Title: Complete 1936-1937 Sessions Artist: Stuff Smith Release Date: 3/13/2007 Label: Hep Album Type(s): Greatest Hits UPC: 603366108528 Genre: Jazz Styles: Swing, Jive Moods: Bright, Amiable/Good-Natured, Confident, Energetic, Freewheeling, Party/Celebratory, Passionate, Romantic, Warm, Happy, Humorous, Hungry, Organic, Playful, Rambunctious, Reflective, Swaggering, Joyous, Relaxed, Rollicking, Sensual, Silly, Sophisticated, Stylish Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 0 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. I'se a Muggin', Pt. 1: Ensemble
2. I'se a Muggin', Pt. 2: Musical Numbers Game
3. I'se a Muggin', Pt. 2: Musical Numbers Game
4. I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music
5. I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket
6. I Don't Want to Make History (I Just Want to Make Love)
7. 'Tain't No Use
8. After You've Gone
9. You'se a Viper
10. Robins and Roses
11. I've Got a Heavy Date
12. It Ain't Right
13. Old Joe's Hittin' the Jug
14. Serenade for a Wealthy Widow [Instrumental]
15. Knock, Knock, Who's There?
16. Bye Bye, Baby
17. Here Comes the Man with the Jive
18. Twilight in Turkey [Instrumental]
19. Where Is the Sun?
20. Upstairs [Instrumental]
21. Onyx Club Spree
22. Onyx Club Spree
23. I'm a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas
24. I'se a Muggin'
25. Oh, Lady, Be Good! [Instrumental]

Year Type Label Catalog # 2007 CD Hep 1085

No other editions were found for this album.

With pieces like "I'se a Muggin'" and "You'se a Viper," it's easy to dismiss jazz violinist Stuff Smith as a novelty and jive act, which is a shame, since his early bands were exciting, driving ensembles, and thanks to Smith's horn-like approach to the violin, completely unlike any other bands before or since. This delightful set combines sessions held in February, March, July and August of 1936 (originally released by Vocalion Records) with a session from May of 1937 (released by Decca Records) and adds in three live broadcast tracks from a pair of shows in 1936 and another from 1937 at the Onyx Club in New York. The end result is darn near seamless and spotlights a band that swings like the building is on fire. "I'se a Muggin'" is collected here in two parts (with an alternate version of one) and as a live performance. "You'se a Viper" is also here, but there's so much more to marvel at, like the rapid and breezy "I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music" and the storming "Twilight in Turkey." Smith's horn approach to the violin, even drawing the bow in such a way as to mimic the breath pauses of a horn player, is highlighted on the wonderful "Robins and Roses," which is all the proof anyone should ever need that Smith was far more than a novelty act. Oh, he was novel, certainly, since no one else plays the violin like that, and he could undoubtedly jive with the best of them, but make no mistake, his mid-'30s bands were as exciting as any around, and Smith deserves more acclaim than he generally receives as a jazz innovator and bandleader. This set is a wonderful place to enter Stuff's amazing world. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alastair Robertson Producer Anthony Barnett Liner Notes, Research, Compilation Bobby Bennett Guitar Brian Johnston Design Buster Bailey Clarinet Clyde Hart Piano Cozy Cole Drums Don Peterson Photo Courtesy Edw. Myer Caricatures James Sherman Piano John Washington Drums Jonah Jones Vocals, Trumpet Mack Walker String Bass Nick Jones Photo Courtesy Raymond Smith Piano Roger Beardsley Remastering, Transfers Stuff Smith Violin, Vocals