Clarence Williams

Clarence Williams made his living as a music publisher, pianist, accompanist and organizer of recording ensembles during the 1920s and '30s. His variously sleepy, scruffy or gritty little jazz bands were usually driven by cornet, clarinet, tuba, jug and washboard players. Whoop It Up! is the Document label's first installment in a projected Clarence Williams retrospective presenting his best recordings grouped according to instrumentation. The star of this volume is Missouri-born washboard wizard Floyd Casey, who rustles up a good head of steam on each of 25 tracks recorded for the Okeh, Brunswick, Columbia and Victor labels during 13 sessions that took place between January 29, 1927 and November 19, 1929. Note that unlike many previous Document issues, great care has obviously been taken to remaster these old records so they sound practically new. For best results, go directly to track seven, the third and best rendition of the "Cushion Foot Stomp." Clarence Williams consistently brought together many of the greatest performers in early jazz. Present on this compilation are cornetists King Oliver and Ed Allen; trumpeter Charlie Gaines; reedmen Buster Bailey and Arville Harris; tuba wrestler Cyrus St. Clair and composer/pianist James P. Johnson. The jug blowers seem to have been saved up for a different specially focused chapter in this exciting historical reissue series. ~ arwulf arwulf, All Music Guide