EARL HINES AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1947-1949 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1120 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This segment of the Earl Hines chronology finds the pianist leading smaller ensembles rather than the big band for which he had become famous throughout the 1930s and early '40s. Back in Chicago during December of 1947, Hines cut a handful of sides for the diminutive Sunrise record label. "Blues for Garroway" features the electrified guitar of Skeeter Best and Morris Lane's smooth tenor sax. "Honeysuckle Rose" is rendered by the interesting combination of organ, piano, sax, and violin, almost like gentle salon or chamber music. That's Eddie South on the fiddle, and Hines plays what sounds like an upright piano. "Dark Eyes" spotlights the viol with bass and piano accompaniment. Hines spent the last day of 1947 making six more records for Sunrise. The pianist sings a spruced-up version of "Sheik of Araby," proudly referring to himself as "streamlined" and quoting from "I'se A-Muggin'" as a lead-in to a duet with Wini Brown. The next three tracks have bluesy vocals by trumpeter Duke Garrette, but the most interesting components are Eddie South, alto saxophonist Bobby Plater, and young bassist Charles Mingus, whose solo on the "No Good Woman Blues" is tasty. Mr. Ming also mingles with the Earl behind rockin' vocals by Wini Brown and the band on "Bama Lama-Lam," a jump tune spiced with Garrette's trumpet and the baritone sax of Charlie Fowlkes. The rolling "Spooky Boogie" might be the coolest tune in the whole package, as all four horns, Mingus, and South each really strut their stuff. These last two titles were issued under the name of Curley Hamner & His Orchestra, although why Hamner -- also listed in discographies as Hamer and Hammer -- was designated as the leader is anybody's guess. If the Classics chronology is accurate, Earl Hines wasn't able to record again until December of the following year, this time for the MGM label in New York. Hines' "Swingtette" consisted of himself, guitarist Floyd Smith, bassist Arvell Shaw, and percussionist supreme Sidney Catlett. "Lazy Mornin'" is a very slow essay made of lovely tones, and the other three tunes sizzle merrily. Hines' next recording gig was in Paris on November 4, 1949, waxing eight sides for the Royal Jazz label. Forming a trio with Arvell Shaw and Wallace Bishop, Hines produced a lovely version of his own composition "I Never Dreamt," then augmented a lively number called "Snappy Rhythm" with actual finger snaps and some wild arpeggios spanning several octaves up and down the piano keyboard. Adding Buck Clayton and Barney Bigard on the same date, Hines now had a quintet with which to relax and cook up a series of fresh interpretations of old-fashioned melodies, along with "Night Life in Pompeii," a minor dance that seems to have been created especially for the marvelous clarinet artistry of Barney Bigard. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :

MILDRED BAILEY – 1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1187 (2001) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This is volume five in the Classics Mildred Bailey chronology. It contains all of the Vocalion records she made between January 18 and June 14, 1939. For all of her concessions to mainstream pop culture, Mildred Bailey was a blues-inflected jazz singer with traditional roots reaching back into the early '20s. Each of the ensembles featured on this particular compilation are decidedly hipper than most of her previous backup bands. Bailey's March 16, 1939 session with pianist Mary Lou Williams, guitarist Floyd Smith, bassist John Williams and drummer Eddie Dougherty resulted in a series of fine and soulful renderings of old time melodies like the "Arkansas Blues," "Gulf Coast Blues," "You Don't Know My Mind Blues" and Russ Columbo's "Prisoner of Love." Sixteen of this compilation's 22 tracks feature the John Kirby Sextet. This brilliant and creatively concise group had a frontline of trumpeter Charlie Shavers, clarinetist Buster Bailey and alto saxophonist Russell Procope; its well-oiled rhythm section contained pianist Billy Kyle, bassist John Kirby and drummer O'Neill Spencer. This little band was capable of handling material from the jazz, pop and European classical traditions; the Bailey/Kirby magic is most evident on Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine," Ziggy Elman's "And the Angels Sing," Lovie Austin and Alberta Hunter's "Down Hearted Blues" and the "Tit Willow" aria from Gilbert & Sullivan's Mikado. On most of the Kirby sides, xylophonist Red Norvo can be heard obviously enjoying the opportunity to collaborate with exceptionally gifted improvisers. Premonitions of things to come! Norvo dissolved his big band in June 1939, not long after the recording of "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles," and began working with smaller, more modern-sounding ensembles. While Red Norvo would become an integral participant in the bop revolution of the '40s and '50s, Mildred Bailey's career gradually decelerated during the '40s, particularly after her health began to deteriorate. The records she cut during the first half of 1939 add up to some of the best music she ever made. For that reason, this particular installment in Mildred Bailey's Classics chronology is most highly recommended. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist + Credits :

ANDY KIRK AND HIS TWELVE CLOUDS OF JOY – 1939-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 640 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Andy Kirk's Twelve Clouds of Joy was a top-notch Kansas City swing band that, by 1939, featured the pop vocals of Pha Terrell, the more blues-oriented singing of June Richmond, creative arrangements by Mary Lou Williams, and some excellent soloing from pianist Williams and Dick Wilson on tenor. Most memorable in this entry in Classics' "complete" Andy Kirk CD series are "Floyd's Guitar Blues" (an odd but pioneering electric guitar feature for Floyd Smith), "Wham" and "Scratching In the Gravel." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     You Set Me on Fire 2:57
Colwell / MacKinnon
2     (I Guess) I'll Never Learn 3:12
Gordon / Kaufmann
3     Close to Five 2:55
Mary Lou Williams
4     Floyd's Guitar Blues 3:09
Floyd Smith
5     (I Wanna Go Where You Go, Do What You Do) Then I'll Be Happy 2:31
Lew Brown / Sidney Clare / Cliff Friend
6     S'posin' 2:26
Paul Denniker / Andy Razaf
7     I'll Never Fail You 2:55
Victor Mizzy / Irv Taylor
8     Why Don't I Get Wise to Myself 2:42
Sid Bass / Ken Hecht
9     I'm Getting Nowhere With You 2:46
Wood / Adams
10     I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You 3:02
Bing Crosby / Ned Washington / Victor Young
11     Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone 2:51
Sidney Clare / Sam H. Stept
12     Big Jim Blues 2:56
Mary Lou Williams
13     Wham (Re-Bop-Boom-Bam!) 3:05
Eddie Durham / Taps Miller
14     Love Is the Thing 2:57
Ned Washington / Victor Young
15     Why Go on Pretending 2:57
Mary Lou Williams
16     It Always Will Be You 3:16
Hays / Copano / O'Day
17     Fine and Mellow 3:02
Billie Holiday     
18     Scratchin' in the Gravel 3:10
Mary Lou Williams / D. Wilson
19     Fifteen Minute Intermission 3:06
Buddy Cannon / Sunny Skylar
20     Take Those Blues Away 2:51
Jackson
21     Now I Lay Me Down to Dream 2:54
Eddie Howard, Jr. / Ted Fio Rito    
22     There Is No Greater Love 3:02
Isham Jones / Marty Symes
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Earl Miller (tracks: 1 to 16), Rudy Powell (tracks: 17 to 22)
Bass – Booker Collins
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – John Harrington
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Edward Inge (tracks: 17 to 22)
Directed By – Andy Kirk
Drums – Ben Thigpen
Guitar, Electric Guitar – Floyd Smith
Piano – Mary Lou Williams
Tenor Saxophone – Dick Wilson, Don Byas (tracks: 1 to 16)
Trombone – Fred Robinson (tracks: 13 to 22), Henry Wells (tracks: 1 to 12), Ted Donnelly
Trumpet – Clarence Trice, Earl Thomson (tracks: 1 to 16), Harold Baker (tracks: 17 to 22), Harry Lawson
Vocals – June Richmond (tracks: 5, 11, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20), Pha Terrell (tracks: 1, 2, 6 to 10, 14, 15, 21, 22)

ANDY KIRK AND HIS CLOUDS OF JOY – 1940-1942 | The Classics Chronological Series – 681 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Andy Kirk Orchestra was going through some major changes during the period covered by this CD. Tenor star Dick Wilson died prematurely; pop singer Pha Terrell had left; pianist and chief arranger Mary Lou Williams departed in early 1942 (Ken Kersey was her replacement on piano); and such interesting younger players as trumpeters Harold "Shorty" Baker and Howard McGhee and Al Sears on tenor gave the group a slightly different sound. Actually, the music on this CD (late-period swing) is consistently on a higher level than on most of the previous CDs in the Classics series. Highlights include "The Count," "Hey Lawdy Mama," "Boogie Woogie Cocktail" (featuring Kersey) and Howard McGhee's recording debut on the exciting "McGhee Special." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Midnight Stroll 3:19
 Sammy Lowe
Vocals – June Richmond
2    Little Miss    3:12
 Ned Washington
3    The Count    3:09
 Tom Gordon
4    Twelfth Street Rag    2:55
 Euday L. Bowman
5    (Ev'rything Happened) When I Saw You 3:06
 Mueller Johnson
Vocals – Henry Wells
6    If I Feel This Way Tomorrow (Then It's Love) 2:59
Vocals – Henry Wells
7    Or Have I 2:50
 Sam H. Stept
Vocals – Henry Wells
8    Cuban Boogie Woogie 2:19
Lake / La Vere
Vocals – June Richmond
9    A Dream Dropped In 3:05
 Marty Symes
Vocals – Henry Wells
10    Is It A Sin (My Loving You?) 3:04
 Marcus Carcus
Vocals – Henry Wells
11    Ring Dem Bells    2:49
 Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
12    Big Time Crip 2:58
 Wells / Mary Lou Williams
Vocals – Orchestra
13    47th Street Jive 3:11
 Roosevelt Sykes
Vocals – June Richmond
14    I'm Misunderstood 3:20
Grouya
Vocals – Henry Wells
15    No Answer 2:47
Wood / Hoffman / Siegler
Vocals – Henry Wells
16    Hey Lawdy Mama (Meet Me In The Bottom) 2:56
Easton
Vocals – June Richmond
17    Boogie Woogie Cocktail 2:46
Arranged By – Kenny Kersey
18    Ride On, Ride On 2:25
Tolbert
Vocals – June Richmond
19    McGhee Special 2:58
Arranged By – Howard McGhee
20    Worried Life Blues (Someday Baby) 2:27
 Henry Nemo
Vocals – Floyd Smith
21    Take It And Git 3:13
Chapman / Chapman / Green / Marshall
Vocals – Orchestra
22    Hip Hip Hooray 2:58
Nemo / Ebbins
Vocals – June Richmond
23    Unlucky Blues 2:50
Feather / Feather
Vocals – June Richmond
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Ben Smith (tracks: 16 to 23), Earl Miller (tracks: 12 to 15)
Bass – Booker Collins
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Rudy Powell (tracks: 1 to 11)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – John Harrington
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Dick Wilson (tracks: 1 to 15), Edward Inge
Directed By – Andy Kirk
Drums – Ben Thigpen
Guitar, Electric Guitar – Floyd Smith
Piano – Kenny Kersey (tracks: 16 to 23), Mary Lou Williams (tracks: 1 to 15)
Tenor Saxophone – Al Sears (tracks: 16 to 23)
Trombone – Henry Wells (tracks: 1 to 15), Milton Robinson (tracks: 16 to 23), Ted Donnelly
Trumpet – Clarence Trice (tracks: 1 to 15), Harold Baker (tracks: 1 to 15), Harry Lawson, Howard McGhee (tracks: 16 to 23), Johnny Burris (tracks: 16 to 23) 

ANDY KIRK AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1943-1949 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1075 (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This compilation presents selections from the last several recording sessions (mostly for Decca) of bandleader Andy Kirk. 1943-1949 opens with three late 1943 songs from Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy, which included trumpeters Fats Navarro and Howard McGhee, tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest, and vocalist June Richmond. Next comes "Hippy-Dippy," one of the few surviving songs from the only visit Kirk's band made to the studios in 1944. This number is followed by two very popular sellers, "Get Together With the Lord" and "I Know," representing the 1945 period of Andy Kirk and His Orchestra (this time including Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis) and featuring vocals by the Jubalaires, who return to sing on the 1946 recordings of "I Don't Know What I'd Do Without You" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Other vocalists heard on 1943-1949 include Bea Booze, the Four Knights, Joe Williams, and Kenny White. Joslyn Layne
Tracklist :
1    Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy–    Shorty Boo 2:59
Vocals – Unknown Artist
Written-By – Unknown Artist
2    Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy–    Fare Thee Honey Fare Thee Well 2:59
Vocals – June Richmond
Written-By – Alston
3    Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy–    Baby Don't You Tell Me No Lie 3:08
Vocals – June Richmond
Written By – Coleman
4    Andy Kirk And His Orchestra–    Hippy-Dippy 2:32
Written-By – Unknown Artist
5    Andy Kirk And His Orchestra And The Jubalaires–    Get Together With The Lord 2:49
Vocals – The Jubalaires
Written-By – Reichner, Jaffe
6    Andy Kirk And His Orchestra And The Jubalaires–    I Know 3:17
Vocals – The Jubalaires
Written-By – Jennings, Brooks
7    Andy Kirk And His Orchestra–    He's My Baby 3:21
Vocals – Beverley White
Written-By – Kirk, White
8    Andy Kirk And His Orchestra–    Alabama Bound 2:56
Vocals – Bea Booze
Written-By – Williams, Jackson
9    Andy Kirk And His Orchestra–    Soothe Me 2:55
Vocals – Billy Daniels
Written-By – Greene
10    Andy Kirk And His Orchestra–    Doggin' Man Blues 3:04
Vocals – Bea Booze
Written-By – Moore, Jordan
11    Andy Kirk And His Orchestra–    I Don't Know What I'd Do Without You 2:59
Vocals – The Jubalaires
Written-By – Kuhn
12    Andy Kirk And His Orchestra–    I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry 3:00
Vocals – The Jubalaires
Written-By – Kuhn
13    Andy Kirk And His Orchestra–    Now You Tell Me 2:54
Vocals – Joe Williams
Written-By – Roberts, Fisher
14    Andy Kirk And His Orchestra–    Louella 3:05
Vocals – Joe Williams
Written-By – Stone, Marks
15    Andy Kirk And His Orchestra–    So Soon 3:10
Vocals – The Four Knights
Written-By – Razaf, Luce
16    Andy Kirk And His Orchestra–    I'm Falling For You 3:04
Vocals – The Four Knights
Written-By – Williams, Hubert
17    Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy–    Little Girl, Don't Cry 2:35
Orchestra – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Jimmy Anderson
Written-By – Davis, Millinder
18    Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy–    Drinking Wine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee, Drinking Wine 3:07
Orchestra – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Kenny White
Written-By – Williams, McGhee
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Ben Smith (tracks: 1 to 4), Joe Evans (tracks: 5 to 16), Reuben Phillips (tracks: 1 to 16)
Baritone Saxophone – Ed Loving (tracks: 1 to 4), John Porter (tracks: 7 to 16), John Taylor  (tracks: 5 , 6)
Bass – Al Hall (tracks: 7 to 16), Booker Collins (tracks: 1 to 3), Lavern Baker (tracks: 4 to 6)
Directed By – Andy Kirk
Drums – Ben Thigpen (tracks: 1 to 16)
Guitar – Floyd Smith (tracks: 5 to 16)
Piano – Hank Jones (tracks: 5 to 16), Johnny Young (tracks: 1 to 4)
Tenor Saxophone – Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (tracks: 5 to 16), J.D. King (tracks: 1 to 4), Jimmy Forrest (tracks: 1 to 16), John Harrington (tracks: 1 to 4)
Trombone – Bob Murray (tracks: 1 to 16), Henry Wells (tracks: 7 to 16), Milton Robinson (tracks: 5 to 16), Joe Baird (tracks: 1 to 4), Wayman Richardson (tracks: 1 to 16)
Trumpet – Art Capehart (tracks: 1 to 4), Clarence Trice (tracks: 13 to 16), Claude Dunson (tracks: 5 to 12), Fats Navarro (tracks: 1 to 4, 7 to 10), Fip Ricard (tracks: 13 to 16), Harry Lawson (tracks: 1 to 12), Howard McGhee (tracks: 1 to 3), John Lynch (tracks: 5 to 16), Talib Daawood (tracks: 5, 6), Unknown Artist (tracks: 4, 11 to 16)

MARY LOU WILLIAMS – 1927-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 630 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD features the great pianist Mary Lou Williams during her earliest period. She is heard in 1927 on six selections with The Synco Jazzers (a small group that included her then-husband John Williams on alto) and then on the first 19 selections ever recorded under her own name. Performed during the long period when she was the regular pianist with Andy Kirk's 12 Clouds of Joy, Williams is featured on two hot stride solos in 1930, leading trios in 1936 and 1938, playing "Little Joe from Chicago" unaccompanied in 1939 and heading septets in 1940; among her sidemen were trumpeter Harold "Shorty" Baker and the legendary tenor Dick Wilson. Many of the compositions were written by Williams including "Night Life," "New Froggy Bottom," "Mary's special," and "Scratchin' the Gravel;" her version of Jelly Roll Morton's "The Pearls" is a highpoint. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Jeanette's Synco Jazzers–    Midnight Stomp 2:42
Written-By – Williams
2    Jeanette's Synco Jazzers–    The Bumps 2:37
Written-By – Williams
3    John Williams' Synco Jazzers–    Down In Gallion 3:11
Written-By – Unknown
4    John Williams' Synco Jazzers–    Goose Grease 3:15
Written-By – Unknown
5    John Williams' Synco Jazzers–    Pee Wee Blues 3:27
Written-By – Unknown
6    John Williams' Synco Jazzers–    Now Cut Loose 2:47
Written-By – Unknown
7    Mary Lou Williams–    Night Life 2:56
Written-By – Williams
8    Mary Lou Williams–    Drag 'Em 2:52
Written-By – Williams
9    Mary Lou Williams–    Corny Rhythm 2:42
Written-By – Williams
10    Mary Lou Williams–    Overhand (New Froggy Bottom) 2:46
Written-By – Williams
11    Mary Lou Williams–    Isabelle 2:55
Written-By – Williams
12    Mary Lou Williams–    Swingin' For Joy 2:34
Written-By – Williams
13    Mary Lou Williams–    Clean Pickin' 2:48
Written-By – Williams
14    Mary Lou Williams–    Mary's Special 2:46
Written-By – Williams
15    Mary Lou Williams–    The Pearls 3:01
Written-By – Morton
16    Mary Lou Williams–    Mr. Freddie Blues 2:44
Written-By – Shayne
17    Mary Lou Williams–    Sweet (Patootie) Patunia 2:30
Written-By – Williams, Rogan, Alexander
18    Mary Lou Williams–    The Rocks 2:34
Written-By – Burley
19    Mary Lou Williams–    Little Joe From Chicago 2:33
Written-By – Wells, Williams
20    Six Men And A Girl–    Mary Lou Williams Blues 3:15
Written-By – Williams
21    Six Men And A Girl–    Tea For Two 2:48
Written-By – Caesar, Youmans
22    Six Men And A Girl–    Scratchin' The Gravel 3:11
Written-By – Williams
23    Six Men And A Girl–    Zonky 2:54
Written-By – Razaf, Waller
24    Mary Lou Williams And Her Kansas City Seven–    Baby Dear 2:47
Written-By – Moten, Hayes
25    Mary Lou Williams And Her Kansas City Seven–    Harmony Blues 2:47
Written-By – Moten
Credits :   
Alto Saxophone, Bass Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – John Williams (tracks: 1 to 6)
Banjo – Joe Williams (tracks: 1 to 6)
Bass – Booker Collins (tracks: 9 to 18, 20 to 25)
Celesta – Mary Lou Williams (tracks: 14)
Clarinet – Edward Inge (tracks: 20 to 23)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Earl "Buddy" Miller (tracks: 20 to 23)
Drums – Ben Thigpen (tracks: 9 to 18, 20 to 25), Robert Price (tracks: 1 to 6)
Electric Guitar – Floyd Smith (tracks: 20 to 23)
Guitar [?] – Ted Robinson (tracks: 14)
Piano – Mary Lou Williams
Tenor Saxophone – Dick Wilson (tracks: 20 to 25)
Trombone – Bradley Bullett (tracks: 1 to 6), Ted Donnelly (tracks: 20 to 23)
Trumpet – Earl Thompson (tracks: 20 to 23), Harold Baker (tracks: 20 to 23), Henry McCord (tracks: 1 to 6)