Someday, Sweetheart - King Oliver, Spikes, Benjamin
Dead Man Blues - King Oliver, Morton, Jelly Roll
New Wang Wang Blues - King Oliver, Busse, Henry
Snag It - King Oliver, King Oliver
Doctor Jazz - King Oliver, King Oliver
Showboat Shuffle - King Oliver, Ellington, Duke
Every Tub - King Oliver, Barbarin, Paul
Willie the Weeper - King Oliver, Bloom, Marty
Black Snake Blues - King Oliver, Johnson, Lil
Farewell Blues - King Oliver, Mares, Paul
Sobbin' Blues - King Oliver, Berton, Vic
Tin Roof Blues - King Oliver, New Orleans Rhythm
West End Blues - King Oliver, King Oliver
Sweet Emmalina - King Oliver, Palmer, Jack [1]
Lazy Mama - King Oliver, Gifford, Al
Got Everything (Don't Want Anything But You) [Vocal Version] - King Oliver, Palmer, Jack [1]
Got Everything (Don't Want Anything But You) [Instrumental] - King Oliver, Palmer, Jack [1]
Four or Five Times [Vocal Version] - King Oliver, Gay, Byron
Four or Five Times [Instrumental] - King Oliver, Gay, Byron
Speakeasy Blues - King Oliver, King Oliver
Aunt Hagar's Blues - King Oliver, Brymn, Tim
The Dixie Syncopators led by King Oliver in this period at Chicago's Plantation Café were a very different kind of band than Oliver's earlier Creole Jazz Band, which had featured Louis Armstrong and Johnny Dodds. On t... more »he first nine tracks, recorded in Chicago, the new orchestra was a larger group than its legendary predecessor, accomodating the New Orleans improvisers into more developed arrangements, with two cornets and a three-member reed section. There are also fine small-group New York recordings from 1928, with Clarence Williams on piano and vocals, that include a stately "Tin Roof Blues." Two vitality-filled versions of "Got Everything (Don't Want Anything but You)," one with vocals and one without, are performed by a larger New York group. Throughout the band's evolution and permutating personnel on this CD, there are outstanding solo moments by Barney Bigard on tenor, Luis Russell on piano, and Dodds and Omer Simeon on clarinet, but it's Oliver's cornet that stands out, whether muted and vocal or a noble and stoic open-horned presence. --Stuart Broomer« less
The Dixie Syncopators led by King Oliver in this period at Chicago's Plantation Café were a very different kind of band than Oliver's earlier Creole Jazz Band, which had featured Louis Armstrong and Johnny Dodds. On the first nine tracks, recorded in Chicago, the new orchestra was a larger group than its legendary predecessor, accomodating the New Orleans improvisers into more developed arrangements, with two cornets and a three-member reed section. There are also fine small-group New York recordings from 1928, with Clarence Williams on piano and vocals, that include a stately "Tin Roof Blues." Two vitality-filled versions of "Got Everything (Don't Want Anything but You)," one with vocals and one without, are performed by a larger New York group. Throughout the band's evolution and permutating personnel on this CD, there are outstanding solo moments by Barney Bigard on tenor, Luis Russell on piano, and Dodds and Omer Simeon on clarinet, but it's Oliver's cornet that stands out, whether muted and vocal or a noble and stoic open-horned presence. --Stuart Broomer
CD Reviews
The Genius Of King Oliver Rediscovered
Peter Acebal | Christiansburg, VA United States | 12/28/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like his New Orleans cohort Jelly Roll Morton,King Oliver was responsible for the syncopated polyphony that a decade later became stock-in-trade as the Big Band "Swing" era (being milked for all it was worth by predominantly White bandleaders);the Dixie Syncopators featured on this disc captures Oliver's vision of a large New Orleans rooted Ensemble perfectly,-the band literally smokes on "Willie The Weeper" and "Aunt Hagar's Blues".These records sold moderately ok when they were released but Oliver was heading for his downfall come 1931 with a host of financial and career woes as well as severe dental problems that increasingly affected his playing.I'm honestly not a big fan of his 1929-1930 Orchestra (they were too 'Pop' ) but this CD still captures Oliver in his very prime - I would recommend people also listen to (and buy) the preceding "King Oliver And His Jazz Band 1923-1926" (also available from our friends at Amazon) on the same Chronological Classics label to get the whole picture of just how Oliver came to this big band.I am a very biased King Oliver nut - I live by his Creole Jazz Band but this set is essential listening to anyone who loves just plain Great jazz!"
Track Listings (21) - Disc #1