James P. Johnson - Collection 1921-49 (CD)

James P. Johnson was one of the greatest and most important jazz pianists in the history of the genre, largely responsible for originating what became the stride piano style, and having a profound influence on contemporaries and later luminaries such as Fats Waller and Duke Ellington. He was one of the earliest recording artists in jazz, making piano rolls before 1920, and then becoming a star in Harlem in the early '20s. He was a successful composer as well as musician, writing songs for Broadway shows like "Running Wild", including the musical landmark that encapsulated the Roaring Twenties "The Charleston". He was in demand to record with many artists during this era, and accompanied a number of the top female blues artists of the day, such as Bessie Smith and Ethel Waters. This excellent-value 47-track collection covers the period of more than a quarter of a century which comprised his most active recording career, which was slowing down when he suffered a disabling stroke in 1951. It naturally includes many of his most famous tunes and piano solos, but also includes his work with a host of major names over the years, including Fats Waller, Bessie Smith, King Oliver, Clarence Williams, Eddie Condon and Sidney Bechet. It's a fascinating overview of his career, and a great showcase for one of the genre's most influential piano stylists.

Track List:

Disc: 1

1. The Harlem Strut (James P. Johnson)
2. Carolina Shout (James P. Johnson)
3. Keep Off the Grass (James P. Johnson)
4. Dear Old Southland (James P. Johnson's Harmony Eight) - James P. Johnson's Harmony Eight
5. Worried and Lonesome Blues (James P. Johnson)
6. You Can't Do What My Last Man Did (James P. Johnson)
7. Scouting Around (James P. Johnson)
8. The Charleston (James P. Johnson)
9. The Original Black Bottom Dance (Sadie Jackson) - James P. Johnson/Sadie Jackson
10. Preaching the Blues (Bessie Smith) - James P. Johnson/Bessie Smith
11. Snowy Morning Blues (James P. Johnson)
12. Sweet Mistreater (Bessie Smith) - James P. Johnson/Bessie Smith
13. Black Snake Moan (Rosa Henderson) - James P. Johnson/Rosa Henderson
14. Can I Get It Now'
15. Chicago Blues (Jimmy Johnson ; His Orchestra) - Jimmy Johnson and His Orchestra
16. Guess Who's in Town (James P. Johnson)
17. Riffs (James P. Johnson)
18. Feeling Blue (James P. Johnson)
19. Fare Thee Honey Blues (Jimmy Johnson ; His Band) - Jimmy Johnson and His Band
20. Blue Spirit Blues (Bessie Smith) - Bessie Smith
21. You've Got to Be Modernistic (Jimmy Johnson ; His Orchestra) - Jimmy Johnson and His Orchestra
22. Wipe It Off (Lonnie Johnson, Clarence Williams) - James P. Johnson/Lonnie Johnson/Clarence Williams
23. Jingles (James P. Johnson)
24. How Could I Be Blue (Jimmy Johnson and Clarence Williams) - Jimmy Johnson/Clarence Williams

Disc: 2

1. Go Harlem (Jimmy Johnson and His Orchestra) - Jimmy Johnson and His Orchestra
2. Liza (James P. Johnson)
3. Harlem Woogie (Jimmy Johnson ; His Orchestra) - Jimmy Johnson and His Orchestra
4. Mule Walk (James P. Johnson)
5. Old Fashioned Love (Jimmy Johnson and His Orchestra) - Jimmy Johnson and His Orchestra
6. One Hour Mama (Ida Cox Acc. By Her All-Star Band) - James P. Johnson/Ida Cox and Her All-Star Band
7. Boogie Woogie Stride (James P. Johnson)
8. Daintiness Rag (James P. Johnson)
9. Back Water Blues (James P. Johnson)
10. Royal Garden Blues (Edmond Hall's Blue Note Jazzmen) - James P. Johnson/Edmond Hall's Blue Note Jazzmen
11. Caprice Rag (James P. Johnson)
12. Blueberry Rhyme (James P. Johnson)
13. Blue Moods (1)
14. Yamekraw (James P. Johnson)
15. After You've Gone (James P. Johnson's Blue Note Jazzmen) - James P. Johnson's Blue Note Jazzmen
16. Euphonic Sounds (James P. Johnson)
17. Call of the Blues (Sidney Deparis' Blue Note Jazzmen) - Sidney Deparis' Blue Note Jazzmen
18. A Porter's Love Song to a Chamber Maid (James P. Johnson)
19. Over the Bars (James P. Johnson)
20. If I Could Be with You (One Hour Tonight)
21. Just You, Just Me (Eddie Condon and His Orchestra) - James P. Johnson/Eddie Condon and His Orchestra
22. Aint' Cha Got Music (James P. Johnson)
23. September Song (Sidney Bechet and His Circle Seven) - James P. Johnson/Sidney Bechet and His Circle Seven