BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1947, Vol. 2 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1407 (2005) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Benny Goodman's 31st volume in the Classics Chronological Series documents his stylistically diverse adventures as a Capitol recording artist with 22 titles resulting from eight different sessions that took place in New York and Los Angeles between August 11 and November 25, 1947. Jazz, like the careers of those who perform it, has never evolved in a precise and linear manner; while during this period Goodman was certainly incorporating progressive bop elements into his repertoire, he also continued his lifelong involvement with swing tropes and old-time melodies. "Nagasaki" and "Varsity Drag" are examples of old material interpreted with breathtaking modernity. The three sextet sessions reissued here feature xylo/vibraphonist Red Norvo and pianist Mel Powell. Guitarist Al Hendrickson, who specialized in pleasantly laid-back romantic vocals, is heard with both the sextet and the big band. On September 12, Goodman sat in with the Paul Weston orchestra for one of Irving Berlin's ultra-patriotic ditties entitled "The Freedom Train." This flag-waver, sung by Johnny Mercer, Peggy Lee, Margaret Whiting and a cheery vocal group known as the Pied Pipers, contains a set of lyrics that could easily have been misinterpreted by the House Un-American Activities Committee: "You can shout your anger from a steeple, you can shoot the system full of holes." (Try that one on J. Edgar Hoover.) Tracks 12 through 21 scale the action down to an intimate trio involving pianist Teddy Wilson and longtime Jimmie Lunceford drummer Jimmy Crawford. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :

BILLY TAYLOR – 1945-1949 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1137 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Many jazz fans don't realize how long ago Billy Taylor began his career; this French anthology assembles five separate sessions that he led as a young man between 1945 and 1949, as well as one date as a sideman. In 1945 he shows the influence of both Art Tatum and Teddy Wilson in the lightly swinging take of "Night and Day," while his campy approach to "Alexander's Ragtime Band" is rather refreshing. His lyrical solo interpretation of "The Very Thought of You" from 1946 demonstrates his considerable growth as a pianist. Taylor also wrote seven of the songs, which include two versions of his easygoing "Stridin' Down the Champs-Elysees," the flashy blues "Well Taylor-Ed," and two rare vocals by Taylor on the Nat King Cole-like "I Don't Ask Questions, I Just Have Fun" and "So You Think You're Cute." The four tracks featuring Taylor as a sideman in the Walter Thomas Orchestra find him pretty much relegated to a supporting role, although the presence of Doc Cheatham, Eddie Barefield, and Hilton Jefferson makes the music of interest. But Taylor's quintet session with the infrequently recorded tenor saxophonist John Hardee (who is in great form) is hampered somewhat by the unnecessary addition of organist Milt Page, who proves to be more of a distraction with his uninspired playing. Because so much of the valuable material within this collection has been next to impossible to find, it will be of significant interest to fans of Billy Taylor. Ken Dryden  
Tracklist + Credits :

TRUMMY YOUNG – 1944-1946 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1037 (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Compare Trummy Young's vocal on Jimmie Lunceford's "Easy Street," or the songs he sang in front of his own All-Stars in 1945 (see Classics 888) with the infrequently heard speech and singing voice of Lester Young. Trummy had a high, smooth delivery that sounded quite similar to Lester's speaking tone as heard on live broadcasts and Prez's outrageously naughty improvised singing on his Verve recording of "It Takes Two to Tango." These men had a lot in common. They both hung out with Billie Holiday, not as her boyfriends but as pals, drinking and smoking companions who could be trusted. The fundamental common denominator was: hipness. Trummy and Prez were definitively hip. They both eased into early modern jazz without any problems whatsoever. Trummy's activity during the mid-'40s is outlined in detail by this core sample of rare recordings. Listen to Trummy's passionate singing on "Talk of the Town," a shaming and blaming exercise that could never have been written by a woman. Rather than merely hassling his ex, Trummy seems to be demonstrating the loneliness that all people have in common. "Hollywood" is a jam, but the band on "Good 'n