MARTHA COPELAND — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order Volume 1 · 1923-1927 | DOCD-5372 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

During a five-year stretch beginning in 1923, blues woman Martha Copeland recorded about three dozen titles for the OKeh, Victor, and Columbia labels. Virtually all of these were reissued by Document during the 1990s. Vol. 1 of her complete works contains 23 tunes dating from September 1923 to August 1927. Because the second volume was filled out with recordings by Irene Scruggs, the first installment stands as the definitive Copeland collection. Her accompanists during this period included pianists Eddie Heywood, Sr., Cliff Jackson, Phil Worde, Louis Hooper, and Porter Grainger, in addition to cornetists Bubber Miley and Louis Metcalf, violinist Bert Howell, and banjoist Buddy Christian. On "Hard Headed Mama" and "When the Wind Make Connection with Your Dry Goods" she is joined by comedic vocalist Sidney Easton. When Copeland switched from OKeh to Columbia in September 1926, she was persuaded to cover Victoria Spivey's very first recorded song, "Black Snake Blues," which Spivey had waxed four months earlier for OKeh. Copeland recorded it again in February 1927 as "The Black Snake Moan," whereupon Blind Lemon Jefferson cut his own cover using Copeland's title almost exactly one month later. For those who really love blues from this time period, the link between these three amazing musicians may serve as an inspiration to obtain the complete works of all three artists as reissued by Document. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :
1.        The Down So Long Blues    3:15
2.        The Pawn Shop Blues    3:02
3.        Daddy, You've Done Put That Thing On Me    2:47
4.        The Penetrating Blues    3:21
5.        Black Snake Blues    3:03
6.        Papa If You Can't Do Better (take 2)    3:01
7.        Papa If You Can't Do Better (take 3)    2:59
8.        On Decoration Day (They'll Know Where To Bring Your Flowers To)    3:06
9.        Fortune Teller Blues    3:06
10.        When The Wind Make Connection With Your Dry Goods    2:35
11.        Hard Headed Mama    3:04
12.        I Don't Care Who Ain't Got Nobody    2:46
13.        Stole My Man Blues     3:22
14.        The Black Snake Moan    3:02
15.        Mine's Just As Good As Yours    2:54
16.        Soul And Body (He Belongs To Me)    2:40
17.        Sorrow Valley Blues    2:54
18.        Dyin' Crap-Shooter's Blues    3:13
19.        Mr. Brakes-man (Let Me Ride Your Train)    2:57
20.        Police Blues    2:56
21.        Skeleton Key Blues    2:40
22.        Hobo Bill    3:19
23.        Nobody Rocks Me Like My Baby Do    3:03
Credits : 
Banjo – Buddy Christian (tracks: 22, 23)
Clarinet – Bob Fuller (tracks: 18, 19), Ernest Elliott (tracks: 18, 19)
Compilation Producer – Johnny Parth
Cornet – Louis Metcalf (tracks: 16, 17)
Liner Notes – John Wilby
Piano – Cliff Jackson (tracks: 5 to 9), Eddie Heywood (2) (tracks: 1 to 4), Louis Hooper (tracks: 14 to 17), Phil Worde (tracks: 10 to13), Porter Grainger (tracks: 18 to 23)
Remastered By – Gerhard Wessely
Trumpet – Bubber Miley (tracks: 8, 9)
Violin – Bert Howell (tracks: 10 to 12)
Vocals – Martha Copeland, Sidney Easton (tracks: 10, 11)
Whistle [Police Whistle] – Unknown Artist (tracks: 20)

MARTHA COPELAND — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order Volume 2 · 1927-1928 + IRENE SCRUGGS — The Remaining Titles 1926-1930 | DOCD-5373 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

One of many early blues and jazz women who were overshadowed and ultimately eclipsed by Ma Rainey, Ethel Waters, and Bessie Smith, Martha Copeland made about three dozen recordings during the 1920s that were reissued seven decades later on two CDs by the Document label. The second volume traces her Columbia recording activity from October 1927 to August 1928. Her little backing group, billed as her Smokey City Trio on December 6, 1927, was named after Copeland's home town of Pittsburgh, PA. "Wylie Avenue Blues" refers to the main drag in the Lower Hill District where the city's African-American population was concentrated. Her pianists during this period were Porter Grainger (tracks one through six); Rube Bloom (on "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" and "My Daddy Can't Do Nothin' Bad"); James P. Johnson (on "Somethin' Goin' on Wrong" and "Desert Blues"); and J.C. Johnson, who is joined by cornetist Bubber Miley on "Mama's Well Has Done Gone Dry" and "I Ain't Your Hen Mister Fly Rooster." The second half of this compilation holds a smattering of records cut by St. Louis blues woman Irene Scruggs between April 1926 and August 1930. On "Home Town Blues" and "Sorrow Valley Blues," Scruggs was backed by King Oliver's Dixie Syncopators, a rough-edged little group that included trombonist Kid Ory and clarinetist Albert Nicholas; at the same session, Oliver's band backed Georgia Taylor as she sang "Jackass Blues." Scruggs is heard with guitarist Lonnie Johnson on tracks 15 and 16, and the disc closes with five titles recorded for Gennett in Richmond, IN, at the end of the summer of 1930. Anyone seeking more recordings by Irene Scruggs ought to investigate her collaborations with Blind Blake and Little Brother Montgomery, all dating from 1930. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :
1.    Martha Copeland–    Shootin' Star Blues 2:44
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Martha Copeland
2.    Martha Copeland–    Good Time Mama Blues
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Martha Copeland
3.    Martha Copeland, Acc. Her Smokey City Trio–    Wylie Avenue Blues 2:40
Alto Saxophone – Andrew Mead
Piano – Porter Grainger
Violin – Ralph Jones 
Vocals – Martha Copeland
4.    Martha Copeland, Acc. Her Smokey City Trio–    Everybody Does It Now 3:02
Alto Saxophone – Andrew Mead
Piano – Porter Grainger
Violin – Ralph Jones 
Vocals – Martha Copeland
5.    Martha Copeland–    Bank Failure Blues 2:53
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Martha Copeland
6.    Martha Copeland–    Second-Hand Daddy 2:42
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Martha Copeland
7    Martha Copeland–    I Can't Give You Anything But Love 3:16
Cornet – Irving Peskin
Piano – Rube Bloom
Vocals – Martha Copeland
8.    Martha Copeland–    My Daddy Can't Do Nothin' Bad 3:04
Cornet – Irving Peskin
Piano – Rube Bloom
Vocals – Martha Copeland
9.    Martha Copeland–    Somethin' Goin' On Wrong 3:25
Clarinet – Clarence Adams
Piano – James P. Johnson
Vocals – Martha Copeland
10.    Martha Copeland–    Desert Blues 3:13
Clarinet – Clarence Adams
Piano, Speech – James P. Johnson
Vocals – Martha Copeland
11.    Martha Copeland–    Mama's Well Has Done Gone Dry 3:03
Cornet – Bubber Miley
Piano – J.C. Johnson
Vocals – Martha Copeland
12.    Martha Copeland–    I Ain't Your Hen Mister Fly Rooster 2:45
Cornet – Bubber Miley
Piano – J.C. Johnson
Vocals – Martha Copeland
13.    Irene Scruggs–    Home Town Blues 2:46
Alto Saxophone [Prob.] – Billy Paige
Banjo – Bud Scott
Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone – Albert Nicholas
Cornet – King Oliver
Drums – Paul Barbarin
Piano – Luis Russell
Trombone – Kid Ory
Vocals – Irene Scruggs
14.    Irene Scruggs–    Sorrow Valley Blues (C-230) 2:34
Alto Saxophone [Prob.] – Billy Paige
Banjo – Bud Scott
Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone – Albert Nicholas
Cornet – King Oliver
Drums – Paul Barbarin
Piano – Luis Russell
Trombone – Kid Ory
Vocals – Irene Scruggs
15.    Irene Scruggs–    Lonesome Valley Blues 3:17
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson 
Piano – DeLoise Searcy
Vocals – Irene Scruggs
16.    Irene Scruggs–    Sorrow Valley Blues (80820) 3:10
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson 
Piano – DeLoise Searcy
Vocals – Irene Scruggs
17.    Dixie Nolan - Johnnie Hardge–    Worried Love - Part 1 2:55
Guitar – Unknown Artist, Unknown Artist
Vocals – Irene Scruggs
Vocals, Piano [Prob.] – Johnny Hodges 
18.    Dixie Nolan - Johnnie Hardge–    Worried Love - Part 2 2:57
Guitar – Unknown Artist, Unknown Artist
Vocals – Irene Scruggs
Vocals, Piano [Prob.] – Johnny Hodges 
19.    Irene Scruggs–    You've Got What I Want 2:51
Piano [Poss.] – J. Norman Ebron
Vocals – Irene Scruggs
20.    Irene Scruggs–    I Want You To Give Me Some 2:57
Guitar – Unknown Artist
Piano [Poss.] – J. Norman Ebron
Vocals – Irene Scruggs
21.    Irene Scruggs–    My Back To The Wall 2:48
Guitar – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Irene Scruggs
22.    Irene Scruggs–    Borrowed Love 2:44
Guitar – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Irene Scruggs
23.    Irene Scruggs–    The Voice Of The Blues 2:52
Guitar – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Irene Scruggs

