VICTORIA SPIVEY — Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order Vol. 1 (1926-1927) DOCD 5316 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first of four Document CDs that contain all of singer Victoria Spivey's pre-war recordings has her first 23 sides. Spivey made her initial reputation with her series of dark blues that were full of symbolism, such as her trademark "Black Snake Blues" -- snakes and tuberculosis were common topics in her lyrics. Her first four selections were recorded in St. Louis from May 11-13, 1926 (she was 19 at the time); she then relocated to New York. Spivey is heard backed by several ensembles led by pianist John Erby in August 1926 (including her first meetings with guitarist Lonnie Johnson) and on five pieces in October 1927 with Johnson and pianist Porter Grainger. By the time the latter sides were recorded, her style was becoming a little more lighthearted and softer but no less powerful. Among the highlights of this superior set are "Black Snake Blues," "Hoodoo Man Blues," "Spider Web Blues," "Got the Blues So Bad," "The Alligator Pond Went Dry," "T.B. Blues," and "Garter Snake Blues." This is highly recommended, as are the other three CDs in this important series. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Black Snake Blues 3:08
Vocals, Piano – Victoria Spivey
2 Dirty Woman's Blues 3:10
Speech [Male] – Unknown Artist
Vocals, Piano – Victoria Spivey
3 Long Gone Blues 3:05
Cornet – Pierce Gist
Piano – De Lloyd Barnes
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
4 No More Jelly Bean Blues 3:18
Cornet – Pierce Gist
Piano – De Lloyd Barnes
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
5 Hoodoo Man Blues 2:40
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
6 Spider Web Blues 3:03
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
7 It's Evil Hearted Me 2:55
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
8 Santa Fe Blues 3:21
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
9 Humored And Petted Blues 2:27
Clarinet – Unknown Artist
Drums – Unknown Artist
Orchestra – Erby's Fidgety Five
Piano – John Erby
Trombone – Unknown Artist
Trumpet – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
10 Big Hoston Blues 2:45
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano [Prob.] – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
11 Got The Blues So Bad 3:02
Piano [Prob.] – John Erby
Violin – Lonnie Johnson
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
12 Blue Valley Blues 2:53
Clarinet – Unknown Artist
Drums – Unknown Artist
Orchestra – Erby's Fidgety Five
Piano – John Erby
Trombone – Unknown Artist
Trumpet – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
13 Steady Grind 3:27
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
14 Idle Hour Blues 3:01
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
15 Arkansas Road Blues 3:20
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
16 The Alligator Pond Went Dry 2:44
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
17 No. 12 Let Me Roam 3:32
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
18 T-B Blues 3:15
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
19 Garter Snake Blues 3:17
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
20 Christmas Morning Blues 3:28
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
21 Dope Head Blues 3:21
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
22 Red Lantern Blues 3:11
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
23 Blood Thirsty Blues 3:03
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Victoria Spivey

VICTORIA SPIVEY — Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order Vol. 2 (1927-1929) DOCD 5317 (2000) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Victoria Spivey, who made her initial reputation with dark and somewhat scary blues lyrics, altered her style during the period covered by this second of four "complete" Document CDs. She is heard in a series of double entendre songs (usually issued in two parts) with singer/guitarist Lonnie Johnson, including "New Black Snake Blues," "Toothache Blues," "Furniture Man Blues," and "You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now." Also, Spivey is heard with an all-star group led by pianist Clarence Williams (including cornetist King Oliver and guitarist Eddie Lang) that unfortunately does not get much space to stretch out; on two classic performances ("Funny Feathers" and "How Do You Do It that Way") on which she is joined by Louis Armstrong's Savoy Ballroom Five (with pianist Gene Anderson in Earl Hines' place); and guesting on two versions apiece of those same two songs with Henry "Red" Allen's Octet (which was really Luis Russell's Orchestra). Spivey, who was a strong singer from the start, is featured throughout in peak form, showing that she could not only sing blues but good-time jazz of the era. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Nightmare Blues
