PUTNEY DANDRIDGE AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1935-1936 (1995) The Classics Chronological Series – 846 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Putney Dandridge put on an act that was conspicuously similar to Fats Waller's, with an edge that often bordered on Leo "Scat" Watson's maniacal excesses. When excited, his voice shook with glee, and he liked to holler at his musicians while they swung. The best example of Dandridge's craft is "Nagasaki," closely resembling a version he recorded with Adrian Rollini's Tap Room Gang within days of the giddy rendition heard here. Throughout his brief recording career, Dandridge played piano and celeste but often ceded the keyboard to Teddy Wilson so as to be able to concentrate all of his energies on singing his heart out. This is campy stuff. Bear in mind that Dandridge developed his chops by accompanying the world's greatest tap dancer, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, during the early 1930s. You can feel that kind of exuberant showmanship bubbling away during every song Dandridge ever sang. It mixes marvelously with the honest jazz blown by a steady parade of outstanding musicians drawn from bands led by Waller, Rollini, Willie Bryant and Fletcher Henderson. As entertaining as Dandridge could be, his act flourished largely because of the presence of saxophonists Gene Sedric and Chu Berry, trumpeters Roy Eldridge and Henry "Red" Allen, and clarinetist Buster Bailey (who also doubles on alto sax). Look more closely at the personnel and you'll meet less famous players of considerable merit, such as Lady Day's father Clarence Holiday who sat in with his guitar during the session of October 21, 1935. The bassist on the next session was Grachan Moncur, the father of modern jazz trombonist Grachan Moncur III. With the exception of one or two strong jazz standards, most of the material is 1930s Tin Pan Alley pop. Dandridge's version of "A Little Bit Independent" compares interestingly with Fats Waller's treatment of the same song dating from the same year. Maybe if Fats hadn't been working for Victor Records he could have gotten away with singing the naughty "Sweet Violets." Putney sounds pleased as punch to be able to pull it off.  arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist
1 You're A Heavenly Thing 2:43
 Jack Little / Joe Young
2 Mr. Bluebird 2:49
Carmichael
3 Nagasaki 2:45
 Mort Dixon / Harry Warren
4 Chasing Shadows 2:38
 Benny Davis / Oliver Silver
5 When I Grow Too Old To Dream 2:41
 Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
6 I'm In The Mood For Love 2:49
 Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
7 Isn't This A Lovely Day 3:13
 Irving Berlin
8 Cheek To Cheek 3:05
 Irving Berlin
9 That's What You Think 2:43
 Pinky Tomlin
10 Shine 3:01
 Pinky Tomlin
11 I'm On A See-Saw 3:06
 Benny Carter / Vivian Ellis
12 Eeny Meeny Miney Mo 2:55
 Matty Malneck / Johnny Mercer
13 Double Trouble 3:00
 Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin / Richard A. Whiting
14 Santa Claus Came In The Spring 2:54
 Johnny Mercer
15 You Hit The Spot 2:52
 Irving Gordon / Harry Revel
16 No Other One 2:59
 Vee Lawnhurst / Tot Seymour
17 A Little Bit Independent 3:17
 Joe Burke / Edgar Leslie
18 You Took My Breath Away 2:51
 Richard A. Whiting
19 Sweet Violets 3:06
 Cy Coben
20 Dinner For One Please, James 3:12
 Michael Carr
21 A Beautiful Lady In Blue 3:13
 J. Fred Coots / Al Lewis
22 Honeysuckle Rose 3:11
 Andy Razaf / Fats Waller

WILLIE LEWIS AND HIS NEGRO BAND – 1941 (1996) The Classics Chronological Series – 880 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Willie Lewis led impressive bands in Europe during the 1930s which frequently featured trumpeter Bill Coleman and, on some occasions, altoist Benny Carter. His last and least-known recordings are issued in full on this 1996 Classics CD. Recorded in Switzerland in 1941, the 24 selections feature what was certainly the last American-dominated orchestra to record in Europe before Pearl Harbor. The two extensive big-band sessions, which resulted in 16 performances, feature an excellent swing orchestra boasting fine solos from trumpeter Louis Bacon, trombonist Billy Burns and Johnny Russell on tenor and clarinet; Jelly Roll Morton's 1920s drummer, Tommy Benford, also plays well. The swing charts on such numbers as "Happy Feet," "Ti-Pi-Tin," "Roses of Picardy" and "Christopher Columbus" are surprisingly up to date. In addition, there are eight numbers featuring a combo from the orchestra, most notably Alfred Siegrist on piano and effective accordion, Johnny Russell's tenor on a few tracks, and vocals from June Cole and the talented Florence Mason. This is the type of CD reissue that waters the mouths of veteran collectors, for little if any of this music has been available since the 1940s. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    What Will I Do? 2:38