MAGGIE JONES — Volume 2 (May 1925 To June 1926) + GLADYS BENTLEY — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order 1928/1929 (1995) DOCD-5349 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Two different blues-oriented vaudeville singers are featured on this CD, which is the follow-up to Maggie Jones, Vol. 1. Jones had a strong voice and is heard on the first 16 selections, backed by some Fletcher Henderson sidemen (including cornetist Joe Smith), the St. Louis Rhythm Kings, clarinetist Bob Fuller, trumpeter Louis Metcalf, and pianist Clarence Williams, among others. In addition, this CD has all eight recordings by singer-pianist Gladys Bentley, a male impersonator whose style is a bit of an acquired taste; guitarist Eddie Lang is fortunately on four of the numbers. This well-done release is not essential but has its moments of interest. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Maggie Jones–    Cheatin' On Me 3:13
Orchestra – Henderson's Hot Six
2.    Maggie Jones–    Mamma (Won't You Come And Ma-Ma Me) 2:58
Orchestra – Henderson's Hot Six
3.    Maggie Jones–    He's Just A Horn-Tootin' Fool 3:08
Orchestra – St. Louis Rhythm Kings
4.    Maggie Jones–    Go Get 'Em Caroline 3:11
Orchestra – St. Louis Rhythm Kings
5.    Maggie Jones, Acc. Her Band–    Dallas Blues 3:01
Orchestra – Maggie Jones, Acc. Her Band
6.    Maggie Jones, Acc. Her Band–    South Street Blues 2:32
Orchestra – Maggie Jones, Acc. Her Band
7.    Maggie Jones, Acc. Her Band–    Never Drive A Beggar From Your Door 2:57
Orchestra – Maggie Jones, Acc. Her Band
8.    Maggie Jones, Acc. Her Band–    I'm A Back Bitin' Mama 2:58
Orchestra – Maggie Jones, Acc. Her Band
9.    Maggie Jones, Acc. Her Jazzers–    Single Woman's Blues 2:48
Orchestra – Maggie Jones, Acc. Her Jazzers
10.    Maggie Jones And Her Jazz Band–    Never Tell A Woman Friend 2:52
Orchestra – Maggie Jones, Acc. Her Jazzers
11.    Maggie Jones–    The Man I Love Is Oh So Good    3:01
12.    Maggie Jones–    I'm Leaving You    2:53
13.    Maggie Jones–    I'm A Real Kind Mama    2:57
14.    Maggie Jones–    You Ain't Gonna Feed My In Pasture Now    2:52
15.    Maggie Jones–    Mama Stayed Out The Whole Night Long    3:04
16.    Maggie Jones–    He Belongs To Me    2:58
17.    Gladys Bentley–    Ground Hog Blues    3:00
18.    Gladys Bentley–    Worried Blues    2:43
19.    Gladys Bentley–    How Long-How Long Blues    2:48
20.    Gladys Bentley–    Moanful Wailin' Blues    3:02
21.    Gladys Bentley–    Wild Geese Blues    3:00
22.    Gladys Bentley–    How Much Can I Stand?    3:05
23.    Gladys Bentley–    Big Gorilla Man    2:50
24.    Gladys Bentley–    Red Beans And Rice    2:57
Credits : 
Alto Saxophone – Bob Fuller (tracks: 7, 8, 10), Elmer Snowden (tracks: 7 to 10)
Banjo – Charlie Dixon (tracks: 1, 2), Elmer Snowden (tracks: 5, 7, 8)
Clarinet – Bob Fuller (tracks: 5, 7 to 9), Buster Bailey (tracks: 1, 2), Louis Maesto (tracks: 3, 4)
Compilation Producer – Johnny Parth
Cornet – Harry Cooper (tracks: 6), Joe Smith (tracks: 1, 2), Louis Metcalf (tracks: 11 to 14)
Drums – Christian Maesto (tracks: 3, 4)
Effects – Unknown Artist (tracks: 5)
Guitar – Eddie Lang (tracks: 19 to 22)
Liner Notes – John Wilby
Piano – Clarence Williams (tracks: 15, 16), Cliff Jackson (tracks: 11 to 14), Fletcher Henderson (tracks: 1, 2), Louis Hooper (tracks: 5 to 10), Nick Moleri (tracks: 3, 4), Unknown Artist (tracks: 23, 24)
Piano [Poss.] – Gladys Bentley (tracks: 17 to 20)
Remastered By – Gerhard Wessely
Trombone – Charlie Green (tracks: 1, 2), Jake Frazier (tracks: 11, 12), Pete Pellezzi (tracks: 3, 4)
Trumpet – Micky Bloom (tracks: 3, 4)
Vocals – Gladys Bentley (tracks: 17 to 24), Maggie Jones (tracks: 1 to 16)

