Andy Kirk & The 12 Clouds of Joy

Andy Kirk & The 12 Clouds of Joy

ASIN: B000001HHB

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Andy Kirk led one of the swing era's essential bands, a group that emerged in Kansas City in 1929 in the heated Kansas City milieu of the Walter Page and Bennie Moten bands. An essential component of Kirk's success was the presence of Mary Lou Williams, who helped define the band's style, both as a pianist and composer. This CD surveys the Kirk band from 1929 to 1940 with some special emphasis on Williams's compositions. There are five tracks from 1929-30, the first phase in the band's recording career. Like many other groups of the time, it was simultaneously developing sectional play and the ability to swing. The first track, "Mess-a-Stomp," was Williams's first recorded arrangement, and the shifting parts show the influence of Jelly Roll Morton. After a six-year break in which Kirk's band did not record, they emerge as a full-blown and fluid swing band on Williams's "Walkin' and Swingin'." One of the band's most popular numbers, it's just one of this CD's high points. "Little Joe from Chicago," with Williams's great boogie-woogie piano and a band vocal, and the rocking "Dunkin' a Doughnut," both from 1938, show Williams as one of the swing era's most reliable riff specialists. Along with tenor saxophonist Dick Wilson, she's also one of the band's genuinely distinguished soloists. --Stuart Broomer

Tracks:

Mess-A-Stomp
Corky Stomp
Froggy Bottom
Loose Ankles
Gettin' Off A Mess
Walkin' And Swingin'
Moten Swing
Lotta Sax Appeal
Bearcat Shuffle
Steppin' Pretty
Puddin' Head Serenade
Wednesday Night Hop
In The Groove
A Mellow Bit Of Rhythm
Twinklin'
Little Joe Rom Chicago
Toadie Toddle
Jump Jack Jump
Dunkin' A Doughnut
Mary's Idea
Close To Five
Floyd's Guitar Blues
Margie
Big Jim Blues
Wham (Wham-Re-Bop-Boom-Bam)

Amazon.com

Andy Kirk led one of the swing era's essential bands, a group that emerged in Kansas City in 1929 in the heated Kansas City milieu of the Walter Page and Bennie Moten bands. An essential component of Kirk's success was the presence of Mary Lou Williams, who helped define the band's style, both as a pianist and composer. This CD surveys the Kirk band from 1929 to 1940 with some special emphasis on Williams's compositions. There are five tracks from 1929-30, the first phase in the band's recording career. Like many other groups of the time, it was simultaneously developing sectional play and the ability to swing. The first track, "Mess-a-Stomp," was Williams's first recorded arrangement, and the shifting parts show the influence of Jelly Roll Morton. After a six-year break in which Kirk's band did not record, they emerge as a full-blown and fluid swing band on Williams's "Walkin' and Swingin'." One of the band's most popular numbers, it's just one of this CD's high points. "Little Joe from Chicago," with Williams's great boogie-woogie piano and a band vocal, and the rocking "Dunkin' a Doughnut," both from 1938, show Williams as one of the swing era's most reliable riff specialists. Along with tenor saxophonist Dick Wilson, she's also one of the band's genuinely distinguished soloists. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Essential listening.......2003-07-21

Andy Kirk's band was an incredible assortment of talent, from the incomparable Mary Lou Williams down to Andy himself. It's sad that he's a little bit overlooked today, because his band had a unique sound, style and swing element. He's not as elegant as Ellington or as polished as Basie, but he has a driving, ragged edge to his music which is addictive. Listen to the brass section on Gettin' off a Mess and the sax solos on Walkin' and Swingin'. Now that is pure music!

My favorite track on this collection, and one of the greatest swing records of all-time, is Little Joe from Chicago. I love how the sidemen sing the chorus, "Little Joe from Chicago, never spent a day in school, little Joe from Chicago, never learned a grammar rule." Now this is hot stuff, classic material, a sound that will never be heard again. If you've never really listened to Kirk and the 12 Clouds of Joy, start right here. I bet you'll be hooked and play this disc over and over. He had a quality band, a unique style and the sound quality on this CD is excellent.

