WILLIE "THE LION" SMITH – 1925-1937 | The Chronogical Classics – 662 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Willie "The Lion" Smith, one of stride piano's Big Three of the 1920s (along with James P. Johnson and Fats Waller), recorded a lot less than his two friends. In fact, with the exception of two selections apiece with the Gulf Coast Seven in 1925 (which features trombonist Jimmy Harrison and clarinetist Buster Bailey) and 1927's Georgia Strutters (starring singer Perry Bradford, Harrison, and cornetist Jabbo Smith), along with the rare and originally unreleased 1934 solo piano showcase "Finger Buster," this CD does not get started until 1935. Smith's Decca recordings of 1935 and 1937 were formerly quite obscure, showcasing his piano with three different versions of "His Cubs." The Lion is heard with a Clarence Williams-type quartet which includes cornetist Ed Allen and clarinetist Cecil Scott, matched up with trumpeter Dave Nelson and clarinetist Buster Bailey in a septet; and temporarily heading an early version of the John Kirby Sextet on a session dominated by drummer O'Neil Spencer's vocals. Highlights of this historic and enjoyable CD include "Santa Claus Blues," "Keep Your Temper," "Blues, Why Don't You Let Me Alone," and the earliest recording of the Lion's most famous composition, "Echo of Spring." Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

BESSIE SMITH – 1927-1928 | The Classics Chronological Series – 870 (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

By the spring of 1927 Bessie Smith was making some of the toughest records of her entire career. Whoever lined her up with a sextet led by Fletcher Henderson did the world a great service, for here we get to enjoy Smith's handling of selections directly from the heart of the jazz repertoire. "After You've Gone" takes on all the majesty of Smith's best blues, and she seems to relish providing us with the verse in addition to the familiar chorus. "Alexander's Ragtime Band" is suddenly more substantial than ever before. This woman could sing anything. Even "Muddy Water (A Mississippi Moan)" completely transcends its Tin Pan Alley origins, becoming a fine slow drag without any vestiges of kitsch. "There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight" has been described by military historians as the theme song for the Spanish-American War. Hearing Smith sing it is one of the cardinal experiences in all of traditional music. She made every song into something peculiarly her own. That's Coleman Hawkins back there with a clarinet. On the following day, March 3 1927, Smith teamed up with her tried-and-true Blue Boys. "Trombone Cholly" is a tribute to Charlie Green, also known as "Big Green." His well-timed interactions with the singer's powerful voice, supported by the cornet of Joe "Fox" Smith and Fletcher Henderson's piano, are a wonder to behold. Green lovingly nudges her along through the verses of "Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair," a harrowing tale of knife-inflicted double homicide. "Them's Graveyard Words" carries a similar murderous current, something Smith was always happy to convey. Few vocalists have ever been able to express honestly troubled feelings with this blend of gravity and humor. April 1, 1927 found the singer once again in the distinguished company of pianist James P. Johnson. Bessie Smith specialized in the artful portrayal of the pissed-off woman archetype. "Lock and Key," a hilarious indictment of a cheater, has Smith stripping her unfaithful man of nearly every article of clothing she bought him. At one point the scenario is garnished with a colorful threat: "I'll shoot them off if I hear you cough!" This is one of Smith's very best pieces of theatrical entertainment, especially on account of her excellent working relationship with James P. Johnson. "Mean Old Bed Bug Blues" takes things down to a funkier texture of piano and glib blues guitar. Smith's reading of "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" might be the most soulful version ever caught on record. "Homeless Blues," dealing specifically with Mississippi floodwater disaster, is an extension of "Back Water Blues." Even as her accompaniments change from date to date, Smith's blues are consistently fine, as when Tommy Ladnier's trumpet finds common ground with the tuba of June Cole. It simply doesn't get much better than this. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist + Credits :

FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1926-1927 | The Classics Chronological Series – 597 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD, in Classics' chronological series, which captures the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra at its peak, is overloaded with classics: "Jackass Blues," "The Stampede" (which has a very influential tenor solo by Coleman Hawkins), "Clarinet Marmalade" "Snag It" and "Tozo" among others. In addition to Coleman Hawkins, Tommy Ladnier emerges as a major trumpeter and Fats Waller drops by for his "Henderson Stomp." Eight years before the official beginning of the swing era, Fletcher Henderson's orchestra was outswinging everyone. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1927 | The Classics Chronological Series – 580 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Fletcher Henderson's orchestra was at the peak of its powers during this period, as can be heard on such torrid recordings as "Fidgety Feet," "Sensation," "St. Louis Shuffle," and "Hop Off"; even the overly complex Don Redman arrangement "Whiteman Stomp" (which Paul Whiteman's musicians apparently had trouble learning) is no problem for this brilliant orchestra. Classics' chronological reissue of Henderson's valuable recordings on this CD covers the many highpoints of the peak year of 1927; only Duke Ellington's orchestra was on the level of this pace-setting big band. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1927-1931 | The Classics Chronological Series – 572 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 With its high musicianship and many talented soloists (including trumpeters Rex Stewart and Bobby Stark, trombonist Jimmy Harrison, Coleman Hawkins on tenor, and altoist Benny Carter), the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra should have prospered during this period, but unaccountably, its leader (never a strong businessman) seemed to be losing interest in the band's fortunes and made several bad decisions. The result is that by 1931, Henderson's orchestra was struggling while Duke Ellington's was becoming a household name. This Classics CD, in covering over three years, demonstrates how few recordings this band made (only four songs apiece in both 1929 and 1930), although the quality largely makes up for the quantity. The original band version of "King Porter Stomp" and an explosive "Oh Baby" are the high points of this satisfying collection. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1931 | The Classics Chronological Series – 555 (1990) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Even with such strong players as trumpeters Bobby Stark and Rex Stewart, trombonist Benny Morton and tenor-saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, the fortunes of Fletcher Henderson's orchestra were slipping during 1931. With the departure of Don Redman several years earlier, the group's arrangements were less innovative, and the pressure was on to perform commercial songs for the Depression audience. Even the jazz standards (such as "Tiger Rag" and "After You've Gone") are less interesting than those of their competitors, although this new version of "Sugar Foot Stomp" is a classic and the strong solos by the all-star cast make this CD well worth acquiring. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits : 

CLARENCE WILLIAMS – 1926-1927 | The Classics Chronological Series – 718 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The third CD in the Classics label's Clarence Williams program reissues all of the pianist/bandleader's dates from a ten-month period, 23 selections in all. Such groups as Joe Jordan's Ten Sharps and Flats (performing a memorable version of "Morocco Blues"), The Dixie Washboard Band, The Blue Grass Foot Warmers and Clarence Williams's Stompers (or Blue Seven or Jazz Kings or Washboard Four). Williams uses some of the top musicians of the era (including cornetists Bubber Miley, Tommy Ladnier and Ed Allen, trombonist Jimmy Harrison, clarinetist Buster Bailey, Coleman Hawkins on tenor, Cyrus St. Clair on tuba and Jasper Taylor on washboard among others) for the heated and freewheeling performances. Highlights include "Jackass Blues," "I Found a New Baby," "Senegalese Stomp" and a truly classic version of "Candy Lips" (which features two clarinets in hot pursuit). All of the CDs in this valuable series are highly recommended to classic jazz fans. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Clarence Williams Stompers–    Jackass Blues 3:00
Written-By – Kassel, Stitzel
2    Clarence Williams Stompers–    What's The Matter Now? 2:20
Vocals – Don Redman
Written-By – Williams, Williams
3    Joe Jordan's Ten Sharps And Flats–    Morocco Blues 3:20
Vocals [Comments] – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Williams, Jordan
4    Dixie Washboard Band–    You For Me, Me For You 3:07
Vocals – Clarence Todd
Written-By – Mack, Johnson
5    Dixie Washboard Band–    My Own Blues 2:53
Vocals – Clarence Todd
Written-By – Clarence Williams
6    Dixie Washboard Band–    Boodle Am 3:06
Vocals – Clarence Todd
Written-By – Palmer, Williams
7    Dixie Washboard Band–    I Found A New Baby 2:53
Vocals – Clarence Todd
Written-By – Palmer, Williams
8    Blue Grass Foot Warmers–    Señorita Mine 2:38
Written-By – Unknown Artist
9    Blue Grass Foot Warmers–    Charleston Hound 2:51
Written-By – Williams, Waller
10    Blue Grass Foot Warmers–    How Could I Be Blue 2:47
Speech – Clarence Todd
Written-By – Unknown Artist
11    Blue Grass Foot Warmers–    Old Folks Shuffle 2:44
Written-By – Williams, Waller
12    Dixie Washboard Band–    Dark Eyes 3:10
Vocals – Clarence Todd
– Traditional
13    Dixie Washboard Band–    Gimme Blues 3:04
Vocals – Clarence Todd
Written-By – Clarence Williams
14    Dixie Washboard Band–    King Of The Zulus 3:25
Dialog – Clarence Todd, Clarence Williams
Written-By – Lil Hardin Armstrong
15    Dixie Washboard Band–    The Zulu Blues 2:55
Vocals – Clarence Todd
Written-By – Clarence Williams
16    Clarence Williams' Blue Seven–    Would Ja? 2:49
Written-By – Manning Sherwin
17    Clarence Williams' Blue Seven–    Senegalese Stomp 2:37
Written-By – Clarence Todd
18    Joe Sims (And Clarence Williams–    What Do You Know About That? 2:55
Vocals – Clarence Williams, Joe Sims
Written-By – Unknown Artist
19    Joe Sims (And Clarence Williams–    Shut Your Mouth 3:11
Vocals – Clarence Williams, Joe Sims
Written-By – Unknown Artist
20    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    Gravier Street Blues 3:00
Written-By – Clarence Williams
21    Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings–    Candy Lips 2:44
Written-By – Lauria, Jackson
22    Clarence Williams' Washboard Four–    Nobody But My Baby Is Getting My Love 2:38
Written-By – Razaf, Williams
23    Clarence Williams' Washboard Four–    Candy Lips 2:43
Vocals – Clarence Williams
Written-By – Lauria, Jackson
Credits :    
Banjo – Leroy Harris (tracks: 16, 17, 20, 21), Mike McKendrick (tracks: 3), Unknown Artist (tracks: 14, 15)
Banjo [?] – Buddy Christian (tracks: 1, 2), Leroy Harris (tracks: 1, 2)
Brass Bass – Cyrus St. Clair (tracks: 16, 17, 20, 21), Ed Bergen (tracks: 3), Unknown Artist (tracks: 1, 2)
Clarinet [?] – Ben Whitted (tracks: 20, 21), Benny Moten (tracks: 20, 21)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Bennie Moten (tracks: 3 to 11, 22, 23), Buster Bailey (tracks: 16, 17), Don Redman (tracks: 1, 2), James Nichols (tracks: 3)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins (tracks: 16, 17), Unknown Artist (tracks: 12 to 15)
Cornet – Bubber Miley (tracks: 1, 2), Ed Allen (tracks: 3 to 11, 22, 23), Thomas Morris (tracks: 1, 2), William Logan (tracks: 3)
Cornet [?] – Addington Major (tracks: 18, 19), Louis Metcalf (tracks: 12 to 15, 18, 19)
Drums, Washboard – Jasper Taylor (tracks: 3 to 11)
Piano – Clarence Williams (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 17, 20 to 23), Fats Waller (tracks: 18, 19)
Piano, Directed By – Joe Jordan (tracks: 3)
Tenor Saxophone – Clarence Miller (tracks: 3)
Trombone – Jimmy Harrison (tracks: 16, 17), Joe Brown (22) (tracks: 3)
Trombone [?] – Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (tracks: 1, 2), John Mayfield (tracks: 14, 15)
Trumpet – Tommy Ladnier (tracks: 16, 17)
Washboard – Bruce Johnson (tracks: 12 to 15), Floyd Casey (tracks: 22, 23)

BENNY CARTER AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1929-1933 | The Classics Chronological Series – 522 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The European Classics series has been reissuing on CD the complete output of many top jazz artists of the '20s and '30s. Benny Carter's music at last receives the treatment it deserves in this program. His first volume features the great altoist with a pickup group (the Chocolate Dandies) from 1929-30 that showcases sidemen from Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra, with his own orchestra in 1932-33 (three of the five numbers have rare vocals from Carter) and on 11 sides with Spikes Hughes's all-star band, an orchestra that also features trumpeter Red Allen, trombonist Dicky Wells, Wayman Carver on flute and the tenors of Coleman Hawkins and Chu Berry. This is wonderful and, in many cases, formerly rare music. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    The Little Chocolate Dandies–    That's How I Feel Today 2:57
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Alto Saxophone, Written-By – Don Redman
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Drums – George Stafford
Piano – Fats Waller
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – J.C. Higginbotham
Trumpet – Leonard Davis, Rex Stewart
Tuba – Cyrus St. Clair
2    The Little Chocolate Dandies–    Six Or Seven Times 3:20
Alto Saxophone, Vocals – Benny Carter, Don Redman
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Drums – George Stafford
Piano, Written-By – Fats Waller
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – J.C. Higginbotham
Trumpet – Leonard Davis, Rex Stewart
Tuba – Cyrus St. Clair
Written-By – Mills
3    Chocolate Dandies–    Goodbye Blues 3:17
Alto Saxophone, Arranged By, Vocals, Written-By – Benny Carter
Bass – John Kirby
Guitar – Benny Jackson
Piano – Horace Henderson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Jimmy Harrison
Trumpet – Bobby Stark
4    Chocolate Dandies–    Cloudy Skies 2:55
Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Guitar – Benny Jackson
Piano – Horace Henderson
Tenor Saxophone, Written-By – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Jimmy Harrison
Trumpet – Bobby Stark
Tuba – John Kirby
5    Chocolate Dandies–    Got Another Sweetie Now 2:58
Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Guitar – Benny Jackson
Piano – Horace Henderson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone, Vocals, Written-By – Jimmy Harrison
Trumpet – Bobby Stark
Tuba – John Kirby
6    Chocolate Dandies–    Bugle Call Rag 2:49
Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Guitar – Benny Jackson
Piano – Horace Henderson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Jimmy Harrison
Trumpet – Bobby Stark
Tuba – John Kirby
Written-By – Schoebel, Mills, Pettis
7    Chocolate Dandies–    Dee Blues 2:54
Clarinet, Arranged By, Written-By – Benny Carter
Guitar – Benny Jackson
Piano – Horace Henderson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Jimmy Harrison
Trumpet – Bobby Stark
Tuba – John Kirby
8    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Tell All Your Day Dreams To Me 2:54
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Wayman Carver
Bass [String Bass] – Richard Fullbright
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Directed By – Benny Carter
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Unknown Artist
Piano – Teddy Wilson
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – Dickie Wells
Trumpet – Frank Newton, Louis Bacon, Unknown Artist
Vocals – Unknown Artist
Written-By – James, Seitter
9    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Swing It 3:11
Alto Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Bass [String Bass] – Ernest Hill
Drums, Vibraphone – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis, Shad Collins
Trumpet, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Directed By – Benny Carter
Written-By – Bretz, Weitz
10    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Synthetic Love 3:28
Alto Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Bass [String Bass] – Ernest Hill
Drums, Vibraphone – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis, Shad Collins
Trumpet, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Directed By, Written-By – Benny Carter
Written-By – Mills, Washington
11    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Six Bells Stampede 2:39
Alto Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Bass [String Bass] – Ernest Hill
Drums, Vibraphone – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis, Shad Collins
Trumpet, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Directed By – Benny Carter
Written-By – Hughes
12    Benny Carter And His Orchestra–    Love, You're Not The One For Me 3:32
Alto Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Bass [String Bass] – Ernest Hill
Drums, Vibraphone – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis, Shad Collins
Trumpet, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Directed By, Written-By – Benny Carter
13    Spike Hughes And His Negro Orchestra–    Nocturne 2:57
Bass [String Bass] – Ernest Hill
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Howard Johnson, Wayman Carver
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Directed By, Arranged By, Written-By – Spike Hughes
Drums – Kaiser Marshall
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Trombone – Dicky Wells, George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis, Shad Collins
14    Spike Hughes And His Negro Orchestra–    Someone Stole Gabriel's Horn 3:03
Bass [String Bass] – Ernest Hill
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Howard Johnson, Wayman Carver
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Vocals – Benny Carter
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Directed By, Arranged By – Spike Hughes
Drums – Kaiser Marshall
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Trombone – Dicky Wells, George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis, Shad Collins
Written-By – Hayes, Mills, Washington
15    Spike Hughes And His Negro Orchestra–    Pastorale 3:10
Bass [String Bass] – Ernest Hill
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Howard Johnson, Wayman Carver
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Directed By, Arranged By, Written-By – Spike Hughes
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Trombone – Dicky Wells, George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis, Shad Collins
16    Spike Hughes And His Negro Orchestra–    Bugle Call Rag 2:51
Bass [String Bass] – Ernest Hill
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Howard Johnson, Wayman Carver
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Directed By, Arranged By – Spike Hughes
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Trombone – Dicky Wells, George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis, Shad Collins
Written-By – Meyer, Schoebel, Pettis
17    Spike Hughes And His Negro Orchestra–    Arabesque 3:03
Bass [String Bass] – Ernest Hill
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Howard Johnson
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Wayman Carver
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Directed By, Arranged By, Written-By – Spike Hughes
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – Dicky Wells, George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis
Trumpet, Vocals – Henry Allen
18    Spike Hughes And His Negro Orchestra–    Fanfare 2:52
Bass [String Bass] – Ernest Hill
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Howard Johnson
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Wayman Carver
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Directed By, Arranged By – Spike Hughes
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Luis Russell
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – Dicky Wells, George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis
Trumpet, Vocals – Henry Allen
Traditional
19    Spike Hughes And His Negro Orchestra–    Sweet Sorrow Blues 3:02
Bass [String Bass] – Ernest Hill
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Howard Johnson
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Wayman Carver
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Directed By, Arranged By – Spike Hughes
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Luis Russell
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – Dicky Wells, George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis
Trumpet, Vocals – Henry Allen
Written-By – Traditional
20    Spike Hughes And His Negro Orchestra–    Music At Midnight 2:42
Bass [String Bass] – Ernest Hill
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter, Howard Johnson
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Wayman Carver
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Directed By, Arranged By – Spike Hughes
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Luis Russell
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – Dicky Wells, George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis
Trumpet, Vocals – Henry Allen
Written-By – Unknown Artist
21    Spike Hughes And His Negro Orchestra–    Sweet Sue - Just You 2:59
Bass [String Bass] – Spike Hughes
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Wayman Carver
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – Dicky Wells
Trumpet, Vocals – Henry Allen
Written-By – Young, Harris
22    Spike Hughes And His Negro Orchestra–    Air In D Flat 3:00
Bass [String Bass] – Ernest Hill
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Wayman Carver
Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Directed By, Arranged By – Spike Hughes
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – Dicky Wells, George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Howard Scott
Trumpet [Possibly] – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis
Trumpet, Vocals – Henry Allen
Written-By – Unknown Artist
23    Spike Hughes And His Negro Orchestra–    Donegal Cradle Song 3:00
Bass [String Bass] – Ernest Hill
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Wayman Carver
Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Directed By, Arranged By, Written-By – Spike Hughes
Drums – Sid Catlett
Guitar – Lawrence Lucie
Piano – Rod Rodriguez
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trombone – Dicky Wells, George Washington, Wilbur De Paris
Trumpet – Howard Scott
Trumpet [Possibly] – Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis
Trumpet, Vocals – Henry Allen