ROSA HENDERSON — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order Volume 2 (1924) DOCD-5402 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second of four Document CDs that reissue all of the recordings of the classic blues singer Rosa Henderson mostly has the vocalist accompanied by the unrelated pianist Fletcher Henderson and his sidemen (including cornetist Joe Smith, altoist Don Redman, and tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins) or by the Choc Choo Jazzers, a small group with pianist Cliff Jackson. Best among the 23 selections are "I'm a Good Gal But I'm a Thousan' Miles From Home," "West Indies Blues," "My Papa Doesn't Two-Time No Time," "Strut Yo' Puddy," and "Somebody's Doing What You Wouldn't Do." Although she would eventually slip into obscurity, Rosa Henderson was one of the better blues singers of the period. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Rosa Henderson–    I'm A Good Gal (But I'm A Thousan' Miles From Home)  3:10
Banjo – Charlie Dixon
Clarinet – Don Redman
Cornet – Elmer Chambers
Orchestra – Fletcher Henderson's Jazz Five
Piano – Fletcher Henderson
Trombone – Teddy Nixon
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
2.    Rosa Henderson–    Papa Will Be Gone  3:26
Banjo – Charlie Dixon
Clarinet – Don Redman
Cornet – Elmer Chambers
Orchestra – Fletcher Henderson's Jazz Five
Piano – Fletcher Henderson
Trombone – Teddy Nixon
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
3.    Rosa Henderson–    Hey Hey And He He, I'm Charleston Crazy  2:53
Cornet – Joe Smith 
Piano – Fletcher Henderson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
4.    Rosa Henderson–    Do Right Blues  3:22
Cornet – Joe Smith 
Piano – Fletcher Henderson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
5.    Rosa Henderson–    Goin' Home  2:12
Piano [Poss.] – Porter Grainger
Steel Guitar – Lincoln M. Conaway
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
6.    Rosa Henderson–    West Indies Blues (42602)  2:18
Piano [Poss.] – Porter Grainger
Steel Guitar – Lincoln M. Conaway
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
7.    Rosa Henderson–    How Come You Do Me Like You Do  3:18
Piano – Fletcher Henderson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
8.    Rosa Henderson–    My Papa Doesn't Two-Time No Time  3:05
Piano – Fletcher Henderson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
9.    Rosa Henderson–    Clearing House Blues  2:57
Banjo – Charlie Dixon
Clarinet – Don Redman
Cornet – Elmer Chambers
Orchestra – Fletcher Henderson's Jazz Five
Piano – Fletcher Henderson
Speech [Male], Vocals [Male] – Unknown Artist
Trombone – Teddy Nixon
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
10.    Rosa Henderson–    West Indies Blues (12846/47)  2:59
Banjo – Charlie Dixon
Clarinet – Don Redman
Cornet – Elmer Chambers
Orchestra – Fletcher Henderson's Jazz Five
Piano – Fletcher Henderson
Speech [Male], Vocals [Male] – Unknown Artist
Trombone – Teddy Nixon
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
11.    Rosa Henderson–    Back Woods Blues  2:42
Cornet [Prob.] – Howard Scott 
Orchestra – Henderson And His Orchestra
Piano – Fletcher Henderson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
12.    Rosa Henderson–    Four-Flushin' Papa  3:09
Cornet [Prob.] – Howard Scott 
Orchestra – Henderson And His Orchestra
Piano – Fletcher Henderson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
13.    Rosa Henderson–    Black Star Line (A West Indian Chant)  2:48
Piano – Edgar Dowell
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
14.    Rosa Henderson–    Barbadoes Blues  2:52
Effects – Unknown Artist
Piano – Edgar Dowell
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
15.    Rosa Henderson–    Chicago Monkey Man Blues  3:13
Piano – Edgar Dowell
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
16.    Rosa Henderson–    How'm I Gonna Get 'em (When You Keep On Holding 'Em Back)  3:11
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
17.    Rosa Henderson–    Barrel House Blues (13252)  3:03
Piano – Fletcher Henderson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
18.    Rosa Henderson–    My Right Man  3:12
Piano – Fletcher Henderson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
19.    Rosa Henderson Featured Vcl With Fletcher Henderson And His Club Alabam Orchestra–    Do That Thing  3:07
Banjo – Charlie Dixon
Brass Bass – Ralph Escudero
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Don Redman
Cornet – Elmer Chambers, Howard Scott 
Drums – Kaiser Marshall
Orchestra – Fletcher Henderson And His Club Alabam Orchestra
Piano – Fletcher Henderson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Teddy Nixon
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
20.    Rosa Henderson–    I Can't Get The One I Want  2:54
Orchestra – Choo Choo Jazzers
Piano – Cliff Jackson
Trumpet – Harry Smith 
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
21.    Sally Ritz–    Barrel House Blues (5555)  3:16
Piano – Edgar Dowell
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
22.    Rosa Henderson And Choo Choo Jazzers–    Strut Yo' Puddy  2:53
Orchestra – Choo Choo Jazzers
Piano – Cliff Jackson
Trumpet [Prob.] – Rex Stewart
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
23.    Rosa Henderson And Choo Choo Jazzers–    Somebody's Doing What You Wouldn't Do 2:56
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Orchestra – Choo Choo Jazzers
Piano – Cliff Jackson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson 

