Similar Albums:
- Artist: Cootie Williams & His Orchestra
- Rating:
- Release Date: July 11, 2000
- Type: Compilation (best of)
- Genre: Jazz
Review
Classics picks up the story of former Ellington trumpeter Cootie Williams as the leader of his own orchestra from 1946 through 1949 on sides he recorded for Capitol, Majestic, and Mercury. Vocalists Bob Merrill, Billy Matthews, and Eddie Mack are heavily featured on these 22 cuts. The R&B jump music of Louis Jordan and Wynonie Harris were big draws in the nightclubs and jukeboxes of the time and much of this material lends itself to that style. "Inflation Blues" is a takeoff of the "Let the Good Times Roll" theme, while "Save the Bones for Henry Jones," "I Should O' Been Thinking Instead of Drinkin," "Gator Tail" (parts one and two), and "Doin' the Gator Tail" are enjoyable mixtures of novelty lyrics and stompin' R&B instrumentals. While Williams favored this commercial recipe during these years, he did manage to wax a few ballads, such as "I Can't Get Started" and "I Want to Be Loved," and orchestra numbers like "Rhapsody in Bass"; "Sound Track" leans toward the Ellingtonesque style he was an earlier participant in. ~ Al Campbell, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Rhapsody in Bass | Cootie Williams | (2:42) | |
| Ain't Got No Blues Today | Cootie Williams | (3:09) | |
| Bring 'Em Down Front | Cootie Williams | (2:49) | |
| I Can't Get Started | Ira Gershwin, Vernon Duke | Cootie Williams | (3:11) |
| Inflation Blues | Cootie Williams | (2:46) | |
| I Want to Be Loved | Savannah Churchill | Cootie Williams | (3:07) |
| Sound Track | Cootie Williams, Pete Johnson | Cootie Williams | (2:53) |
| Ooh la La | Cootie Williams | Cootie Williams | (3:17) |
| Save the Bones for Henry Jones | Cootie Williams | (2:54) | |
| If It's True | Cootie Williams | (3:03) | |
| I Should O' Been Thinkin' Instead of Drinkin' | Willis "Gator" Jackson, Cootie Williams | Cootie Williams | (2:44) |
| You Talk a Little Trash | Cootie Williams | Cootie Williams | (2:54) |
| Typhoon | Cootie Williams, |
Cootie Williams | (2:43) |
| I Love You, Yes I Do | Henry Glover, |
Cootie Williams | (3:21) |
| Smooth Sailing | Cootie Williams, |
Cootie Williams | (3:11) |
| 'Gator Tail (Pt. 1) | Cootie Williams, Willis "Gator" Jackson | Cootie Williams | (3:08) |
| Gator Tail - Pt. 2 | Willis "Gator" Jackson, Cootie Williams | Cootie Williams | (2:48) |
| Let 'Em Roll | Cootie Williams, Robert Merrill | Cootie Williams | (2:58) |
| Slidin' and Glidin' | Cootie Williams | Cootie Williams | (3:35) |
| Mercenary Papa | Cootie Williams | (2:14) | |
| Down the Gator Tail | Willis "Gator" Jackson, Cootie Williams | Cootie Williams | (2:48) |
| You Gotta Pay Those Dues | Cootie Williams | Cootie Williams | (2:24) |