Groovy" is considerably tougher. Ike Quebec, for example, sounds as truculent as a truckload of nails. Buck Clayton's been lifting weights. It's 1945 and the music is changing. There's bop in the air, and R&B is everywhere. The phrase "Rattle and Roll" describes a throw of the dice but the music is about carousing and getting into harmless trouble. "I'm Living for Today" is Trummy's ode to feeling good and refusing to worry about anything. Keynote recording artist Kenny Kersey drives "Behind the Eight Bar" with exceptionally fine boogie piano, and the band rocks out. Just in case you thought "Four or Five Times" was antiquated, check out Trummy's ultra cool version with lyrics describing DTs and military insubordination, a special treat for the V-Disc audience. A fabulous five-minute "Tea for Two" boils over largely because Roy Eldridge puts it in the broiler. Some of the white singers included in this part of the chronology sound terribly square. The hip antidote to the white vocal group billed as the Holidays can be found on "Tidal Wave" (no relation to the Fletcher Henderson tune), which is a big-band boppish feature for Herbie Fields, who disturbs the peace using both alto and tenor saxophones. The Hot Record Society proceedings of Trummy Young's Big Seven, like most of the material brought out on HRS, have plenty of solid solos based upon original compositions of inconsistent creative merit. George Johnson's "Frutie Cutie" and "Johnson Rock" are simple melodies designed for uncomplicated jamming. On the other hand, "Blues Triste" and "Lucky Draw," composed by pianist Jimmy Jones, are beautiful, elegant mood pieces, every bit cool as Trummy and Prez and Lady Day. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist & Credits : 

JIMMIE LUNCEFORD AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1930-1934 | The Classics Chronological Series – 501 (1990) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The first in Classics' "complete" Jimmie Lunceford series has two titles apiece from 1930 (when the band was based in Tennessee) and 1933 along with its first six sessions for Decca in 1934. Lunceford's band had an immediately recognizable sound by 1934 and, despite the presence of such top soloists as altoist Willie Smith, tenor-saxophonist Joe Thomas and high-note trumpeter Tommy Stevenson, it was its arranged ensembles (particularly those of Sy Oliver) that gave the orchestra its musical identity. Among the better selections on this CD are "Flaming Reeds And Screaming Brass," "White Heat," "Swinging' Uptown," "Rose Room," "Miss Otis Regrets" and the band's fresh interpretations of Duke Ellington's "Black And Tan Fantasy" and "Mood Indigo." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Jimmie Lunceford And His Chickasaw Syncopators–    In Dat Mornin' 3:21
Speech [Preaching] – Moses Allen
2    Jimmie Lunceford And His Chickasaw Syncopators–    Sweet Rhythm     2:41
3    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Flaming Reeds And Screaming Brass    2:57
4    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    While Love Lasts     3:06
5    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    White Heat 2:29
Arranged By – Will Hudson
6    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Jazznocracy 2:42
Arranged By – Will Hudson
7    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Chillun Get Up 3:19
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Henry Wells
8    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Leavin' Me 3:05
Vocals – Henry Wells
9    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Swingin' Uptown 2:37
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
10    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Breakfast Ball 3:00
Arranged By, Vocals – Sy Oliver
11    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Here Goes (A Fool) 2:45
Vocals – Henry Wells
12    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Remember When 3:20
Vocals – Henry Wells
13    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Sophisticated Lady 3:10
Arranged By – Willie Smith
14    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Mood Indigo 2:58
Arranged By – Willie Smith
15    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Rose Room 3:06
Arranged By – Willie Smith
16    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Black And Tan Fantasy 2:51
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
17    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Stratosphere 2:15
Arranged By – Jimmie Lunceford
18    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Nana 3:10
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Henry Wells
