THE MILLS BROTHERS — Four Boys And A Guitar : The Essential Mills Brothers (1995) MONO | Serie Art Deco | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Essential Mills Brothers: Four Boys and a Guitar is a 20-track collection of the vocal group's takes on pop standards like "Bugle Call Rag" and "Dinah, " but not many of their biggest hits. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1    Dinah     3:00
 Harry Akst / Sam M. Lewis / Joe Young
2    Shine    3:19
 Lew Brown / Ford Dabney / Cecil Mack
3    I Heard     2:27
 Don Redman
4    How'm I Doin', Hey-Hey     2:29
 Lem Fowler / Don Redman
5    Rockin' Chair     3:12
 Hoagy Carmichael
6    Chinatown, My Chinatown     2:37
 William Jerome / Jean Schwartz
7    Sweet Sue, Just You     2:59
 Will J. Harris / Victor Young
8    St. Louis Blues     2:22
 W.C. Handy
9    Bugle Call Rag     2:01
 Billy Meyers / Jack Pettis / Elmer Schoebel
10    Dirt Dishing Daisy     3:16
 Larry Klein
11    Diga, Diga Doo     3:08
 Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
12    Doin' The New Low Down     3:10
 Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
13    Fiddlin' Joe     2:25
 James Cavanaugh / Irving Mills
14    Swing It, Sister     2:34
 Harold Adamson / Burton Lane
15    Jungle Fever     3:10
 Walter Donaldson
16    Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet     2:39
 Stanley Murphy / Percy Wenrich
17    Sleepy Head     3:03
 Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
18    My Little Grass Shack In Kealkekua, Hawaii     2:35
 Bill Cogswell / Tommy Harrison / Johnny Noble
All Credits :

LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1936-1937 | The Classics Chronological Series – 512 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Continuing the complete chronological reissue of Louis Armstrong's output for Decca during the swing era, this set finds Satch at his most exhibitionistic (hitting dozens of high notes on "Swing That Music"), fronting Jimmy Dorsey's orchestra, doing a "Pennies from Heaven" medley with Bing Crosby, joining in for two collaborations with The Mills Brothers and, on four selections, even making charming (if weird) music with a group of Hawaiians. Not essential but quite enjoyable. Scott Yanow   Tracklist + Credits :

DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1932-1933 | The Classics Chronological Series – 626 (1992) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Not the best Classics disc of Ellington's 1920s and '30s work (look to the label's mid- to late-'30s titles), this 23-track round-up of the bandleader's 1932-1933 output still offers enough in the way of quality originals and stellar playing to keep most Duke enthusiasts happy. The first half contains the choicest selections, including such top-notch ensemble vehicles as Benny Carter's "Jazz Cocktail" (his arrangement is used, too) and superb Ellington charts like "Slippery Horn," "Blue Harlem," and "Lightnin'." The latter half does sag a bit with several vocal novelties featuring Ivie Anderson, the Mills Brothers, and Adelaide Hall, but the always excellent contributions of Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Barney Bigard, and Cootie Williams keep things in check. An enjoyable slice of early Ellingtonia that's may be best left to the more trench-friendly of early jazz lovers. Stephen Cook     Tracklist + Credits :

DON REDMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1931-1933 | The Chronogical Classics – 543 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first of three Don Redman Classics CDs consists of his orchestra's earliest sessions. Although Redman's big band never hit it as big as his former employers' (Fletcher Henderson and McKinney's Cotton Pickers), it was an impressive outfit, thanks to the leader's advanced arrangements. Among the key sidemen on these performances are trumpeters Red Allen (who is on the first two sessions) and Sidney DeParis, tenor saxophonist Robert Carroll, and pianist Horace Henderson. Highlights include "Chant of the Weed" (Redman's atmospheric theme song), "I Heard," "How'm I Doin'," and "Hot and Anxious." The main Don Redman CD to get. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

ELLA FITZGERALD – 1937-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 506 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second of six CDs in the Classics label's complete reissue of Ella Fitzgerald's early recordings features the singer as a teenager with the Chick Webb Orchestra, in addition to leading two sessions that use Webb's sidemen and performing a pair of songs ("Big Boy Blue" and "Dedicated to You") with the Mills Brothers. Highlights include "I Want to Be Happy," "If Dreams Come True" and her big hit, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket." Although not yet the brilliant jazz singer she would become, Fitzgerald already had a highly appealing voice and the ability to swing on any song she was given. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

ELLA FITZGERALD – 1949 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1153 (1999) FLAC (tracks), lossless

