Harlem Odyssey

"This LP contains interesting (if erratically recorded) live performances from a variety of Harlem clubs during 1940-41. Documented by Jerry Newman, the album gives listeners examples of Billie Holiday (who sings two numbers from Minton's Playhouse), Tab Smith (in a six-reed octet), trombonist Jack Teagarden (doing his usual rendition of "Basin Street Blues"), pianist Art Tatum (in a unique duo version of "All the Things You Are" with altoist Murray McEachern), and five jam session numbers from Minton's with trumpeter Joe Guy, pianist Thelonious Monk and drummer Kenny Clarke. This somewhat historic music is not for general collectors but completists and connoisseurs of the era will enjoy it. "

1. I Cried for You
2. Fine and Mellow
3. On the Sunny Side of the Street
4. Body and Soul
5. Basin Street Blues
6. All the Things You Are
7. Rhythm Riff
8. Nice Work If You Can Get It
9. Down
10. I Found A Million Dollar Baby
11. You're A Lucky Guy

Personnel (Tom Lord):
Tracks 1-2: Floyd "Horsecollar" Williams (as) unknown (p), (b), Billie Holiday (vcl).
Tracks 3-4: Herbie Fields (cl) Tab Smith, Willie Smith (as) Buddy Tate, Joe Thomas, Elmer "Skippy" Williams (ts) unknown p and d
Track 5: Charlie Teagarden (tp) Jack Teagarden (tb,vcl) Danny Polo (cl) Dave Bowman (p) unknown (b) Paul Collins (d)
Track 6: Murray McEachern (as) Art Tatum (p)
Tracks 7 - 10: Joe Guy (tp) Al Sears (ts-Down and I Found) Thelonious Monk (p) Nick Fenton (b) Kenny Clarke (d)
Track 11: Joe Guy (tp) unknown (cl,ts) Thelonious Monk (p) poss. Nick Fenton (b) poss. Kenny Clarke (d)

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"This is not my rip, and it's mp3 vbr only, but despite the crackles and one-dimensional sound, this offers a unique glimpse at what was happening uptown in the formative years 1940-1941. We get several tracks with the obscure Joe Guy, Billie Holiday's lover backed by Monk on four tracks, including one of my favorite songs (You're A Lucky Guy). Listen to Monk's solo on Lucky Guy; after 4 bars or so playing it straight, he begins to sound like the Monk that eventually emerged. All in all, it's a little taste of what was going down in the Harlem clubs back then."

Deep Thanks to Otis Foster from Kubla's Crib