Andy Kirk 1939 1940
Average customer rating:
Andy Kirk 1939 1940
A/Clouds Of Joy Kirk
Manufacturer: Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00007GX6S
Release Date: 1997-07-29

Tracks:

You Set Me On Fire - Pha Terrell
(I Guess) I'll Never Learn - Pha Terrell
Close To Five - Andy Kirk & His 12 Clouds Of Joy
Floyd's Guitar Blues - Andy Kirk & His 12 Clouds Of Joy
'I Wanna' Go Where You Go-Do What You Do Then I'll Be Happy - June Richmond
S'posin' - Pha Terrell
I'll Never Fall You - Pha Terrell
Why Don't I Get Wise To Myself - Pha Terrell
I'm Getting Nowhere With You - Pha Terrell
I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You - Pha Terrell
Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone - June Richmond
Big Jim Blues - Andy Kirk & His 12 Clouds Of Joy
Wham(Wham, Re, Bop, Boom, Bam) - June Richmond
Love Is The Thing - Pha Terrell
Why Go On Pretending - Pha Terrell
It Always Will Be You - June Richmond
Fine & Mellow - June Richmond
Scratchin' In The Gravel - Andy Kirk & His 12 Clouds Of Joy
Fifteen Minute Intermission - June Richmond
Take Those Blues Away - June Richmond
Now I Lay Me Down To Dream - Pha Terrell
There Is No Greater Love - Pha Terrell

Themes of the Big Bands { Various Artists } { 2 CD Set }

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SONG LIST

Themes of the Big Bands { Various Artists } { 2 CD Set }

Manufacturer: Proarte
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Customer Reviews:

SONG LIST.......2007-03-13

DISC ONE:

1. LET'S DANCE - BENNY GOODMAN
2. MOONLIGHT SERENADE - GLENN MILLER
3. WOODCHOPPER'S BALL - WOODY HERMAN
4. CIRBIRBIN - HARRY JAMES
5. MINNIE THE MOOCHER - CAB CALLOWAY
6. I CAN'T GET STARTED - BUNNY BERIGAN
7. ONE 0'CLOCK JUBP - COUNT BASIE
8. UNTIL THE REAL THING COMES ALONG -
ANDY KIRK AND HIS 12 CLOUDS OF JOY
9. SUMMERTIME - BOB CROSBY
10. JAZZNOCROCY - JIMMIE LUNCEFORD
11. I'M GETTING SENTIMENTAL OVER YOU
TOMMY DORSEY
12. CONTRASTS - JIMMY DORSEY
13. CHEROKEE - CHARLIE BARNET
14. SNOWFALL - CLAUDE THORNHILL
15. QUAKER CITY JAZZ - JAN SAVITT & HIS TOP HATTERS
16. ARTISTRY IN RHYTHM - STAN KENTON
17. TAKE THE "A" TRAIN - DUKE ELLINGTON
18. NIGHTMARE - ARTIE SHAW
19. FLYING HOME - LIONEL HAMPTON
20. APURKSODY - GENE KRUPA
21. LEAP FROG - LES BROWN AND HIS BAND

DISC TWO:

1. HOT LIPS - HENRY BUSSE
2. SMOKE RINGS - GLEN GRAY & THE CASA LOMA ORCH
3. BUBBLES IN THE WINE - LAWRENCE WELK
4. THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU - RAY NOBLE
5. ROSE ROOM - PHIL HARRIS
6. WHEN MY BABY SMILES AT ME - TED LEWIS
7. THE WALTZ YOU SAVED FOR ME - WAYNE KING
8. (HOW I'LL MISS YOU) WHEN THE SUMMER IS GONE -
HAL KEMP AND HIS CAROLINA CLUB ORCHESTRA
9. MY TWILIGHT DREAM - EDDY DUCHIN
10. SUGAR BLUES - CLYDE MCCOY
11. HELL'S BELLS - ART KASSEL
12. DOES YOUR HEART BEAT FOR ME - RUSS MORGAN
13. DRIFTING AND DREAMING - ORRIN TUCKER
14. RIPPLING RHYTHM - SHEP FIELDS
15. A BLUES SERENADE - HENRY KING
16. GOT A DATE WITH AN ANGEL - SKINNAY ENNIS
17. AULD LANG SYNE - GUY LOMBARDO
18. DAY DREAMS COME TRUE AT NIGHT - DICK JURGENS
19. MY SHAWL - XAVIER CUGAT
20. THINKING OF YOU - KAY KYSER
21. NOLA - VINCENT LOPEZ & HIS SUAVE SWING ORCH.

