ANDY KIRK AND HIS TWELVE CLOUDS OF JOY – 1929-1931 | The Classics Chronological Series – 655 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This highly recommended CD from the European Classics label has all of the early recordings of Andy Kirk's Twelve Clouds of Joy, although unfortunately not the alternate takes. The most famous soloists were pianist Mary Lou Williams (who was also responsible for most of the arrangements), violinist Claude Williams (who unfortunately left Kirk before he had his big success in the mid-'30s), and trumpeter Edgar "Puddinghead" Battle, although the lesser-known players mostly fare pretty well too. The selections are primarily hot vintage Kansas City jazz, including such tunes as "Blue Clarinet Stomp," "Cloudy," "Lotta Sax Appeal," "Mary's Idea," and "Once or Twice." This CD concludes with three numbers from 1931 when Kirk's Orchestra was briefly being used to back singer Blanche Calloway (Cab's older sister). Unfortunately, Kirk's ensemble would not record again for another five years, but these early titles -- which give listeners clues as to the big band's evolution -- stand alone as fine 1920s jazz. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Mess-A-Stomp 2:41
Written-By – Williams
2    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Blue Clarinet Stomp 2:48
Written-By – Kirk
3    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Cloudy 2:57
Written-By – Kirk
4    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Casey Jones Special 2:54
Written-By – Kirk
5    John Williams And His Memphis Stompers–    Somepin' Slow And Low 3:09
Written By – Unknown
Written-By [Uncredited] – John Williams
6    John Williams And His Memphis Stompers–    Lotta Sax Appeal 2:30
Written-By – Williams
7    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Corky Stomp 2:40
Written-By – Kirk, Williams
8    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Froggy Bottom 3:10
Written-By – Williams
9    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    I Lost My Gal From Memphis 3:16
Written-By – Tobias, De Rose
10    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Loose Ankles 3:21
Written-By – Kirk, Williams
11    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Snag It 3:07
Written-By – Oliver
12    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Sweet And Hot 3:07
Written-By – Freeman
13    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Mary's Idea 3:07
Written-By – Williams
14    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Once Or Twice 3:00
Written-By – Cobb
15    Seven Little Clouds Of Joy–    Getting' Off A Mess 2:47
Written-By – Williams
16    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Dallas Blues 2:40
Written-By – Wand, Carett
17    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Travellin' That Rocky Road 3:04
Written-By – Lovett / Smith
18    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Honey, Just For You 3:13
Written-By – Freeman
19    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    You Rascal You 2:41
Written-By – Theard
20    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Saturday 3:18
Vocals – Dick Robertson
Written-By – Brooks, Mitchell
21    Andy Kirk And His Twelve Clouds Of Joy–    Sophomore 2:59
Vocals – Dick Robertson
Written-By – Hill, Causer
22    Blanche Calloway And Her Joy Boys–    Casey Jones Blues 3:02
Traditional
23    Blanche Calloway And Her Joy Boys–    There's Rhythm In The River 3:01
Vocals – Blanche Calloway
Written-By – Webster
24    Blanche Calloway And Her Joy Boys–    I Need Lovin' 2:49
Vocals – Blanche Calloway
Written By – Glamor
Written-By – Johnson
Written-By [Uncredited] – Henry Creamer
25    Mary Lou WIlliams–    Margie 2:27
Soloist, Piano – Mary Lou WIlliams
Written-By – Davis, Conrad, Robinson
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – John Williams (tracks: 1 to 14, 16 to 24)
Arranged By – Mary Lou Williams (tracks: 1 to 21)
Banjo – William Dirvin (tracks: 1 to 14, 16 to 21), Bill Dirvin (tracks: 22 to 24)
Bass Saxophone – Andy Kirk (tracks: 1 to 14)
Brass Bass – Andy Kirk (tracks: 1 to 14, 16 to 24)
Clarinet – John Williams (tracks: 2), Lawrence "Slim" Freeman (tracks: 2)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – John Harrington (tracks: 1 to 24)
Directed By – Andy Kirk (tracks: 1 to 14)
