Don Whitaker 

Clarinet – Matty Matlock (tracks: 7-6 to 7-19)

Drums, Percussion – Nick Fatool

Guitar, Banjo – Vince Terri

Piano, Organ, Celesta, Harpsichord, Producer – Buddy Cole

Tenor Saxophone – Fred Fallensby (tracks: 7-6 to 7-19)

Trombone – Abe Lincoln (tracks: 7-6 to 7-19)

Trumpet – Clyde Hurley (tracks: 7-6 to 7-19)

Vocals – Bing Crosby