Forbes Randolph's Kentucky Jubilee Choir - Brunswick 4285 (1928)

Here's an eight man choir that dressed up in country garb and performed negro spirituals on stage depicting life in the old south. After two years, Forbes Randolph ran off with the money which led to a new leader assuming the reigns. After several revamps, the group continued to tour as a trio up into the 50s.

Recorded in August of 1928.




Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra - Vocalion 4887 (1939)

Jimmie Lunceford dir / Eddie Tompkins, Paul Webster t / Sy Oliver t, v, a / Elmer Crumbley, Russell Bowles tb / Trummy Young tb / Eddie Durham a / Willie Smith cl, as, bar, a  / Dan Grissom as / Earl Caruthers cl, as bar / Ted Buckner as / Joe Thomas cl, ts / Edwin Wilcox p, cel, a / Al Norris g / Moses Allen sb / Jimmy Crawford d, vib.

Recorded in New York on January 3 & May 17, 1939.



Ladd's Black Aces - Gennett 5035 (1923)

Gennett's pseudonym for the Original Memphis Five.

Phil Napoleon t / Miff Mole or Charlie Panelli tb / Jimmy Lytell cl / Frank Signorelli p /Jack Roth d. Vernon Dalhart vocals on Mamma.

Recorded in New York on January 17, 1923.



Johnny Otis & His Orchestra (With Ben Webster) - Mercury 8263 (1951)

It's amazing to find out who some of the sidemen might be when you do a little digging.

Johnny Otis d, vib, v / Ben Webster ts / Don Johnson, Gerald Wilson tp / John Pettigrew, George Washington tb / Floyd Turnham as / Lorenzo Holderness ts / Curtis Lowe bs / Devonia Williams p / Pete Lewis g / Mario Delagarde b / Leard Bell d.

Recorded in Los Angeles on December 19, 1951.

Enjoy!


Tibby Edwards - Mercury 70347 (1954)

My dad took a fishing trip deep into the heart of Mississippi a while back and while traversing narrow country roads...stopped at an old antique store and picked up a few 78s.

One of the records was this country/cajun one by Edwin Thibodeaux from Garland, LA. He grew up among cajun influences and idolized Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams (which is so evident on these sides).

His bio says that he worked with Williams' Drifting Cowboys...don't know if that means he recorded as one of 'em or not.

He met a young Elvis and recorded a couple of rockabilly tunes because of it. Apparently these performances are coveted by collectors.

He passed away in Baton Rouge in 1999.



Danny Boy Cobbs With Lucky Thompson & His Orchestra - Acorn 309 (1949?)

I think that Acorn may have been a subsidiary of Savoy Records. Couldn't find any biographical information on Danny Cobbs. I see where he sang Danny Boy on Savoy and am assuming that's where the Danny Boy Cobbs stemmed from.

I read about Lucky Thompson on Wikipedia and if it's correct...what a sad ending.