ROSA HENDERSON — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order Volume 3 (1924-1926) DOCD-5403 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The fourth and final CD in Document's Rosa Henderson series finishes off her recording career with nine numbers from 1926, a dozen from 1927, and two from 1931. Most notable are six numbers in which Rosa Henderson is accompanied by the great stride pianist James P. Johnson (including "Black Snake Moan" and "Can't Be Bothered With No Sheik"). Other selections have her assisted by the Three Hot Eskimos, the Four Black Diamonds, pianist Cliff Jackson, and cornetist Louis Metcalf. A perfectly done reissue series paying tribute to a talented if forgotten classic blues singer of the 1920s.  Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Rosa Henderson, Choo Choo Jazzers–    Hard-Hearted Hannah  2:58
Cornet [Prob.] – Rex Stewart
Piano – Cliff Jackson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
2.    Sally Ritz–    Deep River Blues  3:02
Cornet – Unknown Artist
Piano – Louis Hooper
Trombone [Poss.] – Jake Frazier
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
3.    Sally Ritz–    The Basement Blues  2:55
Cornet – Unknown Artist
Piano – Louis Hooper
Trombone [Poss.] – Jake Frazier
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
4.    Rosa Henderson–    Don't Advertise Your Man  3:46
Banjo [Prob.] – Elmer Snowden
Clarinet [Prob.] – Bob Fuller
Cornet [Either/Or] – Bubber Miley, Rex Stewart, Tom Morris
Orchestra – Kansas City Five 
Piano [Prob.] – Louis Hooper
Trombone [Prob.] – Jake Frazier
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
5.    Rosa Henderson–    Twelfth Street Blues  2:48
Cornet – Louis Metcalf
Orchestra – Choo Choo Jazzers
Piano – Cliff Jackson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
6.    Rosa Henderson–    Memphis Bound (31677)  3:10
Cornet – Louis Metcalf
Orchestra – Choo Choo Jazzers
Piano – Cliff Jackson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
Whistle [Train-whistle] – Unknown Artist
7.    Rosa Henderson–    Memphis Bound (31678)  3:00
Cornet – Louis Metcalf
Orchestra – Choo Choo Jazzers
Piano – Cliff Jackson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
Whistle [Train-whistle] – Unknown Artist
8.    Rosa Henderson–    Undertaker's Blues  3:47
Banjo [Prob.] – Elmer Snowden
Clarinet [Prob.] – Bob Fuller
Cornet [Either/Or] – Bubber Miley, Rex Stewart, Tom Morris
Orchestra – Kansas City Five 
Piano [Prob.] – Louis Hooper
Trombone [Prob.] – Jake Frazier
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
9.    Rosa Henderson–    Everything My Sweetie Does (Pleases Me)  3:02
Banjo [Prob.] – Elmer Snowden
Clarinet [Prob.] – Bob Fuller
Cornet [Either/Or] – Bubber Miley, Rex Stewart, Tom Morris
Orchestra – Kansas City Five 
Piano [Prob.] – Louis Hooper
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
10.    Rosa Henderson–    It Takes A Two Time Papa  2:52
Cornet – Rex Stewart
Orchestra – Choo Choo Jazzers
Piano – Louis Hooper
Trombone – Jake Frazier
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
11.    Rosa Henderson–    Nobody Knows The Way I Feel 'Dis Mornin' 2:51
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Orchestra – Choo Choo Jazzers
Piano – Louis Hooper
Trombone [Prob.] – Jake Frazier
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
12.    Rosa Henderson–    Penitentiary Bound Blues  2:56
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Orchestra – Choo Choo Jazzers
Piano – Louis Hooper
Trombone [Prob.] – Jake Frazier
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
13.    Rosa Henderson–    12th Street Blues  2:54
Banjo – Elmer Snowden
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Cornet – Rex Stewart
Orchestra – Choo Choo Jazzers
Piano – Louis Hooper
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
14.    Rosa Henderson–    Get It Fixed  2:48
Banjo – Elmer Snowden
Cornet – Rex Stewart
Piano – Louis Hooper
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
15.    Rosa Henderson–    Low Down Daddy Blues  3:00
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Piano – Louis Hooper
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
16.    Rosa Henderson–    Poplar Bluff Blues  2:28
Piano – Louis Hooper
Trombone – Jake Frazier
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
17.    Rosa Henderson–    An' I Don't Mean If  2:52
Banjo – Elmer Snowden
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Piano – Louis Hooper
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
18.    Rosa Henderson–    You Can't Be Like My Last Man Was  2:50
Banjo – Elmer Snowden
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Orchestra – Three Jolly Miners
Piano – Louis Hooper
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
19.    Rosa Henderson–    Let's Talk About My Sweetie  2:54
Cornet – Rex Stewart
Piano – Louis Hooper
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
20.    Rosa Henderson–    Mama Is Waitin' For You  3:01
Cornet – Rex Stewart
Piano – Louis Hooper
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
21.    Mamie Harris–    You Get Mad  2:51
Piano – Fats Waller
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
22.    Mamie Harris–    What's The Matter Now?  2:40
Piano – Fats Waller
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
23.    Rosa Henderson–    Here Comes My Baby  3:03
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Cornet [Either/Or] – Bubber Miley, Tom Morris
Orchestra – Three Hot Eskimos
Piano [Poss./Or] – Cliff Jackson
Piano [Prob./Or] – Louis Hooper
Vocals – Rosa Henderson

ROSA HENDERSON — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order Volume 4 (1926-1931) DOCD-5404 (1995) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The fourth and final CD in Document's Rosa Henderson series finishes off her recording career with nine numbers from 1926, a dozen from 1927, and two from 1931. Most notable are six numbers in which Rosa Henderson is accompanied by the great stride pianist James P. Johnson (including "Black Snake Moan" and "Can't Be Bothered With No Sheik"). Other selections have her assisted by the Three Hot Eskimos, the Four Black Diamonds, pianist Cliff Jackson, and cornetist Louis Metcalf. A perfectly done reissue series paying tribute to a talented if forgotten classic blues singer of the 1920s. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Chicago Policeman Blues  2:53
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Cornet [Either/Or] – Bubber Miley, Tom Morris
Orchestra – Three Hot Eskimos
Piano [Poss./Or] – Cliff Jackson
Piano [Prob./Or] – Louis Hooper
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
2.    Daddy, Come Back  2:55
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Cornet – Louis Metcalf
Orchestra – Four Black Diamonds
Piano [Poss./Or] – Edgar Dowell, Louis Hooper
Piano [Prob./Or] – Louis Hooper
Trombone – Jake Frazier
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
3.    I've Got Somebody Now  2:46
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Cornet – Louis Metcalf
Orchestra – Four Black Diamonds
Piano [Poss./Or] – Edgar Dowell, Louis Hooper
Piano [Prob./Or] – Louis Hooper
Trombone – Jake Frazier
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
4.    Rough House Blues (A Reckless Woman's Lament)  2:56
Clarinet – Unknown Artist
Cornet – Unknown Artist
Piano – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
5.    She Belongs To Me (He Belongs To Me)  2:53
Clarinet – Unknown Artist
Cornet – Unknown Artist
Piano – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
6.    He's My Man  3:11
Piano – Cliff Jackson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
7.    In That Apartment Upstairs  3:03
Piano – Cliff Jackson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
8.    Papa, If You Can't Do Better  2:37
Clarinet [Poss.] – Bob Fuller
Cornet [Poss.] – Louis Metcalf
Piano – Louis Hooper
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
9.    I'm Saving It All For You  2:49
Clarinet [Poss.] – Bob Fuller
Cornet [Poss.] – Louis Metcalf
Piano – Louis Hooper
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
10.    Git Goin'  2:52
Cornet – Demus Dean
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
11.    Some Day You'll Come Back To Me  2:44
Cornet – Demus Dean
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
12.    Slow Up Papa  3:01
Cornet – Unknown Artist
Piano – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
13.    Hock Shop Blues  3:10
Cornet – Unknown Artist
Piano – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
14.    Black Snake Moan  2:44
Piano – James P. Johnson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
15.    Fortune Teller Blues  2:35
Piano – James P. Johnson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
16.    Gay Catin' Daddy  2:48
Piano – James P. Johnson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
17.    I'm Saving It All For You  2:50
Piano – James P. Johnson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
18.    You Can't It Unless I Give It To You  2:41
Piano – Cliff Jackson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
19.    Dyin' Crap-Shooter's Blues  3:04
Piano – Cliff Jackson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
20.    Police Blues  3:03
Piano – Cliff Jackson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
21.    Never Let Your Left Hand Know  2:29
Piano – Cliff Jackson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
22.    Doggone Blues  3:11
Piano – James P. Johnson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson
23.    Can't Be Bothered With No Sheik  3:19
Piano – James P. Johnson
Vocals – Rosa Henderson