Drums – Ben Thigpen (tracks: 22 to 24), Edward McNeil (tracks: 1 to 21)
Guitar – William Dirvin (tracks: 1 to 14, 16 to 21)
Piano – Mary Lou Williams (tracks: 1, 3 to 24)
Tenor Saxophone – Lawrence "Slim" Freeman (tracks: 1, 3 to 14, 16 to 21), Lawrence Freeman (tracks: 22 to 24)
Trombone – Allen Durham (tracks: 1, 3 to 21), Floyd Brady (tracks: 22 to 24)
Trumpet – Edgar Battle (tracks: 9 to 14, 16 to 24), Gene Prince (tracks: 1, 3 to 8), Harry Lawson (tracks: 1, 3 to 24)
Trumpet, Vocals – Clarence Smith (tracks: 22 to 24)
Violin – Claude Williams (tracks: 1 to 14, 16 to 24)
Vocals – Billy Massey (tracks: 9, 14, 16, 18, 19, 22), Lawson (tracks: 2)

ANDY KIRK AND HIS TWELVE CLOUDS OF JOY – 1936-1937 | The Classics Chronological Series – 573 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Andy Kirk Orchestra ended their five-year hiatus from records in March 1936 in a big way, recording ten titles in their first session alone. Mary Lou Williams' arrangements and several strong soloists (including pianist Williams and tenor saxophonist Dick Wilson) gave the band its own musical personality, and their hit recording of "Until the Real Thing Comes Along" (included on this release) made the group a commercial success for a time. Vocalist Pha Terrell's high voice was always an acquired taste, and many of his vocals (other than the hit and "All the Jive Is Gone") are often difficult to sit through. However, most of the songs on this excellent CD are pretty heated, with highlights including "Walkin' and Swingin'," "Lotta Sax Appeal," "Froggy Bottom," "Christopher Columbus" and "The Lady Who Swings the Band." Listeners who are not completists (and the Classics CD series does skip over alternates anyway) may want to acquire GRP/Decca's single CD Mary's Idea instead. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :
1    Walkin' And Swingin' 2:55
Arranged By – Mary Lou Williams
Written-By – Williams
2    Moten Swing 3:06
Written-By – Moten, Moten
3    Lotta Sax Appeal 2:54
Written-By – Williams
4    Git 2:51
Written-By – Williams
5    All The Jive Is Gone 2:36
Written-By – Thompson
6    Froggy Bottom 3:12
Written-By – Williams
7    Bearcat Shuffle 3:00
Written-By – Williams
8    Steppin' Pretty 2:48
Written-By – Williams
9    Christopher Columbus 2:42
Written-By – Razaf, Barry
10    Corky 2:25
Arranged By – Mary Lou WIlliams
Written-By – Williams
11    I'se A Muggin' 2:45
Written-By – Smith
12    Until The Real Thing Comes Along 2:55
Written-By – Nichols, Freeman, Holiner, Cahn, Chaplin
13    Puddin' Head Serenade 2:47
Written-By – Hart
14    Until The Real Thing Comes Along 3:01
Written-By – Nichols, Freeman, Holiner, Cahn, Chaplin
15    Blue Illusion 2:44
Written By – Unknown
Written-By [Uncredited] – Emma La Freniere, Thomas J. Gindhart
16    Cloudy 2:54
Written-By – Williams
17    Give Her A Pint (And She'll Tell It All) 2:52
Written-By – Cahn, Chaplin
18    Puddin' Head Serenade 2:35
Written-By – Hart
19    Fifty-Second Street 3:01
Written-By – Cahn, Chaplin
20    The Lady Who Swings The Band 2:45
Written-By – Cahn, Chaplin
21    What Will I Tell My Heart? 3:14
Written-By – Lawrence, Tinturin
22    Dedicated To You 3:21
Written-By – Cahn, Chaplin
23    Wednesday Night Hop 3:06
Arranged By – Les Johnakins
Written-By – Kirk, Johnakins
24    Skies Are Blue 3:02
Written-By – Cahn, Chaplin
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Earl Miller (tracks: 23, 24)
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – John Williams (14)
Arranged By – Earl Thompson (tracks: 2 to 9, 11 to 22)
Bass – Booker Collins
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – John Harrington
Directed By, Bass Saxophone – Andy Kirk
Drums – Ben Thigpen
Guitar – Ted Robinson
Piano – Mary Lou Williams
Tenor Saxophone – Dick Wilson
Trombone – Henry Wells, Ted Donnelly
Trumpet – Earl Thompson, Harry Lawson, Paul King
Violin – Claude Williams
Vocals – Ben Thigpen (tracks: 4, 6, 11, 12), Harry Mills (tracks: 19, 20), Pha Terrell (tracks: 5, 14 to 17, 21, 22, 24)

ANDY KIRK AND HIS TWELVE CLOUDS OF JOY – 1937-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 581 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The third Andy Kirk CD put out by the Classics label (reissuing all of Kirk's swing-era recordings) is primarily for completists, for the then-popular but rather dated singer Pha Terrell is on the majority of the songs. There are some good moments from pianist Mary Lou Williams and tenor saxophonist Dick Wilson (particularly on the instrumentals), with the most memorable numbers being "A Mellow Bit of Rhythm," "Twinklin'," and "The Big Dipper," but Terrell is often difficult to sit through. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Downstream 2:59
