MARY LOU WILLIAMS – 1951-1953 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1346 (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

While the Asch recordings of Mary Lou Williams, recorded during the mid-'40s, are wrapped in a veil of pleasant 78-rpm surface noise, her Circle recordings of 1951 are presented here as direct transfers from early 33-and-one-third-rpm platters. This creates a different listening experience, for while sustained 78-rpm "scratchiness" acts as a constant texture through which the music may usually be heard, the inconsistent wandering hiss of the primitive acetate "long-playing" record creates at times a slightly distracting rhythmic pattern that is most noticeable on the slower numbers. This is emphasized by the otherwise "clean" sound of the recording. With Willie Guerra's bongos and Billy Taylor's upright bass backing the leader's excellent piano, the intrusive little hisses sound at times as though someone might be carelessly handling a shekere, or possibly teasing a pet snake. All phonographic pickiness aside, the music heard on the opening session is exquisite, particularly "Handy Eyes," a grooved-up rendition of W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues." Two further Circle sides from 1952 feature the pianist supported by an unidentified bassist and drummer. After a marvelous passage through Ellington and Tizol's "Caravan," the men open "Yes, We Have No Bananas" by shouting the title in a bizarre and surprising manner. On July 11, 1952, Mary Lou Williams performed in front of a loudly appreciative audience with a band including her second ex-husband, trumpeter Harold "Shorty" Baker, trombonist Vic Dickenson, and tenor saxophonist Morris Lane. The ten-minute "Down Beat" is a warm, swinging jam during which the players are able to stretch out and cook nicely. A lovely take on "Out of Nowhere" leads into eight and a half smoky minutes of "C Jam Blues." The remaining 12 tracks were recorded during Mary Lou Williams' visit to England during the first half of 1953. Backed by guitar, bass, and either the regular drum kit or bongos, she delivers her customary blend of original compositions, jazz standards, classic ragtime, and contemporary tropes from innovators such as Tadd Dameron and Thelonious Monk. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :
1    Mary Lou Williams Trio–    Lover, Come Back To Me    3:30
2    Mary Lou Williams Trio–    S'Posin'    3:16
3    Mary Lou Williams Trio–    Handy Eyes    3:20
4    Mary Lou Williams Trio–    Tisherome    4:03
5    Mary Lou Williams And Her Modern Music*–    Caravan    2:35
6    Mary Lou Williams And Her Modern Music*–    Yes, We Have No Bananas    2:08
7    Mary Lou Williams And Her Orchestra–    Down Beat    9:57
8    Mary Lou Williams And Her Orchestra–    Out Of Nowhere    4:06
9    Mary Lou Williams And Her Orchestra–    C Jam Blues    8:25
10    Mary Lou Williams Trio–    Titoros    2:55
11    Mary Lou Williams Trio–    Lady Bird    3:00
12    Mary Lou Williams Trio–    Don't Blame Me    3:24
13    Mary Lou Williams Trio–    They Can't Take That Away From Me    2:39
14    Mary Lou Williams Trio–    Koolbongo    2:52
15    Mary Lou Williams Trio–    Perdido    2:33
16    Mary Lou Williams Trio–    For You    2:54
17    Mary Lou Williams Trio–    Round About Midnight    4:05
18    Mary Lou Williams And Her Rhythm–    Laughing Rag    1:49
19    Mary Lou Williams And Her Rhythm–    Rag Of Rags    1:51
20    Mary Lou Williams Quartet–    Melody Maker    2:30
21    Mary Lou Williams Quartet–    Musical Express    2:16
Credits :    
Bass – Billy Taylor Sr. (tracks: 1 to 4), Eddie Safranski (tracks: 7 to 9), Jack Fallon (tracks: 18, 19), Ken Napper (tracks: 10 to 17), Rupert Nurse (tracks: 20, 21), Unknown Artist (tracks: 5, 6)
