The first of three Classics CDs that contain all of pianist Claude Hopkins' big band recordings is the most essential of the trio. Although Hopkins was a masterful stride player, his orchestra never really had their own individual sound and therefore did not catch on. However, many of the selections on this set (particularly the Jimmy Mundy-arranged instrumentals) are quite memorable, with the eccentric "Mush Mouth" being a classic. Other highlights include Hopkins' theme "I Would Do Most Anything for You," "Three Little Words," "California Here I Come," and "Honeysuckle Rose." In addition to the leader, the main soloists in the band during the era were trumpeter/vocalist Ovie Alston, trombonist Fernando Arbello, up-and-coming clarinetist Edmond Hall, and underrated tenor Bobby Sands, but the most popular member of the orchestra was high-voiced singer Orlando Roberson. Highly recommended to swing and big band fans, this set of studio recordings also includes 11 numbers only previously out on a collectors' LP. Scott Yanow
Tracklist & Credits : 
11.5.23
CLAUDE HOPKINS AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1932-1934 | The Classics Chronological Series – 699 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
CLAUDE HOPKINS AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1934-1935 | The Classics Chronological Series – 716 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
The second of three CDs documenting the history of the Claude Hopkins Orchestra does not quite reach the heights of the first set (too many Orlando Roberson high-note vocals and some erratic moments by the musicians) but still has many moments of interest. With trumpeter Ovie Alston (who takes four vocals), trombonist Fernando Arbello, clarinetist Edmond Hall (also heard on baritone), and tenorman Bobby Sands sharing the solo space with pianist Hopkins, some of the selections swing quite hard. Best are "Harlem Rhythm Dance," "Everybody Shuffle," "King Porter Stomp," "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" and "Zozoi." All of the numbers except for the last three are from 1934. Scott Yanow
Tracklist & Credits : 
CLAUDE HOPKINS AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1937-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 733 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
The third and final Claude Hopkins Classics CD has some really obscure and diverse music. The 1937 Hopkins big band included trumpeter Jabbo Smith and trombonist Vic Dickenson in its lineup, but of the six titles it cut, five are showcases for singer Beverly White; in all, the legendary Smith gets a single chorus. Better are eight titles by trumpeter Ovie Alston's orchestra, which includes Hopkins on piano in 1938 along with some of his sidemen. This CD concludes with six numbers by the pianist's struggling 1940 big band, decent swing performances that preceded the orchestra's complete breakup. A bit of a collector's item. Scott Yanow 
7.5.23
CLARENCE WILLIAMS – 1928-1929 | The Classics Chronological Series – 771 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
The sixth volume in the very valuable Classics Clarence Williams reissue program contains 22 numbers in its attractive CD, mostly from a four-month period. There is a lot of variety on these sessions with many of the best tracks featuring both King Oliver and Ed Allen on cornets along with tenorman Benny Waters. There are also numbers by Clarence Williams's Washboard Five, his Novelty Four (a quartet with Oliver and guitarist Eddie Lang) and a larger orchestra. Throughout all of the selections there are spirited ensembles, heated but coherent solos and plenty of joy and swing. The highpoints include "Organ Grinder Blues," "Have You Ever Felt That Way," "Wildflower Rag," "Bozo," "Bimbo" and "Beau-Koo Jack" (which is closely based on the Louis Armstrong recording). Scott Yanow
Tracklist
1 Clarence Williams And His Orchestra– Long, Deep And Wide 2:51
Written-By – Fats Waller
2 Clarence Williams And His Orchestra– Speakeasy 2:50
Written-By – Williams, Oliver
3 Clarence Williams And His Orchestra– Squeeze Me 2:50
Written-By – Williams, Waller
4 Clarence Williams And His Orchestra– New Down Home Blues 3:02
Written-By – Delaney
5 Clarence Williams' Orchestra– Organ Grinder Blues 3:02
Written-By – Clarence Williams
6 Clarence Williams' Orchestra– I’m Busy And You Can’t Come In 2:46
Written-By – Williams
7 Clarence Williams' Washboard Five– Walk That Broad 3:02
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Delaney, Frisino
8 Clarence Williams' Washboard Five– Have You Ever Felt That Way? 3:03
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Castleton, Williams-Spencer
9 Clarence Williams And His Orchestra– Wildflower Rag 2:30
Written-By – Clarence Williams
10 Clarence Williams And His Orchestra– Midnight Stomp 2:59
Written-By – Williams, Waller
11 Clarence Williams And His Orchestra– I’m Through 2:50
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Simmons, Bechet
12 Clarence Williams And His Orchestra– Bozo 2:38
Written-By – Edward Hite
13 Clarence Williams And His Orchestra– Bimbo 2:31
Written-By – Palmer, Williams
14 Clarence Williams And His Orchestra– Longshoreman’s Blues 2:44
Written-By – Unknown Artist
15 Clarence Williams And His Novelty Four– In The Bottle Blues
Written-By – Williams, Lang
16 Clarence Williams And His Novelty Four– What Do You Want Me To Do? 2:46
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Williams, Oliver
17 Clarence Williams' Orchestra– Watchin’ The Clock 3:04
Written-By – Williams, Oliver
18 Clarence Williams' Orchestra– Freeze Out 2:54
Written-By – Fats Waller
19 Clarence Williams And His Orchestra– Beau-Koo-Jack 2:36
Written-By – Hill, Armstrong, Melrose
20 Clarence Williams And His Orchestra– Sister Kate 2:54
Written-By – Armand Piron
21 Clarence Williams And His Orchestra– Pane In The Glass 2:42
Written-By – Clarence Williams
22 Clarence Williams And His Orchestra– Saturday Night Jag 3:01
Vocals – Laura Bryant
Written-By – Unknown Artist
Credits :
Banjo – Leroy Harris (tracks: 1 to 6, 9 to 11, 19 to 21)
Banjo [?] – Charlie Dixon (tracks: 17, 18)
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair (tracks: 1 to 6, 9 to 14, 19 to 21)
Brass Bass [?] – June Cole (tracks: 17, 18)
Celesta – Clarence Williams (tracks: 15, 16)
Clarinet – Buster Bailey (tracks: 12 to 14), Ernest Elliott (tracks: 22)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Alberto Socarras (tracks: 5, 6), Unknown Artist (tracks: 17, 18)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone [?] – Ben Whitted (tracks: 17, 18), Russell Procope (tracks: 5, 6)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Benny Waters (tracks: 1 to 4, 9 to 14, 19 to 21)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Arville Harris (tracks: 1 to 14, 17 to 21)
Cornet – Ed Allen (tracks: 1 to 14, 19 to 22), King Oliver (tracks: 1 to 4, 9 to 16, 19 to 21)
Cornet [?] – Ed Anderson (tracks: 5, 6, 17, 18)
Drums – Floyd Casey (tracks: 6)
Drums [?] – Kaiser Marshall (tracks: 17, 18)
Guitar, Violin – Eddie Lang (tracks: 15, 16)
Liner Notes – Anatol Schenker
Percussion [?] – Justin Ring (tracks: 15, 16)
Piano – Clarence Williams, Claude Hopkins (tracks: 7, 8)
Trombone – Ed Cuffee (tracks: 1 to 6, 9 to 14, 17 to 21)
Washboard – Floyd Casey (tracks: 7, 8)
13.5.21
MA RAINEY - Mother of the Blues (2007) RM / 5CD BOX SET / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
+ last month
TAMPA RED — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order ★ Volume 9 • 1938-1939 | DOCD-5209 (1993) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
One of the greatest slide guitarists of the early blues era, and a man with an odd fascination with the kazoo, Tampa Red also fancied himsel...
