Early Chicago Jazz Vol. 1 (1923-25)

• Artist: Various Artists
• Release Date: 2002
• Type: Collection (various artists)
• Genre: Jazz

Review

Although none of the music on this set or on Vol. 2 is essential for general collectors, fans of 1920s jazz will enjoy these rarities. The music features Chicago-based bands (even though some of the sessions are from Richmond, IN, and New York) and there is some overlap of the personnel. Featured are complete sessions by the Original Memphis Melody Boys, the Chicago Blues Dance Orchestra, the Midway Dance Orchestra, the Midway Garden Orchestra, the Greenwich Village Orchestra, Al Siegel, and a very rare test pressing from Dudley Mecum's Wolverines. In general, the music (which includes alternate takes) is quite rewarding, even though there are few major (or even particularly recognizable) names in the personnel. Among the more notable players are cornetist Murphy Steinberg, future bandleader/clarinetist/altoist Art Kassel, pianist Elmer Schoebel, Steve Brown (on tuba rather than his usual bass), and the Wolverines' original tenor saxophonist, George Johnson. All but the final two titles were recorded before February 1924, but the results compete well with most recorded music of the early era. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
There's No Gal Like My Gal		Original Memphis Melody Boys	(2:57)
Wonderful Dream		Original Memphis Melody Boys	(2:43)
Blue Grass Blues	Elmer Schoebel, Billy Meyers	Original Memphis Melody Boys	(2:49)
Made a Monkey Out of Me		Original Memphis Melody Boys	(2:45)
Blue Grass Blues	Elmer Schoebel, Billy Meyers	Chicago Blues Dance Orchestra	(3:03)
House of David Blues	Bill Meyers, Irving Mills, Elmer Schoebel	Chicago Blues Dance Orchestra	(3:01)
Lots o' Mama	Elmer Schoebel	Midway Dance Orchestra	(2:53)
The Black Sheep Blues	Phil Baker		(3:15)
Cotton Picker's Ball	Elmer Schoebel		(2:50)
Black Sheep Blues	Phil Baker		(2:54)
Black Sheep Blues	Phil Baker		(2:54)
Lots O' Mama	Elmer Schoebel		(2:52)
Lots O' Mama	Elmer Schoebel		(2:52)
Sobbin' Blues	Billy Meyers		(2:58)
Buddy's Habits	Arnett Nelson, Dave Nelson, Charley Straight		(3:13)
Ringside Blues	Unknown Blues Band		(2:56)
House of David Blues	Bill Meyers, Elmer Schoebel		(2:59)
House of David Blues	Bill Meyers, Elmer Schoebel		(2:57)
Sooke Hey Hey	Al Siegel		(2:41)
Snooke Hey Hey	Al Siegel		(2:42)
Blue Grass Blues	Elmer Schoebel, Billy Meyers		(3:02)
Blue Grass Blues	Elmer Schoebel, Billy Meyers		(3:02)
So Long to You and the Blues	Lem Fowler		(2:56)
Angry	Henry Brunies	Dudley Mecum	(2:48)
How's Your Folks and My Folks (Down in Norfolk Town)	Unknown Blues Band	Dudley Mecum	(2:46)

Credits

Frank Powers (Original Material), Jimmy Lord (Clarinet), Charlie Bezimek (Sax (Tenor)), Paul Mares (Cornet), Otto Barberino (Violin), Phil Wing (Sax (Alto)), Al Siegel (Piano), Elmer Schoebel (Piano), Chris Barber (Executive Producer), Mel Stitzel (Piano), Ria Wigt (Production Coordination), Murphy Steinberg (Cornet), Dudley Mecum (Piano), Ate Van Delden (Original Material), Wim Wigt (Executive Producer), Santo Pecora (Trombone), Original Memphis Melody Boys (Performer), Billy Meyers (Vocals), Lou Black (Banjo), Dudley Mecum (Leader), Chicago Blues Dance Orchestra (Performer), Ate Van Delden (Discography), Frank Snyder (Drums), Laurens Hertzdahl (Original Material), John R.T. Davies (Original Material), Ate Van Delden (Compilation), Art Kassel (Clarinet), Art Kassel (Sax (Alto)), Brian Rust (Original Material), Ate Van Delden (Liner Notes), Jesse "Ballgame" Barnes (Trombone), Roy Kramer (Reeds), Phil Wing (Clarinet)