1. Perry Bradford's Jazz Phools with Louis Armstrong - I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle
2. Jelly Roll Morton and His Red Hot Peppers - Doctor Jazz
3. Pinetop Smith - I'm Sober Now
4. Will Johnson with Henry "Red" Allen and His Orchestra - You Might Get Better, But You'll Never Get Well
5. Henry "Red" Allen and His Orchestra - Patrol Wagon Blues
6. Louis Armstrong and His Sebastian New Cotton Club Orchestra - Just a Gigolo
7. Don Redman and His Orchestra - I Heard
8. Harlan Lattimore with Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra - I Wanna Count Sheep
9. Cab Calloway and his Orchestra - Reefer Man
10. Wilson Myers with Sidney Bechet and the New Orleans Feetwarmers - Shag
11. The Mills Brothers with Duke Ellington and His Orchestra - Diga Diga Doo
12. The Spirits of Rhythm - Rhythm
13. Louis Bacon with Duke Ellington and His Orchestra - Dear Old Southland
14. Taft Jordan with Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra - On the Sunny Side of the Street
15. Stuff Smith and his Onyx Club Boys with Jonah Jones - Old Joe's Hittin' the Jug
16. Fats Waller and His Rhythm - Lost Love
17. Jimmy Rushing with Count Basie and His Orchestra - Sent For You Yesterday
18. Slim and Slam - The Flat Foot Floogee
19. Hot Lips Page and His Band - Old Man Ben
20. Trummy Young with Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra - Ain't She Sweet
21. Dan Grissom with Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra - I Love You
22. Joe Turner with Pete Johnson and His Boogie Woogie Boys - Baby, Look at You
Cecily's Review
Personal background: I probably heard this as a kid but my fondest memories come in my early 20s. I believe I first listened to this CD because I was curious about Jelly Roll Morton and this was the only CD that had anything by him on it. Since then it's become a standard big band feature in my life.
Resonance: That haunting mix of hedonism and hard luck that defines so much of the interwar popular culture imbues all of these tracks with melancholy while at the same time the music is incredibly playful and enthusiastic. These were men who could play incredibly well in bands where everyone had to pull their own weight - nothing like modern music. I might not be able to empathize with every song (the spoken-word comedy tracks like 'I Heard' and 'I'm Sober Now' are more confusing than funny) but that historical sense is incredible. 5/5
Design: I sometimes feel like popular music has (in general) been on a steady downward trajectory since its recording inception. The playing and singing here might be rough but its real and genuine. Some of the songs might be stupid but the attraction is the ensemble playing - the vocal portion is often only a third or even a quarter of the song! Sure, I don't much like 'Ain't She Sweet' but I can let it go here. I've never used the skip button on this compilation, a true feat for 22 songs. Added bonus: the number of off-beat choices on display adds some real variety. The bluesy 'Patrol Wagon Blues,' comedy numbers like 'Old Joe's Hitting the Jug' and 'Reefer Man,' a Bing Crosby wannabe singing 'I Love You,' Fats Waller warbling out 'Lost Love' while clearly not meaning a damn word of it, wild rave-ups like 'Doctor Jazz' and of course those sweet standards like 'On the Sunny Side of the Street' forming the glue of familiarity. Really nicely done. 5/5
Utility: This is a record I can play anywhere. The worst speakers in the world can't touch something this old and crackly. Great in the car, great in the home and you might be surprised how many people do enjoy the sound of the old big bands. I used to get very good responses when I played the old standards in the New England country store I worked in. There's a charm to it that puts you at ease and all ages can enjoy this stuff, yet the playing is such that it can be enjoyed solo too. 5/5
Best: Old Joe's Hittin' the Jug, I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle, Patrol Wagon Blues, Diga Diga Doo.
Worst: I'm Sober Now.
Conclusion: I really enjoy this little CD and only wish I could find more of these French imports someday. The first CD to gain my highest rating, 15/15. Keep em coming!
Ticharu's Review
Personal background; This CD came into the collection as part of the bi-weekly haul of used CDs from Cheapo's in Uptown. That was an amazing store, back when there was a market for discs, we were prime customers, dropping $200 plus every month and much of it in the spirit of experimentation. We sold a lot of titles back, that was the point really, at those prices we could experiment, try stuff you might not try if you had to be cautious. We were investing in self education. This CD had enough instantly likeable stuff to earn a spot on the shelf.
Resonance; The sound of the 20s and 30s appeals to me on a level which is just a bit eerie. They sounded world wearied and knowing, it translates. And of course the technology at the time was the future, yet as soon as it was laid down it was old. It sounded old before they even cut these tracks. What it actually sounded like live and in person? I think it would have been quite raw and full of attitude and zest for life which just makes these recordings that much more haunting. 5/5
Design; As a comp it doesn't get much better. I've been looking ever since for anything else in this series, never seen anything, or it would be in the collection too. I have over the years collected CDs by at least half the artists represented. Very useful taster. 5/5
Utility; Warrants repeated listening, what more could you want? If anything, you've got to be in the mood for the primitive sound quality. Part of the charm but sometimes a little harsh. 4/5
Best; Shag, Reefer Man, Diga Diga Doo, Old Joe's Hittin' the Jug, The Flat Foot Floogie, Lost Love
Worst; Ain't She Sweet (just never really liked this song, never heard a version I liked)
Conclusion; 14/15 Fabulous CD
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