Classics
2000
The Chronogical 1945-1947
About This Album
After a lengthy run of carefully laid-out chronological Lunceford, the folks at Classics gathered up material that wasn't included in the previous volumes and laid it out as a prelude to the very last of the records made by this excellent big band under Lunceford's leadership. Whatever the reasons were for the inconsistent chronology, this bag of remnants forms an interesting encapsulation of Lunceford's last years. The core sample opens with five previously unissued Decca recordings, the first dating from December of 1944. This pre-dates the range of years as stated in the CD's title, but who's counting. The serious problem involves Sy Oliver's departure from the band in 1939 and Lunceford's quest for stylistic stability from that point onwards. One tactic involved sentimental vocalists, some of them much less hip than singing tenor man Joe Thomas. Speaking of saxophones, this band had a wicked reed section and a justifiably famous load of brass on top. Four V-Disc sides show off all of the ensemble's best qualities. Finally we come to the Lunceford band's Majestic recordings, which are a gas. Slim Gaillard's "Cement Mixer" is nearly as delightful as the original.
Track List (try tracks 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10,11,12,13,16,17,19 and 20)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.