Jazz trumpeter and vocalist Henry James "Red" Allen, born in New Orleans on January 7, 1906, was a professional musician by the time he was 18, playing in the bands of Sam Morgan, John Casimir and George Lewis before moving on to Chicago at the age of 21 to join the immortal King Oliver. Re-issue of a magnificent 2-CD volume presents 43 tracks from that association, excellent sound considering the age of these recordings which all originate in 1929/30. Notable Victor singles to emanate from these sessions included here are: It Should Be You/Biffly Blues (Victor 38073); Feeling Drowsy/Swing Out (Victor 38080); How Do They Do It That Way?/Funny Feathers Blues (Victor 38088); Pleasin' Paul/Make A Country Bird Fly Wild (Victor 38107); - each of the foregoing recorded July-September 1929; Everybody Shout/Dancing Dave (Victor 38121); Sugar Hill Function/You Might Get Better But You'll Never Get Well (Victor 38140); Roamin'/Patrol Wagon Blues (Victor 23006) - note the listing error at track 21 on Disc 1; I Fell In Love With You/Singing Pretty Songs (Victor 23338 - all these recorded in Feb-July 1930. Banjo, Guitar, Vocals - Will Johnson, Baritone Saxophone - Maceo Johnson, Bass - Oliver Childs, Pops Foster, Brass Bass - Ernest Hill, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone - Albert Nicholas, William Thornton Blue, Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone - Charlie Holmes, Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone - Teddy Hill, Drums, Vibraphone - Paul Barbarin, Piano, Celesta - Luis Russell, Tenor Saxophone - Charles Clinkscales, Greely Walton, Herman Hughes, Trombone - J.C. Higginbotham, Jimmy Archey, Trumpet - Otis Johnson, Vic Dickenson, Trumpet, Vocals - Henry "Red" Allen, Vocals - Addie Spivey, Dick Robertson, Victoria Spivey.