19    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Miss Otis Regrets 2:41
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Sy Oliver
20    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Unsophisticated Sue     3:08
21    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Stardust 3:02
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Henry Wells
22    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Dream Of You 3:09
Arranged By, Vocals – Sy Oliver
23    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Stomp It Off 3:13
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
24    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Call It Anything (It Wasn't Love) 3:18
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Henry Wells
25    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Because You're You 3:23
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Henry Wells
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Jimmie Lunceford (tracks: 1 to 12), LaForet Dent (tracks: 13 to 25)
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Earl Carrothers
Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone – Willie Smith
Bass – Moses Allen
Directed By – Jimmie Lunceford
Drums, Vibraphone – Jimmy Crawford
Guitar – Al Norris
Piano, Celesta – Edwin Wilcox
Tenor Saxophone – George Clark (tracks: 1, 2)
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Joe Thomas (tracks: 3 to 25)
Trombone – Henry Wells, Russell Bowles (tracks: 3 to 25)
Trumpet – Eddie Tompkins (tracks: 3 to 25), Sy Oliver (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 25), Tommy Stevenson (tracks: 3 to 25), William "Sleepy" Tomlin (tracks: 3, 4)

JIMMIE LUNCEFORD AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1934-1935 | The Classics Chronological Series – 505 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second of Classics' reissuance of all the master takes of Jimmie Lunceford's recordings finds the orchestra gaining in popularity and in power. Among the highlights (most of the songs were arranged by Sy Oliver or Ed Wilcox) are "Since My Beat Gal Turned Me Down," "Rhythm Is Our Business," "Shake Your Head," "Sleepy-Time Gal," "Four or Five Times" and "Swanee River." The high musicianship and clean ensembles (along with the showmanship) are most impressive and the concise solos (particularly from altoist Willie Smith, tenor saxophonist Joe Thomas and trumpeter Sy Oliver) are enjoyable and fit in logically as part of the arrangements. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Chillum, Get Up 3:03
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Henry Wells, Sy Oliver, Willie Smith
Written-By – Parker
2    Solitude 3:10
Vocals – Henry Wells
Written-By – Ellington, DeLange
3    Rain 3:20
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Henry Wells, Sy Oliver, Willie Smith
Written-By – Swansstrom, Morgan, Ford
4    Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down 3:30
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Henry Wells, Sy Oliver, Willie Smith
Written-By – Quicksell, Ludwig
5    Jealous 3:07
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Henry Wells
Written-By – Finch, Little, Malie
6    Rhythm Is Our Business 3:08
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Chorus – Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra
Vocals – Willie Smith
Written-By – Lunceford, Cahn, Chaplin
7    I'm Walking Through Heaven With You 3:12
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Henry Wells
Written-By – Lunceford
8    Shake Your Head (From Side To Side) 2:52
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Written-By – Gerow, Cahn
9    Sleepy Time Gal 3:08
Alto Saxophone – Jimmie Lunceford
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Written-By – Lorenzo, Alden, Whiting
10    Bird Of Paradise 3:20
Arranged By – Eddie Durham, Edwin Wilcox
Written-By – Ellington
11    Rhapsody Junior 3:23
Arranged By – Eddie Durham, Edwin Wilcox
Written-By – Ellington
12    Runnin' Wild 3:11
Arranged By – Willie Smith
Vocals – Sy Oliver
Written-By – Gibbs, Grey, Wood
13    Four Or Five Times 3:07
Arranged By, Vocals – Sy Oliver
Written-By – Gay, Hellman
14    (If I Had) Rhythm In My Nursery Rhymes 3:01
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Willie Smith
Written-By – Ray, Lunceford, Cahn, Chaplin
15    Babs 3:07
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom, Sy Oliver, Willie Smith
Written-By – Ahlert, Young
16    Swanee River 2:45
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Written-By – Foster
17    Thunder 3:04
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Dan Grissom
Written-By – Manners, Lewis
18    Oh! Boy 3:10
Arranged By – Eddie Durham
Written-By – Durham, Lunceford
19    (You Take The East, Take The West, Take The North) I'll Take The South 2:40
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom, Sy Oliver, Willie Smith
Written-By – Palmer, Klages
20    Avalon 3:05
Arranged By – Eddie Durham
Written-By – Jolson, De Sylva, Rose
21    Charmaine 2:50
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
Written-By – Rapee, Pollack
22    Hittin' The Bottle 3:07
Arranged By – Eddie Durham
Vocals – Sy Oliver
Written-By – Arlen, Koehler
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – LaForest Dent
Bass – Moses Allen
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Dan Grissom (tracks: 10 to 22)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Earl Carruthers, Willie Smith
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Joe Thomas
Drums, Vibraphone – Jimmy Crawford
Guitar – Al Norris
Leader, Arranged By – Jimmie Lunceford
Orchestra – Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra
Piano, Celesta – Edwin Wilcox
Trombone – Elmer Crumbley (tracks: 9 to 22), Henry Wells (tracks: 1 to 8), Russell Bowles
Trombone, Guitar – Eddie Durham (tracks: 9 to 22)
Trumpet – Eddie Tompkins, Paul Webster (tracks: 9 to 22), Sy Oliver, Tommy Stevenson (tracks: 1 to 8)

JIMMIE LUNCEFORD AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 532 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For this Classics CD, most of the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra's earlier Vocalion recordings (owned by Columbia) are reissued. The loss of Sy Oliver in August 1939 (he was lured away by Tommy Dorsey) would soon hurt the band but they were still using Oliver's arrangemetns in the last session. "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home," "What Is This Thing Called Swing," a classic rendition of "Ain't She Sweet," "Well, All Right Then" and "Belgium Stomp" are among the more memorable selections on this CD which also has a few typically inferior Dan Grissom ballad vocals. Swing fans will want all of these CDs even if they do not include Lunceford's alternate takes. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Baby Won't You Please Come Home? 2:50
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Joe Thomas
2    You're Just A Dream 2:51
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
3    The Lonesome Road 2:31
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Trummy Young
4    You Set Me On Fire 2:38
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
5    I've Only Myself To Blame 2:45
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
6    What Is This Thing Called Swing? 2:26
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Joe Thomas
7    Mixup 2:18
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
8    Shoemaker's Holiday 2:50
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
9    Blue Blazes 2:50
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
10    Mandy 2:52
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
11    Easter Parade 2:40
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Trummy Young
12    Ain't She Sweet? 2:27
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Trummy Young
13    White Heat 2:20
Arranged By – Will Hudson
14    Oh Why, Oh Why 2:49
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
15    Well, All Right Then 2:42
Vocals – Orchestra
16    You Let Me Down 2:52
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
17    I Love You 2:46
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
18    Who Did You Meet Last Night? 2:35
Arranged By – Will Beines
Vocals – Dan Grissom
19    You Let Me Down 2:46
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Dan Grissom
20    Sassin' The Boss 2:43
Arranged By – Jesse Stone
Vocals – Willie Smith
21    I Want The Waiter (With The Water) 2:43
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Orchestra, Trummy Young
22    I Used To Love You (But It's All Over Now) 2:45
Arranged By – Milton Hill
Vocals – Joe Thomas
23    Belgium Stomp 2:29
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
24    You Can Fool Some Of The People (Some Of TheTime) 2:21
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Trummy Young
25    Think Of Me, Little Daddy 2:42
Arranged By – Edward Inge
Vocals – Trummy Young
26    Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away) 2:37
Arranged By – Edward Inge
Flute – Jimmie Lunceford, Joe Thomas, Ted Buckner
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Dan Grissom, Ted Buckner
Bass – Moses Allen
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Earl Carruthers, Willie Smith
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Joe Thomas