LIZZIE MILES — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order • 2 (1923-1928) DOCD-5459 (1996) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The second of three CDs that reissue all of Lizzie Miles' recordings from the 1922-39 period features the versatile singer in 1923 (being accompanied by either Clarence Johnson or J. Russell Robinson on piano), and during 1927-28, after a successful period spent as a cabaret singer in Paris. For the latter recordings, Miles is assisted by Clarence Johnson, Louis Hooper or Porter Grainger on piano, cornetist Louis Metcalf on two fine numbers and the dated gaspipe clarinet of Bob Fuller on the final four selections (which include two versions of "A Good Man Is Hard to Find"). One of the finer singers of the '20s, Miles' delivery was quite accessible and one can always understand the words she sings. Highlights of this excellent set include "You're Always Messin' Round with My Man," "Cotton Belt Blues," "Lonesome Ghost Blues" and "If You Can't Control Your Man." Virtually all of the material on this 1996 CD was formerly very rare. Scott Yanow

Tracklist :

1 Haitian Blues (A Wild Weepin' Moan) 3:14

Piano – Clarence Johnson  

Written-By – Lizzie Miles, Spencer Williams  

2 You're Always Messin' Round With My Man 3:24

Piano – Clarence Johnson

Written-By – Spencer Williams

3 Family Trouble Blues 3:22

Piano – Clarence Johnson

4 Triflin' Man 3:00

Piano – Clarence Johnson 

5 My Pillow And Me 3:08

Piano – Russel Robinson

Written-By – Chris Smith, Clarence Williams, Tim Brymn

6 Black Man (Be On Yo' Way) 3:17

Kazoo – Lizzie Miles

Piano – Russel Robinson

Written-By – Spencer Williams 

7 Keep Yourself Together Sweet Papa (Mama's Got Her Eyes On You) 2:57

Piano – Clarence Johnson 

8 Cotton Belt Blues 3:06

Piano – Clarence Johnson 

9 Slow Up Papa 2:57

Cornet – Louis Metcalf

Piano – Louis Hooper

10 Grievin' Mama Blues 2:49

Cornet – Louis Metcalf

Piano – Louis Hooper

11 Mean Old Bedbug Blues 3:00

Clarinet – Unknown Artist

Piano – Unknown Artist

Written-By – Jack Wood 

12 You Can't Have It Unless I Give It To You 2:53

Clarinet – Unknown Artist

Piano – Unknown Artist

Written-By – Andy Razaf

13 When You Get Tired Of Your New Sweetie 2:49

Piano – Clarence Johnson 

14 Police Blues 3:01

Piano – Clarence Johnson 

15 Don't Let Your Love Control Your Man 2:54

Piano – Clarence Johnson

16 Shootin' Star Blues 2:50

Piano, Written-By – Porter Grainger

17 Lonesome Ghost Blues 2:51

Piano – Porter Grainger

Written-By – Andy Razaf

18 If You Can't Control Your Man 2:55

Piano – Porter Grainger

19 Nobody Shows What My Baby Shows 2:53

Clarinet – Bob Fuller

Piano – Louis Hooper

Written-By – Andy Razaf

20 Second Hand Daddy 2:55

Clarinet – Bob Fuller

Piano – Louis Hooper

21 A Good Man Is Hard To Find (Take 2) 2:55

Clarinet – Bob Fuller

Piano – Louis Hooper

Written-By – Eddie Green  

22 A Good Man Is Hard To Find (Take 3) 2:50

Clarinet – Bob Fuller

Piano – Louis Hooper

Written-By – Eddie Green  

Credits :

