DON REDMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1933-1936 | The Chronogical Classics – 553 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The great arranger Don Redman made Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra in the mid-1920s the first real swing band, but during the swing era itself, Redman was little known to the general public. His big band (heard here on the second of three "complete" Classics CDs) failed to really catch on, although it stayed together throughout the 1930s. After recording a bunch of sessions in 1933, Redman's orchestra only cut two sides in Jan. 1934 and then none until May 1936. There are vocals on 22 of the 25 selections on this CD; of the three instrumentals, this version of "Christopher Columbus" might not be by Redman. The leader's charming vocals are fine, but the nine by Harlan Lattimore are of lesser interest, and Chick Bullock dominates a six-song session. There are some good solos along the way, particularly by trumpeter Sidney DeParis, trombonists Benny Morton and Claude Jones and the forgotten tenor Robert Carroll, but this CD is primarily for completists. Scott Yanow 
Tracklist + Credits :

DON REDMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1936-1939 | The Chronogical Classics – 574 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The third in the series of Don Redman Classics CDs finds the innovative arranger adjusting to the swing era. His big band is heard on sessions cut for ARC in 1936 ("Bugle Call Rag" is excellent), Variety in 1937 (including a previously unreleased "Swingin' With the Fat Man"), and Bluebird during 1938-39 (including "I Got Ya," "Down Home Rag" and "Milenberg Joys"). A lot of interesting names passed through the band during this era, including trumpeter Sidney DeParis, trombonist Quentin Jackson and singer Laurel Watson, and there is some pleasing music despite a fair amount of vocals. This series ended before Redman's last two big band sessions, but those have often been made available by RCA/Bluebird. The first CD in Classics' Redman series is the most essential. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

EARL HINES AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1928-1932 | The Classics Chronological Series – 545 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This initial installment in the historical chronology of recordings released under the name of Earl Hines contains no less than 13 finely rendered piano solos. Hines the pianist is caught in the act of tapping into everything that was in the air at the time: ragtime, blues, catchy airs and shout-style stride -- everything a bright young man would have picked up between Pittsburgh and Chicago, with Kansas City, New Orleans and New York coming up through the floorboards. Hines experimented unflinchingly with rhythmic variation, and was by far the most adventurous improviser in all of jazz piano before the rise of Art Tatum. "Caution Blues" is the venerable "Blues in Thirds" taken at a brisk clip. The ensemble sides, which were the very first to appear under Hines' own name, have elements in common with what was being recorded in 1929 by Louis Armstrong, Luis Russell, the nine- and eleven-piece editions of Fats Waller & His Buddies, and many other fine bands of the day. There are two rather insipid vocals by trombonist William Franklin, a fine dose of hefty scat singing from tuba-toting arranger Hayes Alvis, and three decidedly hip examples of Hines as hot and low-down vocalist. He scats with abandon during a smoky rendition of "Everybody Loves My Baby," talks like Don Redman on "Have You Ever Felt That Way?" and chortles wordlessly on "Sister Kate" after the manner of Louis Armstrong. Finishing off the disc with a taste of 1932, "Deep Forest," soon to be established as the Hines theme song, is a sort of piano concerto in miniature. Here is the perfect prologue to what this striking individual went on to accomplish over the next half-century. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist + Credits :

BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1931-1933 | The Classics Chronological Series – 719 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first half of this chronological release of Benny Goodman's 1931-1933 recordings is comprised of dance band performances from 1931 -- 12 selections with vocals from Paul Small, Smith Ballew, and Dick Robertson that have little to recommend them except excellent musicianship. The jazz content is pretty low and even Goodman is not heard from much. This is from the era when the clarinetist earned his employment as a studio musician. The final ten numbers are from 1933 and are of greater interest. Trombonist/singer Jack Teagarden is well featured on six songs, Billie Holiday makes her hesitant recording debut on "Your Mother's Son-in-Law" and "Riffin' the Scotch," and there are some fine solos along the way by both Jack and Charlie Teagarden, pianist Joe Sullivan, and Goodman. This is still Benny Goodman pre-history, for he would not attempt to lead a big band until 1934. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

RICHARD M. JONES – 1923-1927 | The Classics Chronological Series – 826 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Richard M. Jones was more important as a talent scout and an organizer of bands than as a pianist. This Classics CD features Jones as a soloist on two numbers from 1923 ("Jazzin' Babies Blues" and "12th Street Rag"); with the Chicago Hottentots backing the mediocre singer Lillie Delk Christian; playing with Nelson's Paramount Serenaders and Hightower's Night Hawks; and leading his own Jazz Wizards. Among the other players are clarinetist Albert Nicholas, banjoist Johnny St. Cyr, cornetist Shirley Clay, and trombonist Preston Jackson. Although the music is generally not all that classic, this formerly rare material has its strong moments and gives one a good example of middle-of-the-road Chicago jazz of the mid-'20s. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

CLAUDE HOPKINS AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1937-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 733 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The third and final Claude Hopkins Classics CD has some really obscure and diverse music. The 1937 Hopkins big band included trumpeter Jabbo Smith and trombonist Vic Dickenson in its lineup, but of the six titles it cut, five are showcases for singer Beverly White; in all, the legendary Smith gets a single chorus. Better are eight titles by trumpeter Ovie Alston's orchestra, which includes Hopkins on piano in 1938 along with some of his sidemen. This CD concludes with six numbers by the pianist's struggling 1940 big band, decent swing performances that preceded the orchestra's complete breakup. A bit of a collector's item. Scott Yanow  

ETHEL WATERS – 1935-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 755 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Classics does its usual stellar job in chronicling a five-year tenure of Ethel Waters, covering sides she made for Bluebird, Decca, and New York's Liberty Music Shop. It's an interesting mix of blues, pop, and jazz, with her inimitable style guiding it all. A few big jazz names like Tyree Glenn, Danny Barker, and Milt Hinton pop up in the various backing units, but ultimately, it's all Waters' show. Cub Koda

Tracklist :

1  Hottentot Potentate  3:24 

Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz

Ethel Waters

feat: Russell Wooding

2  Thief in the Night 3:13

Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz

Ethel Waters

feat: Russell Wooding

  3  You're a Sweetheart 2:58 

Harold Adamson / Jimmy McHugh

4  How Can I Face This Wearied World Alone? 2:33 

Eddie Mallory

5  I'll Get Along Somehow  2:29

Dorothy Fields / Gerald Marks

6  You're Mine 2:46 

Sam M. Lewis / Joseph Young

Ethel Waters

feat: Shirley Clay / Tyree Glenn / Eddie Mallory / Castor McCord / William Steiner

7  Frankie and Johnny 2:59 

Traditional

Ethel Waters

feat: Reginald Beane / Shirley Clay / Tyree Glenn / Eddie Mallory / Castor McCord / William Steiner

8  They Say  2:27 

Edward Heyman / Paul Mann / Stephen Weiss

Ethel Waters

feat: Reginald Beane / Shirley Clay / Tyree Glenn / Eddie Mallory / Castor McCord / William Steiner

9  Jeepers Creepers 2:47

Johnny Mercer / Harry Warren

Ethel Waters

feat: Reginald Beane / Shirley Clay / Tyree Glenn / Eddie Mallory / Castor McCord / William Steiner

  10  Lonesome Walls 2:34

DuBose Heyward / Jerome Kern

Ethel Waters

feat: Reginald Beane / Shirley Clay / Tyree Glenn / Eddie Mallory / Castor McCord / William Steiner

  11  If You Ever Change Your Mind 2:47 

Bud Green / Johnny Green / Maurice Sigler / Grady Watts / Mayme Watts

Ethel Waters

feat: Reginald Beane / Shirley Clay / Tyree Glenn / Eddie Mallory / Castor McCord / William Steiner

12  What Goes up Must Come Down 3:00 

Rube Bloom / Ted Koehler

Ethel Waters

feat: Shirley Clay / Tyree Glenn / Eddie Mallory / Castor McCord / William Steiner

13  Y' Had It Comin' to You  2:15

Alan Jay Lerner

Ethel Waters

feat: Reginald Beane / Shirley Clay / Tyree Glenn / Eddie Mallory / Castor McCord / William Steiner

