GLENN MILLER AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1935-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1377 (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is the first volume in the Classics Glenn Miller chronology. It presents his earliest sessions as a leader, beginning with a very handsome session for Columbia that took place on April 25, 1935. The presence of trumpeter Bunny Berigan, clarinetist Johnny Mince, tenor saxophonist Eddie Miller, pianist Claude Thornhill, a well-behaved string quartet, and Miller's own buttery sounding trombone make this a surprisingly charming little date. The first two titles have vocals by Smith Ballew. "In a Little Spanish Town" and the excellent "Solo Hop" are swinging instrumentals propelled by drummer Ray Bauduc; these very danceable stomps clearly prefigure Glenn Miller's later achievements as a successful purveyor of big-band swing music. The second date in Miller's complete chronological recordings took place on March 22, 1937. Recorded for the Decca label, these tracks have all the qualities that would distinguish Glenn Miller's band during its wartime heyday. Without downplaying vocalists Doris Kerr, Jack Lathrop, and the Tune Twisters, let it be said that the instrumentals "Peg O' My Heart" and "I'm Sitting on Top of the World" are the cream of the crop. Miller's tenure with Brunswick records began on June 9, 1937 with four more exceptionally fine instrumental dance numbers. Over the next 11 months, Miller would feature a steady stream of good vocalists (Kathleen Lane, Gail Reese, and Ray Eberle) while fortifying the band with outstanding musicians like Dick McDonough, Charlie Spivak, Sterling Bose, Pee Wee Erwin, Hal McIntyre, Irving Fazola, and Tex Beneke. Even as Glenn Miller's later recordings seem always to attract more attention, these early sides illustrate what a solid leader, arranger, and soloist he was fairly early on in the game, before he became one of the most popular bandleaders in the country. arwulf arwulf   Tracklist :

JACK TEAGARDEN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1930-1934 | The Classics Chronological Series – 698 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This Classics CD has the first 23 titles ever issued under the leadership of trombonist Jack Teagarden. Many of these selections were formerly rare, particularly the earlier titles on Domino, Banner and Crown. Best is the session that co-starred pianist/vocalist Fats Waller and, while some of the titles are a bit commercial, Teagarden's playing (and that of his better sidemen) uplift the music; "A Hundred Years from Today" is a classic. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Son of the Sun 2:25
Rudolf Friml
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
2     You're Simply Delish 2:42
Arthur Freed / Joseph Meyer
Vocals – Eddie Gale
3     Just a Little Dance, Mam'selle 3:02
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
Ben Gordon / Chas OFlynn / Pete Wendling
4     Rockin' Chair 3:00
Hoagy Carmichael
Vocals – Eddie Miller, Nappy Lamare
5     Loveless Love 2:49
W.C. Handy
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
6     You Rascal You 3:12
Sam Theard    
Vocals – Fats Waller, Jack Teagarden
7     That's What I Like About You 3:24
Walter Donaldson
Vocals – Fats Waller, Jack Teagarden
8    Chances Are 3:13
Gus Arnheim / Harry Barris / Arthur Freed
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
9     I Got the Ritz from the One I Love 3:25
Harry Barris / J.C. Lewis
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
10     China Boy 3:06
Phil Boutelje / Dick Winfree
11     Lies 3:10
Harry Barris / George E. Springer
Vocals – Gene Austin
12     I'm Sorry Dear 3:00
Raymond Scott / Charles Tobias / Harold Weeks
Vocals – Gene Austin
13     Tiger Rag 3:06
Harry Da Costa / Eddie Edwards / Nick LaRocca / Henry W. Ragas / Tony Sbarbaro / Larry Shields
14     I've Got It 3:08
David Rose / Jack Teagarden
15     Plantation Moods 3:24
Fred Rose / Jack Teagarden
16     Shake Your Hips 3:23
Fred Rose / Jack Teagarden
17     Someone Stole Gabriel's Horn 3:00
Edgar Hayes / Irving Mills / Ned Washington
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
18     Love Me 3:03
Ned Washington / Victor Young
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
19     Blue River 2:57
Ned Washington / Victor Young
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
20     A Hundred Years from Today 3:07
Ned Washington / Victor Young
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
21     I Just Couldn't Take It, Baby 2:55
Mann Holiner / Alberta Nichols
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
22     Fare-Thee-Well to Harlem 3:06
Bernie Hanighen / Johnny Mercer
Vocals – Jack Teagarden, Nappy Lamare
23     Ol' Pappy 3:03
Jerry Levinson / Marty Symes
Vocals – Jack Teagarden, Nappy Lamare
