Various Artists - Dixieland Main Stem New Orleans

Wait!!!  Don't scroll yet!!!

I know it says "Dixieland" and you are probably uninterested, but there's more than meets the eye here.  This is a recording of a live show at the Savoy Cafe in Boston, 1949.  The music is essentially mainstream, but more of a hot jazz/Chicago style, and the tunes are far from typical Dixie fare.  The Dixieland in the title would have been more for marketing than representation.

That said, this album is a really fun romp which maintains a jam feel throughout.  Side 2 plays like a medley, right up to Limehouse Blues which is infact a superb drum solo by Crawford.  Crawford's solo is a real banger too, something to behold.  Everybody gets a ton of shine, including Braff who is described as "new to the jazz scene" in the notes.  

The crooked cover is due to the application of the stickered sleeve, which was done at the factory.  Like most live recordings from this era (originally on 78), the sound quality is far from perfect.  However I think it's more than listenable.  I won't share anything which doesn't meet a certain standard.  The music is super fantastic and enjoyable as such.  This was ripped at 24/48 wav and transferred to 24/48 FLAC for your convenience.  I have it tagged under Edmond Hall.  As you probably assumed, it's in glorious mono... enjoy!!!

Regent MG 6076

"Savoy Cafe", Boston, MA, 1949

Ruby Braff (trumpet) Vic Dickenson (trombone) Ed Hall (clarinet) Kenny Kersey (piano) John Field (bass) Jimmy Crawford (drums)

Careless love
Please don't talk about me when I'm gone.
Bugle call rag.
Black and blue.
When a woman loves a man.
You made me love you.
My ideal.
Limehouse blues.

Buster Bailey - All About Memphis

Buster Bailey was one of the top clarinetists to emerge during the 1920s but he led relatively few sessions throughout his long career. This LP features Bailey with a quartet (along with pianist Red Richards, bassist Gene Ramey and drummer Jimmie Crawford) and, with the horns of trumpeter Herman Autrey, trombonist Vic Dickenson and altoist Hilton Jefferson added, a septet. In addition to W.C. Handy tunes, the other five songs are Bailey originals that mix together swing and the flavor of New Orleans jazz. It's a fine outing for the classic clarinetist. - Scott Yanow / AMG

Felsted Records FAJ 7003
Side A was recorded in New York, February 13th, 1958.

Side B was recorded in New York, February 27th, 1958.

A1 - Bear Wallow
A2 - Hatton Avenue And Gayoso Street
A3 - Sunday Parade
A4 - Beale Street Blues
B1 - Memphis Blues
B2 - Chickasaw Bluff
B3 - Hot Water Bayou

Bass – Gene Ramey;  Clarinet – Buster Bailey;  Drums – Jimmy Crawford;  Piano – Red Richards
Trombone – Vic Dickenson (tracks: B1-B3)
Trumpet – Herman Autrey (tracks: B1-B3)

Alto Saxaphone – Hilton Jefferson (tracks: B1-B3)

Remastered in 24bit stereo - ripped to FLAC... enjoy!!!

Count Basie and Joe Williams - Memories Ad-Lib

As promised, we will keep the Basie train-a-rollin'.  This side is equally as monumental as the previous post, but a beast of another kind.  For those of you who haven't heard it, clear off a space on your shelf for favorites because you will be adding another title shortly.

Basie on organ?  Check.  Basie with only a small group?  Check.  Freddie Green shredding solos?  Check.  As you can see, this is a far from typical venture for Basie.  With Williams, they swing through what were at that time, old school classics.  The album has a wonderfully warm and sentimental vibe not just from the songs, but the treatment they get from the group.  Sweets appears only on a few tracks, but even still, its a rhythm driven album centered around Williams ever present voice.

I'm not sure what part of the world you are all from.  I know some are in warmer regions and some in rainy, moderate areas.  Here in Canada the snow has broken, and as of this writing I am watching a snow globe scene outside my window.  As this albums lulls in the background, I can't help but feel good.  And that folks, is the greatest part of Memories Ad-Lib.

This is another mint deluxe EMUS reissue, in stereo - a gorgeous rip.  Be sure to check out the liner notes, which were penned by none other than Leonard Feather.  Caught at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  I hope this adds something to everyone's weekend, or perhaps even your holiday.  Enjoy!!!

Roullette R52021
1958

Count Basie - organ;  Freddie Green - guitar;  George Duvivier - bass;  Jimmy Crawford - drums;
Harry 'Sweets' Edison - trumpet;  Joe Williams - vocals.

Elmer Snowden - Harlem Banjo

As much as Orin Keepnews' career is celebrated, in the grand scheme of things, I'm not sure he gets the credit he deserves.  This album is a perfect example of his contribution to the recorded history of jazz.

Snowden was brought out of relative obscurity to record what would become his calling card.  The art of jazz banjo was all but lost, so the beauty of this album is hearing a classic style in a modern recording.

This a a wildly fun and upbeat side, guaranteed to entertain.  It's presented here in VBR mp3, which while not ideal, does infact sound great.  The Crypt will be looking closely at some of Keepnews' lesser known sides from his Riverside imprint...  enjoy!!!

Banjoist Elmer Snowden only led two albums in the LP era, and his OJC CD reissue is his best showcase. Snowden, who is joined by pianist Cliff Jackson, bassist Tommy Bryant, and drummer Jimmy Crawford, is the lead voice throughout the dozen standards, all of which date from the 1920s or '30s. Snowden's banjo style is a lost art, and this is his definitive recording. - Scott Yanow/AMG

Riverside RLP 9348
1960

Elmer Snowden - banjo;  Cliff Jackson - piano;  Tommy Bryant - bass;  Jimmy Crawford - drums.