Rick Davies / Andy Kirk / Jack Lawrence / Guido Nisenson
2     In the Groove 3:04
Mary Lou Williams / D. Wilson
3     Worried over You 3:09
Ed Nelson, Jr. / Billy Rose
4     Foolin' Myself 3:01
Jack Lawrence / Peter Tinturin
5     I'm Glad for Your Sake (But I'm Sorry for Mine) 2:58
Jack Lawrence / Peter Tinturin
6     I'll Get Along Somehow 2:48
Buddy Fields / Gerald Marks
7     A Mellow Bit of Rhythm 3:19
Herman Walder / Mary Lou Williams
8     In My Wildest Dreams 2:52
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin
9     Better Luck Next Time 2:46
Jack Lawrence / Peter Tinturin
10     With Love in My Heart 2:39
John Klenner
11     What's Mine Is Yours 3:15
Jack Lawrence / Peter Tinturin
12     Why Can't We Do It Again? 3:08
Henry Wells
13     The Key to My Heart 3:07
 Niesen / Milton / Kanner
14     I Went to a Gypsy 2:49
Jack Lawrence / Mary Lou Williams
15     Lover, Come Back to Me 3:12
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
16     Poor Butterfly 2:50
John Golden / Raymond Hubbell
17     The Big Dipper 2:54
Larry Clinton / Frances Day Colgems
18     Bear Down 2:59
Dowell / Fox
19     I Surrender, Dear 3:06
Harry Barris / Gordon Clifford
20     Twinklin' 3:11
Mary Lou Williams
21     It Must Be True (You Are Mine, All Mine) 3:08
Harry Barris / Gordon Clifford
22     I'll Get By (As Long as I Have You) 3:05
Fred E. Ahlert / Roy Turk
23     Little Joe from Chicago  2:49
Henry Wells / Mary Lou Williams
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Earl Miller, John Harrington, John Williams
Arranged By – Earl Thompson (tracks: 1 to 6, 8 to 14)
Baritone Saxophone – John Harrington, John Williams
Bass Saxophone – Andy Kirk (tracks: 1 to 14)
Clarinet – John Harrington
Directed By – Andy Kirk
Double Bass – Booker Collins
Drums – Ben Thigpen
Guitar – Ted Robinson
Piano – Mary Lou Williams
Tenor Saxophone – Dick Wilson
Trombone – Henry Wells, Ted Donnelly
Trumpet – Clarence Trice (tracks: 15 to 23), Earl Thompson, Harry Lawson, Paul King (4) (tracks: 1 to 14)
Violin – Claude Williams
Vocals – Pha Terrell (tracks: 1, 3 to 6, 8 to 16, 19, 21)

ANDY KIRK AND HIS TWELVE CLOUDS OF JOY – 1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 598 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Andy Kirk's Orchestra was at the height of its popularity during the late 1930s, still riding high from their hit "Until the Real Thing Comes Along." The star of that record, singer Pha Terrell, is on the majority of the songs on this CD (the fourth in Classics' complete reissuance of the master takes of all Andy Kirk recordings from the swing era), but there are some hotter tunes too, most notably "Mess-A-Stomp," "Jump Jack Jump," "Dunkin' a Doughnut" and "Mary's Idea." However, Terrell's dominance of many titles may make many swing fans opt for the GRP/Decca single-disc Andy Kirk sampler instead. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Bless You My Dear 3:06
Jack Lawrence
2     How Can We Be Wrong? 3:15
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
3     Mess-A-Stomp 3:04
Mary Lou Williams
4     Toadie Toddle 2:37
Barry Pease / Mary Lou Williams    
5     I Won't Tell a Soul (I Love You) 3:09
Hughie Charles / Ross Parker    
6     What Would People Say 2:50
Jack Lawrence
7     How Much Do You Mean to Me? 2:59
Levant / Adams    
8     Jump Jack Jump 2:53
C.L. Roberts
9     Breeze (Blow My Baby Back to Me) 2:52
Joe Goodwin / Joe Hanley / Ballard MacDonald
10     Ghost of Love 3:12
Jack Lawrence
11     What a Life! (Trying to Live Without You) 3:09
Louis Alter
12     Sittin' Around and Dreamin' 3:03
Andy Kirk
13     What's Your Story, Morning Glory? 3:08
Jack Lawrence / Paul Francis Webster
14     Honey 2:47
Ted Fio Rito
15     September in the Rain 2:41
Al Dubin / Harry Warren
16     Clouds 2:47
Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
17     Julius Caesar 3:09
Shorty Rogers
18     Dunkin' a Doughnut 2:53
Mary Lou Williams
19     Goodbye 3:03
Gordon Jenkins
20     Mary's Idea 2:57
Mary Lou Williams
