COOTIE WILLIAMS ECHOES OF HARLEM
Released:1996
Label:Affinity LP
Format:[email protected]



The little known big band that trumpeter Cootie Williams led in 1944 had some rather notable sidemen: pianist Bud Powell (in his first recordings), altoist-vocalist Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, and tenor saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. This superior English LP from Affinity has all 16 recordings by Williams from that year, eight songs apiece from his sextet and his big band. In addition to the other soloists, a young Pearl Bailey has two vocals and future R&B tenor star Sam "The Man" Taylor gets in a few licks. Among the many highlights of this historic program are "Echoes of Harlem," "Honeysuckle Rose," "Cherry Red Blues," "Blue Garden Blues," and the earliest recording ever of Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight."

Tracklist
1. Echoes Of Harlem (January 6, 1944)
2. Things Ain't What They Used To Be (vocal – Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson) (January 6, 1944)
3. Tess' Torch Song (January 6, 1944)
4. You Talk A Little Trash (January 4, 1944)
5. Sweet Lorraine (January 6, 1944)
6. Cherry Red Blues (vocal – Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson) (January 6, 1944)
7. 'Round Midnight (August 22, 1944)
8. Is You Is Or Is You Ain't? (vocal – Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson) (August 22, 1944)
9. Blue Garden Blues (August 22, 1944)
10. Floogie Boo (vocal – Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson) (January 4, 1944)
11. I Don't Know (January 4, 1944)
12. Gotta Do Some War Work (vocal – Cootie Williams) (January 4, 1944)
13. My Old Flame (January 6, 1944)
14. Now I Know (vocal – Pearl Bailey) (January 6, 1944)
15. Somebody's Gotta Go (vocal – Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson) (August 22, 1944)
16. Honeysuckle Rose (January 6, 1944)


Recorded in New York City for Hit/Majestic in January and August 1944.