Earl Fatha Hines Orchestra

• Artist: Earl Hines & His Orchestra
• Rating:
• Release Date: May 22, 1992
• Total Time: 25:19
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Jazz

Review

This compilation of recordings by the Earl Hines Orchestra suggests that it dates from World War II era V-Discs or transcriptions, especially because of the sound quality and the unmistakable presence of MC Ernie "Bubbles" Whitman. "Stompin' at the Savoy" features vibraphonist Bill Thompson extensively. "Straight Life" begins as a boogie-woogie, showcasing the leader's piano, before featuring a tenor saxophonist (probably Wardell Gray). "I Know That You Know," a favorite of fellow pianists Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, and Nat King Cole, is a big-band number that puts the spotlight on clarinetist Scoops Carey. Hines' adaptation "Boogie Woogie on the St. Louis Blues" became one of his most requested numbers in live settings and he always seemed game to play it, though this version thankfully reduces the right-hand tremolo he favored from several minutes to just 15 seconds. The extremely poor documentation of the source material and musicians and the incomplete composer credits are unfortunate, but the performances and the sound quality, along with the budget price of this Laserlight CD, should more than make up for these shortcomings. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Stompin' at the Savoy	Benny Goodman, Edgar Sampson, Chick Webb, Andy Razaf	Earl Hines	(2:56)
Straight Life	Earl Hines, Buggs Roberts	Earl Hines	(2:57)
The Honeydripper	Joe Liggins	Earl Hines	(3:28)
Fatha's Idea	Earl Hines	Earl Hines	(2:27)
Blue Keys	Earl Hines, Buggs Roberts	Earl Hines	(2:43)
Throwing the Switch	Earl Hines	Earl Hines	(3:00)
I Know That You Know	Vincent Youmans, Anne Caldwell	Earl Hines	(2:35)
Scoops Kelly Melley		Earl Hines
Keep on Jumping		Earl Hines	(2:29)
Boogie Woogie on the St. Louis Blues	W.C. Handy	Earl Hines	(2:44)
Rockin' the Blues		Earl Hines
Limehouse Blues	Philip Braham, Douglas Furber	Earl Hines

Credits

Earl Hines (Main Performer), Earl Hines (Performer), Earl Hines (?), Frank Donovan (Photography)