Mound City Blue Blowers

[Alexander Hawkins]

Spurred into action by Chuck's comment re. our 1955-65 proclivities, maybe we could talk about this group?

I know very little about them, but absolutely LOVE 'One Hour' and 'Hello Lola'. For my money, some of the really great pre-'Body and Soul' Coleman Hawkins (as if it wasn't all inclined to greatness )

But I wonder, did they record much else? Or can anyone suggest some other bands in this vein? I always think of 'McKinney's Cotton Pickers' in the same bracket as the Mound City BBs; I don't know whether that's a Coleman Hawkins connection?

Anyway, any thoughts appreciated as always!

[jazzbo]

I love this band. There are two cds on Sensation of the original band, and a Chronogical Classics cd of the later incarnation of Red McKenzie bands which are different, but I like Red a lot. I recommend one of the Sensation discs HIGHLY.

[jazzbo]

And I believe that those you list are from the only session with Hawkins. MOST of the Mound City Blue Blowers as a band were trio or quartet sides with Jack Bland, Eddie Lang or Eddie Condon, and that hot comb and kazoo sound from Red. . . .Some other sides had added musicians as well, including Bunny Berigan. Great stuff, if you ask me!

The later incarnation was more of a small group swing Chicago style influenced project, and had Berigan and others as well. Red's vocals were a more prominent feature.

[Alexander Hawkins]

Thanks for all that! I had no idea whether they'd cut more than the Hawkins date, but I'd love to track some down. Especially if it's got Eddie Lang!

Thanks for that Lon - instructive as ever!

[jazzbo]

You might find this nice readin' and listenin':

http://www.redhotjazz.com/mound.html

[Alexander Hawkins]

Thanks for that link!

Red McKenzie should be better known, if only for having convened the session which yielded Bix's 'Singin' the Blues' (but that's another thread..!)