  14  Bread and Gravy 2:52

Hoagy Carmichael

Ethel Waters

feat: Reginald Beane / Benny Carter / Shirley Clay / Tyree Glenn / Eddie Mallory / Castor McCord

   15  Down in My Soul 2:59 

Porter Grainger

Ethel Waters

feat: Benny Carter / Shirley Clay / Tyree Glenn / Eddie Mallory / Castor McCord

16  Georgia on My Mind 3:23

Hoagy Carmichael / Stuart Gorrell

Ethel Waters

feat: Reginald Beane / Benny Carter / Shirley Clay / Tyree Glenn / Eddie Mallory / Castor McCord

  17  Stop Myself from Worryin' over You 2:41 

Reginald Beane / Ethel Waters

Ethel Waters

feat: Reginald Beane / Benny Carter / Shirley Clay / Tyree Glenn / Eddie Mallory / Castor McCord

18  Old Man Harlem 2:52 

Hoagy Carmichael / Rudy Vallée

Ethel Waters

feat: Benny Carter / Shirley Clay / Tyree Glenn / Eddie Mallory / Castor McCord

19  Push Out  2:42 

Nathaniel Reed

Ethel Waters

feat: Reginald Beane / Benny Carter / Shirley Clay / Tyree Glenn / Eddie Mallory / Castor McCord

20  Baby, What Else Can I Do? 2:56 

Walter Hirsch / Gerald Marks

Ethel Waters

feat: Reginald Beane / Garvin Bushell / Benny Carter / Eddie Mallory / Charles Turner

21  I Just Got a Letter 2:22 

Dave Franklin / David Franklin

Ethel Waters

feat: Reginald Beane / Garvin Bushell / Benny Carter / Eddie Mallory / Charles Turner

22  Taking a Chance on Love3:03 

Vernon Duke / Ted Fetter / John Latouche

Ethel Waters

feat: Max Meth & His Orchestra

23  Honey in the Honeycomb 2:47 

Vernon Duke / John Latouche

Ethel Waters

feat: Max Meth & His Orchestra

24  Cabin in the Sky 3:14 

Vernon Duke / John Latouche

Ethel Waters

feat: Max Meth & His Orchestra

25  Love Turned the Light Out 2:52 

Vernon Duke / John Latouche

Credits :
Danny Barker – Guitar
Reginald Beane – Composer, Organ, Piano
Garvin Bushell  – Sax (Alto)
Benny Carter  – Clarinet
Shirley Clay  – Trumpet
Tyree Glenn – Trombone, Vocals (Background)
Milt Hinton  – Sax (Baritone)
Eddie Mallory – Composer, Conductor, Trumpet
Castor McCord – Clarinet
Max Meth – Conductor
Max Meth & His Orchestra
William Steiner  – Sax (Alto)
Ethel Waters – Composer, Vocals
Russell Wooding  – Conductor