Directed By – Jimmie Lunceford
Drums, Vibraphone – Jimmy Crawford
Guitar – Al Norris
Piano, Celesta – Edwin Wilcox
Trombone – Elmer Crumbley, Russell Bowles, James "Trummy" Young
Trumpet – Eddie Tompkins, Gerald Wilson (tracks: 18 to 26), Paul Webster, Sy Oliver (tracks: 1 to 17)

JIMMIE LUNCEFORD AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1937-1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 520 (1990) FLAC (tracks), lossless

For this entry in Classics' complete reissuance of Jimmie Lunceford's recordings, the biggest news for the band was the addition of trombonist Trummy Young who, in addition to being a major soloist, had vocal hits in "Margie" and "'Tain't What You Do (It's The Way That You Do It)." Other highlights of this well-rounded CD include "Annie Laurie," "Sweet Sue" and "By the River Saint-Marie." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Hell's Bells 3:10
Art Kassel
2     For Dancers Only 2:43
Sy Oliver / Don Raye / Vic Schoen
3     Posin' 3:00
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin
4     The First Time I Saw You 2:47
Nathaniel Shilkret / Allie Wrubel
5     Honey, Keep Your Mind on Me 3:10
Jimmie Lunceford / Allan Roberts / Porter Roberts
6     Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet 2:49
Stanley Murphy / Percy Wenrich
7     Pigeon Walk 2:41
Sam M. Lewis / James V. Monaco
8     Like a Ship at Sea 2:47
Jimmie Lunceford
9     Teasin' Tessie Brown 2:56
Jimmie Lunceford / Andy Razaf
10     Annie Laurie 3:12
Traditional
11     Frisco Fog 3:12
Leon Carr / Bill Smith
12     Margie 3:09
Con Conrad / Benny Davis / J. Russel Robinson
13     The Love Nest 3:04
Otto Harbach / Walter Hirsch
14     I'm Laughing Up My Sleeve (Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha) 2:53
Jack Lawrence / Peter Tinturin
15     Down by the Old Mill Stream 3:00
Tell Taylor
16     My Melancholy Baby 3:06
Ernie Burnett / George Norton
17     Sweet Sue, Just You 2:49
Will J. Harris / Victor Young
18     By the River Sainte Marie 3:15
Edgar Leslie / Harry Warren
19     Rainin' 2:59
Sy Oliver
20     'Tain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It) 3:05
Sy Oliver / Trummy Young
21     Cheatin' on Me 2:47
Lew Pollack / Jack Yellen
22     Le Jazz Hot 2:43
Hal Mooney / Sy Oliver
23     Time's A-Wastin' 2:33
Jimmie Lunceford

JIMMIE LUNCEFORD AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 565 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra was at the height of its power and fame during the period covered by this Classics CD. Arranger-trumpeter Sy Oliver's defection to Tommy Dorsey hurt but his charts were still in the books and his replacement Snooky Young proved to be a superior first trumpeter and soloist. With altoist Willie Smith, Joe Thomas on tenor and trombonist Trummy Young still around as stars, the band was in top form on such numbers as "Uptown Blues," "Lunceford Special," "Bugs Parade," "What's Your Story, Mornin' Glory" and "Swingin' On C." All of the releases in this series are well worth picking up by swing collectors. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Put It Away 2:41
Arranged By – Will Beines
Vocals – Orchestra, Willie Smith
2    I'm Alone With You 2:37
Arranged By – B. Estes
3    Rock It For Me 2:38
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Joe Thomas
4    I'm In An Awful Mood 2:46
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Trummy Young
5    Wham (Re Bop Boom Bam) 2:53
Arranged By – Eddie Durham
Vocals – Orchestra, Willie Smith
6    Pretty Eyes 2:40
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Dan Grissom
7    Uptown Blues    2:53
8    Lunceford Special 2:49
Arranged By – Eddie Durham
9    Bugs Parade 2:29
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
10    Blues In The Groove 2:33
Arranged By – Eddie Durham
11    I Wanta Hear Swing Songs 2:54
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr., Sy Oliver
Vocals – Trummy Young
12    It's Time To Jump And Shout 2:53
Arranged By – Eddie Durham
13    What's Your Story, Mornin' Glory? 3:09
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
14    Dinah (Part I) 2:14
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
15    Dinah (Part II) 2:12
Arranged By – Sy Oliver
Vocals – Joe Thomas
16    Sonata By L. Van Beethoven ("Pathetique" Op. 13) 3:16
Arranged By – Chappie Willett
17    I Got It 2:55
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Trummy Young
18    Chopin's Prelude N°7 2:49
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr., Jimmie Lunceford
19    Swingin' On C 2:22
Arranged By – Eddie Durham
20    Let's Try Again 3:03
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Dan Grissom