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Jukebox Hits 1936-1949
Andy Kirk & His Clouds of Joy
Manufacturer: Acrobat [Cit570]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Essential BG
Andy Kirk & The 12 Clouds of Joy
Heart & Soul
Stomping at the Savoy
1921: Make Believe and Smile

ASIN: B0007WBDKM
Release Date: 2005-06-21

Tracks:

Christopher Columbus
Until the Real Thing Comes Along
What Will I Tell My Heart
Dedicated to You
Skies Are Blue
I Won't Tell a Soul (I Love You)
Floyd's Guitar Blues
Wham Be Bop Boom Bam
Now I Lay Me Down to Dream
Take It and Git
Hey Lawdy Mama (Meet Me in the Bottom)
I Know
Get Together With the Lord
Soothe Me
Doggin' Man Blues
I Don't Know What I'd Do Without You
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
So Soon
I'm Falling for You
47th St. Jive
Little Girl Don't Cry
Drinking Wine, Spo Dee O Dee

Average customer rating:

New Orleans Jump
Andy Kirk & His Orchestra
Manufacturer: Sounds of Yesteryear
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000CG8D1
Release Date: 2003-10-21

Tracks:

Little Joe from Chicago
New Orleans Jump
Together
47th Street Jive
Hey! Lawdy Mama
Get Up Mule
Ridin' Along
Speak Low
Paradise Valley
Minnie the Moocher
Flying Home [Fades Out]

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She's amazing...
Showcasing a genius

Mary's Idea
Andy Kirk
Manufacturer: Grp Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

GRP | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music
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Blues from Kansas City
Stomping at the Savoy

ASIN: B000003N3O
Release Date: 1993-03-30

Tracks:

Walkin' And Swingin'
Moten Swing
Froggy Bottom
Bearcat Shuffle
Puddin' Head Serenade
The Lady Who Swings The Band
Keep It In The Groove
A Mellow Bit Of Rhythm
Bear Down
Twinklin'
Mess-A-Stomp
What's Your Story, Morning Glory
Mary's Idea
Close To Five
Scratchin' In The Gravel
The Count
Twelfth Street Rag
Baby Dear
Harmony Blues
Ring Dem Bells

Customer Reviews:

She's amazing..........2007-05-06

Mary Lou Williams wrote some of the finest Jazz compositions and arrangements of the Swing Era. And she did this with a band that was not awesome in terms of either its sonic vocabulary or its solo strength. But they sure gave it up to her. There are a handful of tracks on this CD that can surely be called masterpieces: Mary's Idea, Walkin' and Swingin', What's Your Story, Morning Glory?, Foggy Bottom,A Mellow Bit of Rhythm, Scratchin' In The Gravel - these at least. The audacious minor seconds in the trumpets at the end of What's Your Story...? are the first recorded examples I know of of one the key Monk - isms. And Mary's Idea is, in it's more modest way, as rhythmically sophisticated as Duke's Diminuendo in Blue. Walkin' and Swingin' is just a classic - and one of the sources (along w/ Duke's Ducky Wucky) for Monk's Rhythm - a - ning. Special kudos to drummer Ben Thigpen with his simple, light touch. Highly recommended for that special Kansas City groove - and of course for the work of that underrated genius Ms. Williams.

Showcasing a genius.......2002-09-21

In 1931, when bandleader Andy Kirk found himself stuck in Kansas City with one of his key musicians unable to play, he lucked out by finding pianist Mary Lou Williams available to fill the slot. Williams, one of the most gifted musicians of her time, joined Kirk's Twelve Clouds Of Joy as a full-time composer, arranger and soloist. Williams had a deft, fluid touch, and swiftly established herself as one of the most unique voices in modern jazz. These recordings, made for the Brunswick and Decca labels, are from 1936-41, all several years after Williams had joined the ensemble. As the title implies, these all bear the soft but solid stamp of her artistry -- like many swing albums, it does get a bit repetitive taken as a whole, but song by song, it's all sublime. This disc is predominantly instrumental, although there are several lovely vocal numbers, featuring Harry Mills, Pha Terrell, and one by drummer Ben Thigpen. Sweet stuff! This particular CD seems to be out of print, but it's worth searching for, as are any other Kirk/Williams collaborations of similar vintage.

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Boogie Woogie Hits
various
Manufacturer: The Good Music Record Company
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000K6CUS4