LIL HARDIN ARMSTRONG AND HER SWING ORCHESTRA – 1936-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 564 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Years before Joe Glaser assumed unmitigated control over Louis Armstrong's professional existence, Lil Hardin Armstrong essentially served as her husband's manager. She taught him music theory, and advised him how to dress in style and conduct himself with dignity in public. She also suggested when the time was ripe for Louis to break away from King Oliver's band and venture out on his own. Had it not been for Lil Hardin Armstrong, the Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings would never have come together the way they did, and Louis Armstrong's career would have unfolded much differently. Lil was a brilliant pianist. She sang in a gutsy manner, often using lyrics that were disarmingly funny. "Or Leave Me Alone" is one of the best examples of her knuckly humor that you'll ever hear. It also anticipates a song that Groucho Marx would present many years later as an elderly man singing softly under the spotlight at Carnegie Hall. "Show me a rose, and I'll show you a stag at bay...Show me a rose, or leave me alone," he sang, along with other lyrics that can only be described as surreal. Who wrote Groucho's song, and wasn't it closely based upon this spunky bit of fun from 1936? In another surprising premonition, "Brown Gal" is clearly the direct ancestor of "Bad Boy," a big hit for the Jive Bombers during the 1950s. Chu Berry is all over the first six selections, and Buster Bailey's clarinet lights up the first 14. Berry is succeeded by Robert Carroll, Prince Robinson, Tony Zimmers, and Russell Johns. Let's hear it for the great forgotten tenor players! When Wellman Braud showed up to play bass on April 15, 1937, Pops Foster retreated to the drums. It's the kind of a reaction you'd expect out of any sensible bassist, although Foster could have stood his ground. Maybe they flipped a coin. In any case, Foster uses the hi-hat with great success. These songs are all typical of the 1930s, a time when anybody could float a three-minute song regardless of lyrical content. Lil plays no piano on this collection until the session of September 9, 1939. And it isn't until March 18, 1940, that listeners get to enjoy a pair of instrumentals. In spite of the band being identified as Lil's Dixielanders, "Sixth Street" and "Riffin' the Blues" sound like pure unadulterated Harlem swing. The next place to go is Lil's fabulous 1961 session for Riverside Records, a strong installment in that marvelous series entitled Chicago: The Living Legends.  arwulf arwulf   
Tracklist :
1    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Or Leave Me Alone 2:58
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – John Frazier
Guitar – Huey Long
Piano – Teddy Cole
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trumpet – Joe Thomas
Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Written-By – Buck
2    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    My Hi-De-Ho Man 2:39
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – John Frazier
Guitar – Huey Long
Piano – Teddy Cole
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trumpet – Joe Thomas
Vocals Written-By – Lil Armstrong
3    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Brown Gal 2:43
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – John Frazier
Guitar – Huey Long
Piano – Teddy Cole
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trumpet – Joe Thomas
Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Written-By – Avon, Armstrong
4    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Doin' The Suzie-Q 2:48
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – John Frazier
Guitar – Huey Long
Piano – Teddy Cole
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trumpet – Joe Thomas
Vocals, Written-By – Lil Armstrong
5    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Just For A Thrill 2:48
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – John Frazier
Guitar – Huey Long
Piano – Teddy Cole
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trumpet – Joe Thomas
Vocals, Written-By – Lil Armstrong
6    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    It's Murder 2:18
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – John Frazier
Guitar – Huey Long
Piano – Teddy Cole
Tenor Saxophone – Chu Berry
Trumpet – Joe Thomas (4)
Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Written-By – Buck, Armstrong
7    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Born To Swing 2:33
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – George "Pop" Foster
Guitar – Arnold Adams
Piano – James Sherman
Tenor Saxophone – Robert Carroll
Trumpet – Joe Thomas
Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Written-By – Avon, Armstrong
8    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    (I'm On A) Sit-Down Strike For Rhythm 2:41
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – George "Pop" Foster
Guitar – Arnold Adams
Piano – James Sherman
Tenor Saxophone – Robert Carroll
Trumpet – Joe Thomas
Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Written-By – Avon, Armstrong
9    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Bluer Than Blue 3:08
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – George "Pop" Foster
Guitar – Arnold Adams
Piano – James Sherman
Tenor Saxophone – Robert Carroll
Trumpet – Joe Thomas
Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Written-By – Avon, Armstrong
10    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    I'm Knockin' At The Cabin Door 2:54
