Morning Glory
Page 49
Shaw, Arnold. The Street That Never Slept. New York: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, 1971.
Thompson, Richard. “Mary Lou Williams: Zodiac Suite: A Critical Analysis.” Undated paper, Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers University, Newark, N.J.
Torff, Brian Q. “Mary Lou Williams: A Woman’s Life in Jazz.” In Profiles in American Music Since 1950, edited by James R. Heintze. New York and London: Garland Publishing Co., 1999.
Ulanov, Barry. A History of Jazz in America. New York: Viking Press, 1952.
Unterbrink, Mary. Jazz Women at the Keyboard. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland Press, 1983
Whitaker, Rogers E. M. “Popsy” (unsigned). “Talk of the Town.” The New Yorker, May 14, 1979.
Winter, Nina. Interview with the Muse: Remarkable Women Speak on Creativity and Power. Berkeley, Calif.: Moon Books, 1978.
Yampolsky, Carol Jane. “The Solo Piano Music of Three American Composers: Armando ‘Chick’ Corea, William ‘Billy’ Taylor, Mary Lou Williams: A Performance-Tape Project.” DMA dissertation, University of Maryland, 1986.
Audio and Video
Burke, Joanne. Music on my Mind. Documentary film, 1981. Distributed through Women Make Movies, New York.
Flanagan, Edward. I Have A Dream. Documentary film, New York University Motion Picture Workshop, 1968.
Moyles, Will. Radio interview. “The Essence of Jazz.” Buffalo, N.Y., February 18, 1977.
Oneppo, Martha. Interview for Yale University Oral History American Music Series, March 16–17, 1981.
Wilson, John S. Interview for the National Endowment of the Arts/Institute of Jazz Studies.
Reference Works
Carr, Ian; Digby Fairweather; and Brian Priestly. The Rough Guide to Jazz. New York: Viking Penguin, 1995.
Case, Brian, and Stan Britt. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz. New York: Harmony Books, 1978.
Cook, Richard, and Brian Morton, eds. The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD, LP and Cassette. New York: Penguin Books, 1994.
Erlewine, Michael; Vladimir Bodganov; Chris Woodstra; and Scott Yanow, eds. All Music Guide to Jazz, 3rd ed. San Francisco: Miller Freeman Books, 1998.
Esquire Editors. Esquire’s World of Jazz. Edited by George Simon. New York: Thomas Crowell, 1975.
Feather, Leonard. The Encyclopedia of Jazz. New York: Horizon Press, 1955, 1960, 1965.
———. The Encyclopedia Yearbook of Jazz. New York: Horizon Press, 1956.
Holtje, Steve, and Nancy Ann Lee, eds. Music Hound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press, 1998.
Kernfeld, Barry, ed. The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1996.
A Selective Mary Lou Williams
Discography: 1927 to Present
“THERE SHOULD HAVE been fifty Moe Asches to record Mary,” says Barry Ulanov about the legendary record producer, “but there was only one, and he only had a limited amount of money. It’s to the eternal disgrace of the record companies that she was not recorded widely.”
Mary was not easy to market after the 1940s. “Nobody can put a style on me,” she said repeatedly. Admirers agreed. “She was an elusive pianist, a styleless pianist,” noted Popsy Whitaker in The New Yorker, “a catalyst, a refractor, a mirror.” Yet her very achievements in incorporating the successive styles of jazz earned her admiration but also made her harder to place. Her very elusiveness as a stylist, many critics seemed to imply, placed her just this side of greatness in the jazz pantheon. Happily, today’s listeners can much more readily judge for themselves, because far more of Mary’s music is currently available than ever before, including a number of previously unreleased recordings.
This selective discography is intended to be user-friendly rather than scholar-oriented and all-inclusive. In chronological order (according to date of recording, starting with the earliest), everything that is available on compact disc is listed first, followed by a selective list of vinyl (LP, EP, 78, 45) and tape (issued and unissued), where no CD exists of a performance. Finally, there are appendices of several other important sources of the work of Mary Lou Williams.
ABBREVIATIONS
arr arranger b-cl bass-clarinet
as alto saxophone bgs bongos
b bass bj banjo
bars baritone saxophone bsn bassoon
bb brass bass (sousaphone/tuba) cel Celeste
cgs congas o oboe
cl clarinet or organ
cond conductor p piano
d drums sop soprano saxophone
dir director t trumpet
el-g electric guitar tb Trombone
f flute ts tenor saxophone
flgh fluegel horn v vocal
frh French horn vbs Vibraphone
g guitar vln violin
MLW Mary Lou Williams wbd Washboard
Recordings by Mary Lou Williams on CDs
recorded: Chicago, ca. January 1927
Jeanette James and Her Synco Jazzers: MLW (as Mary Leo Burley) (p); Jeanette James (v); Henry McCord (t); Bradley Bullett (tb); John Williams (as, bars); Jo Williams (bj); Robert Price (d).
Midnight Stomp • The Bumps
Classics 630. Originally issued on Paramount.
recorded: Chicago, February 1927
John Williams’ Synco Jazzers: same personnel as above except Jeanette James out. Down in Gallion • Goose Grease
Classics 630. Originally issued on Paramount.
recorded: Chicago, ca. March 7, 1927
Personnel same as above.
Pee Wee Blues • Now Cut Loose
Classics 630. Originally issued on Gennett.
recorded: Kansas City, ca. November 7, 1929
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: MLW (p, arr); Andy Kirk (bars, bb, dir); Gene Prince (t); Harry Lawson (t, v); Allen Durham (tb); John Harrington (cl, as); John Williams (as, bars); Lawrence Freeman (ts); Claude Williams (vln); William Dirvin (bj, g); Edward “Crackshot” McNeil (d).
Mess-A-Stomp • Blue Clarinet Stomp
Classics 655. Originally issued on Brunswick.
recorded: Kansas City, ca. November 8, 1929
Personnel same as above.
Cloudy
Classics 655. Originally issued on Brunswick.
recorded: Kansas City, ca. November 9, 1929
Personnel same as above.
Casey Jones Special
Classics 655. Originally issued on Brunswick.
recorded: Kansas City, ca. November 9, 1929 and November 11, 1929
John Williams and His Memphis Stompers: same personnel as above.
Somepin’ Slow and Low • Lotta Sax Appeal
Classics 655. Originally issued on Vocalion.
recorded: Kansas City, ca. November 11, 1929
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
Corky Stomp • Froggy Bottom
Classics 655. Originally issued on Brunswick.
recorded: Chicago, ca. April 24, 1930
MLW (p solos).
Nite Life* • Drag ’Em
Classics 630. *Also Decca 639. Originally issued on Brunswick.
[Note: MLW does not take part in the Andy Kirk session of April 29, 1930.] recorded: Chicago, April 30, 1930
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as November 11, 1929, except Edgar Battle replaces Gene Prince (t).
Snag It • Sweet and Hot • Mary’s Idea
Classics 655. Originally issued on Brunswick.
recorded: Chicago, May 1, 1930
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above, except Billy Massey is added (v).
Once or Twice
Classics 655. Originally issued on Brunswick.
recorded: Chicago, July 15, 1930
Seven Little Clouds of Joy: MLW (p); Harry Lawson (t); Floyd Brady (tb); John Harrington (as); Andy Kirk (bb); William Dirvin (bj); Edward “Crackshot” McNeil (d).
Gettin’ Off a Mess
Classics 655. Originally issued on Brunswick.
rec
orded: Chicago, October 9, 1930
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as May 1, 1930.
Dallas Blues • Travelin’ That Rocky Road • Honey, Just for You • You Rascal You
Classics 655. Originally issued on Brunswick.
recorded: New York, December 15, 1930
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above, except Dick Robertson (v) is added.
