Big John Special '49 (1998)

About this title: On this interesting compilation released by Hep Records in 1998, trumpeter Harry James is heard leading his popular big band during sessions that took place in Hollywood and New York between June 1949 and November 1950. Most of the 25 selections were originally stored on 16" transcription discs which were distributed to radio stations to be used for recruitment purposes during Navy Show broadcasts, just in time for North Korea's occupation of Seoul on June 28, 1950 and the beginning of direct U.S. intervention in the Korean War a few days later. There are vocals by Art Lund ("Stardust" and ... read more

Tracks:

1. Big John's Special [Henderson]
2. Cherry [Redman]
3. Don'cha Go 'Way Mad [Mundy]
4. Stardust [Carmichael/Parish]
5. Cheek to Cheek [Berlin]
6. Bluebeard Blues [Basie/Hefti]
7. Except February Which Has 28 [Hefti]
8. Slap Happy [Ellington]
9. Forgotten [Devenport]
10. Rank Frank [James/Mundy]
11. Hurry, Hurry, Hurry [Rinker/Huddleston]
12. Moonlight Bay [Madden/Wenrich]
13. Body and Soul [Green/Sour/Heyman]
14. Lamond and Mon [Hefti]
15. Sleepy Time Gal [Whiting/Lorenzo/Ega]
16. Block Party [Hefti/James]
17. Down by the Station [Gaillard]
18. Six, Two and Even [Hefti/James]
19. Bells [Hefti/James]
20. Things Ain't What They Used to Be [Ellington/Persons]
21. Circus Days [James]
22. So Tired [Morgan/Stuart]
23. Two O'Clock Jump [Basie/Goodman/James]
24. Redigal Jump [James/Mundy]
25. Ultra [James]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.