VA Rockin', Boppin

Fine Greek-only premium compilation, released with the music magazine 'Jazz & Tzaz' (Issue 74). From the catalogue of the Blind Pig Records. Includes: Studebaker Jonh, Deborah Coleman, Johnny Shines, Eddy Clearwater, Snooky Pryor, Carey Bell, Debbie Davis, Tommy Castro, Joanna Connor, Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers, Charlie Musselwhite, Frankie Lee, Preacher Boy And The Natural Blues, Eddie C. Campbell, Magic Slim & The Teardrops.

Rockin' Christmas Party, Vol. 1's lineup is like a bubblegum fanatic's dream. Ron Dante of the Archies, Tommy Roe and Lou Christie are bubblegum icons and they are all here singing Christmas songs both traditional and new.

This is a pretty uneven collection, which is not surprising given the fact that the title track by Reggie Perkins is one of the coolest things here and it's from a juvenile delinquency B-movie of the same name. The Jays' "Panic Stricken" is pretty fair rock & roll, but "Jitterbug Joe" is one of those minor embarrassments of the genre, a silly novelty tune.

This exciting CD has 20 diverse performances that were originally produced by Leonard Feather for the Victor label during 1946-47. The first eight selections feature various versions of Esquire's All-American Award Winners and have some unique combinations of musicians. "Long Long Journey" was the first record to match together Duke Ellington (who verbally introduces the song) and Louis Armstrong, and on "Snafu" Armstrong takes a surprisingly modern solo that hints at bebop. Trumpeter Charlie Shavers creates a remarkable improvisation on "The One That Got Away," ltoist Johnny Hodges plays beautifully on "Gone with the Wind" and other key players include tenor saxophonist Don Byas, trumpeter Buck Clayton, trombonist J.J. Johnson and tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins. In addition, there are selections featuring trombonist Jack Teagarden, the 52nd Street All-Stars (with Shavers, Hawkins and tenorman Allan Eager), the tenor of Lucky Thompson, trumpeter Neal Hefti, altoist Benny Carter, singer Mildred Bailey and solo piano records by Art Tatum and Erroll Garner. The mid-to-late '40s were a particularly rich period for jazz and this highly recommended CD is filled with gems.