This seven-CD limited-edition box set from Mosaic can be evaluated two different ways. Usually Mosaic concentrates on reissuing timeless music that is rare, but that really is not true with the great majority of these 165 selections, which are readily available elsewhere. The Bix Beiderbecke selections are on Sunbeam CDs, the Frankie Trumbauer sessions have been put out by Old Masters, and Jack Teagarden's dates have been reissued by Classics. There are a few scarce alternate takes (only one not out before), two numbers from 1924 by Lanin's Arkansaw Travelers (included because of Trumbauer's solos), and a couple sessions nominally under the leadership of altoist Gil Rodin (notable for Teagarden's playing), but otherwise the music is easy to acquire elsewhere. However, that reservation aside, there are so many classics included in this deluxe set that this box deserves the highest rating anyway. Other than the Lanin numbers, the box really begins in 1927 with the Trumbauer session that resulted in "Singin' the Blues," which has the most famous recorded solos by Bix and Tram. Beiderbecke was at the peak of his powers in 1927. His cornet playing was simply beautiful and he had a very original tone, full of inner heat and thoughtful beauty. His playing on the Trumbauer dates of 1927-1928 and his own Dixieland-ish sets (Bix & His Gang) were among the top moments of 1920s jazz. These include such classics as "Clarinet Marmalade," "I'm Coming Virginia," his piano solo "In a Mist," and "Royal Garden Blues." Even his decline in 1929 (which includes occasional clams) is worth hearing. While Beiderbecke disappears completely near the beginning of the fourth disc (replaced by Andy Secrest), Trumbauer is heard on most of the selections, leading dates through 1936. A master of the soon-to-be-extinct C-melody sax, Trumbauer was one of jazz's first great saxophone soloists and an influence on both Benny Carter and Lester Young. His sessions gradually evolve from classic jazz to swing, and even with a few novelty numbers, the post-Beiderbecke dates are mostly of strong interest. Teagarden, whose arrival in New York in 1928 found him immediately being recognized as jazz's top trombone soloist in addition to being considered a fine blues-oriented vocalist, is heard with Rodin and leading dates of his own during 1930-1934, before he became a sideman in Trumbauer's later sessions (during a period when they were both regularly employed with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra). In addition to the principals, along the way such major performers as clarinetist Jimmy Dorsey, guitarist Eddie Lang, violinist Joe Venuti, bass saxophonist Adrian Rollini, clarinetist Pee Wee Russell, Bing Crosby (on his most jazz-oriented sides), Johnny Mercer, tenors Eddie Miller and Bud Freeman, pianist Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, and trumpeter Charlie Teagarden (Jack's younger brother) make significant contributions to the music. Listeners who do not already own this music and want a large slice of late-'20s/early-'30s jazz history should acquire this valuable box while they can.
Disc I
01. Georgia Blues (Lanin's Arkansaw Travelers) (2:53)
02. Lost My Baby Blues (Lanin's Arkansaw Travelers) (2:59)
03. Trumbology (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra With Bix And Lang) (3:05)
04. Clarinet Marmalade (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra With Bix) (3:16)
05. Singin' The Blues (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra With Bix And Lang) (3:02)
06. Ostrich Walk (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:12)
07. Riverboat Shuffle (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:13)
08. I'm Coming, Virginia (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:18)
09. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:57)
10. For No Reason At All In C (Tram-Bix And Eddie (In Their Three Piece Band)) (3:10)
11. Three Blind Mice (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra With Bix And Lang) (3:06)
12. Blue River (rehearsal tk-inc) (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra With Bix And Lang) (0:07)
13. Blue River (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra With Bix And Lang) (3:26)
14. There's A Cradle In Caroline (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra With Bix And Lang) (3:07)
15. In A Mist (Bix Beiderbecke) (2:51)
16. Wringin' An' Twistin' (rehearsal tk-inc) (Tram, Bix And Lang) (0:06)
17. Wringin' An' Twistin' (Tram, Bix And Lang) (3:01)
18. Humpty Dumpty (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:09)
19. Krazy Kat (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra With Bix And Lang) (3:08)
20. (The) Baltimore (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:07)
21. There Ain't No Land Like Dixieland To Me (Broadway Bell Hops) (3:05)
22. There's A Cradle In Caroline (Broadway Bell Hops) (2:58)
23. Just An Hour Of Love (Benny Meroff And His Orchestra) (2:57)
24. I'm Wonderin' Who (Benny Meroff And His Orchestra) (2:51)
Disc II
01. At The Jazz Band Ball (Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang) (2:56)
02. Royal Garden Blues (New Orleans Lucky Seven) (3:07)
03. The Jazz Me Blues (Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang) (3:09)
04. I'm More Than Satisfied (Willard Robison And His Orchestra) (3:17)
05. I'm More Than Satisfied (Willard Robison And His Orchestra) (3:18)
