BILL GAITHER — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order Volume 3 · 1938-1939 | DOCD-5253 (1994) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Of the five installments in Document's complete recordings of Bill Gaither, volume three's 22 selections are the most instrumentally diverse. According to the liner notes by Louisville, KY historian Pen Bogert, the addition of an unidentified alto saxophonist on seven titles recorded at the session that took place in New York City on June 23, 1938 might have been suggested by a producer at Decca Records. By this time, Gaither, a friend and proud follower of Leroy Carr, had also expanded his guitar technique to combine the initial Scrapper Blackwell influence with that of Lonnie Johnson. On June 24, Gaither's Indianapolis-based colleague Honey Hill cut his only known piano solos, a tidy "Boogie Woogie" and a swinging set of variations that he called "Set ‘Em." Five days later, Gaither made his only recordings with a pianist other than Hill, anchored by a drummer and with someone else playing the guitar while he sang. According to the enclosed discography, it is possible that the trio backing him on this date consisted of pianist Lil Armstrong, guitarist Teddy Bunn, and drummer O'Neil Spencer. Whoever they were, this little group (and the aforementioned saxophonist) provided Bill Gaither with the most jazz-inflected accompaniments of his entire career. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :
1.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    Old Coals Will Dwindle 2:56
Piano – Honey Hill
Vocals, Guitar – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
2.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    Babyfield Ways Girl 2:40
Piano – Honey Hill
Vocals, Guitar – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
3.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    It's Grieving Me 2:41
Piano – Honey Hill
Vocals, Guitar – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
4.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    Old Model "A" Blues 2:35
Piano – Honey Hill
Vocals, Guitar – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
5.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    You Done Lost Your Swing No. 2 3:06
Alto Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Bass – Unknown Artist
Piano – Honey Hill
Vocals, Guitar – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
6.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    Champ Joe Louis 2:51
Alto Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Piano – Honey Hill
Vocals, Guitar – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
7.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    So Much Trouble  2:32
Alto Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Piano – Honey Hill
Vocals, Guitar – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
8.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    It's Coming Back Home To You 2:39
Alto Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Piano – Honey Hill
Vocals, Guitar – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy 
9.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    Right Hand Friend 3:07
Alto Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Piano – Honey Hill
Vocals, Guitar – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
10.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    If I Was The Devil 2:47
Alto Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Piano – Honey Hill
Vocals, Guitar – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
11.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    New Pains In My Heart 2:28
Alto Saxophone – Unknown Artist
Piano – Honey Hill
Vocals, Guitar – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
12.    Honey Hill–    Boogie Woogie 2:49
Piano – Honey Hill
13.    Honey Hill–    Set 'Em 2:38
Piano – Honey Hill
14.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    Sweet Mama 2:36
Drums [Poss.] – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar [Poss.] – Teddy Bunn
Piano [Poss.] – Lil Armstrong
Vocals – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
15.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    Noah's Dove 2:33
Drums [Poss.] – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar [Poss.] – Teddy Bunn
Piano [Poss.] – Lil Armstrong
Vocals – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
16.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    Old Fashioned Woman 2:35
Drums [Poss.] – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar [Poss.] – Teddy Bunn
Piano [Poss.] – Lil Armstrong
Vocals – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
17.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    I Got Your Water On 2:53
Drums [Poss.] – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar [Poss.] – Teddy Bunn
Piano [Poss.] – Lil Armstrong
Vocals – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
18.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    Too Late Too Late 2:32
Drums [Poss.] – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar [Poss.] – Teddy Bunn
Piano [Poss.] – Lil Armstrong
Vocals – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
19.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    New Rocky Mountain Blues 2:50
Drums [Poss.] – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar [Poss.] – Teddy Bunn
Piano [Poss.] – Lil Armstrong
Vocals – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
20.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    Big Time Town Woman 2:51
Drums [Poss.] – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar [Poss.] – Teddy Bunn
Piano [Poss.] – Lil Armstrong
Vocals – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
21.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    When My Woman's Lovin' Someone Else 2:31
Drums [Poss.] – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar [Poss.] – Teddy Bunn
Piano [Poss.] – Lil Armstrong
Vocals – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
22.    Leroy's Buddy, (Bill Gaither)–    Racket Blues 2:30
Drums [Poss.] – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar [Poss.] – Teddy Bunn
Piano [Poss.] – Lil Armstrong
Vocals – (Bill Gaither), Leroy's Buddy
Credits : 
Compiled By, Producer – Johnny Parth
Liner Notes [Booklet Notes] – Pen Bogert
Remastered By – Gerhard Wessely 

