Cootie Williams - The Chronological Classics: 1945-1946 (1998)

Tracklist

01. Saturday Night (3:03)
02. I'm Beginning to See the Light (3:16)
03. Juice Head Baby (3:10)
04. Salt Lake City Bounce (2:54)
05. Jitterbug Serenade (2:42)
06. House of Joy (3:14)
07. Mood for Coot (3:18)
08. When My Baby Left Me (2:57)
09. Everything But You (2:47)
10. Jumping to Conclusions - Part 1 (2:57)
11. Jumping to Conclusions - Part 2 (3:03)
12. Someone I Knew (2:57)
13. You're the One for Me Sweetheart (2:42)
14. Stingy Blues (3:03)
15. He Should'a Flip'd When He Flop'd (3:03)
16. Echoes of Harlem (3:02)
17. That's the Lick (3:16)
18. Wrong Neighborhood (2:49)
19. Piney Brown's Gone (3:12)
20. I May Be Easy But I'm No Fool (3:06)
21. Vibraphonia (3:09)
22. Let's Do the Whole Thing or Nothing at All (2:36)

Having already starred in both Ellington's and Goodman's bands, trumpeter Cootie Williams marked the '40s with a slew of sides featuring his own big band and a variety of combos. His fiery, Armstrong-inspired blowing always was full of narrative wit, and this mighty horn package is certainly on display on Classics' chronological roundup of some of Williams' 1945-1946 sides. Still a bit shy of later R&B-styled work, Williams swings nicely on standouts like "Juice Head Baby," "Jumping to Conclusions," and "Echoes of Harlem." The supporting cast may not be star studded -- save for a young Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson -- but the playing is all top-notch and Williams certainly delivers more than just a few meaty solos. A choice collection best suited to dedicated listeners.~Stephen Cook