Cooties - the good kind

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Choc Wheaton · #1 Post by **Choc Wheaton** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 5:53 pm

Who's got some good Cootie? Cootie Williams that is...

I have one from 'Jazz Archives', not the 'Ellington Days' album, but it's not very good. Was looking to track down a couple of good albums if anyone knows any.

Bob the Builder · #2 Post by **Bob the Builder** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 6:36 pm

I've got a bit of Cootie,

1945-46 Classics LINK
and on Compilations like
The Jubilee Sessions LINK and
Swinging at the Savoy (EMP label) Jazz archives. LINK

I like these songs of the above.
He should have Flip'd when he flop'd, house of joy, I may be easy but I'm no fool. - 1945-46 Classics
Roll "Em, Airmail Special- Jubilee Sessions
Everything but you - Swinging at the Savoy

He’s an artist I’d like to get to know better too. I’ve heard some raving about the Cootie Williams in Hi-Fi CD LINK, but it is all very slow tempos. His Jubilee Session recordings are really top notch. I’d like to hear some of his other like recordings of that period.
He also did some great work in the Goodman band for a little while.

Brian

trev · #3 Post by **trev** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 8:26 pm

Gotta love the Cootie!

"Roll 'Em" & "Airmail Special" from the Jubilee Sessions are absolutely nutso - recommended!

I'm interested in this CD, but there is a bit of overlap with my other stuff, so i'm not sure if it's worth it; His Best Recordings 1930-1943

Campus Five · #4 Post by **Campus Five** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:58 pm

Unless you're looking for the high-fi 50's stuff, I like the Classic Chrononlogical for Cootie.
1941-1944 - Has some great proto-bop sextet sides (that still swing) and couple of orchestra sides. Definately great. The Campus Five plays 3 tunes that I got from this album, and I still have one more I want to use.
1945-1946 - Since this was all Orchestra sides, I never gave this disc a proper listening, but it is more R&B oriented. Still good stuff.
1946-1949 - I don't have this but it is on my half.com wish list. "Gator Tail" is one of the hits that I've been dying to get. Still more R&B oriented though.

Before 1941, just get the 4 disc Charlie Christian collection on columbia, and that giant 20 disc ellington collection. The BG/CC sextet sides have my favorite Cootie solos, riffs, and sounds. Also, the 4-disc live CC box on JSP has some great playing from Cootie. You can hear on his solos on Flying Home where he comes up with the riff he later uses for the melody to "G-Men" on the 1941-1944 CD.

Choc Wheaton · #5 Post by **Choc Wheaton** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 11:42 pm

Thanks guys... some great suggestions there. He's one of those artists that spans the different styles and it can be hard to focus in on his best stuff. I'd like to steer clear of the R&B, but I'll definitely give the Chronologicals ('41-44) and Jubilee Sessions a whirl though.

I haven't heard 'Gator Tail' but I'll certainly keep my ears open for it. Sounds like a winner.

Cheers

Bob the Builder · #6 Post by **Bob the Builder** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 11:52 pm

This Jubiles Cd look very cool. - The Jubilee Shows, Vol. 4: Nos. 77 & 78
link
Great to see the individual Jubilee CD's now available on BN.
You can get it a little cheaper on www.cdconnection.com

Brian