Product Description

Includes 40 songs... DISC ONE 1. boogie woogie - tommy dorsey 2. boogie woogie bugle boy - andrew sisters 3. honkey tonk train blue - bob crosby 4. basie boogie - count basie 5. drum boogie - gene krupa 6. boogie woogie on st. louis blue - earl hines 7. kitten on the keys - freddy slack 8. chattanooga choo choo - si zentner 9. kindustan - billy mure 10. Mr. anthony's boogie - ray anthony 11. sabre dance boogie - freddy martin 12. rhumboogie - the andrew sisters 13. canadian capers - jack fina 14. little joe from chicago - andy kirk 15. choo choo ch'boogie - louis jordan 16. harmonica boogie - jerry murad's harmonicats 17. skaters boogie - jo ann castle 18. near you - frances craig 19. plantation boogie - lenny dee 20. roll em - benny goodman DISC TWO 1. back beet boogie - harry james 2. cow cow boogie - freddie slack 3. bumble boogie - freddy martin 4. foot pedal boogie - pete johnson 5. chattanoogie shoe shine boy 6. carle boogie - frankie carle 7. careless love - billy maxted trio 8. beat me daddy, eight to the bar - will bradley 9. mister boogie - sir charles thompson 10. swanee river boogie - glen gray 11. anita's boogie - carmen cavallaro 12. stardust boogie - stan kenton 13. g.i. jive - johnny mercer 14. boogie wooglie piggy - glen miller 15. cow cow blues - bob zurke 16. aint nobody here but us chickens - phil harris 17. sugar blues boogie - clyde mccoy 18. honky tonk train blues - meade lux lewis 19. the house of blue lights - freddie slack 20. scrub me mamma, with a boogie beat - will bradley

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Bandleader Andy Kirk, in a bluesy mood

1940-1942
Andy Kirk & His Clouds of Joy
Manufacturer: Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000001NMZ
Release Date: 1996-11-19

Tracks:

Midnight Stroll
Little Miss'
The Count
Twelfth Street Rag
(Ev'rything Happened) When I Saw You
If I Feel This Way Tomorrow (Then It's Love)
Or Have I
Cuban Boogie Woogie
A Dream Dropped In
Is It A Sin (My Loving You?)
Ring Dem Bells
Big Time Crip
47th Street Jive
I'm Misunderstood
No Answer
Hey Lawdy Mama (Meet Me In The Bottom)
Boogie Woogie Cocktail
Ride On, Ride On
McGhee Special
Worried Life Blues (Someday, Baby)
Take It And Git
Hip Hop Hooray
Unlucky Blues

Customer Reviews:

Bandleader Andy Kirk, in a bluesy mood.......2004-03-06

Jazz critic Scott Yanow (whose writing I greatly admire) tartly disparages bandleader Andy Kirk's late '30s recordings due to the presence of "pop singer" Pha Terrell, the voice behind one of the band's biggest commercial hits in the late 1930s. To Yanow, these vocal numbers are a distraction from the tremendous compositional and instrumental power at the band's disposal, and away from the hard jazz that Kirk and his pianist/arranger Mary Lou Williams were able to produce. As a fan of "sweet" big band music and big band-era vocals, though, I would like to offer a voice of dissent: Pha Terrell was a smooth, sly, entirely enjoyable crooner, and these recordings are actually quite nice.

On this particular volume, set in the early years of WWII, Pha Terrell had finally left the band, to be replaced by vocalists June Richmond and Henry Wells; Richmond's husky but uninspired vocals may get on your nerves after a while. The band is still ahead of the pack, though, turning towards a rugged R&B style not unlike that of Earl Hines or Count Basie. This more aggressive approach starts sounding brassy and shrill after a while, but there are still plenty of gems on this disc, and Kirk was definitely ahead of his time, pioneering the bluesy dance style that many black bands would adopt in the post-big band era after World War Two. Recommended!

Lotta Sax Appeal
Average customer rating:
Lotta Sax Appeal
Andy Kirk & His 12 Clouds of Joy
Manufacturer: Frog UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000C8AXY
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

Mess-A-Stomp
Blue Clarinet Stomp-A
Blue Clarinet Stomp-B
Cloudy
Casey Jones Special
Somepin' Slow and Low - John Williams, John Williams
Lotta Sax Appeal - John Williams, John Williams
Corky Stomp
Froggy Bottom
I Lost My Girl from Memphis
Loose Ankles
Snag It
Sweet and Hot
Mary's Idea
Once or Twice
Night Life
Drag 'Em
Getting Off a Mess
Dallas Blues
Travelin' That Rocky Road
Honey, Just for You
You Rascal, You
Saturday
Sophomore

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Moten Swing
Andy Kirk
Manufacturer: Pro Arts
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000008BHL
Release Date: 1992-04-17

Tracks:

Mess-A-Stomp
Froggy Bottom
Sophomore
There's Rhythm in the River
Casey Jones Blues
Walkin' and Swingin'
Git
Moten Swing
All the Jive Is Gone
Christopher Columbus
Until the Real Thing Comes Along
Lotta Sax Appeal
I'se A-Muggin'
Bear Down
Lady Who Swings the Band
Big Dipper
What's Your Story, Morning Glory?
Jump Jack Jump

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Jazz Music

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