Saturday • Sophomore
Classics 655. Originally issued on Brunswick.
recorded: Camden, New Jersey, March 2, 1931
Blanche Calloway and Her Joy Boys: MLW (p, arr); Blanche Calloway (v, dir); Harry Lawson and Edgar Battle (t); Clarence Smith (t, v); Floyd Brady (tb); John Harrington (cl, as); John Williams (as, bars); Lawrence Freeman (ts); William Dirvin (bj); Andy Kirk (bb); Ben Thigpen (d); Billy Massey (v).
Casey Jones Blues • There’s Rhythm in the River • I Need Lovin’
Classics 655. Originally issued on Victor.
recorded: New York, March 2, 1936
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: MLW (p, arr); Andy Kirk (dir); Harry Lawson and Paul King (t); Earl Thompson (t, arr); Ted Donnelly (tb); John Harrington (cl, as, bars); John Williams (as, bars); Dick Wilson (ts); Ted Robinson (g); Booker Collins (b); Ben Thigpen (d).
Walkin’ and Swingin’ (take A)* • Walkin’ and Swingin’ (take C)** • Moten Swing*** • Lotta Sax Appeal†
EMI 797 906-2. *Decca 622; Classics 573. ***Decca 622; Classics 573; EMI 797 906-2. †Classics 573; EMI 797 906-2. Originally issued on Decca (US) and Columbia (UK).
recorded: New York, March 3, 1936
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above, except Pha Terrell (v) added on “All the Jive Is Gone.”
Git • All the Jive Is Gone
Classics 573; EMI 797 906-2. Originally issued on Decca (US) and Columbia (UK).
recorded: New York, March 4, 1936
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
Froggy Bottom* • Bearcat Shuffle* • Steppin’ Pretty
Classics 573; EMI 797 906-2. *Also Decca 622. Originally issued on Decca (US) and Columbia (UK).
recorded: New York, March 7, 1936
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
Christopher Columbus • Corky
Classics 573; EMI 797 906-2. Originally issued on Decca (US) and Columbia (UK).
recorded: New York, March 7, 1936
MLW (p, leader & composer); Booker Collins (b); Ben Thigpen (d).
Corny Rhythm • Overhand,* a.k.a. New Froggy Bottom • Isabelle • Swingin’ for Joy • Clean Pickin’
Classics 630; EMI 253 625-2. *Also AJA 5073. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, March 11, 1936
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as on March 7, 1936.
I’se a Muggin’ • Until the Real Thing Comes Along
Classics 573; EMI 797 906-2. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, March 31, 1936
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
Puddin’ Head Serenade (take A)
Classics 573; EMI 797 906-2. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, April 2, 1936
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
Until the Real Thing Comes Along
Decca 642; Classics 573. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, April 3, 1936
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
Blue Illusion • Cloudy
Classics 573; EMI 797 906-2. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, April 7, 1936
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
Give Her a Pint
Classics 573; EMI 797 906-2. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, April 9, 1936
MLW (p, cel & leader); Ted Robinson (g); Booker Collins (b); Ben Thigpen (d).
Mary’s Special
Classics 630; EMI 797 906-2. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, April 10, 1936
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as on March 2, 1936.
Puddin’ Head Serenade (Take C)
Decca 622; Classics 573. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, December 9, 1936
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above, except Harry Mills (v) added.
Fifty-Second Street • The Lady Who Swings the Band* • What Will I Tell My Heart? • Dedicated to You
Classics 573. *Also Decca 622. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, February 15, 1937
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: MLW (p, arr); Andy Kirk (dir); Harry Lawson and Paul King (t); Earl Thompson (t, arr); Ted Donnelly (tb); Henry Wells (tb & v); Earl Miller (as): John Harrington (cl, as, bars); John Williams (as, bars); Dick Wilson (ts); Ted Robinson (g); Booker Collins (b); Ben Thigpen (d); Leslie Johnakins, Claude Hopkins (arr).