In her live performances of 1949, Ella Fitzgerald (who turned 33 that year) often showed the influence of bebop in her phrasing and improvising. However, her studio recordings for Decca (all 21 selections that she cut that year on are on this CD) are surprisingly absent of bebop, instead alternating ballads and bluish pieces with a few swing-oriented numbers. Fitzgerald sounds typically wonderful and cheerful, but the arrangements (for the orchestras of Sy Oliver, Gordwillon Jenkins, and Sonny Burke) are often closer to middle-of-the-road pop music than to jazz. Fitzgerald sounds in fine form on such numbers as "Old Mother Hubbard," "Happy Talk," "Black Coffee," "In the Evening," and "I Hadn't Anyone Till You," imitating Louis Armstrong a bit on "Basin Street Blues." In addition, there are two numbers with Louis Jordan's Tympany Five (including "Baby It's Cold Outside") and two forgettable selections with the Mills Brothers. This CD is a real gap-filler (few of these selections are ever reissued), but not essential. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA - 1936-1937 {CC, 512} (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Continuing the complete chronological reissue of Louis Armstrong's output for Decca during the swing era, this set finds Satch at his most exhibitionistic (hitting dozens of high notes on "Swing That Music"), fronting Jimmy Dorsey's orchestra, doing a "Pennies from Heaven" medley with Bing Crosby, joining in for two collaborations with The Mills Brothers and, on four selections, even making charming (if weird) music with a group of Hawaiians. Not essential but quite enjoyable. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Yes! Yes! My! My! 2:35
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin
2     Somebody Stole My Break 2:44
David Franklin
3     I Come from a Musical Family 2:58
David Franklin
4     If We Never Meet Again 3:07
Louis Armstrong / Horace Gerlach
5     Lyin' to Myself 3:09
Stanley Adams / Hoagy Carmichael
6     Ev'ntide 2:50
Hoagy Carmichael
7     Swing That Music 2:50
Louis Armstrong / Horace Gerlach
8     Thankful 2:54
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin
9     Red Nose 3:01
Bonnie Lake / Marion Lake
10     Mahogany Hall Stomp 2:51
Spencer Williams
11     The Skeleton in the Closet 3:06
Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston
12     When Ruben Swings the Cuban 2:34
Harry White
13     Hurdy Gurdy Man 2:57
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin
14     Dippermouth Blues 2:43
King Oliver
15     Swing That Music 2:49
Louis Armstrong / Horace Gerlach
16     Pennies from Heaven 4:24
Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston
17     Pennies from Heaven 4:19
Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston
18     To You Sweetheart, Aloha 2:56
Harry Owens
19     On a Coconut Island 3:08
Alex Anderson
20     On a Little Bamboo Bridge 3:13
Robert Fletcher / Al Sherman
21     Hawaiian Hospitality 3:04
Ray Kinney / Harry Owens
22     Carry Me Back to Old Virginny 2:59
James A. Bland
23     Darling Nellie Gray 2:42
Louis Armstrong / Don Hanby  

LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1937-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 515 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

22 of Armstrong's big-band recordings and a couple selections with The Mills Brothers are taken in chronological order. A few ("I Double Dare You," "On the Sunny Side of the Street" and his first version of "The Saints") are classics but mostly it is a matter of Armstrong joyfully uplifting mundane material, often higher up than it deserves. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree 2:19
Egbert VanAlstyne / Harry Williams
2     The Old Folks at Home 2:23
Stephen Foster
3     Public Melody Number One 3:09
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
4     Yours and Mine 2:42
Nacio Herb Brown / Arthur Freed
5     Red Cap 3:09
Louis Armstrong / Ben Hecht
6     She's the Daughter of a Planter from Havana 3:18
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin
7     Alexander's Ragtime Band 2:36
Irving Berlin
8     Cuban Pete 3:08
Jose Norman
9     I've Got a Heart Full of Rhythm 3:08
Louis Armstrong / Horace Gerlach
10     Sun Showers 2:41
Nacio Herb Brown / Arthur Freed
11     Once in a While 3:08
Michael Edwards / Bud Green
12     On the Sunny Side of the Street 2:59
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
13     Satchel Mouth Swing 2:35
Lil Hardin Armstrong / Louis Armstrong / Clarence Williams / Harry Williams
14     Jubilee 2:36
Stanley Adams / Hoagy Carmichael / Louis Jordan
15     Struttin' With Some Barbecue 2:58
Lil Hardin Armstrong / Louis Armstrong / Lil Hardin / Don Raye
16     The Trumpet Player's Lament 2:54
Johnny Burke / James V. Monaco
17     I Double Dare You 2:57
Jim Eaton / Terry Shand
18     True Confession 3:06
Sam Coslow / Frederick Hollander
19     Let That Be a Lesson to You 2:35
Johnny Mercer / Richard A. Whiting
20     Sweet as a Song 3:05
Mack Gordon / Harry Revel
21     So Little Time (So Much to Do) 2:44
Peter DeRose / Billy Hill
22     Mexican Swing 2:38
Terry Shand
23     As Long as You Live 2:15
Bernie Hanighen / Johnny Mercer
24     When the Saints Go Marching In 2:43
James Black / Traditional

LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1938-1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 523 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A mixed bag of Armstrong, these 23 selections, if taken complete and in chronological order, include routine swing, three enjoyable numbers with The Mills Brothers, a few spirituals, an odd two-part sermon and some remakes of Armstrong's earlier classics. His career was drifting a bit but there is enough enjoyable music to make this a worthwhile acquisition. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     On the Sentimental Side 2:24
Johnny Burke / James V. Monaco
2     It's Wonderful 2:34
Mitchell Parish / Stuff Smith / Robert Wells
3     Something Tells Me 2:32
Johnny Mercer / Harry Warren
4     Love Walked In 2:28
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
5     Flat Foot Floogie 2:57
Slim Gaillard / Bud Green / Slam Stewart
6     The Song Is Ended 3:09
Irving Berlin
7     My Walking Stick 2:40
Irving Berlin
8     Shadrack 2:28
Robert MacGimsey
9     Going to Shout All over God's Heaven 2:49
Traditional
10     Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen 3:11
Traditional
11     Jonah and the Whale 2:46
Traditional
12     Naturally 2:46
Harry Barris
13     I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams 2:52
Johnny Burke / James V. Monaco
14     I Can't Give You Anything But Love 2:54
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
15     Ain't Misbehavin' 2:55
Harry Brooks / Andy Razaf / Fats Waller
16     Elder Eatmore's Sermon on Throwing Stones 4:17
Shorty Rogers
17     Elder Eatmore's Sermon on Generosity 4:21
Shorty Rogers
18     Jeepers Creepers 2:38
Johnny Mercer / Harry Warren
19     What Is This Thing Called Swing? 3:05
Louis Armstrong / Horace Gerlach
20     Rockin' Chair 3:15
Hoagy Carmichael
21     Lazy Bones 3:13
Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer
22     Hear Me Talkin' to Ya? 3:04
Louis Armstrong / Don Redman
23     Save It, Pretty Mama 2:58
Joe Davis / Paul Denniker / Don Redman

LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 615 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Armstrong's Decca years by the late '30s found him treading water, playing well on these orchestra recordings (four songs find him having a good time with The Mills Brothers), but the remakes are generally more interesting than the newer novelty material from the swing era. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     West End Blues 3:13
King Oliver / Clarence Williams
2     Savoy Blues 3:15
Kid Ory
3     Confessin' (That I Love You) 3:16
Doc Daugherty / Al J. Neiburg / Ellis Reynolds
4     Our Monday Date 2:29
Louis Armstrong / Earl Hines
5     If It's Good (Then I Want It) 2:38
Walter Hirsch / Gerald Marks
6     Me and Brother Bill 2:46
Louis Armstrong
7     Baby, Won't You Please Come Home? 3:19
Charles Warfield / Clarence Williams
8     Poor Old Joe 3:05
Hoagy Carmichael
9     Shanty Boat on the Mississippi 3:23
Jim Eaton / Terry Shand
10     Poor Old Joe 3:05
Hoagy Carmichael
11     You're a Lucky Guy 3:19
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin
12     You're Just a No Account 2:55
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin
13     Bye and Bye 2:34
Traditional
14     Hep Cats' Ball 3:19
Louis Armstrong / Jack Palmer
15     You've Got Me Voodoo'd 3:00
Louis Armstrong / Jack Lawrence / Luis Russell
16     Harlem Stomp 3:03
J.C. Higginbotham
17     Wolverine Blues 3:20
Jelly Roll Morton / Benjamin Franklin Spikes / John Spikes
18     Lazy 'Sippi Steamer 3:20
Louis Armstrong / Luis Russell / Victor Selsman
19     W.P.A. 2:49
J. Stone
20     Boog It 2:39
Cab Calloway / Jack Palmer / Buck Ram
21     Cherry 2:50
Don Redman
22     Marie 2:27
Irving Berlin
23     Sweethearts on Parade 2:54
Carmen Lombardo / Charles Newman
24     You Run Your Mouth, I'll Run My Business 3:01
Louis Armstrong