George Lewis & His New Orleans Stompers, Vol. 2 [American Music]

by Joslyn LayneFun, upbeat New Orleans rags, Dixieland and such from a 1943 recording session of George Lewis & His New Orleans Stompers at the Gypsy Tea Room. The lineup of the Stompers at this time was Lewis, Avery Kid Howard, Edgar Mosley, Lawrence Marrero, Jim Robinson, and Chester Zardis. Included are the recording notes, a veritable diary of the session, as documented by jazz writer and labelman Bill Russell. Two takes each of "Just a Little While to Stay Here," "Milneberg Joys," "Fidgety Feet," and "Don't Go 'Way Nobody" appear back to back on this compilation, with a couple of unfortunate, premature fade-outs. The few remaining tracks include the group's take on the traditional "Closer Walk With Thee," as well as the more modern "Whenever You're Lonesome, Telephone Me."