Artist: Chu Berry Rating: Release Date: October 29, 1996Total Time: 66:58Type: Compilation (best of)Genre: Jazz
Review This import covers
Chu Berry 's initial foray into solo territory. Cut between 1936-1939, the 24 cuts find the tenor saxophone luminary in the stellar company of trumpeters
Roy Eldridge and
Hot Lips Page , the irrepressible trombonist
Keg Johnson , pianist Jess Stacey, and drummer
Cozy Cole .
Lionel Hampton and
Benny Goodman also contribute to the party, but in cameo roles. Of particular note are the sides
Berry recorded with Eldridge from 1938: it's a set that ranges from rambunctious swingers ("Forty Six, West Fifty Two") to glowing ballads ("Stardust"), all the while showing off
Berry 's full tone and agile phrasing on a variety of tempi. The mix continues apace with blues, proto-bop workouts, and some nice vocals featuring Page in a gruff and whiskey-soaked mood. Along with
Commodore 's Memorial disc, this collection makes for a welcome addition to the sparse
Chu Berry catalog. ~ Stephen Cook, All Music Guide
Tracks
I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music
David Franklin Chu Berry , Gene Krupa (3:02)
Now You're Talking My Language
Chu Berry (2:55)
(Back Home Again In) Indiana
James F. Hanley , Ballard MacDonald Chu Berry (2:48)
Too Marvelous for Words
Johnny Mercer , Richard A. Whiting Chu Berry (2:54)
Limehouse Blues
Douglas Furber , Philip Braham Chu Berry (2:54)
Chuberry Jam
Chu Berry Chu Berry (2:18)
Maelstrom
Chu Berry Chu Berry (2:48)
My Secret Love Affair
Chu Berry (2:50)
Ebb Tide
Ralph Rainger , Leo Robin Chu Berry (2:46)
Annie Laurie
Traditional Chu Berry , Wingy Manone & His Orchestra (2:48)
Loch Lomond
Traditional Wingy Manone & His Orchestra , Chu Berry (2:30)
In the Land of Yamo Yamo
Paul McCartney Wingy Manone & His Orchestra , Chu Berry (2:39)
Body and Soul
Robert Sour , Edward Heyman , Frank Eyton , Johnny Green Chu Berry (3:53)
Sittin' In
Milt Gabler Chu Berry (2:13)
Stardust
Hoagy Carmichael , Mitchell Parish Chu Berry (3:55)
Forty Six, West Fifty Two
Chu Berry , Milt Gabler Chu Berry (2:32)
Downright Disgusted Blues
Wingy Manone , Terry Shand Wingy Manone & His Orchestra , Chu Berry (2:25)
Corrine, Corrina
Bo Chatmon , J. Mayo Williams , Mitchell Parish Wingy Manone & His Orchestra , Chu Berry (2:10)
Jumpy Nerves
Wingy Manone Wingy Manone & His Orchestra , Chu Berry (2:46)
Casey Jones (The Brave Engineer)
Lawrence Seibert , Eddie Newton Wingy Manone & His Orchestra , Chu Berry (2:14)
Sweethearts on Parade
Carmen Lombardo , Charles Newman Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra , Chu Berry (2:58)
Shufflin' at the Hollywood
Allan Reuss , Lionel Hampton Chu Berry , Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra (3:03)
Denison Swing
Lionel Hampton Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra , Chu Berry (3:14)
Wizzin' the Wizz
Lionel Hampton Chu Berry , Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra (2:23)
Credits Dave Barbour (Guitar), Francois Billard (Liner Notes) , Gene Krupa (Drums) , Joe Marsala (Sax (Alto)) , Jean Buzelin (Cover Design) , Conrad Lanoue (Piano) , Israel Crosby (Bass) , Hot Lips Page (Vocals) , Wingy Manone & His Orchestra (Performer) , Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra (Performer) , Chu Berry (Sax (Tenor)) , Roy Eldridge (Trumpet) , Lawrence Lucie (Guitar) , Hot Lips Page (Trumpet) , Don Waterhouse (Translation) , Lionel Hampton (Vibraphone) , George Matthews (Trombone) , Benny Payne (Piano) , Doc Rando (Sax (Alto)) , Leroy Maxey (Drums) , Danny Alvin (Drums) , Horace Henderson (Arranger) , Milt Hinton (Bass) , Gene Krupa (Performer) , Benny Goodman (Clarinet) , Lionel Hampton (Piano) , Jess Stacy (Piano) , Big Sid Catlett (Drums) , Clyde Hart (Piano) , Irving "Mouse" Randolph (Trumpet) , Joe Marsala (Clarinet) , Jules Cassard (Bass) , Keg Johnson (Trombone) , Horace Henderson (Piano) , Danny Barker (Guitar) , Cozy Cole (Drums) , Artie Shapiro (Bass) , Allan Reuss (Guitar) , Buster Bailey (Clarinet)