Bongos – Tony Scott (tracks: 10 to 17), Willie Guerra (tracks: 1 to 4)
Drums – Don Lamond (tracks: 7 to 9), Gerry McLaughlin (tracks: 18, 19), Tony Kinsey (tracks: 20, 21), Unknown Artist (tracks: 5, 6)
Guitar – Allan Ganley (tracks: 10 to 17), Nevell John (tracks: 7 to 9), Ray Dempsey (tracks: 20, 21)
Piano – Mary Lou Williams
Tenor Saxophone – Morris Lane (tracks: 7 to 9)
Trombone – Vic Dickenson (tracks: 7 to 9)
Trumpet – Harold Baker (tracks: 7 to 9)

MARY LOU WILLIAMS – 1953-1954 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1417 (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In part because it didn't have any of her biggest hits, the 1964 album Queen of Soul is a relatively overlooked one in Etta James' discography, even for an artist whose LPs weren't all that well known. The ten songs are dependable early soul music, though the material isn't quite on the level of her best mid-'60s work. "I Wish Someone Would Care" is about the best tune, but James was beaten to the punch on that score by Irma Thomas, who not only recorded the original and superior version, but also wrote the song. The one track to bear a James writing credit ("Bobby Is His Name," co-penned with Ed Townsend) is a pretty lightweight, almost teen pop-influenced number; "That Man Belongs Back Here with Me," co-composed by noted tunesmith Clint Ballard, is fair but not great pop-soul with a jazzy touch; "Flight 101" has a tinge of melodrama, though James' typically strong vocal saves it. "Loving You More Every Day" has a satisfying blues-gospel feel, but much of this has dated orchestration, even the closing "Mellow Fellow," which has one of her trademark, throaty, drawn-out testifying openings. Perhaps some of the album's overall unevenness can be attributed to it having been taken from sessions done over a period of two years. Richie Unterberger  
Tracklist :
1    Mary Lou Williams Quartet–Sometimes I'm Happy    2:28
2    Mary Lou Williams Quartet–Monk's Tune    2:28
3    Don Carlos Meets Mary Lou–Why    4:19
4    Don Carlos Meets Mary Lou–Lullaby Of The Leaves    4:11
5    Don Carlos Meets Mary Lou–Just You, Just Me    2:35
6    Don Carlos Meets Mary Lou–Chicka Boom Blues    3:15
7    Don Carlos Meets Mary Lou–Mary's Waltz    2:58
8    Don Carlos Meets Mary Lou–O.W.    5:08
9    Don Carlos Meets Mary Lou–Moonglow    3:54
10    Don Carlos Meets Mary Lou–N.M.E. (New Musical Express)    3:26
11    Mary Lou Williams And Her Rhythm–Tire, Tire L'Aguille    2:35
12    Mary Lou Williams And Her Rhythm–Lover    3:03
13    Mary Lou Williams And Her Rhythm–En Ce Temps Là    3:20
14    Mary Lou Williams And Her Rhythm–Autumn In New York    2:32
15    Mary Lou Williams And Her Rhythm–Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea    2:18
16    Mary Lou Williams And Her Rhythm–Nicole    3:31
17    Mary Lou Williams And Her Rhythm–Carioca    2:40
18    Mary Lou Williams And Her Rhythm–There's A Small Hotel    3:12
19    Mary Lou Williams Et Ses Formations–Leg 'N' Lou    2:58
20    Mary Lou Williams Et Ses Formations–Gravel (Scratchin' In The Gravel)    3:35
21    Mary Lou Williams Et Ses Formations–Nancy Is In Love With The Colonel    3:12
22    Mary Lou Williams Et Ses Formations–Mary Lou Blues    2:5
Credits :    
Bass – Buddy Banks (tracks: 3 to 22), Rupert Nuese (tracks: 1, 2)
Drums – Gérard Pochonet (tracks: 3 to 10), Jean-Louis Viale (tracks: 11 to 18), Kansas Fields (tracks: 19 to 22), Tony Kinsey (tracks: 1, 2)
Guitar – Ray Dempsey (tracks: 1, 2)
Piano – Mary Lou Williams
Tenor Saxophone – Don Byas (tracks: 3 to 10), Ray Lawrence (tracks: 19 to 22)
Trumpet – Nelson Williams (tracks: 19 to 22)