2. Murder In The First Degree
3. Jelly Look What You Done Done
4. Your Worries Ain'T Like Mine
5. A Good Man Is Hard To Find
6. My Handy Man
7. Organ Grinder Blues (Take A)
8. Organ Grinder Blues (Take C)
9. New Black Snake Blues - Part 1 (Duet With Lonnie Johnson)
10. New Black Snake Blues - Part 2 (Duet With Lonnie Johnson)
11. No Papa No!
12. Toothache Blues - Part 1 (Duet With Lonnie Johnson)
13. Furniture Man Blues - Part 2 (Duet With Lonnie Johnson)
14. Furniture Man Blues - Part 2 (Duet With Lonnie Johnson)
15. Mosquito Fly And Flea
16. Toothache Blues - Part 2 (Duet With Lonnie Johnson)
17. You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now! - Part 1 (Duet With Lonnie Johnson)
18. You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now! - Part 2 (Duet With Lonnie Johnson)
19. Funny Feathers
20. How Do You Do It That Way
21. Funny Feathers Blues (Take 1)
22. Funny Feathers Blues (Take 2)
23. How Do They Do It That Way (Take 1)
24. How Do They Do It That Way (Take 2)
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Charlie Holmes (tracks: 21 to 24)
Banjo – Mancy Cara (tracks: 19, 20)
Bass – Pops Foster (tracks: 21 to 24)
Clarinet – Albert Nicholas (tracks: 21 to 24), Omer Simeon (tracks: 6 to 8)
Compilation Producer – Johnny Parth
Cornet – King Oliver (tracks: 6 to 8)
Drums – Paul Barbarin (tracks: 21 to 24), Zutty Singleton (tracks: 19, 20)
Guitar – Eddie Lang (tracks: 6 to 8), Lonnie Johnson (tracks: 1 to 5, 9, 10, 17, 18)
Percussion – Lonnie Johnson (tracks: 11)
Piano – Clarence Williams (tracks: 6 to 8, 11 to 16), Gene Anderson (tracks: 19, 20), Luis Russell (tracks: 21 to 24), Porter Grainger (tracks: 1 to 5)
Piano [Prob.] – Victoria Spivey (tracks: 9, 10, 17, 18)
Remastered By – Gerhard Wessely
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Strong (tracks: 19, 20), Teddy Hill (tracks: 21 to 24)
Trombone – Eddie Durham (tracks: 6 to 8), Fred Robinson (tracks: 19, 20), J. C. Higginbotham (tracks: 21 to 24)
Trumpet – Henry Allen (tracks: 21 to 24), Louis Armstrong (tracks: 19, 20)
Vocals – Lonnie Johnson (tracks: 9, 10, 12 to 14, 16 to 18), Victoria Spivey

VICTORIA SPIVEY — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order Vol. 3 (1929-1936) DOCD 5318 (2000) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Victoria Spivey's ability to evolve with the times and often reinvent her style can be heard throughout the third of four CDs in Document's reissuance of her prewar recordings. She is heard singing classic blues on four numbers with an all-star group drawn from Luis Russell's Orchestra (including trumpeter Red Allen and trombonist J.C. Higginbotham) and on four other songs in which she is just backed by pianist Russell and guitarist Will Johnson. She investigates double entendre blues with the assistance of pianist/vocalist Porter Grainger and (for the two-part "Mama's Quittin' and Leavin'") with guitarist/singer Funny Paper Smith. For a 1931 date, Spivey does her take on hokum (particularly on "He Wants Too Much") with the help of pianist Georgia Tom Dorsey and guitarist Tampa Red. And on "Dreaming 'Bout My Man" she is backed by the pre-swing big band Hunter's Serenaders. This volume concludes by jumping ahead five years and featuring Spivey singing quite confidently with a first-rate Chicago-based swing band (including "Black Snake Swing"). Although not quite as essential as the first two volumes in this series, this set (and Vol. 4) is also easily recommended. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :
1. Blood Hound Blues
2. Dirty T.B. Blues
3. Moaning The Blues
4. Telephoning The Blues
5. New York Blues
6. Lonesome With The Blues