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Buddy Fisk (tracks: 14 to 17)
Banjo, Guitar – Nappy Lamare (tracks: 1 to 13)
Bass Saxophone – Adrian Rollini (tracks: 6 to 9)
Bass [String Bass] – Artie Bernstein (tracks: 6 to 9, 18 to 23), Eddie Gilbert (tracks: 14 to 17)
Bass [String Bass], Brass Bass – Harry Goodman (tracks: 1 to 5, 10 to 13)
Clarinet – Benny Goodman (tracks: 4, 5), Pee Wee Russell (tracks: 6 to 9)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Chester Hazlett (tracks: 18 to 23), Gil Rodin (tracks: 1 to 5, 10 to 13), Jimmy Dorsey (tracks: 18 to 23), Matty Matlock (tracks: 1 to 3, 10 to 13), Rod Cless (tracks: 14 to 17)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Dale Skinner (tracks: 14 to 17), Eddie Miller (2) (tracks: 1 to 5, 10 to 13), Joe Catalyne (tracks: 6 to 9), Max Farley (tracks: 6 to 9), Mutt Hayes (tracks: 18 to 23)
Directed By – Victor Young (tracks: 18 to 23)
Drums – Bob Consolman (tracks: 14 to 17), Larry Gomar (tracks: 18 to 23), Ray Bauduc (tracks: 1 to 5, 10 to 13), Stan King (tracks: 6 to 9)
Guitar – Dick McPartland (tracks: 14 to 17), Frank Worrell (tracks: 22, 23), Perry Botkin (tracks: 18 to 21)
Piano – Charles LaVere (tracks: 14 to 17), Fats Waller (tracks: 6 to 10, 13), Gil Bowers (tracks: 1 to 5, 11, 12), Joe Meresco (tracks: 18 to 23)
Tenor Saxophone – Bud Freeman (tracks: 14 to 17)
Trombone – Jack Teagarden, Tom Moore (tracks: 14 to 17)
Trumpet – Charlie Spivak (tracks: 1 to 5), Charlie Teagarden (tracks: 6 to 17), Claude Whiteman (tracks: 14 to 17), Frank Guarente (tracks: 18 to 23), Sterling Bose (tracks: 4 to 13, 18 to 23), Tommy Thunen (tracks: 1 to 3)
Violin – Joe Venuti (tracks: 22, 23), Lou Kosloff (tracks: 22, 23), Walt Edelstein (tracks: 18 to 23)

JACK TEAGARDEN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 758 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The third in Classics' Complete Jack Teagarden series traces the trombonist's big-band recordings during his Columbia period. There were no great soloists among Teagarden's sidemen and some of these tunes (particularly the nine with Kitty Kallen vocals) are throwaways but Teagarden's own singing on six songs (including "Beale Street Blues" and "If I Could Be with You") and distinctive trombone give listeners strong reasons to acquire this entry in the worthy series. Other highlights include "Peg of My Heart," "Wolverine Blues," "Swinging' on the Teagarden Gate" and "The Blues." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    I'm Takin' My Time With You    2:58
2    I Wanna Hat With Cherries    2:54
3    Two Blind Loves    2:41
4    Hawaii Sang Me To Sleep    2:54
5    It's A Hundred To One (I'm In Love)    2:28
6    I'll Remember    3:02
7    Peg O' My Heart 3:21
Arranged By – Red Bone
8    At Least You Could Say Hello    3:13
9    A Table In The Corner    3:10
10    Stop Kicking My Heart Around    3:03
11    If What You Say Is True    2:48
12    So Many Times    2:58
13    Muddy River Blues    3:01
14    Wolverine Blues 2:42
Arranged By – Red Bone
15    Red Wing    2:55
16    United We Swing    2:51
17    Beale Street Blues    3:10
18    Somewhere A Voice Is Calling    2:45
19    Swingin' On The Teagarden Gate 2:45
Arranged By – Fred Norman
20    If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)    3:07
21    My Melancholy Baby    2:55
22    Can't We Talk It Over?    3:07
23    The Blues    3:14
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Jack Goldie (tracks: 20 to 23), Joe Ferdinando (tracks: 20 to 23), Tony Antonelli (tracks: 20 to 23)
Bass [String Bass] – Arnold Fishkind (tracks: 20 to 23), Art Miller (tracks: 1 to 16), Benn Pottle (tracks: 17 to 19)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Clint Garvin (tracks: 1 to 19)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Art St. John
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Hub Lytle (tracks: 1 to 19), John Van Eps (tracks: 1 to 19)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Ernie Caceres (tracks: 1 to 19)
Drums – Cubby Teagarden (tracks: 1 to 7), Dave Tough (tracks: 8 to 19), Ed Naquin (tracks: 20 to 23)
Guitar – Allan Reuss (tracks: 1 to 19), Dan Perri (tracks: 20 to 23)
Piano – Jack Russin (tracks: 8 to 19), John Anderson (14) (tracks: 1 to 7), Nat Jaffe (tracks: 20 to 23)
Tenor Saxophone – Larry Walsh (tracks: 20 to 23)
Trombone – Charles McCamish (tracks: 1 to 7), Eddie Dudley (tracks: 8 to 19), Joe Ferrall (tracks: 20 to 23), Jose Gutierrez, Mark Bennett (tracks: 1 to 19), Seymour Goldfinger (tracks: 20 to 23)
Trombone, Directed By – Jack Teagarden
Trumpet – Charlie Spivak (tracks: 1 to 16), Frank Ryerson (tracks: 17 to 19), John Fallstitch (tracks: 20 to 23), Carl Garvin (tracks: 1 to 19), Lee Castle (tracks: 1 to 19), Sid Feller (tracks: 20 to 23), Tom Gonsoulin (tracks: 20 to 23)
Vocals – Jack Teagarden (tracks: 5, 13, 17, 20 to 22), Kitty Kallen (tracks: 1 to 4, 8 to 12)