Bob Fuller - Clarinet

Porter Grainger, Louis Hooper - Piano

Louis Metcalf - Cornet

Lizzie Miles - Kazoo, Vocals 

MAMIE SMITH — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order ★ Volume 2 • 1921-1922 | DOCD-5358 (1995) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Volume two in the complete recordings of Mamie Smith as reissued by Document in 1995 follows her career as an Okeh recording artist from August 18, 1921 through early May of 1922. Although her groups were almost invariably billed as the Jazz Hounds, the band accompanying her on tracks 1-13 (listed as her Jazz Band) was really the Joseph Samuels Orchestra, a well-behaved but capably hot Caucasian unit that also recorded as the Synco Jazz Band and the Tampa Blue Jazz Band. During the provocatively titled "Mamma Whip! Mamma Spank!," Smith seems to have been able to relax and deliver an artful performance that conveys a taste of what she must have sounded like when caught live on-stage. Other delights from this portion of the timeline include enjoyable treatments of Perry Bradford's "Down Home Blues," the catchy "Arkansas Blues," and that essential vaudevillian and traditional jazz staple, the "Wang Wang Blues." During the winter of 1921, Mamie Smith's Jazz Hounds (with young Bubber Miley temporarily replacing cornetist Johnny Dunn) toured the T.O.B.A. circuit, premiering at Pittsburgh's Pershing Theater as the last act in a vaudeville revue. Smith, who wore some of the fanciest and most rhinestone-encrusted outfits in the business, experienced unanticipated hook-and-eye trouble while attempting to execute one of her famous, lightning-quick off-stage costume changes. The band was told to keep playing "Royal Garden Blues" over and over again until she could get back on. As she became hopelessly entangled, Miley's lip gave out completely and the audience booed the band off the stage. Fortunately for those who value an opportunity to hear Miley years before his experiences with Duke Ellington, four instrumental selections from this period are included here. They are: "Rambling Blues," "Cubanita," "The Decatur Street Blues," and "Carolina Blues." Additionally, Smith tosses off a beautiful rendition of the old "Wabash Blues." The Jazz Hounds played the Avenue Theater in Chicago, where they were able to hear Freddie Keppard and King Oliver (major influences on Bubber Miley), followed by a series of engagements at the 12th Street Theater, a white burlesque house in Kansas City. Here the Hounds found themselves absorbed into a variety show billed as Mamie Smith and Company, with dancers, singers, comedians, and a prestidigitator. Soon the band was enlarged slightly by the addition of George Bell, a violinist from Detroit, and a very young C-Melody saxophonist from St. Joseph, MO named Coleman Hawkins who was already displaying unerringly fine musicianship. Deemed too young to leave home (according to his grandmother), Hawkins did not accompany the Jazz Hounds to Detroit, MI where they appeared with Smith at the S.H. Dudley and Copeland Theaters on Gratiot Avenue. The last three tunes on this second volume of vintage Mamie Smith date from May 1922 and feature Hawkins (now blowing tenor sax) alongside cornetist George Mullen, trombonist Cecil Carpenter, clarinetist Bob Fuller, the aforementioned fiddler Bell, pianist Charles Matson, and either Curtis Mosby or Cutie Perkins behind the drums. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :
1    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Band–    Sweet Man O'Mine    3:15
2    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Band–    Mama Whip! Mama Spank!    3:12
3    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Band–    I'm Free, Single, Disengaged, Looking For Someone To Love    2:50
4    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Band–    Weepin'    3:00
5    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Band–    A Wearin' Away The Blues    3:08
6    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Band–    Down Home Blues    3:01
7    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Band–    Get Hot    3:04
8    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Band–    Oh, Joe (Please Don't Go)    3:07
9    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Band–    A Little Kind Treatment    3:10
10    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Band–    Arkansas Blues (A Down Home Chant)    3:06
11    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Band–    The Wang, Wang Blues    3:06
12    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Band–    Stop! Rest A While    2:56
13    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Band–    Sweet Cookie    3:06
14    Mamie Smith And Her Jazz Hounds–    Let's Agree To Disagree    2:44
15    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Hounds–    Rambling Blues    3:06
16    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Hounds–    Cubanita    2:47
17    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Hounds–    The Decatur Street Blues    3:04
18    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Hounds–    Carolina Blues    3:05
19    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Hounds–    Dooh-Dah Blues    2:54
20    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Hounds–    There's Only One Man (That Satisfies Me)    2:53
21    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Hounds–    Wabash Blues    3:04
22    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Hounds–    Mean Daddy Blues    2:54
23    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Hounds–    Dem Knock-Out-Blues    2:43
24    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Hounds–    Lonesome Mama Blues    2:57

MAMIE SMITH — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order ★ Volume 4 • 1923-1942 | DOCD-5360 (1995) RM | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Mamie Smith's approach to putting over a song was developed in vaudeville houses and theaters before microphones were used to amplify the human voice, a fact which places her in league with stentorian characters like Sophie Tucker, Ethel Merman, Al Jolson, and Jimmy Rushing. Her high-pitched, theatrically mannered delivery compares most accurately with that of Ethel Waters, Lucille Hegamin, Lavinia Turner, and Eva Taylor. The fourth and final volume in Document's complete Mamie Smith retrospective combines the last of her works from the 1920s with material from a little-known session that took place in 1931 and a couple of intriguing movie soundtracks, the last recorded during the spring of 1940. This stunningly beautiful woman was the primary star of Okeh Records from August 1920 through August of 1923. Partially eclipsed by the rise of young Bessie Smith, Mamie cut a half-dozen titles for the Ajax label in September of 1924 with members of the Choo Choo Jazzers (cornetist Louis Metcalf, pianist Louis Hooper, clarinetist Bob Fuller, and banjoist Elmer Snowden) and an expanded seven-piece edition of her Jazz Hounds. Her next recording dates took place in August 1926 with a similar unit that featured cornetist Tom Morris and trombonist Charlie Irvis. The remaining recorded evidence finds her singing in front of various orchestras and on vintage motion picture soundtracks. "The Jail House Blues", which features an unnamed single-string violinist backed by pianist Porter Grainger, comes from a Columbia short that was shot and released in 1929. Mamie's interpretation of Fats Waller's "Keep a Song in Your Soul" was waxed in 1931, right around the time she actually performed with Waller and some of his friends. "Harlem Blues" and "Lord! Lord!" were drawn from the soundtrack of the Jubilee motion picture Paradise in Harlem, directed by Joseph Seiden, with Lucky Millinder's orchestra and additional vocals by the Alphabetical Four. Mamie Smith's final years were a far cry from the prosperous luxury and fame of her heyday. Although she initially invested in quite a bit of real estate, a manipulative predatory louse by the name of Ocie Wilson weaseled practically every dollar out of her. Crippled with arthritis and virtually destitute, she passed away in a cheap boarding house on Eighth Avenue in 1946. Long ignored because her vocal style predated the vogue for gutsy blues and hot jazz, Mamie Smith's complete works have now been made available to those who are willing to listen with unbiased ears. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :
1    Mamie Smith–    My Mammy's Blues 2:45
Piano – Porter Grainger
2    Mamie Smith–    My Sweet Man (Tickles The Ivories For Me) 2:40
Orchestra – Choo Choo Jazzers
Piano – Louis Hooper
3    Mamie Smith–    What You Need Is Me (And What I Need Is You) 2:57
Cornet [Prob.] – Louis Metcalf
Orchestra – Choo Choo Jazzers
Piano – Louis Hooper
4    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Hounds–    Just Like You Took My Man Away From Me 2:25
Alto Saxophone – Bob Fuller
Banjo – Elmer Snowden
Piano – Louis Hooper
5    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Hounds–    Remorseful Blues 2:43
Alto Saxophone – Bob Fuller
Banjo – Elmer Snowden
Drums – Norman Buster
Piano – Louis Hooper
6    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Hounds–    Lost Opportunity Blues 3:01
Banjo – Elmer Snowden
Bass Saxophone – Alex Jackson
Cornet – Gus Aiken, Horace Holmes
Drums – Norman Buster
Piano – Leslie A. Hutchinson ("Hutch")
Saxophone – Ernie Bullock, Percy Glascoe
Trombone – Jake Frazier
7    Mamie Smith, Acc. Her Jazz Hounds–    Good Time Ball 2:22
Banjo – Elmer Snowden
Bass Saxophone – Alex Jackson
Cornet – Gus Aiken, Horace Holmes
Piano – Leslie A. Hutchinson ("Hutch")
Saxophone – Ernie Bullock, Percy Glascoe
Trombone – Jake Frazier
8    Mamie Smith–    Goin' Crazy With The Blues (Take 1)    2:59
9    Mamie Smith–    Goin' Crazy With The Blues (Take 2)    3:11
10    Mamie Smith–    Sweet Virginia Blues    2:49
11    Mamie Smith–    What Have You Done To Make Me Feel This Way? (Take One)    2:47
12    Mamie Smith–    What Have You Done To Make Me Feel This Way? (Take Two)    2:55
13    Mamie Smith–    I Once Was Yours I'm Somebody Else's Now    3:18
14    Mamie Smith–    Wonderful Mammy 3:13
Orchestra – Billy Fowler Orchestra
15    Mamie Smith–    My Sportin' Man 2:56
Orchestra – Billy Fowler Orchestra
16    Mamie Smith–    The Lure Of The South 2:46
Orchestra – Billy Fowler Orchestra
Vocals [Vocal Group] – Unknown Artist
17    Mamie Smith–    The Jail House Blues 1:17
Piano – Porter Grainger
18    Mamie Smith–    Golfing Papa    2:44
19    Mamie Smith–    Jenny's Ball    3:12
20    Mamie Smith–    Keep A Song In Your Soul    2:49
21    Mamie Smith–    Don't You Advertise Your Man    3:16
22    Mamie Smith–    Harlem Blues 2:53
Orchestra – Lucky Millinder And His Orchestra
23    Mamie Smith–    Lord! Lord! 2:14
Orchestra – Lucky Millinder And His Orchestra

