Minnie Wallace - Victor 38547 (1929)

Needing to go for a drive this afternoon to clear my head, I aimed for Alabama's Gulf Coast and of course had to stop here and there looking for records.

Came across one place that had a room full of "dollar records" and promptly started digging. Came away with a Hank on MGM, a handful of Jimmie Rodgers, a few nondescript country sides and some Japanese pressed stuff.

But it was the name I didn't recognize that had me cautiously optimistic. Although I didn't know of the artist, I knew enough to snatch a Victor 38000...especially a high numbered one...AND for a buck to boot. (In contrast, the Hank set me back $5...so much for honoring the dollar room.)

After several hours, I've just gotten home, done a little internet research, cleaned the record and transferred the audio...revealing a pleasant surprise.

Here's Minnie Wallace accompanied by the Memphis Jug Band.

Minnie Wallace v / Will Shade harmonica / Milton Robie vn / Ben Ramey kazoo (side-A) / Jab Jones jug / Charlie Burse g.

Recorded in Memphis on September 23, 1929.

Andy Kirk & His Twelve Clouds Of Joy - Vocalion 3255 (1929)

Here we have Andy Kirk's first recordings as leader...his first ever recording from nine years earlier can be heard here.

Andy Kirk bsx, bb, dir / Gene Prince, Harry Lawson t , v / Allen Durham tb / John Harrington cl, as / John Williams as, bar / Lawrence 'Slim' Freeman ts / Claude Williams vn / Mary Lou Williams p, a / William Dirvin bj, g / Edward McNeil d.

Recorded in Kansas City on November 7-8, 1929.

Glenn Miller & His Orchestra - Decca 1239 (1937)

Always fun finding a pre-Glenn Miller Glenn Miller 78.

Glenn Miller tb, a, dir / Charlie Spivak, Manny Klein t / Sterling Bose t, v / Jesse Ralph, Harry Rogers tb / George Siravo cl, as / Hal McIntyre cl, as / Jerry Jerome, Carl Biesacker cl, ts / Howard Smith p / Dick McDonough g / Ted Kotsoftis sb / George Simon d / Doris Kerr, The Tune Twisters (including Jack Lathrop) v.

Recorded in New York on March 22, 1937.

Gene Gifford & His Orchestra - Victor 25065 (1935)

Just acquired the last 2 of 4 sides cut by Gene Gifford as a leader. Gifford was chief arranger for The Casa Loma Orchestra throughout the '30s.

Here are the first two sides.

Bunny Berigan t / Morey Samuel tb / Matty Matlock cl / Bud Freeman ts / Claude Thornhill p / Dick McDonough g / Pete Peterson sb / Ray Bauduc d / Wingy Mannone v / Gene Gifford a.

Recorded in New York on May 13, 1935.

Jimmie Rodgers - Victor 23621 Puzzle Record (1931)

On the way to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, I stopped off to search for 78s and found my first puzzle record.

Jimmie Rodgers v, g.

Recorded in Louisville, KY on June 11, 1931.

Jimmie Rodgers v / Billy Burkes g / Weldon Burkes uke / Joe Kaipo steel guitar.

Recorded at the Jefferson Hotel in Dallas, TX on August 8, 1929.

Jimmie Rodgers v, g.

Recorded in Camden, NJ on November 30, 1927.