Name: Muggshot
Brand: ASV/Living Era
SKU: 923340
Price: 45.54 USD
Availability: InStock

Performer Notes

Personnel includes: Francis "Muggsy" Spanier (cornet), George Brunies (trombone, vocals).
All songs recorded from 1924-1942.
Personnel: Muggsy Spanier (cornet); Nappy Lamare (vocals, guitar); Eddie Condon (vocals, banjo); Georg Brunis, George Brunies (vocals, trombone); Fats Waller (vocals, piano); Lee Wiley, Red McKenzie, Ted Lewis (vocals); Marvin Saxbe (guitar, banjo, percussion); Leigh Kaplan (guitar, banjo); Jack Bland, Ken Broadhurst, Tony Gerhardi, Carmen Mastren (guitar); Stuart Branch (banjo); Paul Lyman (violin, tenor saxophone); Sammy Shapiro (violin); Sidney Bechet (clarinet, soprano saxophone); Jimmi Cannon, Frank Teschemacher, Jimmy Dorsey (clarinet, alto saxophone); Rod Cless, Irving Fazola, Voltaire de Faut, Benny Goodman, Hank D'Amico (clarinet); Louis Martin (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Benny Goodman Carnegie Hall Orchestra (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); John "BJ John" Smith, Maurice Morse, Joe Herde, John Smith, Charles Pierce (alto saxophone); Coleman Hawkins, Lyle Smith, Eddie Miller, Bernie Billings, Nick Caiazza, Hymie Wolfson, Mezz Mezzrow (tenor saxophone); Ralph Muzillo, Max Connett, Frank Bruno, Dave Klein, Lloyd Wallen, L‚on Schwartz (trumpet); Dick Fierge (cornet); Sam Blank, Floyd O'Brien, Jules Fasthoff, Guy Carey, Bud Smith, Vernon Brown (trombone); Jack Russin, Dan Lipscomb, Mel Stitzel, Art Gronwall, Dave Bowman , Jess Stacy, Joe Bushkin, Joe Sullivan (piano); John Lucas, Paul Kettler, Gene Krupa, Don Carter, Josh Billings, Bill Paley, Ray Bauduc, Ben Pollack (drums).
Liner Note Author: Vic Bellerby.
Recording information: 02/25/1924-01/02/1942.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Pat Hawes; Charlie Crump.
As an encapsulation of Muggsy Spanier's lengthy career, this excellent compilation presents many of the cornetist's most important sessions in something approaching chronological sequence. The survey begins in 1924 with the Bucktown Five, a scruffy little band that included clarinetist Volly DeFaut and pianist Mel Stitzel. A slightly rarer track from 1925 features Stitzel, DeFaut, and drummer Ben Pollack with the Stomp Six. "Bullfrog Blues," a solid tromp with Frank Teschemacher on clarinet, was without a doubt the best record ever made by the Charles Pierce Orchestra. The enclosed discography misleadingly refers to Johnny Mueller's brass bass, an incongruous mistake as Mueller's earthy, heavy-handed string bass playing is one of the most attractive and compelling aspects of this fine old recording. A band known variously as the Chicago Rhythm Kings, the Louisiana Rhythm Kings, or the Jungle Kings made a series of recordings in April and May of 1928. Present were Teschemacher, Mezz Mezzrow on tenor sax, pianist Joe Sullivan, banjoist Eddie Condon, and a feisty young drummer by the name of Gene Krupa. Condon sounds like Jimmy Cagney when he sings "Baby Won't You Please Come Home" and Red McKenzie periodically chortles away as if he were marinating in a steam bath. Here in the 21st century there simply aren't enough opportunities to hear the Ray Miller Orchestra. Garnished with Al Carsella's brief but juicy solo on piano accordion, this hot little group's version of "That's A-Plenty" is a delightful chapter in the saga of Muggsy Spanier. Throughout each of these historical recordings Spanier adds his own personal touches using an unforgettably gutsy, expressive tone. The hippest recording session that Ted Lewis ever presided over took place on March 6, 1931, with Spanier, Benny Goodman, and Fats Waller, who wrings the piano out and sings lustily on "Dallas Blues" and "Royal Garden Blues." Two sides by the Mound City Blue Blowers recorded in June of 1931 feature Coleman Hawkins, Jimmy Dorsey, and relatively sensible vocals by McKenzie. Whoever put this compilation together chose the four very best examples of Muggsy Spanier's Ragtime Band. "Bluin' the Blues" and the bluesy, creamy, laid-back "Relaxin' at the Touro" are masterpieces of old-fashioned jazz, as are two superb selections recorded in 1940 by Spanier and Sidney Bechet with guitarist Carmen Mastren and primal bass man Wellman Braud. Perhaps the nicest surprise of all comes in the form of two very intimate Lee Wiley vocal performances with only Spanier and Wiley's husband, pianist Jess Stacy, providing accompaniment. As if to thoroughly dispel any lingering notions of subtlety, Bob Crosby's Bobcats cough up a rude novelty with the title "You're Bound to Look Like a Monkey When You Grow Old." This wonderful tribute to Muggsy Spanier closes with two satisfying performances recorded in 1942 by his big and not-so-big bands. Here, then, is one of the best Muggsy Spanier compilations ever to have been brought before the public. And the cover photo is suitable for framing. ~ arwulf arwulf

Album: Muggshot
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Mobile Blues
2)	Why Couldn't It Be Poor Little Me?
3)	Bullfrog Blues
4)	Nobody's Sweetheart
5)	There'll Be Some Changes Made
6)	I've Found a New Baby
7)	Baby Won't You Please Come Home?
8)	Friars Point Shuffle
9)	That's A-Plenty
10)	Dallas Blues
11)	Royal Garden Blues
12)	Darktown Strutters' Ball
13)	You Rascal You
14)	Relaxin' at the Touro
15)	At Sundown
16)	Bluin' the Blues
17)	I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate
18)	Four or Five Times
19)	China Boy
20)	Down to Steamboat, Tennessee
21)	Sugar
22)	You're Bound to Look Like a Monkey When You Get Old
23)	Chicago
24)	Hesitating Blues

Album: Muggshot
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Mobile Blues
2)	Why Couldn't It Be Poor Little Me?
3)	Bullfrog Blues
4)	Nobody's Sweetheart
5)	There'll Be Some Changes Made
6)	I've Found a New Baby
7)	Baby Won't You Please Come Home?
8)	Friars Point Shuffle
9)	That's A-Plenty
10)	Dallas Blues
11)	Royal Garden Blues
12)	Darktown Strutters' Ball
13)	You Rascal You
14)	Relaxin' at the Touro
15)	At Sundown
16)	Bluin' the Blues
17)	I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate
18)	Four or Five Times
19)	China Boy
20)	Down to Steamboat, Tennessee
21)	Sugar
22)	You're Bound to Look Like a Monkey When You Get Old
23)	Chicago
24)	Hesitating Blues