06. Clorinda (The Chicago Loopers) (3:04)
07. Clorinda (The Chicago Loopers) (3:12)
08. Three Blind Mice (The Chicago Loopers) (2:57)
09. Three Blind Mice (The Chicago Loopers) (2:56)
10. Goose Pimples (New Orleans Lucky Seven) (3:21)
11. Sorry (Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang) (2:59)
12. Cryin' All Day (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:09)
13. A Good Man Is Hard To Find (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:08)
14. Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down (Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang) (3:10)
15. Sugar (Russell Gray And His Orchestra) (3:15)
16. There'll Come A Time (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:03)
17. Jubilee (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:27)
18. Mississippi Mud (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:12)
19. Our Bungalow Of Dreams (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:09)
20. Lila (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:03)
21. Borneo (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:11)
22. My Pet (alt tk) (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:09)
23. My Pet (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:05)
Disc III
01. Somebody Stole My Gal (Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang) (3:01)
02. Thou Swell (rehearsal breakdown) (Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang) (0:11)
03. Thou Swell (alt tk) (Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang) (2:49)
04. Thou Swell (Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang) (3:03)
05. Bless You! Sister (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:15)
06. Dusky Stevedore (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:19)
07. Ol' Man River (Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang) (3:08)
08. Wa-Da-Da (Everybody's Doin' It Now) (Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang) (3:05)
09. Take Your Tomorrow (And Give Me Today) (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:06)
10. Love Affairs (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:09)
11. Rhythm King (Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang) (3:26)
12. Louisiana (Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang) (2:54)
13. Margie (Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang) (3:00)
14. The Love Nest (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:03)
15. The Japanese Sandman (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:25)
16. High Up On A Hill-Top (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:10)
17. Sentimental Baby (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:04)
18. Don't Leave Me, Daddy (Paul Whiteman Presents Bee Palmer With The Frank Trumbauer Orchestra) (3:21)
19. Singin' The Blues (Paul Whiteman Presents Bee Palmer With The Frank Trumbauer Orchestra) (3:05)
20. Singin' The Blues (Paul Whiteman Presents Bee Palmer With The Frank Trumbauer Orchestra) (3:13)
21. Futuristic Rhythm (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:58)
22. Raisin' The Roof (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:00)
23. Louise (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:57)
24. Wait 'Till You See ''Ma Cherie'' (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:54)
25. Baby, Won't You Please Come Home? (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:58)
Disc IV
01. No One Can Take Your Place (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:11)
02. I Like That (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:02)
03. What A Day! (The Mason-Dixon Orchestra) (3:09)
04. Alabammy Snow (The Mason-Dixon Orchestra) (2:43)
05. Nobody But You (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:59)
06. Gotta Feelin' For You (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:57)
07. Shivery Stomp (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:55)
08. Reaching For Someone (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:18)
09. Love Ain't Nothin' But The Blues (alt tk) (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:17)
10. Love Ain't Nothin' But The Blues (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:21)
11. How Am I To Know? (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:03)
12. Turn On The Heat (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:09)
13. Manhattan Rag (alt tk) (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:05)
14. Manhattan Rag (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:02)
15. Sunny Side Up (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:01)
16. My Sweeter Than Sweet (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:04)
17. What Wouldn't I Do For That Man! (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:14)
18. Happy Feet (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:59)
19. I Like To Do Things For You (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:30)
20. Get Happy (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:20)
21. Deep Harlem (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:20)
Disc V
01. What's The Use? (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:23)
02. Hittin' The Bottle (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:59)
03. Bye Bye Blues (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:31)
04. Choo Choo (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:00)
05. ''Sizzling'' One-Step Medley: Dinah / My Honey's Lovin' Arms / Nobody's Sweetheart (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra With Johnny Mercer And The Nitecaps) (4:53)
06. Medley Of Isham Jones' Dance Hits: On The Alamo / Swingin' Down The Lane / I'll See You In My Dreams (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra With Johnny Blake And Helen Roland) (4:54)
07. Cabin In The Cotton (Bing Crosby) (2:57)
08. (I'm Still Without A Sweetheart) With Summer Coming On (Bing Crosby) (2:38)
09. Love Me Tonight (Bing Crosby) (3:07)
10. Some Of These Days (Bing Crosby) (2:37)
11. Cinderella's Wedding Day (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:02)
12. I Think You're A Honey (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:58)
13. Business In Q (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:53)
14. Bass Drum Dan (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:52)
15. The Newest St. Louis Blues (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:16)
16. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:15)
17. Beale Street Blues (Gil Rodin And His Orchestra) (2:59)
18. Beale Street Blues (alt tk) (Gil Rodin And His Orchestra) (2:57)
19. If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight (Gil Rodin And His Orchestra) (3:05)
20. Son Of The Sun (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (2:27)
21. You're Simply Delish (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (2:43)
22. You're Simply Delish (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (2:47)
23. Just A Little Dance, Mam'selle (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (3:01)
24. Just A Little Dance, Mam'selle (alt tk) (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (2:58)
Disc VI
01. Ninety-Nine Out Of A Hundred Wanna Be Loved (Gil Rodin And His Orchestra) (3:01)
02. Hello, Beautiful! (Gil Rodin And His Orchestra) (2:48)
03. Hello, Beautiful! (Gil Rodin And His Orchestra) (2:47)
04. Rockin' Chair (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (3:00)
05. Loveless Love (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (2:45)
06. Loveless Love (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (2:46)
07. You Rascal, You (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (3:15)
08. That's What I Like About You (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (3:27)
09. Chances Are (Cloverdale Country Club Orchestra) (3:15)
10. I Got The Ritz From The One I Love (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (3:27)
11. China Boy (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (3:06)
12. Tiger Rag (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (3:06)
13. I've Got ''It'' (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (3:07)
14. Plantation Moods (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (3:17)
15. Plantation Moods (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (3:17)
16. Shake Your Hips (Jack Teagarden And His Chicagoans) (3:17)
17. Somebody Stole Gabriel's Horn (Jack Teagarden And His Chicagoans) (2:57)
18. Love Me (Jack Teagarden) (3:08)
19. Blue River (Jack Teagarden) (3:00)
20. A Hundred Years From Today (alt tk) (Jack Teagarden) (2:56)
21. A Hundred Years From Today (Jack Teagarden) (3:03)
22. I Just Couldn't Take It, Baby (Jack Teagarden) (2:55)
23. Fare-Thee-Well To Harlem (Jack Teagarden - Assisted By Hilton Lamare) (3:02)
24. Ol' Pappy (Jack Teagarden - Assisted By Hilton Lamare) (2:57)
Disc VII
01. Junk Man (Jack Teagarden And His Orchestra) (3:05)
02. Stars Fell On Alabama (Jack Teagarden) (3:00)
03. Your Guess Is Just As Good As Mine (Jack Teagarden) (2:48)
04. Break It Down (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:49)
05. Break It Down (alt tk) (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:51)
06. Juba Dance (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:36)
07. China Boy (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:42)
08. China Boy (alt tk) (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:55)
09. Emaline (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:56)
10. In A Mist (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:09)
11. 'Long About Midnight (Frank Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:48)
12. Flight Of A Hay-Bag (Rhythmic Thesaurus) (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:57)
13. Breakin' In A Pair Of Shoes (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:16)
14. Announcer's Blues (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (2:59)
15. I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:14)
16. Somebody Loves Me (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:12)
17. The Mayor Of Alabam' (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:16)
18. Ain't Misbehavin' (rehearsal tk-inc) (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (0:08)
19. Ain't Misbehavin' (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:22)
20. 'S Wonderful (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:01)
21. I'm An Old Cowhand (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:08)
22. I'm An Old Cowhand (alt tk) (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:09)
23. Diga Diga Do (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:09)
24. Diga Diga Di (alt tk) (Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra) (3:07)
