LOUIS JORDAN AND HIS TYMPANY FIVE – 1947-1949 | The Chronogical Classics – 1134 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Louis Jordan was at the height of his fame during the period covered by this Classics CD. His last session from 1947 is here along with the music recorded during his first five recording dates of 1949. Among the hits are "Safe, Sane and Single," "Beans and Corn Bread," "School Days," and the two-part "Saturday Night Fish Fry." Jordan's Tympany Five had grown to seven pieces by late 1947 and expanded to nine in 1949; among his sidemen were trumpeter Aaron Izenhall, Eddie Johnson, or Josh Jackson on tenor and pianist (and future organist) Bill Doggett. In addition to such favorites as "Don't Burn the Candle at Both Ends," the catchy "Cole Slaw," and "Hungry Man," there are two songs ("Baby, It's Cold Outside" and "Don't Cry, Cry Baby") in which Jordan shares the vocals with Ella Fitzgerald. Highly enjoyable music. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1945-1946 | The Chronogical Classics – 922 (1997) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The sixth CD in Classics' series of Lionel Hampton records documents his music during a one-year period. Hampton's big band, riding high after "Flying Home," continued to grow in popularity during this era. The vibraphonist's showmanship and his sidemen's extroverted solos generated constant excitement, as can be heard throughout these 20 selections. With the exception of Dinah Washington's lone vocal on "Blow Top Blues" and the original version of "Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop," most of the selections were formerly a bit rare, including a pair of rollicking V-disc performances ("Vibe Boogie" and "Screamin' Boogie"). Hampton is heard on 14 numbers with his big band (which included such key sidemen as trumpeter Joe Morris, tenorman Arnett Cobb, the eccentric Herbie Fields on alto and clarinet, and pianist Milt Buckner), four workouts with a septet, and two tunes (including a pair of vocals) with a rhythm quartet. Bing Crosby guests on so-so versions of "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie" and "On the Sunny Side of the Street" (sounding very much out of place), but otherwise, everything works. Stirring and accessible music. Scott Yanow
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ARNETT COBB AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1946-1947 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1071 (1999) FLAC (tracks), lossless

For many, Arnett Cobb is the prototypical "Texas Tenor." His robust tone and aggressive playing were highlighted both with Lionel Hampton's band and later on his own recordings. This 20-track set chronicles all of Cobb's work under his own name, as well as sides with Milt Buckner and Herbie Fields with the Hamptone All Stars. Highlights include the bluesy "Down Home," "Still Flyin'," "Running With Ray," and "Cobb's Idea." Cub Koda
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BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1936 | The Classics Chronological Series – 817 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Here's a chronological survey of studio recordings made by Benny Goodman with his trio and orchestra for the Victor label during the spring and summer of 1936 in New York, Chicago, and Hollywood. Riding on solid arrangements by Horace Henderson ("Walk, Jennie, Walk"), Fletcher Henderson ("Remember," "I Would Do Anything for You," "I've Found a New Baby," "You Turned the Tables on Me," and "Down South Camp Meeting"), Spud Murphy, and Jimmy Mundy, it's obvious why this big band went over so well. Mundy's arrangements of Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood" and his own "House Hop" dramatically demonstrate the Goodman orchestra's famously fine approach to making music for slow dancers and jitterbugs alike. Two trio sessions with Teddy Wilson and Gene Krupa produced ripping hot versions of "China Boy" and "Nobody's Sweetheart," a rock-solid "Oh, Lady Be Good," a gorgeous and reflective "More Than You Know," and a pair of pretty love songs sung by Helen Ward, who also pipes up on five of the big-band tracks. At this point in the Goodman orchestra's evolution, the influence of Fletcher Henderson was strongly felt. Today, decades after his demise, Henderson is finally acknowledged as the concealed genius behind some of Benny Goodman's very best recorded performances. arwulf arwulf
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WYNONIE HARRIS – 1945-1947 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1013 (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second Classics CD to feature blues singer Wynonie Harris' recordings as a leader finds him in the period right before he signed with the King label. The five four-song sessions on this disc (all quite jazz oriented) were cut for Hamp-Tone, Bullet, and Aladdin. First, Harris (who sounds quite enthusiastic in every setting) sings three numbers (including a two-part "Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop") with a combo taken from the Lionel Hampton big band. The Bullet date was quite rare. Recorded in Nashville, it finds Harris backed by local players including Sun Ra in his first recording. Ra's piano is well featured throughout including on "Dig This Boogie." Harris is also heard with a Leonard Feather-organized band that includes trumpeter Joe Newman, altoist Tab Smith, and tenor-saxophonist Allen Eager ("Mr. Blues Jumped the Rabbit" is the best-known selection), with an obscure backup band in New York (including for "Ghost of a Chance," an odd departure with a vocal group) and sharing the spotlight with Big Joe Turner on three numbers (including a slightly disorganized two-part "Battle of the Blues"). Throughout, Wynonie Harris sounds like he was ready for stardom. Recommended. Scott Yanow
All Tracks & Credits :

WYNONIE HARRIS – 1947-1949 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1139 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The third in the Classics label's series of the recordings of Wynonie Harris traces the blues/early R&B singer's career from just before the recording strike of 1948 up until the end of 1949. The seven sessions (all originally recorded for King) are not as well-known as Harris' earlier material, but they definitely have their moments of interest. Harris is typically exuberant throughout, and the highlights include "Wynonie's Boogie," "Good Morning Mr. Blues," "Crazy Love," "Good Rockin' Tonight" (a major hit), "Grandma Plays the Numbers," "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee," and "All She Wants to Do Is Rock." Heard from in the impressive backup groups are trumpeters "Hot Lips" Page, Jesse Drakes, Cat Anderson, and Joe Morris, along with tenors Hal Singer, Tom Archia, and Johnny Griffin. Highly recommended, as are the first two Harris Classics CDs. Fun music. Scott Yanow
All Tracks & Credits :

EVAN PARKER | JOE MORRIS | NATE WOOLEY - Ninth Square (2015) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Temple Elm    9:27
2    Orange George    13:37
3    Wall Crown    7:48
4    Grove State    12:01
5    High Center    6:27
6    Green    7:19
Credits :
Guitar – Joe Morris
Music By – Evan Parker, Joe Morris, Nate Wooley
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Evan Parker
Trumpet – Nate Wooley

ANTHONY BRAXTON | JOE MORRIS - Four Duo Improvisations 2007 (2008) 4CD | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1-1    Improvisation I    1:00:14
2-1    Improvisation II    58:57
3-1    Improvisation III    1:01:29
4-1    Improvisation IV    59:29
Credits :
Guitar, Music By [All Improvisations By] – Joe Morris
Sopranino Saxophone [Eb Sopranino Saxophone], Soprano Saxophone [Bb Soprano Saxophone], Alto Saxophone, Saxophone [C Melody Saxophone], Baritone Saxophone, Bass Saxophone, Contrabass Saxophone, Music By [All Improvisations By], Producer – Anthony Braxton