DON REDMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1933-1936 | The Chronogical Classics – 553 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The great arranger Don Redman made Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra in the mid-1920s the first real swing band, but during the swing era itself, Redman was little known to the general public. His big band (heard here on the second of three "complete" Classics CDs) failed to really catch on, although it stayed together throughout the 1930s. After recording a bunch of sessions in 1933, Redman's orchestra only cut two sides in Jan. 1934 and then none until May 1936. There are vocals on 22 of the 25 selections on this CD; of the three instrumentals, this version of "Christopher Columbus" might not be by Redman. The leader's charming vocals are fine, but the nine by Harlan Lattimore are of lesser interest, and Chick Bullock dominates a six-song session. There are some good solos along the way, particularly by trumpeter Sidney DeParis, trombonists Benny Morton and Claude Jones and the forgotten tenor Robert Carroll, but this CD is primarily for completists. Scott Yanow 
Tracklist + Credits :

MILLS BLUE RHYTHM BAND – 1931 | The Classics Chronological Series – 660 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first of five CDs that reissue all of the recordings (other than a few alternate takes) by the Mills Blue Rhythm Band features spirited ensembles, some swinging moments, a few dated vocalists (including Chick Bullock, Dick Robertson and Charlie Lawman), and a no-name orchestra. Trombonist Harry White and pianist Edgar Hayes were the co-leaders, although the orchestra was actually organized by impresario Irving Mills. Since the group's best recordings tended to be in its later years, this CD is not essential, but fans of pre-swing big bands will want all five CDs. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist + Credits : 

CLARENCE WILLIAMS – 1933-1934 | The Classics Chronological Series – 871 (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The 11th CD in Classics series of recordings led by pianist-composer-singer Clarence Williams is actually one of the weaker ones due to Chick Bullock taking vocals on seven of the 23 numbers; the two contributions apiece by Dick Robertson and Little Buddy Farrior are not much better even if Williams' own verbal spots on six songs are reasonably enjoyable. With only three instrumentals, the results are less memorable than usual although there are some strong moments contributed by cornetist Ed Allen, clarinetist Cecil Scott, pianist James P. Johnson (who is not featured enough) and guitarist Roy Smeck. Recommended mostly to completists. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    Swaller-Tail Coat 3:04
Vocals – Chick Bullock
Written-By – Bob Miller
2    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    Looka-There, Ain't She Pretty 2:31
Vocals – Chick Bullock
Written-By – Clarence Todd
3    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    St. Louis Blues 2:52
Written-By – W.C. Handy
4    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    How Can I Get It? 3:00
Vocals – Ed Allen
Written-By – Spencer Williams
5    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    On The Sunny Side Of The Street 2:55
Vocals – Chick Bullock
Written-By – McHugh, Fields
6    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    Won't You Come Over And Say "Hello" 2:29
Written-By – Barnett, Williams
7    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    Old Street Sweeper 3:01
Vocals – Chick Bullock
Written-By – Sullivan, Gray
8    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    I'm Gonna Wash My Sins Away 2:59
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Williams, Brevard
9    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    Jimmy Had A Nickel 2:52
Vocals – Dick Robertson
Written-By – Goodhart, Hoffman, Siglar
10    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    He's A Colonel From Kentucky 2:38
Vocals – Dick Robertson
Written-By – Baer, Tobias, Scholl, Mencher
11    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    Pretty Baby, Is It Yes Or No? 2:54
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Williams, Brevard
12    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    Mister, Will You Serenade? 2:38
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Hill, Williams, Robinson
13    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    I've Got Horses And Got Numbers On My Mind 2:50
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Bernard, Bibo, Wirges
14    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    New Orleans Hop Scop Blues 2:50
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Thomas
15    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    Let's Have A Showdown 2:50
Written-By – Page, Pinkard
16    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    I Can't Dance, I Got Ants In My Pants 2:58
Vocals – Charlie Gaines, Louis Jordan
Written-By – Gaines, Williams
17    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    Christmas Night In Harlem 2:38
Vocals – Chick Bullock
Written-By – Parish, Scott
18    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    Ill Wind (You're Blowing Me No Good) 3:02
Vocals – Chick Bullock
Written-By – Arlen, Koehler
19    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    As Long As I Live 2:48
Vocals – Chick Bullock
Written-By – Arlen, Koehler
20    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    Tell The Truth 2:47
Vocals – Little Buddy Farrior
Written-By – Scott, O'Frye
21    Clarence Williams And His Orchestra–    Sashay, Oh Boy! 3:07
Vocals – Little Buddy Farrior
Written-By – Scott, O'Frye
22    Clarence Williams And His Washboard Band–    I Can't Beat You Doin' What You're Doin' To Me 2:38
Written-By – Piron, Williams
23    Clarence Williams And His Washboard Band–    Trouble 3:13
Written-By – Walman, Rofkin, Blank
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Louis Jordan (tracks: 16 to 19)
Alto Saxophone [Two] – Unknown Artist (tracks: 20, 21)
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair
Clarinet – Cecil Scott (tracks: 1 to 19, 22, 23)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Cecil Scott (tracks: 20, 21)
Cornet – Ed Allen (tracks: 1 to 19, 22, 23), Unknown Artist (tracks: 20, 21)
Drums [?] – Floyd Casey (tracks: 20, 21)
Guitar – Roy Smeck (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6 to 8)
Guitar, Banjo – Roy Smeck (tracks: 9 to 12)
Guitar, Steel Guitar – Roy Smeck (tracks: 13 to 15)
Piano – Clarence Williams (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 22, 23), James P. Johnson (tracks: 2 to 6, 9 to 19)
Piano [?] – Don Frye (tracks: 20, 21)
Steel Guitar – Roy Smeck (tracks: 3, 5)
Tenor Saxophone [?] – Louis Jordan (tracks: 16, 17)
Trombone – Unknown Artist (tracks: 13 to 15)
Trumpet – Charlie Gaines (tracks: 16 to 19)
Washboard – Floyd Casey (tracks: 1 to 12, 16 to 19, 22, 23)