Albert Ammons (3)

Albert Ammons - 1936-39

01 - Nagasaki (Dixon, Warren)
02 - Boogie Woogie Stomp (Ammons)
03 - Early Mornin' Blues (Ammons)
04 - Mile-Or-Mo-Bird Rag (Ammons)
05 - Shout for Joy (Ammons)
06 - Boogie Woogie Stomp (Ammons)
07 - Chicago in Mind (Ammons)
08 - Suitcase Blues (Ammons, Thomas)
09 - Boogie Woogie Blues (Ammons)
10 - Untitled Ammons Original (Ammons)
11 - Bass Goin' Crazy (Ammons)
12 - Backwater Blues (Smith)
13 - Changes in Boogie Woogie (Ammons)
14 - Easy Rider Blues (Traditional)
15 - Woo-Woo (James)
16 - Jesse (James)
17 - Weary Land Blues (Improvisation) (Ammons)
18 - Port of Harlem Blues (Improvisation) (Ammons)
19 - Mighty Blues (Improvisation) (Ammons)
20 - Rocking the Blues (Improvisation) (Ammons)

This compilation presents selections from the last several recording sessions (mostly for Decca) of bandleader Andy Kirk. 1943-1949 opens with three late 1943 songs from Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy, which included trumpeters Fats Navarro and Howard McGhee, tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest, and vocalist June Richmond. Next comes "Hippy-Dippy," one of the few surviving songs from the only visit Kirk's band made to the studios in 1944. This number is followed by two very popular sellers, "Get Together With the Lord" and "I Know," representing the 1945 period of Andy Kirk and His Orchestra (this time including Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis) and featuring vocals by the Jubalaires, who return to sing on the 1946 recordings of "I Don't Know What I'd Do Without You" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Other vocalists heard on 1943-1949 include Bea Booze, the Four Knights, Joe Williams, and Kenny White.

Review by Joslyn Layne, All Music Guide

Albert Ammons - 1939-46

 01 - St. Louis Blues (Handy)
02 - Mecca Flat Blues (Traditional)
03 - Bass Goin' Crazy (Ammons)
04 - Monday Struggle (Ammons)
05 - Boogie Woogie (Ammons)
06 - Albert's Special Boogie Woogie (Ammons)
07 - The Boogie Rocks (Ammons)
08 - Blues on My Mind (Ammons)
09 - Bugle Boogie (Ammons)
10 - Blues in the Groove (Ammons)
11 - The Breaks (Ammons)
12 - Jammin' the Boogie (Ammons)
13 - Bottom Blues (Ammons)
14 - Bedroom Blues (Thomas, Wallace)
15 - Buzz Me (Baxter, Moore)
16 - Doin' the Boogie Woogie (Young)
17 - Oh, Lady Be Good (Gershwin, Gershwin)
18 - Suitcase Blues (Ammons, Thomas)
19 - Boogie Woogie at the Civic Opera (Ammons)
20 - Swanee River Boogie (Foster)
21 - Why I'm Leaving You (Traditional)
22 - I Don't Want to See You (Cooley)
23 - Red Sails in the Sunset (Kennedy, Williams)

 This CD offers three distinct periods in the development of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons. Kicking off with solo tracks recorded in 1939 and 1944 for the Solo-Art and Commodore labels, the next batch follows him into a small-band format with Hop Lips Page practically stealing the show in his demonstrative style. The final ten selections emanate from Chicago sessions for Mercury -- again with a small group -- featuring vocals from Sippie Wallace and Mildred Anderson. Ammons was a giant in his chosen field of endeavor, and these sides make a marvelous addition to his too-short discography.Review by Cub Koda, All Music Guide

Albert Ammons - The Boogie Woogie Man

01- Nagasaki
02- Boogie Woogie Stomp
03- Early Morning Blues
04- Boogie Woogie Prayer - Part 1
05- Boogie Woogie Prayer - Part 2
06- Shout for Joy
07- Chicago in Mind
08- Bass Goin' Crazy
09- Barrel House Boogie
10- Boogie Woogie Man
11- Walkin' the Boogie
12- 6th Avenue Express
13- Pine Creek Boogie
14- Foot Pedal Boogie
15- Movin' the Boogie
16- Swanne River Boogie