THE GREAT HARP PLAYERS — The Complete Works 1927-1936 of WILLIAM FRANCIS & RICHARD SOWELL, OLLIS MARTIN, EL WATSON, PALMER McABEE, GEORGE "BULLET" WILLIAMS, BLUES BIRDHEAD, ELLIS WILLIAMS, ALFRED LEWIS, SMITH & HARPER | DOCD-5100 (1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although one may think of the blues harp beginning with Little Walter, the first Sonny Boy Williamson, or Sonny Terry, a variety of harmonica players did record in the '20s. Some of their recordings were technical displays that featured them imitating everything from animals to trains, while other players were more blues-oriented. This valuable CD has two selections from the guitar-harmonica team of William Francis and Richard Sowell; Ollis Martin's "Police and High Sheriff Come Ridin' Down"; six pieces by Eli Watson (including "El Watson's Fox Chase"); two cuts apiece by Palmer McAbee, Ellis Williams, Alfred Lewis, and the team of Smith & Harper (which is the only music on this CD recorded after 1930); plus four songs/displays from Blues Birdhead (including "Get up off That Jazzophone") and George "Bullet" Williams (highlighted by "Frisco Leaving Birmingham" and "The Escaped Convict"). Fascinating music. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    William Francis And Richard Sowell–    John Henry Blues
Guitar – William Francis
Harmonica – Richard Sowell
2    William Francis And Richard Sowell–    Roubin Blues
Guitar – William Francis
Harmonica – Richard Sowell
3    Ollis Martin–    Police And High Sheriff Come Ridin' Down
Vocals, Harmonica – Ollis Martin
4    El Watson–    Pot Licker Blues
Guitar – Charles Johnson
Harmonica – El Watson
5    El Watson–    Narrow Gauge Blues
Guitar – Charles Johnson
Harmonica – El Watson
6    El Watson–    El Watson's Fox Chase
Harmonica, Speech, Vocals [Effects, possibly] – El Watson, Robert Cooksey
7    El Watson–    Bay Rum Blues
Bones – Unknown Artist
Harmonica – El Watson
8    El Watson–    Sweet Bunch Of Daisies
Harmonica – El Watson
9    El Watson–    One Sock Blues
Harmonica – El Watson
10    Palmer McAbee–    Lost Boy Blues
Harmonica – Palmer McAbee
11    Palmer McAbee–    McAbee's Railroad Piece
Harmonica – Palmer McAbee
12    George "Bullet" Williams–    Touch Me Light Mama
Harmonica, Speech – George "Bullet" Williams
Vocals [perhaps] – Wiley Barner
13    George "Bullet" Williams–    Frisco Leaving Birmingham (Take 2)
Harmonica, Speech – George "Bullet" Williams
14    George "Bullet" Williams–    The Escaped Convict (Take 2)
Harmonica, Speech – George "Bullet" Williams
15    George "Bullet" Williams–    Middlin' Blues
Harmonica, Speech – George "Bullet" Williams
Speech – Unknown Artist
16    The Bubbling-Over Five–    Don't Mistreat Your Good Boy Friend
Harmonica – Blues Birdhead
Soprano Saxophone, Violin, Piano, Banjo, Guitar – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Bob Brown
17    The Bubbling-Over Five–    Get Up Off That Jazzophone
Harmonica – Blues Birdhead
Soprano Saxophone, Violin, Piano, Banjo, Guitar – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Bob Brown
18    Blues Birdhead–    Mean Low Blues
Harmonica – Blues Birdhead
Piano – Unknown Artist
19    Blues Birdhead–    Harmonica Blues
Harmonica – Blues Birdhead
Piano – Unknown Artist
20    Ellis Williams–    Buttermilk Blues
Guitar, Spoons – Unknown Artist
Harmonica – Ellis Williams
21    Ellis Williams–    Smokey Blues
Guitar – Unknown Artist
Harmonica – Ellis Williams
22    Alfred Lewis–    Mississippi Swamp Moan
Harmonica, Vocals [Effects], Speech – Alfred Lewis
23    Alfred Lewis–    Friday Moan Blues
Harmonica, Vocals [Effects] – Alfred Lewis
24    Smith And Harper–    Poor Girl
Vocals [duet], Harmonica, Guitar – Smith And Harper
25    Smith And Harper–    Insurance Policy Blues
Guitar [2nd g.] – Unknown Artist
Vocals [duet], Harmonica, Guitar – Smith And Harper

TINY PARHAM AND HIS MUSICIANS – 1926-1929 | The Classics Chronological Series – 661 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first of two Classics CDs to reissue the master takes of all of pianist Tiny Parham's recordings as a leader contains more than its share of gems. Parham is heard as co-leader of the Pickett-Parham Apollo Syncopators (which features Leroy Pickett on violin) and also heading his "Forty" Five (a quintet that includes trombonist Kid Ory and a guest vocal from blues banjoist Papa Charlie Jackson). However, the bulk of the CD is by Parham's Musicians, a septet with either Punch Miller or Ray Hobson on cornet, and (starting on Feb. 1, 1929) the atmospheric violin of Elliott Washington. The clever and unpredictable arrangements, along with an impressive series of now-obscure originals, made Parham's ensemble one of the most underrated bands of the era. Highlights include "The Head-Hunter's Dream," "Jogo Rhythm," "Stompin' on Down" and "Blue Island Blues." Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

TINY PARHAM AND HIS MUSICIANS – 1929-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 691 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second of two Tiny Parham CDs has the pianist's final two sessions from 1929, his two dates from 1930, and his three very obscure titles from 1940, cut three years before his death. There are many highlights among the 1929-1930 numbers, including "Sud Buster's Dream," "Dixieland Doin's," "Doin' the Jug Jug," and "Nervous Tension." Milt Hinton is heard on tuba, and even if most of the soloists (other than cornetist Punch Miller, who is on some of the songs) never became famous, the ensembles and frameworks make this music consistently memorable. The 1940 selections are played by a quartet with Parham doubling on organ and Darnell Howard the lead voice on clarinet and alto, and they are historically interesting. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :