THE THREE KEYS – 1932-1933 + BON BON AND HIS BUDDIES – 1941-1942 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1141 (2000) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Two very obscure series of recordings, both featuring singer Bon Bon (George Tunnell), are reissued in full on this intriguing CD. Bon Bon is best-known for his stint with Jan Savitt's orchestra during the late 1930s/early '40s. On the first 16 selections, he is heard as a pianist-vocalist with the Three Keys, a group also featuring guitarist Slim Furness and bassist Bob Pease; all three musicians sing together. The music is enjoyable jive although not as creative as the Mills Brothers or the Spirits of Rhythm. Among the better selections are "Someone Stole Gabriel's Horn," "Nagasaki," and "Oh By Jingo." Also on this CD are the six surviving selections from two dates by Bon Bon and his buddies during 1941-42. In both caes, the artist is joined by a swing septet. Among the sidemen are trumpeter Je Thomas, clarinetists Buster Smith and Jimmy Lytell, and pianist Billy Kyle, although guitarist Eddie Durham (doubling on trombone) gets solo honors on the first four songs. Bon Bon was an appealing vocalist and this CD should be of strong interest to swing specialists. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :
1    The Three Keys–    Moon Indigo    3:42
2    The Three Keys–    Somebody Loses, Somebody Wins    3:04
3    The Three Keys–    Jig Time    2:21
4    The Three Keys–    Someone Stole Gabriel's Horn    2:56
5    The Three Keys–    Basin Street Blues    2:49
6    The Three Keys–    Wah-Dee-Dah    2:54
7    The Three Keys–    Nagasaki    2:49
8    The Three Keys–    Fit As A Fiddle    2:25
9    The Three Keys–    Anything For You    3:06
10    The Three Keys–    That Doggone Dog Of Mine    2:51
11    The Three Keys–    Rasputin    2:41
12    The Three Keys–    Oh! By Jingo    2:30
13    The Three Keys–    Heebie Jeebies    2:36
14    The Three Keys–    Song Of The Islands    2:51
15    The Three Keys–    I've Found A New Baby    3:07
16    The Three Keys–    You Can Depend On Me    3:15
17    Bon Bon And His Buddies–    I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire    2:37
18    Bon Bon And His Buddies–    Blow, Gabriel, Blow    2:27
19    Bon Bon And His Buddies–    Sweet Mama Papa's Getting Mad    3:06
20    Bon Bon And His Buddies–    All That Meat And No Potatoes    2:56
21    Bon Bon And His Buddies–    Seeing You Again Did Me No Good    2:44
22    Bon Bon And His Buddies–    Sleepy Old Town    2:55
Credits :    
1-16
Bass, Vocals – Bob Pease
Guitar, Vocals – Slim Furness
Piano – George "Bon Bon" Tunnell
17-20    
Alto Saxophone – Jackie Fields
Bass – Al Hall
Clarinet – Buster Smith
Drums – Jack Parker  
Piano – James Phipps
Trumpet – Joe Thomas
Trombone, Guitar – Eddie Durham
Vocals – George "Bon Bon" Tunnell
21-22
Piano – Billy Kyle
Bass – Haig Stephens
Clarinet – Jimmy Lytell
Drums – O'Neil Spencer
Trumpet – Red Solomon
Guitar – George Van Eps
Trombone – Russ Jenner