7. Showered With The Blues
8. Haunted By The Blues
9. You've Gotta Have What It Takes - Part 1
10. You've Gotta Have What It Takes - Part 2
11. Baulin' Water Blues - Part 1
12. Baulin' Water Blues - Part 2
13. Mama's Quittin' And Leavin' - Part 1
14. Mama's Quittin' And Leavin' - Part 2
15. Nebraska Blues
16. He Wants Too Much
17. Low Down Man Blues
18. Don't Trust Nobody Blues
19. Dreaming 'Bout My Man
20. Sweet Please
21. Black Snake Swing
22. I'll Never Fall In Love Again
23. T B's Got Me
Credits :
Bass – Pops Foster (tracks: 1 to 3), Unknown Artist (tracks: 20 to 23)
Brass Bass – Pops Foster (tracks: 4)
Compilation Producer – Johnny Parth
Drums – Bud Washington (tracks: 20 to 23)
Guitar – Teddy Bunn (tracks: 9 to 12), Will Johnson (tracks: 1 to 8)
Guitar [Prob.] – Tampa Red (tracks: 16 to 18)
Piano – Dorothy Scott (tracks: 20 to 23), Georgia Tom Dorsey (tracks: 16 to 18), Luis Russell (tracks: 1 to 8)
Piano [Poss.] – Charles Avery (tracks: 15), Addie "Sweet Pease" Spivey (tracks: 20 to 23)
Saxophone – Chick Gordon (tracks: 20 to 23), Leon Washington (tracks: 20 to 23)
Soprano Saxophone – Charlie Holmes (tracks: 1 to 4)
Tenor Saxophone – Teddy Hill (tracks: 1 to 3)
Trombone – J.C. Higginbotham (tracks: 1 to 4)
Trumpet – Henry Allen* (tracks: 1 to 4)
Trumpet [Prob.] – Randolph Scott (tracks: 20 to 23)
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
Vocals, Piano – Porter Grainger (tracks: 9 to 12)

VICTORIA SPIVEY — Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order, Vol. 4 (1936-1937) DOCD 5319 (2000) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Victoria Spivey is best remembered today for her recordings in the 1920s and for her work with her Spivey label in the '60s, but she also made a fairly extensive series of records from 1936-1937. The final of her four Document CDs has all of the latter except for a few titles included on Vol. 3. The 22 cuts include ten previously unreleased performances. Spivey is joined by a variety of Chicago-based musicians on four of the five sessions: either Lee Collins (who gets carried away in spots) or Sheiks on trumpet; sometimes the erratic clarinetist Arnett Nelson; and a rhythm section with either Dorothy Scott, Black Bob, J.H. Shayne, Aletha Robinson or Addie "Sweet Pease" Spivey on piano. (Big Bill Broonzy plays guitar on one session.) In addition, Spivey is heard on a New York date with five musicians who were with the Luis Russell Orchestra (which had become Louis Armstrong's backup group): pianist Russell, trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen, clarinetist Albert Nicholas, altoist Charlie Holmes, and bassist Pops Foster. Throughout, Spivey's voice is in fine form with the music ranging from good-time to Chicago-style blues. Highlights include "Mr. Freddie Blues," "Trouble in Mind," "Detroit Moan," "I Ain't Gonna Let You See My Santa Claus," "One Hour Mama," and "Good Cabbage." Although not as essential as her earlier work, this CD is worth picking up. It seems strange that Spivey (who up to the late '30s managed to stay fairly up to date) did not hook up with a swinging big band; instead, she would not record again until 1961. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :
1. Dreaming of You [take 1]
2. Dreaming of You [take 2]
3. I Can't Last Long
4. Mr. Freddie Blues [take 1]
5. Mr. Freddie Blues [take 2]
6. Trouble in Mind
7. Hollywood Stomp
8. Detroit Moan
9. Any-Kind-a-Man [take 1]
10. Any-Kind-a-Man [take 2]
11. I Ain't Gonna Let You See My Santa Claus
12. One Hour Mama
13. Harlem Susie-Kue
14. Give It to Him [take 1]
15. Give It to Him [take 2]
16. Got the Blues So Bad
17. Down Hill Pull
18. From 1 to 12 (Dirty Dozen)
