McKINNEY'S COTTON PICKERS – 1929-1930 | The Chronogical Classics – 625 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On the second of three Classics CD's that releases the complete output of McKinney's Cotton Pickers (but without the alternate takes), there are many classic performances including "Wherever There's A Will There's A Way," "If I Could Be With You," "Honeysuckle Rose," "Baby Won't You Please Come Home" and "I Want A Little Girl." In addition to the band's regular soloists (trumpeters John Nesbitt, Joe Smith and Langston Curl, trombonist Ed Cuffee and tenorman George Thomas), some tunes also feature guests Coleman Hawkins on tenor, altoist Benny Carter and pianist Fats Waller. Timeless classic jazz. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

McKINNEY'S COTTON PICKERS – 1930-1931 + DON REDMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939-1940 | The Chronogical Classics – 649 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Classics label's superb series of McKinney's Cotton Pickers releases continues with this set, which features recordings from the original group as well as performances from Don Redman's swing orchestra of the late 1930s. Jason Ankeny
Tracklist + Credits :

FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1934-1937 | The Classics Chronological Series – 527 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In early 1935, Fletcher Henderson broke up his classic orchestra, but a year later, with the success of so many other big bands, he formed a new ensemble. This Classics CD includes four songs from 1934, Henderson's entire output from 1936, and his first recording of 1937. The main difference between the two units is that the later one boasted the trumpet of Roy Eldridge and tenor solos from Coleman Hawkins's potential successor, Chu Berry. "Christopher Columbus" became a hit, as did the band's new theme song ("Stealin' Apples") but the brief bit of glory would not last. However, Henderson's brand of swing music still sounds fresh today and this CD is easily recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :

FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1937-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 519 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Classics chronological reissue of Fletcher Henderson's recordings continues with this disc which traces the decline of his last "permanent" orchestra. With the departure of Roy Eldridge, Henderson for the first time since the early '20s lacked any major trumpet soloists, although he still featured the fine tenor of Chu Berry and a variety of up-and-coming players. Unfortunately the band was far overshadowed by other orchestras influenced by Henderson and since the quality of his recordings was declining, the breakup of his group was hardly noticed. The irony is that the founder of the swing era could not survive when his music (as played by Benny Goodman) caught on. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

CLARENCE WILLIAMS – 1927-1928 | The Classics Chronological Series – 752 (1994) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The fifth CD in Classics' "complete" Clarence Williams program (all are highly recommended to collectors of 1920s jazz) has 22 selections from 11 separate recording sessions, all of the pianist/bandleader's dates for a ten-month period. There are a pair of piano solos, two numbers in which Williams's vocals (including an eccentric "Farm Hand Papa") are backed by the great pianist James P. Johnson, and band performances featuring cornetists Ed Allen and King Oliver, clarinetists Buster Bailey and Arville Harris, trombonist Ed Cuffee, Coleman Hawkins and Benny Waters on tenors, Cyrus St. Clair on tuba, and the washboard of Floyd Casey. Highlights include "Jingles," "Church Street Sobbin' Blues," "Sweet Emmalina," and "Mountain City Blues." Scott Yanow
Tracklist
1    Clarence Williams' Orchestra–    Shake 'Em Up 2:51
Written-By – Clarence Williams
2    Clarence Williams' Orchestra–    Jingles 2:46
Written-By – James P. Johnson
3    Clarence Williams' Washboard Four–    Yama Yama Blues 2:48
Written-By – Williams, Williams
4    Clarence Williams' Washboard Four–    (Norfolk) Church Street Sobbin' Blues 3:00
Written-By – Nunez, Lada, Williams, Cawley
5    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    Dreaming The Hours Away 2:53
Written-By – Will Dulmage
6    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    Close Fit Blues 3:02
Written-By – Clarence Williams
7    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    Sweet Emmalina 2:56
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Razaf, Palmer, Williams
8    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    Any Time 3:16
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Williams, Jordan
9    Clarence Williams' Washboard Five–    Sweet Emmalina 2:50
Written-By – Razaf, Palmer, Williams
10    Clarence Williams' Washboard Five–    Log Cabin Blues 3:12
Written-By – Tom Delaney
11    Clarence Williams' Washboard Five–    Shake It Down 2:52
Written-By – Williams, Urquhart
12    Clarence Williams' Washboard Five–    Red River Blues 3:00
Written-By – Williams
13    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    Red River Blues 2:54
Written-By – Clarence Williams
14    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    I Need You 2:51
Written-By – Williams, Jackson
15    Clarence Williams' Orchestra–    Lazy Mama 3:03
Written-By – Gifford, Gray
16    Clarence Williams' Orchestra–    Mountain City Blues 3:04
Written-By – Cjarlie Troutt
17    Clarence Williams–    Organ Grinder Blues 3:20
Written-By – Clarence Williams
18    Clarence Williams–    Wildflower Rag 3:03
Written-By – Clarence Williams
19    Clarence Williams–    My Woman Done Me Wrong (As Far As I Am Concerned) 3:16
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Clarence Williams
20    Clarence Williams–    Farm Hand Papa 3:03
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Clarence Williams
21    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    The Keyboard Express 2:49
Written-By – Mike Jacksonbenny
22    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    Walk That Broad 3:03
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Delaney, Frisimo
Credits :    
Banjo – Leroy Harris (tracks: 5 to 8)
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 10, 13 to 16, 21, 22)
Clarinet – Arville Harris (tracks: 11, 12)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Buster Bailey (tracks: 1 to 10)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone [Or] – Arville Harris (tracks: 13, 14), Benny Waters (tracks: 13, 14)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone [Or] – Alberto Socarras (tracks: 15, 16, 21, 22), Benny Waters (tracks: 15, 16, 21, 22)
Cornet – Ed Allen (tracks: 1 to 16, 21, 22), King Oliver (tracks: 11 to 16, 21, 22)
Piano – Clarence Williams (tracks: 1 to 18, 21, 22), James P. Johnosn (tracks: 19, 20)
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 6)
Trombone – Ed Cuffee (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 8, 13 to 16, 21, 22)
Washboard – Floyd Casey (tracks: 3, 4, 9 to 12, 15, 16)

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)

CLARENCE WILLIAMS – 1929 | The Classics Chronological Series – 791 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The seventh volume in the European Classics label's complete reissue of bandleader Clarence Williams' very valuable recordings documents his music during a four-month period. Included are two Williams piano solos; his sessions leading the Barrelhouse Five Orchestra, Jazz Kings, and the Memphis Jazzers; and quite a bit of superior small-group jazz. Among the sidemen are cornetist Ed Allen, trombonist Ed Cuffee, Arville Harris and Albert Socarras on reeds, banjoist Leroy Harris, pianist James P. Johnson (on two songs), the exuberant tuba of Cyrus St. Clair, Floyd Casey on drums and washboard, and Williams himself on piano and occasional vocals. Highlights include "Endurance Stomp," "If You Like Me Like I Like You," "Steamboat Days," "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home," "In Our Cottage of Love," and the original version of "Breeze." All of the CDs in this enjoyable series are easily recommended to 1920s collectors. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :
1    Barrel House Five Orchestra–    Hot Lovin’ 3:00
Written-By – Charles Warfield
2    Barrel House Five Orchestra–    Mama Stayed Out 3:05
Vocals – Clarence Williams, Ed Allen
Written-By – Razaf, Wilson
3    Barrel House Five Orchestra–    Nobody’s Business (How I Love That Man) 2:51
Written-By – Glady Rodgers
4    Barrel House Five Orchestra–    Endurance Stomp 2:50
Written-By – Angelo Fernandez
5    Barrel House Five Orchestra–    Some Do And Some Don’t 2:59
Written-By – Unknown Artist
6    Barrel House Five Orchestra–    Scufflin’ Blues 3:01
Written-By – Garrison, Jefferson
7    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    If You Like Me Like I Like You 2:51
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Clarence Williams
8    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    Have You Ever Felt That Way? 2:59
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Castleton, Williams
9    Clarence Williams–    A Pane In The Glass 3:01
Written-By – Clarence Williams
10    Clarence Williams–    Too Low 2:54
Written-By – Clarence Williams
11    Clarence Williams’ Washboard Band–    Mississippi Blues (Home Town Toddle) 3:07
Written-By – Williams, Hegamin
12    Clarence Williams’ Washboard Band–    Steamboat Days 3:14
Written-By – Clarence Williams
13    Memphis Jazzers–    Close Fit Blues 3:07
Written-By – Clarence Williams
14    Memphis Jazzers–    Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home? 3:34
Written-By – Warfield, Williams
15    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    Breeze (Blow My Baby Back To Me) 2:57
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – MacDonald, Hanley, Goodwin
16    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    Mountain City Blues 2:58
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Charlie Troutt
17    Clarence Williams And His Band–    I’m Not Worryin’ 3:27
Written-By – Williams, Waller
18    Clarence Williams And His Band–    Touch-Down 2:51
Written-By – Fats Waller
19    Clarence Williams’ Washboard Band–    In Our Cottage Of Love 3:17
Written-By – Shafer, Milne
20    Clarence Williams’ Washboard Band–    Lazy Mama 2:57
Written-By – Gifford, Jr., Gray
21    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    In Our Cottage Of Love 2:49
Written-By – Shafer, Milne
22    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    Them Things Got Me 2:58
Written-By – Williams, Jackson
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Unknown Artist (tracks: 21, 22)
Banjo – Leroy Harris (tracks: 13 to 16), Unknown Artist
Banjo [?] – Leroy Harris (tracks: 7, 8)
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair (tracks: 13 to 16, 21, 22), Unknown Artist
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Alberto Socarras (tracks: 15, 16), Arville Harris (tracks: 1 to 6, 11 to 14), Russell Procope (tracks: 15, 16), Unknown Artist (tracks: 17 to 20)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone [?] – Alberto Socarras (tracks: 17, 18)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Alberto Socarras (tracks: 7, 8)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Arville Harris (tracks: 7, 8, 19 to 22), Prince Robinson (tracks: 15, 16)
Cornet – Ed Allen (tracks: 1 to 8, 11 to 20)
Cornet [Either/Or] – Ed Allen (tracks: 21, 22), King Oliver (tracks: 21, 22)
Drums – Floyd Casey (tracks: 21, 22)
Piano – Clarence Williams (tracks: 1 to 6, 9 to 16, 19 to 22), James P. Johnson (tracks: 7, 8)
Piano [?] – J.C. Johnson (tracks: 17, 18)
Trombone – Ed Cuffee (tracks: 13 to 18), Unknown Artist (tracks: 21, 22)
Washboard – Floyd Casey (tracks: 1 to 6, 11, 12, 19, 20)