King Oliver - King Oliver and his Orchestra 1929-1930 / 2CD

1992 European CD collection.  

JSP's two-disc collection of King Oliver's 1929-1930 work, recorded in New York for Victor Records, is not exhaustive, nor does it focus on his greatest era (which would be the early-'20s recordings including the great "Dippermouth Blues"). However, the end of the '20s was the time of King Oliver's last burst of creativity, and while these recordings may be less startlingly fabulous than what Oliver and his band were doing earlier in the decade, they're still potent examples of early jazz. Listening to these recordings, it's clear that Oliver has been paying attention to the meteoric rise of his former star pupil Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five. Oliver is using a larger combo than Armstrong (featuring the great Barney Bigard on clarinet on several tracks), but the same sort of sprightly syncopation, along with a much fuller sound than on Oliver's earlier records, is apparent on tracks like the swinging "I'm Lonesome, Sweetheart." Purists should be aware that King Oliver was in increasingly poor health by this time, and he does not always play cornet on these sides.

Stewart Mason ~ AllMusicGuide

Disc 1

1. West End Blues
2. I’ve Got That Thing
3. Freakish Light Blues
4. Call Of The Freaks
5. The Trumpet’s Prayer
6. Can I Tell You?
7. My Good Man Sam
8. What Do You Want Me To Do?
9. Sweet Like This
10. Too Late
11. I’m Lonesome Sweetheart
12. Want You Just Myself
13. I Can’t Stop Loving You
14. Everybody Does It In Hawaii
15. Frankie And Johnny
16. New Orleans Shout
17. St James Infirmary
18. When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)
19. I Must Have It
20. Rhythm Club Stomp ( Cursihip Glide)
21. You’re Just My Type

Disc 2

1. West End Blues
2. I’ve Got That Thing
3. Freakish Light Blues
4. Call Of The Freaks
5. The Trumpet’s Prayer
6. Can I Tell You?
7. My Good Man Sam
8. Everybody Does It In Hawaii
9. Frankie And Johnny
10. Edna
11. Boogie Woogie
12. Mule Face Blues
13. Struggle Buggy
14. Don’t You Think I Love You?
15. Olga
16. Shake It And Break It
17. Stingaree Blues
18. What’s The Use Of Living Without Love?
19. You Were Only Passing Time With Me
20. Nelson Stomp
21. Nelson Stomp
22. Nelson Stomp
23. Stealing Love