Recommended Materials
W.C. HANDY’S MEMPHIS BLUES BAND
16 recordings never released before of W.C. Handy and His Memphis Blues Band. All trachs recorded in 1917, 1922 and 1923.
Memphis Archives, 1994.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG PLAYS W.C. HANDY
16 recordings by Louis Armstrong of the W.C. Handy catalog recorded on July 12-14, 1954 and October 19, 1956. Guest artists include Velma Middleton, Trummy Young, Barney Bigard, Billy Kyle, Arvell Shaw and Barrett Deems. Collection originally released in 1956.
Legacy Recordings # 64925, 1999.
RESPECT: WOMEN IN MUSIC
5-Disc collection of the hit recordings by women from the 1910 through 1998. Compilation was nominated for a 2001 Grammy Award for Best Historical Album. Tracks include Marion Harris’ 1921 top five recording “Beale Street Blues.”
Rhino Records # 75815, 1999.
BESSIE SMITH: THE FINAL CHAPTER
Part of the Legacy Records Roots N’ Blues series. All tracks recorded between 1925 and 1933 with Bobby Johnson, Charlie Dixon, Charlie Green, Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden, Clarence Williams and Billy Taylor. Tracks include Ms. Smith’s #5 hit recording from 1925, “Careless Love.”
Legacy Recordings # 57546, 1996.
HOTEL ASTOR ROOF 1942
Harry James, with guest artists Helen Forrest, Corky Corcoran, Jack Jee and Al Friede. All tracks recorded live at the Hotel Astor in New York during August and September 1942. Tracks include the top ten hit song from 1914, “Memphis Blues.”
Storyville # 2067, 2000.
THE ROARING TWENTIES: WHEN MY BABY SMILES AT ME
Collection of the top 24 recordings from 1920. Tracks include Marion Harris’ #1 recording of “St. Louis Blues.”
Living Era # 5520, 2002.
IS EVERYBODY HAPPY?
Ted Lewis with guest artists Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, Sophie Tucker, Mugsy Spanier, Jimmy Dorsey and Frank Teschemacher. Tracks include Lewis’ #4 hit from 1930 of “Yellow Dog Blues.”
ASV Recordings # 5273, 1999.