The Hot Fives & Sevens [JSP] [Box] (1999)

About this title: One of a handful of absolutely essential jazz collections, and at a bargain price too. With this four-disc set of Armstrong's bedrock Hot Fives & Sevens sides, JSP throws down the gauntlet for labels reissuing early jazz (hats off especially to John R.T. Davies for his superb remastering work). Covering the years 1925-1929, the 90 tracks include the complete Hot Fives & Sevens recordings (save for alternate takes) with Johnny Dodds, Lil Hardin Armstrong, Kid Ory, Johnny St. Cyr, and others. Amidst a wealth of important cuts, the pinnacle standouts include "Cornet Chop Suey," "West End Blues" ... read more

Tracks:

1. My Heart [Armstrong]
2. Yes! I'm in the Barrel [Armstrong]
3. Gut Bucket Blues [Armstrong]
4. Come Back Sweet Papa [Barbarin/Russell]
5. Georgia Grind [Williams]
6. Heebie Jeebies [Atkins/Stothart]
7. Cornet Chop Suey [Armstrong]
8. Oriental Strut [Saint Cyr]
9. You're Next [Armstrong]
10. Muskrat Ramble [Gilbert/Ory]
11. Don't Forget to Mess Around [Barbarin/Armstrong]
12. I'm Gonna Gitcha [Hardin]
13. Droppin' Shucks [Hardin]
14. Who' Sit
15. He Likes It Slow [Edwards]
16. The King of the Zulus [Armstrong]
17. Big Fat Ma and Skinny Pa [Jones]
18. Lonesome Blues [Hardin]
19. Sweet Little Papa [Ory]
20. Jazz Lips [Hardin]
21. Skid-Dat-De-Dat [Hardin]
22. Big Butter and Egg Man [Armstrong/Venable]
23. Sunset Cafe Stomp [Armstrong/Venable]
24. You Made Me Love You [Armstrong/Venable]
25. Irish Black Bottom [Armstrong/Venable]
26. No One Else But You [Redman]
27. Willie the Weeper [Bloom/Melrose/Rymal]
28. Wild Man Blues [Morton/Armstrong]
29. Chicago Breakdown [Morton]
30. Alligator Crawl [Davis/Razaf/Waller]
31. Potato Head Blues [Armstrong]
32. Melancholy Blues [Bloom/Melrose]
33. Weary Blues [Matthews]
34. Twelfth Street Rag [Bowman]
35. Keyhole Blues [Wilson]
36. S.O.L. Blues [Armstrong]
37. Gully Low Blues [Armstrong]
38. That's When I'll Come Back to You [Biggs]
39. Put 'Em Down Blues [Bennett]
40. Ory's Creole Trombone [Ory]
41. The Last Time [Martin/Ewing]
42. Struttin' With Some Barbecue [Hardin/Raye]
43. Got No Blues [Hardin]
44. Once in a While [Butler]
45. I'm Not Rough [Armstrong/Hardin]
46. Hotter Than That [Armstrong/Hardin]
47. Savoy Blues [Ory]
48. Fireworks [Williams/Williams]
49. Skip the Gutter [Williams]
50. A Monday Date [Hines/Robin]
51. Don't Jive Me [Hardin]
52. West End Blues [King Oliver/William]
53. Sugar Foot Strut [Pierce]
54. Two Deuces [Hardin]
55. Squeeze Me [Waller/Williams]
56. Knee Drops [Hardin]
57. Symphonic Raps [Abrahams/B.]
58. Savoyagers' Stomp [Armstrong/Hines]
59. No, Papa, No [Spivey]
60. Basin Street Blues [Williams]
61. No One Else But You [Redman]
62. Beau Koo Jack [Armstrong/Hill/Melr]
63. Save It, Pretty Mama [Davis/Denniker/Redm]
64. Weather Bird [Armstrong]
65. Muggles [Armstrong/Hines]
66. Hear Me Talkin' to Ya? [Armstrong/Redman]
67. St. James Infirmary [Primrose/Traditiona]
68. Tight Like This [Armstrong/Curl]
69. Knockin' a Jug [Condon/Armstrong]
70. Mahogany Hall Stomp [Williams]

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