Bunk Johnson 1944-1945

by Bunk Johnson

Overview

This CD, which does not duplicate any of the performances out on other American Music releases, has some of the selections that trumpeter Bunk Johnson and his sextet recorded during five sessions in August and May of 1944 and May of 1945. In general, Bunk, who could be quite erratic, was better than his group (clarinetist George Lewis, trombonist Jim Robinson, banjoist Lawrence Marrero, bassist Alcide Pavageau and drummer Baby Dodds) and one can understand his impatience with the players. Lewis is not always in-tune, and Dodds' colorful playing can be distracting. However, the band's joyful ensembles are quite appealing and this melodic music will be difficult for New Orleans revival fans to resist. Among the hotter numbers (which include two vocals by Ed "Noon" Johnson and one from Myrtle Jones) are "Milneberg Joys," "Shine," "Lady Be Good," "The Sheik of Araby" and "Willie the Weeper." ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	08/26/1994
Label:	American Music
UPC:	0762247101222
Rank:	156352

Tracks

1. Milneberg Joys
2. Snag It
3. Old Grey Bonnet
4. You Are My Sunshine
5. Shine
6. Noon's Blues
7. The Cat's Got Kittens
8. Ole Miss
9. Oh, Lady Be Good
10. Precious Lord
11. Sister Kate
12. Blues in C
13. Alabama Bound
14. The Sheik of Araby
15. Ballin the Jack
16. Willie the Weeper
17. Long Blues
18. Darktown Strutters' Ball

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bunk Johnson   Primary Artist,Trumpet
Buck Johnson   Primary Artist
Laurence Marrero   Banjo
Sidney Brown   Bass
Myrtle Jones   Vocals
George Lewis   Clarinet
Jim Robinson   Trombone
Baby Dodds   Drums

Technical Credits

Barry Martyn   Producer
Francis Wheeler   Composer
George Gershwin   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer
Charles Mitchell   Composer
Walter Melrose   Composer
King Oliver   Composer
Grant Rymal   Composer
Harry Beasley Smith   Composer
George H. Buck, Jr.   Liner Notes
Marty Bloom   Composer
Jimmie Davis   Composer
Ted Snyder   Composer