BESSIE SMITH – 1928-1929 | The Classics Chronological Series – 897 (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

One of the greatest partnerships in all of recorded blues was the teaming up of Bessie Smith and champion trombone man Big Charlie Green. Their collaboration is well represented by the opening tracks on this volume of the chronologically reissued recordings of Bessie Smith. "Empty Bed Blues, Pt. 2" opens with a lurching, grinding trombone ostinato that matches perfectly the spirit and texture of Smith's testimonial. "Put It Right Here" could serve as the best example on record of this singer's irresistible way of presenting a song. The timing is perfect and the humorous lyrics are accentuated by the trombone with great precision. Somebody ought to put out a CD consisting of every record these two people ever made together. The next session in Smith's story took place on August 23, 1928. "Yes Indeed He Do" would be closely imitated four years later in the group singalong "Yes Suh!" as performed by Billy Banks and Jack Bland's Rhythmakers. Five records cut on August 24th handle the topics of social inequality, interpersonal relationships, and alcoholism. On "Poor Man's Blues" Smith speaks directly to the wealthy, and during "Washerwoman's Blues" she discusses the combined problems of race and class. "Me and My Gin" paints a grim portrait of the addict and her mental condition. Cornered and besotted, Smith vows to take on the Army and the Navy armed only with her bottle of fermented spirits. On May 8, 1929, guitarist Eddie Lang and pianist Clarence Williams assisted in the creation of three delightfully smutty sides dwelling on Smith's sexual appetite. The sound of Lang's guitar percolating along with her voice makes these selections especially nice. "I've Got What It Takes" and "Nobody Knows You" are two of Smith's toughest performances on record. Having what amounted to Clarence Williams' Blue Five backing her up seems to have given the singer solid support for self-expression. Anyone who has seen the motion picture St. Louis Blues will cherish the film soundtrack included in this chronology. The singer stands at the bar in a saloon, crying -- and singing -- into a mug of beer. The drama of a strong woman at the mercy of a man without any conscience is played out on the screen and can be envisioned by the listener. The 40-voice Hall Johnson Choir roars away behind Smith as she sways miserably. A hot band led by James P. Johnson wails with abandon as acrobatic waiters spin and tumble through the crowd without upsetting their trays full of drinks. Smith's no-good man shows up, appears to reconcile with her, and does a slow dance in her arms, but then pushes her away and laughs derisively while brandishing a wad of cash he has snatched from her purse! Everyone ought to see this film at least once. There are distortion problems with the soundtrack as presented here, and the nearly 11-minute sequence has been unnecessarily portioned into four segments -- a too-faithful reproduction of the Circle Records issue -- even though the uninterrupted soundtrack is available elsewhere. The disc closes with "Take It Right Back" -- featuring one of Clarence Williams' best piano accompaniments -- and a pair of lusty tunes with even finer piano by James P. Johnson. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist + Credits :