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – George "Pop" Foster
Guitar – Arnold Adams
Piano – James Sherman
Tenor Saxophone – Robert Carroll
Trumpet – Joe Thomas
Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Written-By – Avon, Armstrong
11    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Lindy Hop 2:49
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – Manzie Johnson
Guitar – Arnold Adams
Piano – James Sherman
Tenor Saxophone – Prince Robinson
Trumpet – Shirley Clay
Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Written-By – Avon, Armstrong
12    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    When I Went Back Home 2:37
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – Manzie Johnson
Guitar – Arnold Adams
Piano – James Sherman
Tenor Saxophone – Prince Robinson
Trumpet – Shirley Clay
Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Written-By – Avon, Armstrong
13    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Let's Call It Love 3:00
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – Manzie Johnson
Guitar – Arnold Adams
Piano – James Sherman
Tenor Saxophone – Prince Robinson
Trumpet – Shirley Clay
Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Written-By – Armstrong, Matthews
14    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    You Mean So Much To Me 2:50
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – Manzie Johnson
Guitar – Arnold Adams
Piano – James Sherman
Tenor Saxophone – Prince Robinson
Trumpet – Shirley Clay
Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Written-By – Jackson
15    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Let's Get Happy Together 2:54
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Tony Zimmers
Double Bass [String Bass] – Haig Stephens
Drums – Sam Weiss
Guitar – Dave Barbour
Piano – Frank Froeba
Trombone – Al Philburn
Trumpet [or] – Johnny McGee, Ralph Muzillo
Vocals, Written-By – Lil Armstrong
16    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Happy Today, Sad Tomorrow 3:09
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Tony Zimmers
Double Bass [String Bass] – Haig Stephens
Drums – Sam Weiss
Guitar – Dave Barbour
Piano – Frank Froeba
Trombone – Al Philburn
Trumpet [or] – Johnny McGee, Ralph Muzillo
Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Written-By – Armstrong, Livingston
17    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    You Shall Reap What You Sow 2:59
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Tony Zimmers
Double Bass [String Bass] – Haig Stephens
Drums – Sam Weiss
Guitar – Dave Barbour
Piano – Frank Froeba
Trombone – Al Philburn
Trumpet [or] – Johnny McGee*, Ralph Muzillo
Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Written-By – Robinson
18    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Oriental Swing 2:58
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Tony Zimmers
Double Bass [String Bass] – Haig Stephens
Drums – Sam Weiss
Guitar – Dave Barbour
Piano – Frank Froeba
Trombone – Al Philburn
Trumpet [or] – Johnny McGee, Ralph Muzillo
Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Written-By – Spencer
19    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Safely Locked Up In My Heart 2:54
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – O'Neil Spencer
Piano, Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Trombone – J.C. Higginbotham
Trumpet – Reunald Jones
Written-By – Avon, Armstrong
20    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Everything's Wrong, Ain't Nothing Right 3:02
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – O'Neil Spencer
Piano, Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Trombone – J.C. Higginbotham
Trumpet – Reunald Jones
Written By – Evans
Written-By – Armstrong
21    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Harlem On Saturday Night 2:40
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – O'Neil Spencer
Piano, Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Trombone – J.C. Higginbotham
Trumpet – Reunald Jones
Written-By – Smith, Johnson
22    Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Orchestra–    Knock-Kneed Sal (On The Mourner's Bench) 2:31
Clarinet – Buster Bailey
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – O'Neil Spencer
Piano, Vocals – Lil Armstrong
Trombone – J.C. Higginbotham
Trumpet – Reunald Jones
Written-By – Armstrong, Randolph
23    Lil "Brown Gal" Armstrong And Her Dixielanders–    Sixth Street 2:47
Alto Saxophone – Don Stovall
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – Manzie Johnson
Piano – Lil Armstrong
Tenor Saxophone – Russell Johns
Trumpet – Jonah Jones
Written By – Fitzpatrick
24    Lil "Brown Gal" Armstrong And Her Dixielanders–    Riffin' The Blues 2:37
Alto Saxophone – Don Stovall
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – Manzie Johnson
Piano – Lil Armstrong
Tenor Saxophone – Russell Johns
Trumpet – Jonah Jones
Written By – Fitzpatrick
25    Lil "Brown Gal" Armstrong And Her Dixielanders–    Why Is A Good Man So Hard To Find? 3:00
Alto Saxophone – Don Stovall
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – Manzie Johnson
Piano – Lil Armstrong
Tenor Saxophone – Russell Johns
Trumpet – Jonah Jones
Vocals – Midge Williams
Written-By – Davis
26    Lil "Brown Gal" Armstrong And Her Dixielanders–    My Secret Flame 3:09
Alto Saxophone – Don Stovall
Double Bass [String Bass] – Wellman Braud
Drums – Manzie Johnson
Piano – Lil Armstrong
Tenor Saxophone – Russell Johns
Trumpet – Jonah Jones
Vocals – Hilda Rogers
Written-By – Avon, Armstrong

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