JIMMIE NOONE – 1923-1928 | The Classics Chronological Series – 604 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The material on Jimmie Noone's 1923-1928 is great; however, fans of New Orleans jazz should keep both eyes open in order not to get caught up in a web of duplication. In the end it would be insulting to downgrade the music itself simply because reissue companies more than half a century later insisted on stepping on each other's toes. The identical year that this release came out on the Classics imprint, the French EPM Musique line saw fit to put out many of the same tracks under the name of trumpeter Freddie Keppard. Both Keppard and Noone played in various bands led by Doc Cook, and it is these sessions by such groups as the Doc Cook Dreamland Orchestra that make up the bulk of both the Noone and Keppard collections. As if this wasn't confusing enough, the French company put out the material again in 1998 with a slightly different cover. Meanwhile the great Cook has yet to have his recipes brought to the table under his own name, but that's the music business for you. Noone created the balance of the material on the Classics set with his own Apex Orchestra, all told bringing the total number of different titles up to 23. It is a bit less material than on the French sides, which substitute the Noone bandleading efforts for tracks by the Erskine Tate Vendome Orchestra. Noone collectors will be thus forced into nabbing the Classics CD whether they have one or both of the other sets anyway, but hopefully should not be dissapointed by the lively, well-played music. In all cases it is a chance to experience a side of New Orleans jazz that has gotten much less play than the better-known small-combo styles. Eugene Chadbourne
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JIMMIE NOONE – 1928-1929 | The Classics Chronological Series – 611 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Among Classics many Jimmie Noone discs, this collection of sides from 1928-1929 stands as the best. How could it not, what with it's wealth of top-notch material Noone and pianist Earl Hines cut while flourishing in the Chicago club scene. And while the overall quality of the ensemble playing is a bit subpar at times -- certainly, there's not much here to compare to Hines' contemporary triumphs with Louis Armstrong -- the sheer joy and deftness heard in Noone's solos and Hines' backing make for an enjoyable listen throughout. Along with picaresque Noone vocals like "Four of Five Times" and "Ready For the River," the 23-track mix includes such classics as "Apex Blues," "A Monday Date," and "Sweet Lorraine." This works very nicely as a generous and concise roundup of some of Noone's best work. Stephen Cook
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JIMMIE NOONE – 1929-1930 | The Classics Chronological Series – 632 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

One of the more overlooked virtuosos of the early jazz period, clarinetist Jimmie Noone followed the hallowed path from New Orleans to Chicago and established himself alongside King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, and Earl Hines. He first cut his teeth with Oliver in the late teens, then recorded some of his most mature work with Hines in 1928. This Classics disc picks up the story from 1929-1930, with 24 tracks featuring Noone accompanied by clarinetist Joe Poston, banjo man Junie Cobb, and cornet player George Mitchell. And although his sidemen are good, Noone's fleet touch, randy phrasing, and sweet tone are what capture the attention. The mix varies from gully low vocals by May Alix ("My Daddy Rocks Me") to fine instrumentals of the obscure ("El Rado Scuffle") and hit ("Apex Blues") variety. This is a solid disc, but newcomers may want to first check out the more essential 1928-1929 Classics release. Stephen Cook  
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