THOMAS MORRIS – 1923-1927 (1996) The Classics Chronological Series – 823 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Back in the 1970s, Vol. 126 of the French RCA Black and White series focused on Thomas Morris' recordings dating from the year 1926. Included on that album were two vocalists whose absence from this Classics package must be attributed to a planned compilation of rare vocal recordings from this period. While Margaret Johnson's "When a 'Gator Hollers, Folks Say It's a Sign of Rain" would have added a Ma Rainey touch, the non-inclusion of Evelyn Preer's "Make Me Know It," recorded September 7, 1926, is heartbreaking but only to the few who know of the existence of this beautifully wistful love song. Now that this very specialized disappointment has been registered, let it be known that even without the voice of Evelyn Preer, the earliest known recordings of Thomas Morris are outstanding and well worth experiencing. There are two ways to appreciate the music of this accomplished cornetist and bandleader: the recordings he made with and without Thomas "Fats" Waller. Despite the aforementioned omission, Classics 823 offers the perfect prologue to Morris' famous sessions with the young pianist/pipe organist. The real gold lies in eight sides from 1923, previously difficult to obtain. The only players who have been identified are trombonist Charlie Irvis (later to be a staunch component in Fats Waller's first "Buddies" session) and young Bubber Miley. To hear Morris and Miley merrily mingling their cornets is a delight, comparable to the joy to be gleaned from revisiting the duo runs executed during this same time period by King Oliver and Louis Armstrong. (Get this: "Bull Blues" has a passage that showed up years later as the opening line of Duke Ellington's "What Am I Here For?") The 1926 material is gloriously gutsy, with grand slip-horn parts by Geechie Fields then once again briefly by the mighty Charlie Irvis. A rambunctious banjo solo in "Georgia Grind" and the humorous dialogue cropping up in the middle of "Who's Dis Heah Stranger?" make these worth absorbing time and again. By November 1926 the all-important trombone position was filled by Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, destined to spend the remaining two decades of his life helping to define the sound of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, which he had joined some six months prior to these sessions. Morris' rendition of "The King of the Zulus" nearly surpasses Louis Armstrong's original, yet Morris' unissued take (36896-2) is even better than the master take issued here, and would be well worth pursuing if anyone is hopelessly smitten with the sounds of this ensemble. Lastly, a rare side by Morris' quartet, billed as the Nashville Jazzers: a smartly scruffy approach to W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues." This recording and its alternate take have been issued on Grey Gull Rarities (Jazz Oracle BDW 8038). Once you've developed a taste for the music of Thomas Morris, you might get hooked. Let's hope so. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist :
1    Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters–    E Flat Blues №2 3:10
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Cornet – Bubber Miley, Tom Morris
Drums – Unknown Artist
Piano – Unknown Artist
Tenor Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Trombone – Charlie Irvis
Written-By – Morris
2    Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters–    Original Charleston Strut 2:47
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Cornet – Bubber Miley, Tom Morris
Drums – Unknown Artist
Piano – Unknown Artist
Tenor Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Trombone – Charlie Irvis
Written-By – Morris
3    Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters–    Lonesome Journey Blues 2:48
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Cornet – Bubber Miley, Tom Morris
Piano – Unknown Artist
Tenor Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Trombone – Charlie Irvis
Written-By – Morris
4    Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters–    When The Jazz Band Starts To Play 2:25
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Cornet – Bubber Miley, Tom Morris
Piano – Unknown Artist
Tenor Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Trombone – Charlie Irvis
Written-By – Morris
5    Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters–    Just Blues, That's All 3:05
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Cornet – Bubber Miley, Tom Morris
Piano – Unknown Artist
Tenor Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Trombone – Charlie Irvis
Written-By – Morris
6    Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters–    Bull Blues (E Flat №1 Blues) 2:44
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Cornet – Bubber Miley, Tom Morris
Piano – Unknown Artist
Tenor Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Trombone – Charlie Irvis
Written-By – Morris
7    Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters–    Those Blues 3:22
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Brass Bass – Unknown Artist
Clarinet [?] – Ernest Elliott
Cornet – Bubber Miley, Tom Morris
Piano – Unknown Artist
Tenor Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Trombone – Charlie Irvis
Written-By – Miley
8    Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters–    Beaucoupe De Jazz 2:57
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Brass Bass – Unknown Artist
Clarinet [?] – Ernest Elliott
Cornet – Bubber Miley, Tom Morris
Piano – Unknown Artist
Tenor Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Trombone – Charlie Irvis
Written-By – Morris
9    Thomas Morris And His Seven Hot Babies–    Lazy Drag 2:57
Banjo [?] – Lee Blair
Brass Bass – Bill Benford
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Ernest Elliott
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Happy Caldwell
Piano [or] – Marlowe Morris, Mike Jackson
Trombone – Geechie Fields
Trumpet – Tom Morris, Ward Pinkett
Written-By – Morris
10    Thomas Morris And His Seven Hot Babies–    Jackass Blues 3:08
Banjo [?] – Lee Blair
Brass Bass – Bill Benford
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Ernest Elliott
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Happy Caldwell
Piano [or] – Marlowe Morris, Mike Jackson
Trombone – Geechie Fields
Trumpet – Tom Morris, Ward Pinkett
Written-By – Kassel, Stitzel
11    Thomas Morris And His Seven Hot Babies–    Charleston Stampede 3:00
Banjo [?] – Lee Blair
Brass Bass – Bill Benford
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Ernest Elliott
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Happy Caldwell
Piano [or] – Marlowe Morris, Mike Jackson
Trombone – Geechie Fields
Trumpet – Tom Morris, Ward Pinkett
Written-By – Peer
12    Thomas Morris And His Seven Hot Babies–    Georgia Grind 3:04
Banjo [?] – Lee Blair
Brass Bass – Bill Benford
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Ernest Elliott
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Happy Caldwell
Piano [or] – Marlowe Morris
Piano [or], Vocals – Mike Jackson
Trombone – Geechie Fields
Trumpet – Tom Morris, Ward Pinkett
Written-By – Williams
13    Thomas Morris And His Seven Hot Babies–    Ham Gravy 3:01
Banjo [?] – Lee Blair
Brass Bass – Bill Benford
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Ernest Elliott
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Happy Caldwell
Piano [or] – Marlowe Morris, Mike Jackson
Trombone – Geechie Fields
Trumpet – Tom Morris, Ward Pinkett
Written-By – Peer
14    Thomas Morris And His Orchestra–    Who's Dis Heah Stranger? 2:56
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Cornet, Speech – Tom Morris
Piano – Mike Jackson
Trombone, Speech – Charlie Irvis
Written-By – Peer
15    New Orleans Blue Five–    My Baby Doesn't Squawk 3:19
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Cornet – Tom Morris
Guitar – Buddy Christian
Piano – Mike Jackson
Trombone – Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton
Written-By – Peer
16    New Orleans Blue Five–    The King Of The Zulus 2:42
Clarinet – Bob Fuller
Cornet, Speech – Tom Morris
Guitar – Buddy Christian
Piano – Mike Jackson
Speech – Helen Baxter
Trombone, Speech – Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton
Written-By – Armstrong
17    New Orleans Blue Five–    South Rampart Street Blues 2:53
Cornet – Tom Morris
Guitar – Buddy Christian
Piano – Mike Jackson
Soprano Saxophone – Bob Fuller
Trombone – Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton
Written-By – Fuller, Christian
18    Thomas Morris And His Seven Hot Babies–    Blues From The Everglades 3:08
Banjo – Buddy Christian
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Ernest Elliott
Cornet – Tom Morris
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – Unknown Artist
Piano [or] – Mike Jackson, Phil Worde
Trombone – Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton
Written-By – Peer
19    Thomas Morris And His Seven Hot Babies–    P.D.Q. Blues 3:18
Banjo – Buddy Christian
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Ernest Elliott
Cornet – Tom Morris
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – Unknown Artist
Piano [or] – Mike Jackson, Phil Worde
Trombone – Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton
Written-By – Henry, Simpson
20    Thomas Morris And His Seven Hot Babies–    The Mess 2:52
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Bob Fuller
Cornet – Tom Morris
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – Unknown Artist
Piano [or] – Mike Jackson, Phil Worde
Trombone – Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton
Written-By – Peer
21    Thomas Morris And His Seven Hot Babies–    The Chinch 3:11
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Bob Fuller
Cornet – Tom Morris
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – Unknown Artist
Piano [or] – Mike Jackson, Phil Worde
Trombone – Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton
Written-By – Worde
22    Nashville Jazzers–    St. Louis Blues 2:47
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Bob Fuller
Cornet – Tom Morris
Piano [?] – Mike Jackson
Written-By – Handy