Snatch up any of the Chronological Classics.William McKinney was a drummer who by 1923 had retired from playing in favor of conducting and managing a big band. In 1926 his outfit became known as McKinney's Cotton Pickers and the following year they scored a major coup by hiring arranger/altoist/vocalist Don Redman away from Fletcher Henderson. As the band's musical director, Redman put together an outfit that competed successfully with Henderson and the up-and-coming Duke Ellington. The lineup of musicians by the time they started recording in 1928 included Langston Curl, Claude Jones, George Thomas and Dave Wilborn but it was the advanced arrangements, the tight ensembles and the high musicianship of the orchestra on a whole that was most impressive. There were a few special all-star sessions with such players as Joe Smith, Sidney DeParis, Coleman Hawkins, Fats Waller, and Lonnie Johnson making appearances and James P. Johnson sat in on one date. Among the more rewarding recordings overall were "Four or Five Times," "It's Tight like That," "It's a Precious Little Thing Called Love" and four future standards that Redman introduced: "Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You," "Baby Won't You Please Come Home," "I Want a Little Girl" and "Cherry."
It was a major blow in 1931 when Don Redman departed to form his own band. Benny Carter took over as musical director but despite the presence of such fine players as Doc Cheatham, Hilton Jefferson and holdovers Quentin Jackson, Rex Stewart and Prince Robinson, there would only be one final recording session. The Depression eventually did the band in and after much turnover in 1934 the classic group broke up. McKinney organized later versions of the Cotton Pickers but without making an impression.
Mckinney's Cotton Pickers
Moderators: Mr Awesomer, JesseMiner, CafeSavoy
Mckinney's Cotton Pickers
If you dont own any yet, go out and buy some. Its early, raw, hard swinging, very talented band. Here is their AMG biography:
-mikey faltesek
"Dancing is the union of the body with the rhythm and the sound of the music." Al Minns in 1984
"Dancing is the union of the body with the rhythm and the sound of the music." Al Minns in 1984
On an NPR Jazz program they were mentioning that this group played with the regular members on Chicago recordings but many members were replaced with Fletcher Henderson's band members on New York recordings. This program recomended the Chicago recording to hear what they sounded like reguarly.
Falty do you hear a difference between them? If so would you recomend one over the other?
Falty do you hear a difference between them? If so would you recomend one over the other?
I *think* [Travis back me up here] that the Chicago group had Eddie Condon and Mugsy Spannier as part of their crew --- Travis has a bunch of Chicago based CDs that are great fun, and I've been really enjoying my one Eddie Condon CD I have - I'd like to get more of it.Roy wrote:On an NPR Jazz program they were mentioning that this group played with the regular members on Chicago recordings but many members were replaced with Fletcher Henderson's band members on New York recordings. This program recomended the Chicago recording to hear what they sounded like reguarly.
Falty do you hear a difference between them? If so would you recomend one over the other?
I have the below CD, which I mentioned in another thread. My advice for anybody checking out these CDs is to check the vocals. As I mentioned before (see below), some of the vocals sound quite dated to me. It's pretty annoying because the rest of the band sounds so fun.
Matthew wrote:I bought this CD today:
The Complete McKinney's Cotton Pickers Great Alternatives 1928-31.
It consists of alternate takes that were not included in the big, 3-CD set. It also has four tracks by a band that included some members of McKinney's Cotton Pickers. Some of the vocals are very much of that time and sound cheesy, but aside from that, there's a ton of fun music. The tempos tend to be mid-range and perfect for most dancers. I'd highly recommend it.