PEETIE WHEATSTRAW — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order Volume 6 · 1938- 1940 | DOCD-5246 (1994) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Vol. 6 in the complete works of Peetie Wheatstraw as reissued by Document covers a timeline from October 1938 to April 1940, opening with the last three recordings on which he ever played piano and following his progress through a fine swing-inflected session that took place in New York with pianist Sammy Price, guitarist Teddy Bunn, and drummer O'Neil Spencer; a real Chicago blues outing with guitarist Lonnie Johnson and harmonica handler Rhythm Willie Hood, and the first five titles from a phenomenally satisfying date featuring three of New York's greatest jazz musicians: trumpeter Jonah Jones, pianist Lil Hardin Armstrong, and drummer Big Sid Catlett. While Peetie had previously made records that ventured into jazz territory (see "Throw Me in the Alley" with trombonist Ike Rodgers on Vol. 2), interacting with musicians of this caliber was a fresh development and hearing him in this company is a treat not to be missed. Note that Sam Price dutifully played Wheatstraw's signature intro on the first version of "Possum Den Blues," then abandoned it on take two and never looked back. Why did Peetie cease playing piano for keeps on his own records in 1939? According to an informed theory advanced by his biographer Paul Garon, Peetie's relations with the musicians' union might have deteriorated to the point where he was permitted to sing in a recording studio but not to play any instruments. In any case, what you get here is an excellent sampler of Peetie Wheatstraw's later work that taps into four decidedly different sessions, including the only date he ever shared with a jazz trumpeter. "I Want Some Sea Food" was partly inspired by Fats Waller's recording of "Hold Tight (Want Some Seafood Mama)," which was cut about nine months earlier. Peetie's tune references vaginal pungency even more directly than his 1936 recording (see Vol. 3) of "The First Shall Be Last and the Last Shall Be First," which contains a reference to limburger cheese. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :
1.    Black Horse Blues 3:08
Drums – Unknown Artist
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson 
Vocals, Piano – Peetie Wheatstraw
2.    Sugar Mama 3:06
Drums – Unknown Artist
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Vocals, Piano – Peetie Wheatstraw
3.    Me No Lika You 3:04
Drums – Unknown Artist
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson 
Vocals, Piano – Peetie Wheatstraw
4.    Possum Den Blues (take A) 2:50
Drums – O'Neil Spencer
Piano – Sam Price
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
5.    Possum Den Blues (take B) 2:54
Drums – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar [Uncredited] – Teddy Bunn
Piano – Sam Price
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
6.    Little Low Mellow Mama 2:56
Drums – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar – Teddy Bunn
Piano – Sam Price
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
7.    A Working Man's Blues 2:54
Drums – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar – Teddy Bunn
Piano – Sam Price
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
8.    One To Twelve (Just As Show) 3:06
Drums – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar – Teddy Bunn
Piano – Sam Price
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
9.    Let's Talk Things Over 2:48
Drums – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar – Teddy Bunn
Piano – Sam Price
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
10.    Sinking Sun Blues 2:52
Drums – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar – Teddy Bunn
Piano – Sam Price
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
11.    Easy Way Blues 2:48
Drums – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar – Teddy Bunn
Piano – Sam Price
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
12.    Machine Gun Blues 2:46
Drums – O'Neil Spencer
Guitar – Teddy Bunn
Piano – Sam Price
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
13.    Beer Tavern 2:30
Drums – Unknown Artist
Guitar [Prob.] – Lonnie Johnson 
Piano [Poss.] – Lee Brown
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
14.    You Can't Stop Me From Drinking 2:31
Drums – Unknown Artist
Guitar [Prob.] – Lonnie Johnson 
Harmonica [Prob.] – Rhythm Willie
Piano [Poss.] – Lee Brown
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
15.    I Want Some Sea Food 2:32
Drums – Unknown Artist
Guitar [Prob.] – Lonnie Johnson 
Harmonica [Prob.] – Rhythm Willie
Piano [Poss.] – Lee Brown
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
16.    Rolling Chair 2:30
Drums – Unknown Artist
Guitar [Prob.] – Lonnie Johnson 
Harmonica [Prob.] – Rhythm Willie
Piano [Poss.] – Lee Brown
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
17.    Love Bug Blues 2:37
Drums – Unknown Artist
Guitar [Prob.] – Lonnie Johnson
Harmonica [Prob.] – Rhythm Willie
Piano [Poss.] – Lee Brown
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
18.    Confidence Man 2:23
Drums – Unknown Artist
Guitar [Prob.] – Lonnie Johnson 
Harmonica [Prob.] – Rhythm Willie
Piano [Poss.] – Lee Brown
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
19.    Big Apple Blues 2:55
Drums – Sid Catlett
Piano – Lil Armstrong
Trumpet – Jonah Jones
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
20.    Big Money Blues 2:52
Drums – Sid Catlett
Piano – Lil Armstrong
Trumpet – Jonah Jones
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
21.    Chicago Mill Blues 2:45
Drums – Sid Catlett
Piano – Lil Armstrong
Trumpet – Jonah Jones
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
22.    Five Minutes Blues 2:49
Drums – Sid Catlett
Piano – Lil Armstrong
Trumpet – Jonah Jones
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw
23.    Two Time Mama 3:02
Drums – Sid Catlett
Piano – Lil Armstrong
Trumpet – Jonah Jones
Vocals – Peetie Wheatstraw 

