Henry Allen & His New York Orchestra 1929-30 – Vol. 2

This set is volume 2 of a dream reissue for collectors - the whole of the Henry Allen New York Orchestra’s recordings made for Victor between 1929 and 1930, as well as sessions where the Allen band supported singers Victoria and ‘Sweet Peas’ Spivey. Also included are four titles by the Luis Russell Orchestra, comprising largely the same musicians. The sidemen featured here were handpicked by Allen and Russell and are generally regarded as among the finest of their era. Long before Ellington and Basie, this is where swing really started.

Track Listing:
Henry Allen & His New York Orchestra: 1. It Should Be You - 3:11   2. Biff'ly Blues - 3:24   3. Feeling Drowsy - 3:35   4. Swing Out - 3:31 Victoria Spivey and The Four Wanderers: 5. Make a Country Bird Fly Wild - 3:30   6. Funny Feathers - 2:56   7. How Do They Do It That Way? - 3:20   8. Pleasin' Paul - 2:58   Sweet Peas: 9. Day Breakin' Blues - 3:06   10. Heartbreak Blues - 3:02   11. Leavin' You Baby - 2:55   12. Longing for Home - 2:59  13. It Should Be You - 3:16   14. Feeling Drowsy - 3:32   15. Swing Out - 3:20   16. Singing Pretty Songs - 3:22   17. I Fell in Love With You - 3:24   Luis Russell and His Orchestra:   18. I Got Rhythm - 3:24   19. Saratoga Drag - 3:10   20. Ease on Down (Case on Down) - 3:02   21. Honey, That Reminds Me - 3:12

Personnel:
Henry "Red" Allen (trumpet, vocals) , J.C. Higginbotham (trombone) , Albert Nicholas (alto saxophone, clarinet) , Charlie Holmes (alto saxophone, soprano saxophone) , Luis Russell (piano, celeste) , Will Johnson (banjo, guitar) , Pops Foster (bass) , Paul Barbarin (drums) , …

Reviews:

1. AllMusic - Scott Yanow
This English import is a perfect complement to the Classics series for the CD consists of all of the alternate takes from Red Allen's 1929-30 sessions (including two very different versions of "It Should Be You") and his meetings with singers Victoria and Addie Spivey. In addition Luis Russell's rare recordings from Oct. 24 and Dec. 17, 1930 (which feature Allen's trumpet) wrap up this gap-filling CD.