19. Good Cabbage
20. Time Ain't Long [take 1]
21. Time Ain't Long [take 2]
22. Don't Love No Married Man
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Charlie Holmes (tracks: 12 to 16)
Bass – John Lindsay (tracks: 7 to 11), Pops Foster (tracks: 12 to 16), Unknown Artist (tracks: 1 to 3)
Bass [Prob.] – John Lindsay (tracks: 4 to 6)
Clarinet – Albert Nicholas (tracks: 12 to 16), Arnett Nelson (tracks: 4 to 11)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Bill Owsley (tracks: 20 to 22)
Compilation Producer – Johnny Parth
Drums – Bud Washington (tracks: 1 to 3), Unknown Artist (tracks: 4 to 6)
Drums [Prob.] – Fred Williams (tracks: 17 to 22)
Guitar [Poss.] – Big Bill Broonzy (tracks: 4 to 6)
Piano – Black Bob (tracks: 3), Dorothy Scott (tracks: 1, 2), J. H. Shayne (tracks: 4 to 11), Luis Russell (tracks: 12 to 16), Addie "Sweet Pease" Spivey (tracks: 1, 2)
Piano [Prob.] – Aletha Robinson (tracks: 17 to 22)
Remastered By – Gerhard Wessely
Trumpet – Henry Allen (tracks: 12 to 16), Lee Collins (tracks: 1 to 3, 7 to 11)
Trumpet [Prob.] – Mr. Sheiks (tracks: 17)
Vocals – Victoria Spivey (tracks: 1 to 3)

LUIS RUSSELL AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1926-1929 | The Chronogical Classics – 588 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This Classics Russell collection and the label's later 1929-1934 disc round up the entire output by the Panamanian bandleader. And while some know them better for the fact they eventually morphed into Louis Armstrong's first big band in the early '30s, Russell's outfit originally cut some of the best sides to surface during the music's transition from early jazz to big band music. The cream of the tracks were recorded between 1929-1930, when the group included such top soloists as trumpeter Henry Allen, trombonist J.C. Higginbotham, saxophonists Charlie Holmes and Albert Nicholas, bassist Pops Foster, and drummer Paul Barbarin. The majority of the collection spotlights this period, with such standouts as "Jersey Lightning," "The New Call of the Freaks," and "African Jungle." Starting things off, though, are eight numbers from Russell's first sessions as a leader (this was while he was still with King Oliver). Featuring Victoria Spivey on vocals and two Jell Roll Morton alums in Kid Ory and George Mitchell, the Chicago-cut sides, while not on par with the later large-band tracks, still impress with their mix of New Orleans and Chicago styles. A quality disc that's best left to completists; newcomers should first consider JSP's superior-sounding Savoy Shout collection as a starting point. Stephen Cook  
Tracklist + Credits :

HENRY "RED" ALLEN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1929-1933 | The Chronogical Classics – 540 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first of a five-volume CD series released by the European Classics label that reissues all of the recordings led by trumpeter Red Allen during 1929-41 is one of the best. The great trumpeter is first heard fronting the Luis Russell Orchestra for such classics as "It Should Be You" and "Biff'ly Blues," he interacts with blues singer Victoria Spivey, and on the selections from 1933 (two of which were previously unreleased) he co-leads a group with tenor-saxophonist Coleman Hawkins. Not all of the performances are gems but there are many memorable selections including "How Do They Do It That Way," "Pleasin' Paul," "Sugar Hill Function,," and "Patrol Wagon Blues." Other soloists include trombonists J.C. Higginbottham and Dicky Wells, clarinetist Albert Nicholas and altoist Charlie Holmes. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :