BEN WEBSTER – 1946-1951 | The Chronogical Classics – 1253 (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This volume in the Chronological Classics Ben Webster series is a fascinating slice during a wildly transitional period for the saxophonist. In the years between 1946-1951, Webster made numerous jumps as evidenced by these tracks, from the glorious jumping big swing of "The Jeep Is Jumpin'" while he was with Bill De Arango to the searing bebop of "Dark Corners" (with some blazing guitar work by De Arango) to the small-combo hard bop of "Randle's Island" to the bluesy, near soul-jazz balladry of "You're My Thrill." In Webster's company are some masters to be sure, including Maynard Ferguson, Al Haig, Big Sid Catlett, Bill Coleman, Benny Carter, Tony Scott, Buster Moten, and Gerald Wiggins, to name a few. This is varied set in terms of style, but these performances (and sound) are consistently fine.
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Tracklist :
1 The Jeep Is Jumpin'  2:57
Duke Ellington / Johnny Hodges
2 I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)  2:56
Duke Ellington / Paul Francis Webster
3 Dark Corners 3:02
Ben Webster
 4 Mister Brim 3:15
Bill DeArango
 5 Frog and Mule 3:09
Ben Webster
 6 Spang 2:41
Ben Webster
7 Doctor Keets 3:16
Ben Webster
8 Park and Tilford Blues 3:18
Ben Webster
9 As Long As I Live 2:25
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
10 All Alone 2:57
Irving Berlin
11 Blue Belles of Harlem 2:57
Duke Ellington
12 Turn It Over 2:38
Bennie Moten
13 That Dit It 2:47
Bennie Moten
14 Best Friend Blues 3:08
Bennie Moten / Bessie Smith
15 Baby You Messed Up 2:20
Bessie Smith
16 Randle's Island 3:16
Ben Webster
17 Old Folks 2:55
Dedette Lee Hill / Willard Robison
18 King's Riff 3:14
Ben Webster
19 You're My Thrill 3:06
Sidney Clare / Jay Gorney

NAT "KING" COLE – 1944-1945 | The Chronogical Classics – 861 (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Heads up, everybody! Here comes Volume Five in the Classics Nat King Cole chronology. This portion of the timeline runs from November 28, 1944 to May 23, 1945, charting the singing pianist's professional progress in trio sessions for Capitol and V-Disc as well as a date with the Capitol International Jazzmen, an all-star group composed of trumpeter Bill Coleman and reedmen Buster Bailey, Benny Carter and Coleman Hawkins backed by rhythm section mates Nat King Cole, Oscar Moore, John Kirby and Max Roach. Two of the four titles recorded by this group on March 30, 1945 have vocals by jazzwoman Kay Starr. During this period the King Cole Trio was at the height of their powers as a unit. While the leader's excellent vocals were now beginning to take center stage, the instrumental tracks, for example "A Pile O' Cole" and "A Trio Grooves in Brooklyn" are solid swinging small band jazz at its finest. The three instrumentals that close out this compilation are similarly rewarding. Two of them, Jacques Offenbach's "Barcarolle" and that gentle air from the 1890s, Edward MacDowell's "To a Wild Rose," were not issued to the public until years later. The third tune recorded that day, a flashy treatment of Maceo Pinkard's "Sweet Georgia Brown," came out on a 78 rpm platter as Capitol 239. It will satisfy anyone looking for a rousing example of how this trio sounded with the throttle wide open. arwulf arwulf
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JOHNNY DODDS – 1928-1940 | The Chronogical Classics – 635 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

By 1928 and '29 jazz was beginning to mature and recording technology was growing up along with it. Even taking into account his remarkable accomplishments on phonograph records from 1923 through early 1928, the exciting material gathered together on this disc represents -- without question -- some of the very best jazz ever recorded by New Orleans/Chicago clarinet archetype Johnny Dodds. On the first 11 selections, Natty Dominique blows one tough little cornet, and Bill Johnson's bull fiddle comes across more clearly and dramatically than ever before. Throughout the 1920s, many bands relied on the tuba to provide the bassline on their recordings. Bolstered by the Victor Record company's superior equipment, Johnson's pulsing, visceral viol carries everyone along on a tonal current of unforgettable intensity. Anybody interested in trombonist Honore Dutrey should listen closely as this has got to be some of his best work on record. There's nothing quite like hearing Baby Dodds using the washboard as a neat, precise percussion tool. All the same it's refreshing when he switches to the drum kit and Lil Hardin Armstrong presides at the ivories. "Heah Me Talkin'" is a triumph, "Goober Dance" is pleasantly weird, and "Indigo Stomp" a wonderful ritual for piano, clarinet and bass fiddle. At that same session Johnny's