The first CD is labelled Charleston to Depression Years (1925-1929), the second is Depression Years to Swing (1930-1941), and the third is World War Two to Rhythm & Blues (1940-1949). From which it will be apparent that the seventy recordings are weighted in favour of the late twenties, which is as it should be, because that was the era that began the craze for dancing. Those approaching this from the other end of the spectrum may well be astonished to find how advanced musically these early tracks sound. The Knickerbockers "Steppin' in Society" is as good an illustration as any of a band revelling in its virtuosity.
Some of these bands are well-known because they played nightly for dancing in some of the best-known venues in New York and Chicago, or had residencies in prestigious hotels. Then there were the so-called studio bands, like the Charleston Chasers, which were formed solely for specific recording dates. Others were more obscure because their activities were mainly confined to the southern states, hence the generic term territory bands. Their recordings resulted in the main from field trips by mobile recording outfits, and did not have a wide appeal beyond their fan base, although Blue Steele was one exception, some of whose Victor recordings were reissued on Bluebird, and came out in England on HMV.
The excellence of the original recordings has been enhanced by the remastering, which is first-class. It's a fascinating set, very well presented in a fourfold blister pack which also houses a comprehensive illustrated liner note and discography.
Disc 1
1. Ben Bernie & His Hotel Roosevelt Orchestra: Sweet Georgia Brown
2. Lovie Austin & Her Blues Serenaders: Charleston Mad
3. The Knickerbockers: Steppin in Society
4. Howard Lanins Ben Franklin Dance Orchestra: Melancholy Lou
5. Jimmy Blythe & His Ragamuffins: Messin Around
6. Abe Lymans California Orchestra: Shake That Thing
7. King Oliver & His Dixie Syncopators: Wa Wa Wa
8. Charley Straight & His Orchestra: What a Man!
9. Johnny Hamps Kentucky Serenaders: Black Bottom
10. The California Ramblers: Magnolia
11. The Charleston Chasers: Wabash Blues
12. Blue Steele & His Orchestra: Be My Baby
13. Charlie Johnsons Original Paradise Ten: Birmingham Black Bottom
14. Jack Pettis & His Pets: Broadway Stomp
15. Ted Weems & His Band: What a Day!
16. Earl Hines & His Orchestra: Everybody Loves My Baby
17. The Rhythmic Eight: Kansas City Kitty
18. Duke Ellington & His Cotton Club Orchestra: Hot Feet
19. Slatz Randall & His Orchestra: Skirts
20. Luis Russell & His Orchestra: Doctor Blues
21. Tiny Parham & His Musicians: Sud Busters Dream
22. Herman Waldman & His Orchestra: Marbles
Disc 2
23. Duke Ellington & His Cotton Club Orchestra: Cotton Club Stomp
24. Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra: Happy Feet
25. Bud Ritchie & His Boys: Slappin the Bass
26. Connies Inn Orchestra: You Rascal You
27. Chick Webb & His Orchestra: Darktown Strutters Ball
28. The Mills Brothers with Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra: Diga Diga Doo
29. Paul Cornelius & His Orchestra: I've Found a New Baby
30. Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra: Tidal Wave
31. Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra: My Blue Heaven
32. The Harlem Hamfats: Let's Get Drunk and Truck
33. Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra: Harlem Shout
34. Benny Goodman & His Orchestra: Let's Dance
35. Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra: Rendezvous with Rhythm
36. Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra: Boogie Woogie
37. Count Basie & His Orchestra: Jumpin at the Woodside
38. Bunny Berigan & His Orchestra: Little Gates Special
39. Woody Herman & His Orchestra: At the Woodchoppers Ball
40. Count Basie & His Kansas City Seven: Lester Leaps in
41. Will Bradley & His Orchestra: Celery Stalks at Midnight
42. Artie Shaw & His Gramercy Five: Summit Ridge Drive
43. Count Basie & His Orchestra: Louisiana
44. Glenn Miller & His Orchestra: In the Mood
45. Woody Herman & His Four Chips: Chips Boogie Woogie
46. Al Cooper & His Savoy Sultans: Second Balcony Jump
47. Erskine Hawkins & His Orchestra: Jumpin in a Julep Joint
Disc 3
48. Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra: Flying Home
49. June Richmond with Andy Kirk & His Orchestra: 47th Street Jive
50. Will Bradley Trio: Down the Road A-Piece
51. The Andrews Sisters: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
52. Glenn Miller & His Orchestra: American Patrol
53. Freddie Slack & His Orchestra: Riffette
54. Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra: Mason Flyer
55. Ella Mae Morse with Freddie Slack & His Orchestra: Cow Cow Boogie
56. Benny Goodman & His Orchestra: A String of Pearls
57. American Band of the Aef: Jeep Jockey Jump
58. Freddie Slacks Eight Beats By Four: Rib Joint
59. Jazz Club Mystery Hot Band: At Sundown
60. Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers: The Honeydripper (Part 1)
61. Helen Humes & All Stars: Be Ba Ba Le Ba Boogie
62. Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five: Choo Choo Chboogie
63. Dick Lewis & His Harlem Rhythm Boys: Eight O'Clock Stomp
64. Amos Milburn: Roomin House Boogie
65. Earl Jackson & His Orchestra: Kansas City Jumps
66. Sonny Thompson: Creepin (Late Freight)
67. Pee Wee Crayton & His Guitar: Texas Hop
68. Roy Milton & His Solid Senders: The Huckle-Buck
69. Jimmy Preston & the Prestonians: Rock the Joint
70. Wild Bill Moore Sextet: Were Gonna Rock, Were Gonna Roll
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