HENRY "RED" ALLEN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1935-1936 | The Chronogical Classics – 575 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The third of five Classics CDs that cover Red Allen's recordings of the 1930s has the contents of six complete sessions from a ten-month period. Allen (who has vocals on all but one of the 24 selections) is assisted by such classic players as trombonist J.C. Higginbotham, Cecil Scott (on tenor and clarinet), altoist Tab Smith and several strong rhythm sections. Among the more memorable swing performances are "On Treasure Island," "Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle," "Lost," "Algiers Stomp" and "I'll Sing You a Thousand Love songs." The fairly obscure recordings (cut during an era when the big bands really ruled) have long been underrated. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

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
Tracklist + Credits :

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  
Tracklist + Credits :

MILLS BLUE RHYTHM BAND – 1931-1932 | The Classics Chronological Series – 676 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although somewhat forgotten, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band was one of the better jazz orchestras of the early 1930s. Classics has reissued all of the big band's recordings over five CDs. In its early days, the band did not have an excess of famous soloists (altoist Charlie Holmes, from the Luis Russell, band was the first "name" to join), but the band improved with time and always featured excellent ensembles (with fine arrangements from trombonist Harry White), along with worthwhile solo statements. The second Classics Blue Rhythm CD is highlighted by "The Scat Song," "Doin' the Shake," "The Growl," "Rhythm Spasm" and "White Lightning." Scott Yanow  
Tracklist + Credits :

JOHN KIRBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1938-1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 750 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first of three Classics CDs reissuing all of the John Kirby Sextet's recordings during its prime years (1938-1943) has the group's earliest 22 recordings. Although the first five numbers were originally issued under the name "John Kirby & His Onyx Club Boys," the famous personnel were already in place: bassist Kirby, trumpeter Charlie Shavers (then only 21), altoist Russell Procope, clarinetist Buster Bailey, pianist Billy Kyle, and drummer O'Neil Spencer (who took an occasional vocal). The group's unique cool-toned sound, tricky ensembles, and often atmospheric music definitely stood out during an era dominated by loud big bands. There are quite a few classics on this CD, including "Rehearsin' for a Nervous Breakdown," the original version of Shavers' "Undecided," "Dawn on the Desert," "Royal Garden Blues," and "Nocturne." Highly recommended, as are the two other Classics Kirby discs. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

JOHN KIRBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939-1941 | The Classics Chronological Series – 770 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second of three Classics John Kirby CDs has 23 more titles in the history of Kirby's unique sextet. The band, comprised of trumpeter Charlie Shavers, clarinetist Buster Bailey, altoist Russell Procope, pianist Billy Kyle, drummer O'Neil Spencer, and the bassist/leader, performed cool-toned chamber jazz more than a decade before it became popular, and carved out its own unusual niche during the big-band era. The tight ensembles and brief solos brought out the best in each of the players. Highlights of this highly recommended disc include "Humoresque," "Jumpin' in the Pump Room," "Chloe," "Sextet From 'Lucia,'" and "Zooming at the Zombie." Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

JOHN KIRBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1941-1943 | The Classics Chronological Series – 792 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The third John Kirby CD from the European Classics label has 21 performances that trace Kirby's unique sextet from the peak of its popularity in 1941 through the war years. In addition to a dozen songs originally released by Victor, this set has nine rarer numbers that appeared on V-Discs. With trumpeter Charlie Shavers, clarinetist Buster Bailey, and altoist Russell Procope (along with pianist Billy Kyle and drummer O'Neil Spencer), Kirby was able to form an unusual and very distinctive group sound that, although comprised of swing virtuosos, looked toward the cool jazz of the 1950s. The band was starting to come apart a bit by the later tracks of this CD, with first Specs Powell and then Bill Beason replacing the late Spencer, George Johnson ably filling in for Procope, and Shavers departing before the final number; however, the group sound remained intact. Among the many highlights of this CD are "Coquette," "Royal Garden Blues," "Night Whispers," "St. Louis Blues," and "9:20 Special." Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :