Jazz Crazy Records

An Archive of Early Jazz on 78 RPM

Author: Professor M

  • “You Can’t Do What My Last Man Did” – Maggie Jones (1933)

    “You Can’t Do What My Last Man Did” – Maggie Jones (1933)

    An early session with “The Texas Moaner” Maggie Jones (aka Fae Barnes) accompanied by Fletcher Henderson on piano.

    “You Can’t Do What My Last Man Did” was a James P. Johnson tune with lyrics by Allie Moore. It had already been recorded in a frenzy of sessions by Ethel Waters, Mamie Smith, Alberta Hunter, and Johnson himself earlier that year.

    Jones had just recorded her debut session with Black Swan Records. The result was one of the last few blues records to be released by Black Swan before they declared bankruptcy in late 1923.

    Henderson was truly an unsung hero who accompanied countless early blues singers on records for Black Swan, Paramount, Pathé, Columbia, Victor, and Vocalion – helping to shape the sound of these early blues vocalists as he also developed his own jazz orchestra.

    Jones delivers a fine performance of this no-holds-barred breakup song. Favorite line: “When the clock on the wall strikes half-past three, I want all the things you took from me.”

    “Hendersonia” notes that this Pathé session was contracted by California Ramblers manager Ed Kirkeby and that his session notes show “Lucy Jameson” as the singer – perhaps the birth name of Maggie Jones – or perhaps yet another stage name.

    A record with a fascinating history!

    Recorded in New York on September 4, 1923.

  • “Some of These Days” – Washboard Rhythm Kings (1933)

    “Some of These Days” – Washboard Rhythm Kings (1933)

    The Washboard Rhythm Kings were a studio band from the early 30s with no permanent members. When I first heard bass player Ghost Howell belt out the chorus on their wild version of “Tiger Rag” I was hooked on the energy of their performances.

    Here we have Ghost on vocals and a scat chorus on the inspired “Some of these Days” from August 19, 1933. Transferred from a very nice master pressing on the UK Brunswick label (Brunswick 02075).

    Originally released in the U.S. as Banner 32867, Domino 145, Melotone M-12794, Oriole 2763, Perfect 15823, Romeo 2136, and Vocalion 2688.

    Lots of question marks in the credits, but here are a few confirmed players:
    John Haughton – trombone
    Jerome Carrington – alto sax
    Carl Wade – tenor sax
    Ghost Howell – string bass, vocals

  • “Mood Indigo” – Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra (1930)

    “Mood Indigo” – Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra (1930)

    A remarkable tune that changed jazz forever – “Mood Indigo” by Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra. Originally titled “Dreamy Blues”, it is a composition that makes a radical shift from the hot jazz idiom – evoking a serene melancholy with gentle wistful solos. A key moment in American music.

    This Victor release was not the first recording of the tune – in fact, it was the seventh recording (though three of the others were never issued on 78 rpm). Earlier versions were recorded on Brunswick (10/17), Okeh (10/30) and Victor (11/21 – though this take did not get released until much later on an Ellington RCA Victor album set).

    Recorded in New York on December 10, 1930.
    Released on Victor (22587, 24486, 44-0010) and HMV (B-4842, B-6354, EA-989, HN-207, K-6153)

    Credits:
    Duke Ellington – piano, arranger, director
    Arthur Whetsel, Freddy Jenkins, Cootie Williams – trumpet
    Joe Nanton – trombone
    Juan Tizol – valve trombone
    Johnny Hodges – clarinet, alto sax, soprano sax
    Harry Carney – clarinet, alto sax, baritone sax
    Barney Bigard – clarinet, tenor sax
    Fred Guy – banjo
    Wellman Braud – string bass
    Sonny Greer – drums

  • “Wake up! Chill’un, Wake Up! – Jimmy Noone’s Apex Club Orchestra

    “Wake up! Chill’un, Wake Up! – Jimmy Noone’s Apex Club Orchestra

    The sunbeams are dancing and laughing with glee.
    The leaves on the trees waving howdy to me.
    Seems like the whole world’s a big jubilee.
    Wake Up! Chill’un Wake Up!

    The love song of nature caressing your ear
    Will tell you that springtime is hovering near.
    The spirit of gladness is bringing good cheer.
    Wake Up! Chill’un Wake Up!

    Each golden hour – treat it like a treasure rare!
    Love is in power. Now’s the time to get your share!

    The river is singing and I’m singing, too.
    The dream clouds are drifting away in the blue.
    The voice of the morning is calling to you.
    Wake Up! Chill’un Wake Up!

    Recorded in Chicago on April 27, 1929.

    Credits:
    Jimmie Noone – clarinet, vocals
    Joe Poston – clarinet, alto sax, vocals
    Alex Hill – piano
    Junie Cobb – banjo, guitar
    Bill Newton – tuba
    Johnny Wells – drums

  • “I Got Rhythm” – Stéphane Grappelli And His Hot Four (1935)

    “I Got Rhythm” – Stéphane Grappelli And His Hot Four (1935)

    Recorded in Paris, October 13, 1935
    Decca F.5780

    Credits
    Django Reinhardt, Joseph Reinhardt, Pierre Ferret – Guitar
    Stéphane Grappelli – Violin
    Louis Vola – Bass

  • “Love Affairs” – Frankie Trumbauer and his Orchestra (1928) w/ Bix!

    “Love Affairs” – Frankie Trumbauer and his Orchestra (1928) w/ Bix!

    A rousing tune full of optimism. Featuring plentiful melodic appearances by Bix Beiderbecke.

    Recorded in New York on September 20, 1928.
    Released as Okeh 41145.

    Credits
    Frank Trumbauer – C melody sax, alto sax, director
    Bix Beiderbecke – cornet
    Bill Rank – trombone
    Irving “Izzy” Friedman – alto sax, clarinet
    Min Leibrook – bass saxophone
    Roy Bargy – piano
    Wilbur Hall – guitar
    Lennie Hayton – drums
    Scrappy Lambert – vocals
    Bill Challis – arrangement

  • “My Angeline” – Mississippi Maulers (1928)

    “My Angeline” – Mississippi Maulers (1928)

    One of those oddball one-release bands from the golden age of jazz: The Mississippi Maulers, made up of some notable jazz all-stars, recorded only one session resulting in two sides for Columbia in the summer of 1928.

    The vocalist was Roy Evans, known as the “Yodeling Farmer” – who yodels during a break on the flip side (“Don’t Mess Around With Me”). One of those reminders of the relationship between jazz and early country music at the time.

    Recorded on July 20, 1928
    Released as Columbia 1545-D

    Credits:
    Leo McConville or Bill Moore, Manny Klein – trumpet
    Tommy Dorsey – trombone
    Dudley Fosdick – mellophone
    Fud Livingston – clarinet, tenor sax
    Joe Venuti – violin
    Frank Signorelli – piano
    Eddie Lang – guitar
    Joe Tarto – tuba
    Stan King – drums
    Roy Evans – vocals

  • “Let’s Get Drunk and Truck” – Lil Johnson and her Chicago Swingers (1936)

    “Let’s Get Drunk and Truck” – Lil Johnson and her Chicago Swingers (1936)

    Sure, why not? ^_^

    Recorded in Chicago, Illinois on August 20, 1936.
    Released as Vocalion 03312

    Credits:
    Lil Johnson – vocals
    Lee Collins – trumpet
    Arnett Nelson – clarinet
    J. H. Shayne – piano
    John Lindsay – string bass

  • “Big Gorilla Man” – Gladys Bentley (1929)

    “Big Gorilla Man” – Gladys Bentley (1929)

    The wonderful Gladys Bentley delivers “Big Gorilla Man” with such a remarkable charisma it is clear why she was such a popular nightclub performer in the late 20s and early 30s.

    Released as Okeh 8707
    Recorded in New York, New York on March 26, 1929.

    Lyrics:
    That big gorilla – a woman killer – and I ought to know.
    He mistreats me – knocks and beats me – till I love him so
    Cause he’s got that something that I need so bad.

    Every morning when day is dawning I get so dog-gone scared
    That he’ll wake me – he might shake me – until I lose my head
    He’s got that something that I need so bad.

    It’s so distressing – keeps me guessing – holds my breath so long
    All my sweetness – he knows my weakness – he’s so big and strong
    He’s got that something that I need so bad.

    Hear me sayin’ – he keeps me weighin’ one hundred and ten
    His devotion and slow motion – keeps me awful thin.
    He’s got that something that I need so bad.

    When excites me, he may bite me – got his habits on
    His eyes gleaming, and I start screaming when my love comes down.
    He’s got that something that I need so bad.

    His nerves are steady – he’s always ready – that big gorilla man.
    He loves a whole lot and I use all he’s got – like no other can.
    He’s got that something that I need so bad.

    Learn more about Gladys Bentley at:
    https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/obituaries/gladys-bentley-overlooked.html

  • “The Terror” – Cliff Jackson and his Krazy Kats (1930)

    “The Terror” – Cliff Jackson and his Krazy Kats (1930)

    Wild fantastic tune by Cliff Jackson and his Krazy Kats from 1930.

    One of the challenges with collecting early jazz on 78 rpm are the numerous aliases and pseudonyms used by bands and labels during this period. Cliff Jackson and his Krazy Kats used aliases such as Newport Syncopators, Marvin Smolev and his Syncopators, and Tuxedo Syncopators.

    Recorded in New York, New York circa February 27, 1930.
    Released as Van Dyke 81879

    Credits
    Cliff Jackson – piano, director
    Melvin Herbert – trumpet
    Henry Goodwin – trumpet
    Noisy Richardson – trombone
    Rudy Powell – clarinet, alto sax
    Earl Evans – alto sax
    Horace Langhorn – tenor sax
    Andy Jackson – banjo
    Chester Campbell – tuba
    Percy Johnson – drums