Alto Saxophone, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason, Louis Bacon
Written-By – Berlin
2    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    Happy Feet 3:01
Alto Saxophone, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason, Louis Bacon
Written-By – Yellen, Ager
3    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    Baby Ain't You Satisfied 3:02
Alto Saxophone, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Louis Bacon
Trumpet, Written-By – Henry Mason
4    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    Ti-Pi-Tin 3:07
Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason, Louis Bacon
Written-By – Grever, Leveen
5    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    Les Bateliers De La Volga 2:42
Alto Saxophone, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason, Louis Bacon
Written-By – Traditional
6    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    Bacon's Blues 3:08
Alto Saxophone, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason
Trumpet, Written-By – Louis Bacon
7    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    Lover, Come Back To Me 2:59
Alto Saxophone, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason, Louis Bacon
Written-By – Romberg
8    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    Roses Of Picardy 2:03
Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason, Louis Bacon
Written-By – Haydn-Wood
9    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    I Ain't Got Nobody 2:53
Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason, Louis Bacon
Written-By – Graham, Williams
10    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    Swingin' At The Chez Florence 3:06
Alto Saxophone, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason, Louis Bacon
Written By – Hellmann
11    Willie Lewis Presents–    Lady Be Good 2:32
Double Bass [String Bass], Vocals – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Heyo Scholl
Piano Accordion – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Written-By – Gershwin-Gershwin
12    Willie Lewis Presents–    Chinatown 2:10
Double Bass [String Bass], Vocals – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Heyo Scholl
Piano Accordion – Alfred Siegrist
Written-By – Schwartz
13    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    Christmas Night In Harlem 2:15
Alto Saxophone, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason, Louis Bacon
Written-By – Scott
14    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    Ol' Man River 2:16
Alto Saxophone, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason, Louis Bacon
Written-By – Kern
15    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    Christopher Columbus 2:26
Alto Saxophone, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason, Louis Bacon
Written-By – Razaf, Berry
16    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    I've Found A New Baby 2:57
Alto Saxophone, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason, Louis Bacon
Written-By – Williams
17    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    After You've Gone 3:09
Alto Saxophone, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass], Vocals – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason, Louis Bacon
Written-By – Creamer, Layton
18    Willie Lewis And His Negro Band–    Body And Soul 3:08
Alto Saxophone, Leader – Willie Lewis
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Ernst Höllerhagen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Denis Chappelet
Trombone – Billy Burns
Trumpet – Henry Mason, Louis Bacon
Written-By – Heyman, Eyton, Green, Sour
19    Willie Lewis Presents–    Margie (as Maggie) 2:06
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Russell
Written-By – Davis, Conrad, Robinson
20    Willie Lewis Presents–    Some Of These Days 2:36
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Vocals – Florence Mason
Written-By – Brooks
21    Willie Lewis Presents–    Blue Skies (as Blue Skyes) 2:34
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Trumpet – Henry Mason
Written-By – Berlin
22    Willie Lewis Presents–    My Blue Heaven (as Blue Heaven) 2:23
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Vocals – Florence Mason
Written-By – Whiting, Donaldson
23    Willie Lewis Presents–    Avalon 2:33
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Written-By – Johnson, Rose
24    Willie Lewis Presents–    You Can't Stop Me 2:20
Double Bass [String Bass] – June Cole
Drums – Tommy Benford
Guitar – Peter Angst
Piano – Alfred Siegrist
Written-By – Unknown Artist