Claude Hopkins And His Orchestra - The Chronological Classics, Complete, 3 Albums

Tracks:



Claude Hopkins And His Orchestra - 1932-1934 {The Chronological Classics, 699}

The first of three Classics CDs that contain all of pianist Claude Hopkins' big band recordings is the most essential of the trio. Although Hopkins was a masterful stride player, his orchestra never really had their own individual sound and therefore did not catch on. However, many of the selections on this set (particularly the Jimmy Mundy-arranged instrumentals) are quite memorable, with the eccentric "Mush Mouth" being a classic. Other highlights include Hopkins' theme "I Would Do Most Anything for You," "Three Little Words," "California Here I Come," and "Honeysuckle Rose." In addition to the leader, the main soloists in the band during the era were trumpeter/vocalist Ovie Alston, trombonist Fernando Arbello, up-and-coming clarinetist Edmond Hall, and underrated tenor Bobby Sands, but the most popular member of the orchestra was high-voiced singer Orlando Roberson. Highly recommended to swing and big band fans, this set of studio recordings also includes 11 numbers only previously out on a collectors' LP.

01. (I Would Do) Anything For You (3:17)
02. Mad Moments (2:54)
03. Mush Mouth (3:08)
04. How'm I Doin'? (3:14)
05. Three Little Words (3:12)
06. (I Would Do) Anything For You (3:02)
07. Hopkins Scream (2:38)
08. Washington Squabble (3:18)
09. Look Who's Here (3:10)
10. He's A Son Of The South (3:16)
11. Canadian Capers (2:54)
12. California, Here I Come (3:12)
13. Three Little Words (3:12)
14. Shake Your Ashes (2:48)
15. Mystic Moan (3:20)
16. Just You, Just Me (2:51)
17. Washington Squabble (3:06)
18. Ain't Misbehavin' (3:01)
19. Honeysuckle Rose (3:06)
20. Washington Squabble (3:09)
21. Mystic Moan (2:49)
22. Marie (3:03)
23. Ain't Misbehavin' (3:11)



Claude Hopkins And His Orchestra - 1934-1935 {The Chronological Classics, 716}

The second of three CDs documenting the history of the Claude Hopkins Orchestra does not quite reach the heights of the first set (too many Orlando Roberson high-note vocals and some erratic moments by the musicians) but still has many moments of interest. With trumpeter Ovie Alston (who takes four vocals), trombonist Fernando Arbello, clarinetist Edmond Hall (also heard on baritone), and tenorman Bobby Sands sharing the solo space with pianist Hopkins, some of the selections swing quite hard. Best are "Harlem Rhythm Dance," "Everybody Shuffle," "King Porter Stomp," "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" and "Zozoi." All of the numbers except for the last three are from 1934.

01. Harlem Rhythm Dance (3:29)
02. Minor Mania (2:51)
03. My Gal Sal (3:05)
04. Three Little Words (2:45)
05. Everybody Shuffle (3:00)
06. Don't Let Your Love Go Wrong (2:39)
07. I Can't Dance I Got Ants In My Pants (2:50)
08. Margie (3:12)
09. Chasing All The Blues Away (3:12)
10. Just You, Just Me (3:00)
11. King Porter Stomp (3:16)
12. In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree (2:48)
13. Who? (2:27)
14. Walkin' The Dog (2:45)
15. Sweetheart O'Mine (2:48)
16. Monkey Business (2:46)
17. Zozoi (2:46)
18. Mandy (2:56)
19. Do You Ever Think Of Me? (3:01)
20. Trees (3:06)
21. Love In Bloom (3:06)
22. June In January (3:22)



Claude Hopkins And His Orchestra - 1937-1940 {The Chronological Classics, 733}

The third and final Claude Hopkins Classics CD has some really obscure and diverse music. The 1937 Hopkins big band included trumpeter Jabbo Smith and trombonist Vic Dickenson in its lineup, but of the six titles it cut, five are showcases for singer Beverly White; in all, the legendary Smith gets a single chorus. Better are eight titles by trumpeter Ovie Alston's orchestra, which includes Hopkins on piano in 1938 along with some of his sidemen. This CD concludes with six numbers by the pianist's struggling 1940 big band, decent swing performances that preceded the orchestra's complete breakup. A bit of a collector's item.

01. Sunday (3:12)
02. Swingin' Down The Lane (2:57)
03. Honey (3:10)
04. June Night (2:36)
05. Church Street Sobbin' Blues (3:04)
06. My Kinda Love (One Way To Paradise) (2:59)
07. Junk-Man's Serenade (2:46)
08. Twinkle Dinkle (2:27)
09. Ja-Da (Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Jing-Jing-Jing!) (2:32)
10. Walkin' The Dog (2:34)
11. I Let A Tear Fall In The River (3:00)
12. Spareribs And Spaghetti (2:08)
13. Home Cookin' Mamma (2:26)
14. How Much Do You Mean To Me? (2:28)
15. Yacht Club Swing (3:05)
16. The Singing Hills (2:58)
17. Out To Lunch (3:13)
18. A Little Rain Must Fall (3:11)
19. I'd Believe In You (3:00)
20. What's The Matter With Me? (3:02)