A couple of Willie The Lion Smith questions

[agriffith]

I have an lp by Willie The Lion on Mainstream called "A Legend". It came out in 1965 according to AMG. The tracks are all supposedly Commodore tracks, but only 4 of them show up on the Classics series, and at least two of those sound like alternate takes when compared.

Track List:

1) What Is There To Say

2) Stormy Weather (sounds like an alternate)

3) Tea For Two (sounds like an alternate)

4) Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea

5) I Can't Give You Anything But Love *

Side two:

1) Just One Of Those Things*

2) Madelon*

3) Hallelujah*

4) Poor Butterfly*

5) Smoke Gets In Your Eyes*

* = not on Classics CD series.

S 6027 Mainstream

Have these tracks been issued any place else? Maybe on the Complete Commodore recordings on Mosaic?

2nd question: Any recording/ tune info for an apparently obscure Lion date on Dial? c.1949

Thanks to all that respond!

Edited March 14, 2004 by agriffith

[Christiern]

September 29, 1944 - NYC

The Lion's Band: Max Kaminsky (tp); Frank Orchard (tb); Rod Cless (cl);Smith (p); Jack Lesberg (bass); Mac McGrath (dr).

1. Let's Mop It Black and White
   
2. Muskrat Ramble Black and White
   
3. Bugle Call Rag Black and White
   
4. How Could You Put Me Down? Black and White
   

December 1, 1949 - Paris

Willie "The Lion" Smith: Smith (p); Wallace Bishop (dr).

1. Echoes of Spring Royal Jazz
   
2. Here Comes the Band Royal Jazz
   
3. Relaxing Royal Jazz
   
4. Contrary Motion Royal Jazz
   
5. Zig-Zag Royal Jazz
   
6. 12th Street Rag Royal Jazz
   
7. Late Hours Royal Jazz
   
8. Portrait of the Duke Royal Jazz
   

December 24, 1949 - Paris

Willie "The Lion" Smith: Smith (p); Wallace Bishop (dr)

1. Dardanella Royal Jazz
   
2. La Madelon Royal Jazz
   
3. Cuttin' Out (no drums) Vogue
   
4. Charleston Royal Jazz
   
5. Carolina Shout Royal Jazz
   
6. I'm Gonna Ride Vogue
   

December 24, 1949 - Paris

Willie "The Lion" Smith Quartet: Buck Clayton (tp); Claude Luter (cl); Smith (p); Wallace Bishop (dr)

1. Darktown Strutters Ball Royal Jazz
   
2. Ain't Misbehavin' Royal Jazz
   
3. Stormy Weather (no cl - issued under Clayton's name) Vogue
   
4. Get Together Blues Royal Jazz
   
5. Nagasaki (no cl) Royal Jazz
   

January 29, 1950 - Paris

Willie "The Lion" Smith: piano solos

1. Can You Hear Me? Vogue
   
2. Trains and Planes Voguez
   
3. Conversation on Park Avenue Vogue
   
4. Pretty Baby Vogue
   
5. Sweet Sue I Vogue
   
6. Sweet Sue II Vogue
   

The following may be a medley, it is apparently from the same date and was released on Dial LP 305. I believe this is the only Dial release of his performances--probably the session you refer to:

"Reminiscing the Piano Greats"

• Dpn't You Hit That Lady Dressed in Green; Maple Leaf Rag; Don't You Dare to Strike Me Again; Shine; Darktown Strutters Ball; Pork and Beans; Chevy Chase; Oh, You Devil Rag; When I Walk with Billy; Buddy Bolden's Blues; Passionette.
  

I hope this helps.

[agriffith]

Yes, that's the dial lp I was asking about. Thanks so much for that info, Christiern! Hopefully that session will wind up on the Smith 1950 Classics cd.