Wednesday Night Hop* • Skies Are Blue* • Downstream** • (Keep It) In the Groove***
Classics 573. *Classics 581. ***Decca 2-641; Classics 581. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, April 17, 1937
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
Worried over You • Foolin’ Myself • I’m Glad for Your Sake • I’ll Get Along Somehow
Classics 581. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, July 26, 1937
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
A Mellow Bit of Rhythm* • In My Wildest Dreams • Better Luck Next Time • With Love in My Heart
Classics 581. *Also Decca 622. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, July 27, 1937
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
What’s Mine Is Yours • Why Can’t We Do It Again? • The Key to My Heart • I Went to a Gypsy
Classics 583. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, December 13, 1937
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above, except Clarence Trice (t) replaces Paul King.
Lover, Come Back to Me • Poor Butterfly • The Big Dipper • Bear Down*
Classics 583. *Also Decca 622. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, February 8, 1938
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
I Surrender Dear • Twinklin’* • It Must Be True • I’ll Get By
Classics 583. *Also Decca 622. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, ca. February 8 or 10, 1938
Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
Little Joe from Chicago
Classics 583. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, September 9, 1938
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
Bless You, My Dear • How Can We Be Wrong? • Messa Stomp*
Classics 598. *Also Decca 622. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, September 12, 1938
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
Toadie Toddle • I Won’t Tell a Soul • What Would People Say? • How Much Do You Mean to Me?
Classics 598. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, September 14, 1938 MLW (p solos).
The Pearls* • Mr. Freddie Blues** • Sweet (Patootie) Patunia • The Rocks
Classics 630. Also AJA 5073. *Also Hallmark 304062. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, October 24, 1938
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: same personnel as on September 12, 1938.
Jump Jack Jump • Breeze • Ghost of Love • What a Life
Classics 598. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, October 25, 1938
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
Sittin’ Around and Dreamin’ • What’s Your Story, Morning Glory?*
Classics 598. *Also Decca 622. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, December 5, 1938
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above, except O’Neil Spencer (v) added.
Honey • September in the Rain • Clouds • Julius Caesar • Dunkin’ a Doughnut*
Classics 598. *Also Decca 2-629. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, December 6, 1938
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: same personnel as above.
Goodbye • Mary’s Idea* • But It Didn’t Mean a Thing • Say It Again
Classics 598. *Also Decca 622. Originally on Decca.
recorded: New York, March 1939
Mildred Bailey and Her Oxford Greys: MLW (p); Mildred Bailey (leader, v); John Williams (b); Floyd Smith (g); Eddie Dougherty (d).
There’ll Be Some Changes Made • Gulf Coast Blues
Topaz Jazz 1007. Originally issued on Columbia.
recorded: New York, March 16, 1939
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: same personnel as September 12, 1938, except Don Byas (ts) and Floyd Smith (g, el-g) replace John Williams and Ted Brinson; and June Richmond (v) added.
You Set Me on Fire • I’ll Never Learn • Close to Five* • Floyd’s Guitar Blues
Classics 640. *Also Decca 622. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, March 23, 1939
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: MLW (p & arr); Andy Kirk (leader); Clarence Trice, Earl Thompson, Harry Lawson (t); Ted Donnelly (tb); Henry Wells (tb, v); John Harrington (cl, as, bars); Earl Miller (as); Dick Wilson, Don Byas (ts); Floyd Smith (g, el-g); Booker Collins (b); Ben Thigpen (d); June Richmond, Pha Terrell (v).
Then I’ll Be Happy • S’posin’ • I’ll Never Fail You • Why Don’t I Get Wise to Myself?
Classics 640. Originally issued on Decca.
recorded: New York, October 12, 1939
MLW (p solos).
Little Joe from Chicago* • Margie**
Classics 630. *Classics 655; Topaz 7234. Originally issued on Columbia.
recorded: New York, November 15, 1939
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy: same personnel as March 23, 1939.
I’m Getting Nowhere with You • I Don’t Stand a Ghost of a Chance • Please Don’t Talk about Me When I’m Gone • Big Jim Blues*