group backed blueswoman Sippie Wallace on one song. This would be the only time Sippie and Johnny would collaborate in the studio. "I'm a Mighty Tight Woman" is a remarkable document, one of the strongest performances that this singer ever put across. The Paramount Pickers and Beale Street Washboard Band sessions are a delight, the sort of music you can go back and revisit regularly. The crowning glory of this collection is the inclusion of eight Decca recordings from 1938 and '40 that constitute the phonographic last will and testament of Johnny Dodds. Hearing his noble clarinet resounding in the same company as Charlie Shavers, John Kirby, Lonnie Johnson, Teddy Bunn, and the mighty Richard M. Jones brings out all of the best qualities in each musician. With O'Neill Spencer singing, drumming and rubbing on a washboard, we're faced with fully half of the John Kirby Sextet, a decidedly modern contingent mingling perfectly with players whose experience reached back towards the very beginnings of recorded jazz. arwulf arwulf  
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LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1937-1938 | The Chronogical Classics – 524 (1990) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

In 1937, vibraphonist Lionel Hampton began leading a series of all-star swing recording dates. Although he would still be a member of Benny Goodman's organization for another three years, Hampton was a natural-born leader and his record dates featured top sidemen from a variety of major jazz bands. This CD begins the chronological reissue of all of this music (except alternate takes). Hampton is teamed with players from the Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington orchestras plus a large assortment of guests. Among the many highlights are "Hampton Stomp" (featuring Hampton playing rapid lines on the piano with two fingers), "Stompology," Johnny Hodges on "On the Sunny Side of the Street," and some good spots for Jonah Jones' trumpet. Scott Yanow
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LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1938-1939 | The Chronogical Classics – 534 (1990) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Lionel Hampton's series of record dates leading all-star swing bands produced some of the more exciting music of the late '30s. Just on this CD alone, Hampton led groups with musicians drawn from the Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, Cab Calloway, and Benny Goodman big bands, among others. Among the more notable performances are Benny Carter's "I'm in the Mood for Swing," a swing version of Jelly Roll Morton's "Shoe Shiner's Drag," tenor saxophonist Chu Berry having one of his best showcases on "Sweethearts on Parade," and a romp on "Twelfth Street Rag." Through it all, Hampton (whether on vibes, two-fingered piano, drums, or singing) often steals the show. Scott Yanow
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HENRY "RED" ALLEN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1933-1935 | The Chronogical Classics – 551 (1990) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The second of five CDs put out by the European Classics label that document trumpeter Red Allen's 1929-41 recordings has three titles from a session co-led with tenor-saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, eight songs from 1934 and a dozen from the following year. Allen takes vocals on most of the tracks and, even if not all of the songs are gems, there are many highlights including "Pardon My Southern Accent," "Rug Cutter Swing," "Believe It, Beloved," "Rosetta" and "Truckin'." The strong supporting cast includes trombonists Dickie Wells and J.C. Higginbotham, clarinetists Buster Bailey and Cecil Scott and, on one date, tenorman Chu Berry. All five of the Red Allen Classics CDs are recommended. Scott Yanow
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WILLIE "THE LION" SMITH – 1937-1938 | The Chronogical Classics – 677 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second Classics CD in their Willie "The Lion" Smith series is surprisingly weak. Of the 25 selections, 21 actually feature the dated organ of Milt Herth. Smith's presence in the trio (with drummer-vocalist O'Neil Spencer) fails to uplift the music (Herth's wheezing organ mostly drowns him out) although guitarist Teddy Bunn helps a bit on the last seven numbers. Easily the best selections on the CD are two songs performed by Willie "The Lion" Smith and His Cubs (a septet with trumpeter Frankie Newton and clarinetist Buster Bailey) and a pair of duets with drummer Spencer on Smith's own "Passionette" and "Morning Air." But the preceding and following volumes in this program are much more valuable. Scott Yanow
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ROY ELDRIDGE – 1935-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 725 (1993) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Although the recordings made by the Delta Four on December 20, 1935, were not issued under the leadership of Roy Eldridge, they form the perfect beginning for a chronological survey of Eldridge's adventures as a major influential artist in the evolution of jazz trumpet between Louis Armstrong in the 1920s and Dizzy Gillespie in the 1940s. The Delta Four were one fine little swing machine. Their "Farewell Blues" has a solid bounce and Eldridge seems to sail over the heads of the rhythm players during "Swingin' at the Famous Door." In 1936 Eldridge's orchestra was equipped with Chu Berry, Buster Bailey, John Kirby, and Sid Catlett. A pity listeners only get to hear one example of this band's handiwork, as Decca rejected its recording of "Christopher Columbus" and apparently asked for nothing more out of this powerful ensemble. In January of 1937 Eldridge managed to make a handful of records for Vocalion. His brother Joe Eldridge wrote arrangements and played alto next to Scoops Carry in the reed department. With Dave Young blowing tenor and Truck Parham in the rhythm section alongside Zutty Singleton, this was one hell of a band. Eldridge cut a lot of versions of "After You've Gone" over the years. The one heard here, with a vocal by Gladys Palmer, predates the famous funny false-start versions of the '40s. Regarding the singers heard on this CD, they're OK but Eldridge is the best. His delightful rendition of "You're a Lucky Guy" feels like a sweet premonition of Billie Holiday's version, which was recorded a couple of months later for Vocalion. The Eldridge Orchestra as heard on the 1939 Varsity recordings featured reedmen Franz Jackson and Prince Robinson, with pianists Kenny Kersey and Clyde Hart. Bassist Ted Sturgis was highlighted during a hot stomp for big band entitled "Pluckin' the Bass." Milt Hinton had ground out his own version of this tune -- composed by the Eldridge brothers -- with Cab Calloway's Orchestra several months prior to the recording heard here. Eldridge's band also blew off some steam working up the old traditional numbers "High Society" and "Muskrat Ramble." This chronological grab bag finishes up with four handsome if conventional big-band recordings from February 1940 by Freddie Rich & His Orchestra. The vocal tracks are not especially substantial. What distinguished this band was the collective presence of Roy Eldridge, Benny Carter, Babe Russin, Clyde Hart, and Hayes Alvis. Only the instrumentals -- "Till We Meet Again" and "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" -- really carry any weight. arwulf arwulf
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RED NORVO AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1938-1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1192 (2001) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This is the fourth volume in the chronologically reissued recordings of Red Norvo on Classics. Norvo was married to Mildred Bailey from 1933-1939, and they made a lot of records together. Every side that appeared under her own name has been brought out in a parallel series, while all those originally issued under the heading of the Red Norvo Orchestra are woven into the Norvo chronology. That is why there are several volumes in the Red Norvo story that feel a lot like chapters in the life and times of Mildred Bailey. This feisty little woman was at her best when singing wistful songs of love and longing in her rather small, warmly pleasant voice. She would also dig right into a hot swing number and could occasionally be heard encouraging the band with little energetic exclamations, slightly off-mike. With one exception, all of her performances on this disc have merit. Unable to shake an apparent penchant for topical inanities caricaturing ethnic minorities, Norvo and Bailey opted for something called "Wigwammin'." Recorded in June 1938, this trite piece of rubbish trivializes life on an Indian reservation with stupid lyrics and periodic choruses of Hollywood-style "Indian" war whoops from the band. Bailey sings on 11 out of 23 tracks, and thankfully the rest of her thematic choices were more dignified. "Put Your Heart in a Song" and "The Sunny Side of Things" constitute a pair of optimistic essays brimming with good advice. "Jump Jump's Here" is a smart strut, sounding like one of Lil Hardin Armstrong's enthusiastic routines. "Cuckoo in the Clock" and "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" typify Bailey's approach to the silly novelty genre. Fats Waller's version of Ella Fitzgerald's "Tasket" tune, recorded in London exactly one month to the day after Mildred's, would out-swing everybody else's renditions, including Ella's original. Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer's "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby," introduced in the 1938 motion picture Jezebel, comes across like a charmingly antiquated piece of vaudeville, maybe even a throwback to the Paul Whiteman orchestra where Norvo and Bailey first met. This apparently deliberate spoof of older-styled entertainment features a rather funny, stilted vocal by "the Three Ickkies" -- Norvo, Bailey, and a guy by the name of Terry Allen. An ickkey, of course, was the official hep-talk tag for an un-hip individual. Speaking of ickkies, Norvo chose to sacrifice six entire tunes to Terry Allen, a morbidly tepid vocalist when left to his own designs. Only the band and the leader's xylophone solos redeem those ill-starred selections. Each of the five instrumental tracks are solidly swung, with the two Charlie Shavers compositions -- "Undecided" and "Rehearsin' for a Nervous Breakdown" -- sounding exceptionally fine. [Note that the enclosed discography contains a factual error, something relatively uncommon for the Classics label. Although personnel on the session dated September 29, 1938, lists essentially the John Kirby Sextet plus Red Norvo, this cannot be the case, as the Norvo big band is clearly audible, trombones and all.] The Norvo orchestra's personnel began to change, and irreversible damage was sustained when clarinetist Hank D'Amico left during the spring of 1939 to join Richard Himber. By June of that year, Norvo's orchestra would dissolve, paving the way for an entirely new phase of his career. arwulf arwulf  
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MILDRED BAILEY – 1932-1936 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1080 (1999) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Two dozen recordings made by Bailey between 1932 and 1936 form this important chapter in the chronological review of her best work. This is right at the time she left Paul Whiteman's band and started recording on her own, often in the company of top-notch jazz artists like the Dorsey Brothers, Bunny Berigan, Teddy Wilson, Johnny Hodges, Artie Shaw, and future husband Red Norvo. As always, Bailey's timing is impeccable, her intonation nigh perfect, and the songs -- even the poppier offerings -- all swing like crazy. Cub Koda
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MILDRED BAILEY – 1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1187 (2001) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This is volume five in the Classics Mildred Bailey chronology. It contains all of the Vocalion records she made between January 18 and June 14, 1939. For all of her concessions to mainstream pop culture, Mildred Bailey was a blues-inflected jazz singer with traditional roots reaching back into the early '20s. Each of the ensembles featured on this particular compilation are decidedly hipper than most of her previous backup bands. Bailey's March 16, 1939 session with pianist Mary Lou Williams, guitarist Floyd Smith, bassist John Williams and drummer Eddie Dougherty resulted in a series of fine and soulful renderings of old time melodies like the "Arkansas Blues," "Gulf Coast Blues," "You Don't Know My Mind Blues" and Russ Columbo's "Prisoner of Love." Sixteen of this compilation's 22 tracks feature the John Kirby Sextet. This brilliant and creatively concise group had a frontline of trumpeter Charlie Shavers, clarinetist Buster Bailey and alto saxophonist Russell Procope; its well-oiled rhythm section contained pianist Billy Kyle, bassist John Kirby and drummer O'Neill Spencer. This little band was capable of handling material from the jazz, pop and European classical traditions; the Bailey/Kirby magic is most evident on Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine," Ziggy Elman's "And the Angels Sing," Lovie Austin and Alberta Hunter's "Down Hearted Blues" and the "Tit Willow" aria from Gilbert & Sullivan's Mikado. On most of the Kirby sides, xylophonist Red Norvo can be heard obviously enjoying the opportunity to collaborate with exceptionally gifted improvisers. Premonitions of things to come! Norvo dissolved his big band in June 1939, not long after the recording of "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles," and began working with smaller, more modern-sounding ensembles. While Red Norvo would become an integral participant in the bop revolution of the '40s and '50s, Mildred Bailey's career gradually decelerated during the '40s, particularly after her health began to deteriorate. The records she cut during the first half of 1939 add up to some of the best music she ever made. For that reason, this particular installment in Mildred Bailey's Classics chronology is most highly recommended. arwulf arwulf  
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MILDRED BAILEY – 1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1160 (2001) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This fourth volume in the Classics Mildred Bailey chronology presents all of her Vocalion recordings made between April 19 and December 8, 1938. This was the big time for Bailey and her xylophonist husband Red Norvo; of the many records they made together, those issued under Norvo's name appear in his own Classics chronology, and everything that came out under the heading of Mildred Bailey & Her Orchestra has been assigned to her own portion of this label's historical reissue series. Most of Mildred's 1938 recordings found her comfortably backed by Red Norvo's big band; two important names in this well-knit ensemble were clarinetist Hank D'Amico and drummer George Wettling. On September 29, 1938, Red Norvo and Mildred Bailey made an excellent pair of recordings with the John Kirby Sextet. Certainly this little group's rendering of W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues" belongs with some of Mildred Bailey's all-time greatest recorded performances. Human error presents collectors with a potentially confusing conundrum: according to a footnote amended to Classics 1225 [Mildred Bailey 1939-1940], the version of "St. Louis Blues" heard here was actually recorded on January 18, 1939, which means it should have appeared on Classics 1187 [Mildred Bailey 1939]. Initially rejected by the folks at Vocalion, the "St. Louis Blues" recorded on September 29, 1938 has been grafted onto Classics 1225. Both versions are excellent. Got that? arwulf arwulf  
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MILDRED BAILEY – 1939-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1225 (2002) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Volume Six in Mildred Bailey's Classics chronology is truly a mixed bag of recordings cut for Vocalion and Columbia between June 27, 1939 and January 25, 1940, with two initially rejected items from September 1938 tacked on like a couple of lost cabooses. The first four tracks feature the John Kirby Sextet-plus-Red Norvo combination that worked so well earlier in the year (see Mildred Bailey's previous volume on Classics). The first three in a series of titles associated with the tradition of American Negro Spirituals find Mildred Bailey collaborating with a vocal group known as the Charioteers. This is one of several sessions heard on this compilation that took place under the direction of composer and arranger Alec Wilder, using 'chamber' instrumentalists like that master of the oboe and Cor anglais, Mitch Miller. This kind of production worked best when Bailey's voice was able to wrap itself around truly wonderful lyrics and melodies like "All the Things You Are," "Easy to Love" and "They Can't Take That Away from Me." Jazz-wise, in addition to the aforementioned John Kirby tracks, the hippest recordings here are "Blue Rain" and "I Shoulda Stood In Bed" waxed on November 3, 1939 in the company of saxophonist Ben Webster and pianist Teddy Wilson. Although Mildred Bailey's duet with Roy Eldridge on "Wham" sounds a bit self-conscious, she manages quite well with that famous exercise in Yiddish hep talk, "A Bee Gezindt." arwulf arwulf  
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ELLA FITZGERALD – 1935-1937 | The Classics Chronological Series – 500 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first of six Ella Fitzgerald CDs in the European label Classics "complete" series has her earliest 25 recordings with two numbers ("My Melancholy Baby" and "All My Life") from a session with Teddy Wilson, three songs (including "Goodnight My Love") cut with Benny Goodman's big band, four tunes from her initial session as a leader and the remainder with Chick Webb's Orchestra which mainly acted as a backup band for the young singer. Even at the age of 17, Ella Fitzgerald had a beautiful voice and a strong sense of swing (although she would not seriously scat for another decade). "I'll Chase the Blues Away," "When I Get Low I Get High," "Sing Me a Swing Song" and "You'll Have to Swing It" are among the highpoints of this fine set. Scott Yanow
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MIDGE WILLIAMS AND HER JAZZ JESTERS – 1937-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 745 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

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MAXINE SULLIVAN – 1937-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 963 (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The basic and pleasing vocals of Maxine Sullivan are quite enjoyable. This CD has her first 23 recordings, including three songs originally released under pianist Claude Thornhill's name; Thornhill (who helped discover the singer) is on all of the selections. The original version of "Loch Lomond" is among the highlights and became a huge hit, leading to Sullivan's lightly swinging renditions of other folk songs such as "Darling Nellie Gray" and "Dark Eyes." Joined by such fine musicians as trumpeters Manny Klein, Frank Newton, Charlie Shavers and Bobby Hackett (all of whom are heard from briefly), along with the future members of the John Kirby Sextet, Maxine Sullivan is heard throughout in her early prime (she was 26-27 years old during this period). Recommended. Scott Yanow  
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MAXINE SULLIVAN – 1938-1941 | The Classics Chronological Series – 991 (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second Classics CD in their Maxine Sullivan series has all of the subtle singer's recordings from a 2½-year period. Since "Loch Lomond" had been such a big hit, Sullivan was persuaded to record quite a few Scottish folk songs in a similar light swing style. Included on this CD from that idiom are such numbers as "I Dream of Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair," "Drink to Me With Thine Eyes," "Turtle Dove," "If I Had a Ribbon Bow," "Molly Malone," and "Barbara Allen." Although those performances are enjoyable, the actual high points of this release are such tunes as "It Ain't Necessarily So," "Ill Wind," "The Hour of Parting" and "What a Difference a Day Made." Sullivan, who was in her early prime during this era, is accompanied by five different units, including the John Kirby Sextet, Benny Carter's big band (for two numbers), such players as Bobby Hackett and Bud Freeman, and an octet that includes two clarinets, a bass clarinet, bassoon and Mitch Miller on oboe. Recommended, if not as essential as Sullivan's previous 1937-38 Classics CD. Scott Yanow  
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MAXINE SULLIVAN – 1941-1946 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1020 (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although not as essential as the first Classics Maxine Sullivan CD, this set has its strong moments too. Sullivan was always a simple and subtle singer who swung lightly and mostly stuck to the melody while uplifting the themes with her intelligent expressiveness. The first eight selections on this disc find her joined by the John Kirby Sextet on such numbers as a remake of "Loch Lomond," "St. Louis Blues" and "My Ideal." The two numbers from March 19, 1942 ("Beside the River Clyde" and "How Do I Know It's Real") list the singer as again being joined by Kirby's Sextet but the backup group is clearly larger and using slightly different instrumentation. Sullivan is also heard backed by a rhythm section and strings on four selections, on two numbers apiece with the Teddy Wilson Quintet and Benny Carter's Orchestra (the young tenor Dexter Gordon has a solo on "Looking for a Boy"), and performing six tunes (including several remakes) with strings, the prominent harp of Laura Newell, a rhythm section, and clarinetist Hank D'Amico. The 1944-46 titles have also been reissued by Tono, although the 1941-42 selections with Kirby have long been scarce. In her early to mid-'30s at the time, Maxine Sullivan sounds both youthful and mature during her interpretations, very much in prime form. Scott Yanow  
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TEDDY WILSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1934-1935 | The Classics Chronological Series – 508 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

There have been several overlapping reissue programs covering the material in the Classics series, especially the many Teddy Wilson recordings in which the pianist accompanied Billie Holiday. This particular CD has Wilson's first five sessions as a leader. He is heard on four fairly rare piano solos from 1934 (a year before he became a member of the Benny Goodman Trio), six other solos from October 7 and November 22, 1935, and on two band dates that resulted in nine numbers (including seven Billie Holiday vocals); the sidemen include trumpeter Roy Eldridge, tenorman Ben Webster, and (on three songs) clarinetist Benny Goodman. Lady Day's "What a Little Moonlight Can Do" and "I Wished on the Moon" are famous classics. Scott Yanow
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TEDDY WILSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 556 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In addition to ten Billie Holiday vocals that are easily available elsewhere (best is "They Say"), this CD has some Wilson piano solos, a few rare Nan Wynn vocals and a band instrumental of "Jungle Love" with cornetist Bobby Hackett, clarinetist Pee Wee Russell, and altoist Johnny Hodges. Excellent music, but the best tracks have been reissued many times, making this CD of less interest than most of the other Classics. Scott Yanow
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