21     But It Didn't Mean a Thing 2:56
Mack David
22     (I Don't Believe It But) Say It Again 2:32
Richman / Silver
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Earl Miller
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – John Williams
Bass – Booker Collins
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – John Harrington
Directed By – Andy Kirk
Drums – Ben Thigpen
Guitar – Ted Robinson
Piano – Mary Lou Williams
Tenor Saxophone – Dick Wilson
Trombone – Henry Wells, Ted Donnelly
Trumpet – Clarence Trice, Earl Thompson, Harry Lawson
Vocals – Pha Terrell (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 7, 9 to 16, 19, 21, 22) 

MARY LOU WILLIAMS – 1927-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 630 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD features the great pianist Mary Lou Williams during her earliest period. She is heard in 1927 on six selections with The Synco Jazzers (a small group that included her then-husband John Williams on alto) and then on the first 19 selections ever recorded under her own name. Performed during the long period when she was the regular pianist with Andy Kirk's 12 Clouds of Joy, Williams is featured on two hot stride solos in 1930, leading trios in 1936 and 1938, playing "Little Joe from Chicago" unaccompanied in 1939 and heading septets in 1940; among her sidemen were trumpeter Harold "Shorty" Baker and the legendary tenor Dick Wilson. Many of the compositions were written by Williams including "Night Life," "New Froggy Bottom," "Mary's special," and "Scratchin' the Gravel;" her version of Jelly Roll Morton's "The Pearls" is a highpoint. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Jeanette's Synco Jazzers–    Midnight Stomp 2:42
Written-By – Williams
2    Jeanette's Synco Jazzers–    The Bumps 2:37
Written-By – Williams
3    John Williams' Synco Jazzers–    Down In Gallion 3:11
Written-By – Unknown
4    John Williams' Synco Jazzers–    Goose Grease 3:15
Written-By – Unknown
5    John Williams' Synco Jazzers–    Pee Wee Blues 3:27
Written-By – Unknown
6    John Williams' Synco Jazzers–    Now Cut Loose 2:47
Written-By – Unknown
7    Mary Lou Williams–    Night Life 2:56
Written-By – Williams
8    Mary Lou Williams–    Drag 'Em 2:52
Written-By – Williams
9    Mary Lou Williams–    Corny Rhythm 2:42
Written-By – Williams
10    Mary Lou Williams–    Overhand (New Froggy Bottom) 2:46
Written-By – Williams
11    Mary Lou Williams–    Isabelle 2:55
Written-By – Williams
12    Mary Lou Williams–    Swingin' For Joy 2:34
Written-By – Williams
13    Mary Lou Williams–    Clean Pickin' 2:48
Written-By – Williams
14    Mary Lou Williams–    Mary's Special 2:46
Written-By – Williams
15    Mary Lou Williams–    The Pearls 3:01
Written-By – Morton
16    Mary Lou Williams–    Mr. Freddie Blues 2:44
Written-By – Shayne
17    Mary Lou Williams–    Sweet (Patootie) Patunia 2:30
Written-By – Williams, Rogan, Alexander
18    Mary Lou Williams–    The Rocks 2:34
Written-By – Burley
19    Mary Lou Williams–    Little Joe From Chicago 2:33
Written-By – Wells, Williams
20    Six Men And A Girl–    Mary Lou Williams Blues 3:15
Written-By – Williams
21    Six Men And A Girl–    Tea For Two 2:48
Written-By – Caesar, Youmans
22    Six Men And A Girl–    Scratchin' The Gravel 3:11
Written-By – Williams
23    Six Men And A Girl–    Zonky 2:54
Written-By – Razaf, Waller
24    Mary Lou Williams And Her Kansas City Seven–    Baby Dear 2:47
Written-By – Moten, Hayes
25    Mary Lou Williams And Her Kansas City Seven–    Harmony Blues 2:47
Written-By – Moten
Credits :   
Alto Saxophone, Bass Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – John Williams (tracks: 1 to 6)
Banjo – Joe Williams (tracks: 1 to 6)
Bass – Booker Collins (tracks: 9 to 18, 20 to 25)
Celesta – Mary Lou Williams (tracks: 14)
Clarinet – Edward Inge (tracks: 20 to 23)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Earl "Buddy" Miller (tracks: 20 to 23)
Drums – Ben Thigpen (tracks: 9 to 18, 20 to 25), Robert Price (tracks: 1 to 6)
Electric Guitar – Floyd Smith (tracks: 20 to 23)
Guitar [?] – Ted Robinson (tracks: 14)
Piano – Mary Lou Williams
Tenor Saxophone – Dick Wilson (tracks: 20 to 25)
Trombone – Bradley Bullett (tracks: 1 to 6), Ted Donnelly (tracks: 20 to 23)
Trumpet – Earl Thompson (tracks: 20 to 23), Harold Baker (tracks: 20 to 23), Henry McCord (tracks: 1 to 6)