21    Monotony In Four Flats 2:53
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
22    Barefoot Blues 2:43
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Willie Smith
23    Minnie The Moocher Is Dead 2:28
Arranged By – Roger Segure
24    I Ain't Gonna Study War No More 2:55
Arranged By – Roger Segure
25    Pavanne 2:48
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Credits :    
Bass – Moses Allen
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Dan Grissom
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Earl Carruthers, Willie Smith
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Ted Buckner
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Joe Thomas
Drums, Vibraphone – Jimmy Crawford
Guitar – Al Norris
Piano, Celesta – Edwin Wilcox
Trombone – Elmer Crumbley, Russell Bowles, James "Trummy" Young
Trumpet – Gerald Wilson (tracks: 9 to 25), Paul Webster, Eugene "Snooky" Young, Sy Oliver (tracks: 1 to 8)
Vocals – The Dandridge Sisters (tracks: 22 to 25)

JIMMIE LUNCEFORD AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1940-1941 | The Classics Chronological Series – 622 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The European Classics label's Jimmie Lunceford series has thus far stopped with this release, one CD short of completing its task. With the loss of arranger-trumpet-vocalist Sy Oliver, Lunceford's band was still pretty strong although it was no longer developing as quickly as it had previously. During the year and a half covered by this CD, such numbers as "Whatcha Know, Joe," "Siesta at the Fiesta," "Yard Dog Mazurka" and the two-part "Blues in the Night" were recorded along with lesser material (including some dreary vocal features for Dan Grissom). Although not essential, this CD is recommended to Lunceford completists. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Whatcha Know Joe? 2:36
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Vocals – Orchestra, Trummy Young
2    Red Wagon 2:30
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Vocals – The Dandridge Sisters
3    You Ain't Nowhere 2:52
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Vocals – Orchestra, The Dandridge Sisters
4    Please Say The Word 2:37
Arranged By – Lonnie Wilfong
Vocals – Dan Grissom
5    Okay For Baby 3:06
Arranged By – Lonnie Wilfong
6    Flight Of The Jitterbug 2:27
Arranged By – Don Redman
7    Blue Afterglow 3:09
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Vocals – Dan Grissom
8    Blue Prelude 2:56
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Vocals – Dan Grissom
9    Twenty-Four Robbers 3:08
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Vocals – Orchestra, Trummy Young
10    I Had A Premonition 2:54
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
Vocals – Dan Grissom
11    Battle Axe 2:44
Arranged By – Billy Moore, Jr.
12    Peace And Love For All (Prayer For Moderns) 3:11
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Violin – Al Norris
Vocals – Dan Grissom
13    Chocolate 2:53
Arranged By – Roger Segure
14    I'm Walking Through Heaven With You 3:08
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Dan Grissom
15    You're Always In My Dreams 2:41
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Dan Grissom
16    Flamingo 3:00
Arranged By – Roger Segure
Vocals – Dan Grissom
17    Siesta At The Fiesta    2:56
18    Gone 3:04
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Dan Grissom
19    Hi Spook 2:53
Arranged By – Gerald Wilson
20    Yard Dog Mazurka 3:11
Arranged By – Gerald Wilson, Roger Segure
21    Impromptu 2:49
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
22    Blues In The Night - Part 1 2:36
Vocals – Orchestra, Willie Smith
23    Blues In The Night - Part 2 2:45
Vocals – Orchestra, Willie Smith
Credits :    
Bass – Moses Allen
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Dan Grissom, Ted Buckner
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Earl Carruthers, Willie Smith
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Joe Thomas
Directed By – Jimmie Lunceford
Drums, Vibraphone – Jimmy Crawford
Guitar – Al Norris
Piano, Celesta – Edwin Wilcox
Trombone – Elmer Crumbley, Russell Bowles, James "Trummy" Young
Trumpet – Gerald Wilson, Paul Webster, Eugene "Snooky" Young

JIMMIE LUNCEFORD AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1941-1945 | The Classics Chronological Series – 862 (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jimmie Lunceford's Orchestra was starting to decline during the period covered by this 1996 CD from the European Classics label. There are nine numbers (including a two-part "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town") that feature the 1941-42 orchestra, which still included trombonist Trummy Young (who has three vocals, including "Easy Street"), altoist Willie Smith, and tenorman Joe Thomas; unfortunately, Dan Grissom takes three dull vocals, and there is only one instrumental, the accurately titled "Strictly Instrumental." The second half of the set is from 1944-45, and although there are a couple worthwhile tracks (most memorably the two-part "Back Door Stuff" and "Jeep Rhythm"), Joe Thomas was the only major soloist remaining. The music overall is historic, but not as essential as Jimmie Lunceford's earlier performances. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    I'm Losing My Mind (Because Of You) 3:18
Vocals – Dan Grissom
2    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Life Is Fine 2:39
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Orchestra, Trummy Young
3    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    It Had To Be You 3:07
Arranged By – Tadd Dameron
Vocals – Dan Grissom, Joe Thomas, Trummy Young, Willie Smith
4    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town - Part 1 3:09
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Dan Grissom
5    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town - Part 2 2:56
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Dan Grissom
6    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Strictly Instrumental 2:36
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
7    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Knock Me A Kiss 3:00
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Willie Smith
8    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Keep Smilin', Keep Laughin', Be Happy 2:20
Arranged By – Harry "Pee Wee" Jackson
Vocals – Joe Thomas
9    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    I Dream A Lot About You 3:07
Arranged By – Tadd Dameron
Vocals – Dan Grissom
10    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Easy Street 2:58
Arranged By – Edwin Wilcox
Vocals – Trummy Young
11    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Back Door Stuff - Part 1 3:08
Arranged By – Roger Segure
12    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Back Door Stuff - Part 2 2:46
Arranged By – Roger Segure
13    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Jeep Rhythm 2:54
Arranged By – Horace Henderson
14    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    I'm Gonna See My Baby 2:57
Vocals – Orchestra
15    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    That Someone Must Be You 2:52
Vocals – Claude Trenier
16    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    I'm In A Jam With Baby 3:03
Vocals – Bill Darnell
17    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    Buzz-Buzz-Buzz 2:25
Vocals – Claude Trenier
18    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra–    This Is My Confession To You    3:02
19    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra And Delta Rhythm Boys–    Baby, Are You Kiddin'? 3:00
Vocals – The Delta Rhythm Boys
20    Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra And Delta Rhythm Boys–    The Honeydripper 2:44
Vocals – The Delta Rhythm Boys
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Chauncey Jarrett (tracks: 11 to 13), Kirkland Bradford (tracks: 14 to 20)
Bass – Moses Allen (tracks: 1 to 5), Charles "Truck" Parham (tracks: 6 to 20)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Dan Grissom (tracks: 1 to 10), Omer Simeon (tracks: 11 to 20), Ted Buckner (tracks: 1 to 5)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Earl Carruthers, Willie Smith (tracks: 1 to 10)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Joe Thomas
Directed By – Jimmie Lunceford
Drums – Joe Marshall (tracks: 11 to 20)
Drums, Vibraphone – Jimmy Crawford (tracks: 1 to 10)
Guitar – Al Norris (tracks: 1 to 13), John Mitchell (tracks: 14 to 20)
Piano, Celesta – Edwin Wilcox
Tenor Saxophone – Benny Waters (tracks: 6 to 10), Ernest Purce (tracks: 11 to 20)
Trombone – Earl Hardy (tracks: 11 to 20), Elmer Crumbley (tracks: 1 to 5), Fernando Arbello (tracks: 6 to 20), James Williams (tracks: 19, 20), John "Streamline" Ewing (tracks: 11 to 20), Russell Bowles (tracks: 1 to 13), James "Trummy" Young (tracks: 1 to 10)
Trumpet – Bob Mitchell (tracks: 6 to 13, 19 to 20), Charles "Chuck" Stewart (tracks: 19, 20), Freddy Webster (tracks: 6 to 10), Gerald Wilson (tracks: 1 to 5), Harry "Pee Wee" Jackson (tracks: 6 to 10), Melvin Moore (tracks: 11 to 18), Paul Webster (tracks: 1 to 10), Ralph Griffin (tracks: 14 to 18), Russell Green (tracks: 11 to 20), Eugene "Snooky" Young (tracks: 1 to 5), William "Chiefie" Scott (tracks: 11 to 20)