“Baby Won’t You Please Come Home” – Fletcher Henderson and his Orchestra f/ Evelyn Preer (1927)

Here’s a scarce Henderson record on the Vocalion 1000 series.

This session finds the band coming off a three month stint gigging in NYC – primarily at the Roseland Orchestra, playing with the Jean Goldkette band in October 0f 1926 and Jacques Green in November. These shows were apparently broadcast live on NYC radio station WHN – can you imagine!?!

They also did shows at Small’s Paradise, Savoy Ballroom and on January 5, 1927, played with Cliff Jackson and his Krazy Kats at the short-lived Murray’s Roseland. Again – imagine going to THAT show!

This record features vocalist Evelyn Preer – a well-known actress who developed her credentials appearing in the trailblazing silent films of black director Oscar Micheaux (who founded his film company in Sioux City, Iowa!).

Preer does a fine job in an amazing Redman arrangement that features soloist after soloist popping in one after another at a galloping pace. Standouts to my ears are Tommy Ladnier, Hawkins and the excellent but brief trombone solo by Harrison right after the vocals.

0:00 Intro
0:38 Clarinet Trio
0:52 Guitar (Dixon)
1:05 Trumpet (Joe Smith)
1:30 Trumpet (Ladnier)
1:43 Tenor Sax (Hawkins)
2:00 Vocals (Preer)
2:28 Trombone (Harrison)
2:42 Trumpet (Joe Smith)
2:57 Coda

They followed this outstanding session for Vocalion in short order with equally excellent sessions for Harmony (Jan. 20), Columbia (Jan. 21), and again for Vocalion (Jan 22) before setting off for Detroit on January 25 for two weeks at the Graystone Ballroom, followed by a short Midwestern tour with stops in Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City.

This should give you a real sense of how busy the band was during this period and the high level of professionalism of its musicians – who could likely play these songs backwards in their sleep!

Recorded in New York City on January 19, 1927.
Released as Vocalion 1079.
While some Vocalion pressings of this tune are known to have alternate takes, this one is the common take (mx. E-4394).

Credits:
Fletcher Henderson – director, piano
Russell Smith, Joe Smith, Tommy Ladnier – trumpet
Benny Morton, Jimmy Harrison – trombone
Buster Bailey – clarinet, alto sax
Don Redman – clarinet, alto sax, arranger
Coleman Hawkins – clarinet, tenor sax
Charlie Dixon – banjo, guitar
June Cole – tuba
Kaiser Marshall – drums
Evelyn Preer Thompson – vocals