Allan Reuss - Complete (?) Recordings Listing

[TonVanBergeijk]

Being a big fan of Allan Reuss' rhythm playing, I've compiled an as complete list of his recordings as I could find. It seems I can't attach this excel-list to this post, so I've uploaded it and see if I can attach the link: https://rapidshare.com/files/1318446...-Rec-list.xlsx. I've also put the recordings I got (at the moment 281 out of 396 tracks) in separate playlist in my iTunes library, which I'll upload after Xmas (as the Rhythm Makers Orchestra cd's will reduce the amount of missing tracks with 44 and they're waiting for me under the xmas tree at my parents-in-law). My aim is to get as many Reuss-fans together in order to get an accurate overview of his guitar life (and also to share what I've got & to hopefully get what I haven't). A few remarks need to be made about the excel-list:
- It is not a discography, just a list of recordings he is supposed to have been present at.
- I got most of my information from the Rust discography. A decent starting point, but not excelling in accuracy. As a consequence, unknown dates (usually after Petrillo) are zeroed.
-The "Members a.o."- heading is just there so we may be able to find recordings under the name of sidemen (/-woman as for Billie Holiday), e.g. the Chronological series. Not all sidemen were always present at all recordings of the same session. This is especially true for the vocalists. Also, of course, I just mentioned people who mean something to me.
-Very few things are checked: do not trust this list nor the recordings.
-"n.s.p." = Not Sure he's Present

[hot ford coupe]

I'm also a big Allan Reuss fan but I know nothing about his recordings.

[pierre richard]

I have one of his books on my shelf....good stuff...

time on the instrument...pierre

[monk]

Originally Posted by pierre richard

I have one of his books on my shelf....good stuff...

Pierre,

I love Alan Reuss. I'm continually looking in used book stores and online hoping to find a copy of Alan Reuss Guitar Solos. Is that the one you have? Barney Kessel said he bought a copy in Minot, North Dakota in 1941 and had never seen another copy. I've got a really faded xerox of Reuss' chord solo on Some of These Days that I got from Richard Lieberson about 15 years ago. Is that from the book you have?

Thanks,
monk

[TonVanBergeijk]

Never heard of that book. Anyone got a pdf to upload? My thanks will reach hights close to hilarity!

[TonVanBergeijk]

Just got a mail from Jorgen Larsen (Denmark, Oscar Aleman-/Choro-connaiseur), saying: "I just found out that a paperback on Allan Reuss by a German writer has been released earlier this year, here's the link: Allan Reuss: Amazon.co.uk: Lambert M. Surhone: Books
The small review tells that the book mainly consists of wikipedia trash and what-else-do-we-have on the web, so maybe this is not a serious option". A bit expensive (€37,24) for information we already have (dates aren't correct in the review either). Anyway we're trying to gather all info here, so thanks to Jorgen.
B.t.w. Allan Reuss participated on a John Fahey-album in 1975 called "Old Fashioned Love". Also present were Woody Mann, Dick Cary & Nick Fatool. Anybody got this album (and maybe a download link?).

[JoLa]

Hi, great to have a discussion thread on Allan Reuss. I am new here, but I shurely appreciate Ton's initiative - As this is my first posting here, I just wanted to point you guys to a great site giving access to free and legal download of mp3/RealAudio files of original 78 rpms. Here's the link: A Jazz Anthology MP3 Choose listen download 34910 tunes jazz artists - If you use the search facility, you are able to find several recording feat. Allan or Allen Reuss, you have several with Goodman of course, but some interesting items, too (- never heard about Lamplighter All Stars myself), well, give it a try. - Thanks Ton for the uploaded excell-file, from a quick glance I learn that my own collection of Reuss is quite limited, well, perhaps this is just a temporary statement, I hope .
Jo

[TonVanBergeijk]

Thanks for reminding me of "Jazz-on-line". I forgot I had it in my bookmarks. Next week I'll go through the missing A.R.-recordings from my excel list & see if we can close some gaps. Cheers!

[hot ford coupe]

Now that's what I call a bunch of music. Thanks for the link.

[TonVanBergeijk]

Just found A.R's name mentioned on a review of Sinatra's Columbia Years (1943-1952). Apparently he shared the studio's guitar chair with George Van Eps, Dave Barbour and Barney Kessel. There is a complete reissue (12 cd's, 285 tracks! see: The Columbia Years 1943?1952: The Complete Recordings - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) with accompagnying book of this cd-box. I probably have got most of these recordings (once downloaded from a blog that did a "Frank from A to Z"). Before going through all these titles in my Sinatra playlist: has anybody got that cd-book and does it mention personel and on which tracks is A.R. present (and where Van Eps, cause that is going to be our next project).

[JoLa]

Originally Posted by TonVanBergeijk

Thanks for reminding me of "Jazz-on-line". I forgot I had it in my bookmarks. Next week I'll go through the missing A.R.-recordings from my excel list & see if we can close some gaps. Cheers!

I found out that there are at least 28 recordings feat. Allan Reuss with the Lamplighters All Stars, recorded 1945-46 and not listed in the excel-sheet. The Lamplighters All Stars was a recording ensemble lead by Barney Bigard, other mainstay members besides Reuss seem to be trombonist Vic Dickenson, pianist Milt Raskin, bassist Red Callendar and drummer Zutty Singleton, at least on the majority of the recordings. The group had its name from the obscure record label named Lamplighter founded by Ted Yerxa and located in California, I believe. The Lamplighters All Stars started recording December 1945 (- the first 78 rpm features Melancholy Baby and Sweet Georgia Brown; Melancholy Baby has a short solo statement by Reuss) and continued through 1946. Some of the first sides accompany rather unknown jazz vocalists (- you can find them at the Jazz-on-line web using the search term 'Lamplighter', or alternately at the cd of Barney Bigard 1944-45 recordings in the French Complete Jazz Series/Chronological Classics). 18 recordings were made as a backing ensemble for vocalist Kay Starr, these recordings are available on a Baldwin Street cd titled Kay Starr, The Complete Lamplighter Recordings 1945 (- I have the music, but no discographical info, sorry). There may be more recordings with Lamplighters All Stars, but the 28 eight released sides are available. - Corky Corcoran, the tenor man, made some live-recordings/airchecks with the Lamplighers All Stars at the same time, they are available on a HEP cd in the Metronome reissue series, however, I haven't heard these sides, yet, so I cannot judge, if Allan Reuss is featured - from a short review I learned that the Lamplighters at these sessions had different personnel, Willie Smith and Arnold Ross are featured, and on some tracks even Count Basie and Lucky Thompson. If some of you guys have the info on these recordings, it would be great to learn, if Reuss is featured, too. - A curiosity - While browsing the web for info on Allan Reuss, I found out that he is also featured on a 1960s lp as a sideman with Sam Cooke! BTW: The John Fahey lp mentioned in Ton's comment earlier is titled I'm Old Fashioned - not Old Fashioned Love.
Jo

[JoLa]

Here is the list of recordings by the Lamplighters All Stars, disc info from the Jazz-on-line web.
The Lamplighters All Stars
1- My Melancholy Baby (121245)
Ray Linn (tp), Vic Dickenson (tb), Barney Bigard (cl), Willie Smith (as), Calvin Jackson
(p), Allen Reuss (g), Red Callender (sb), Zutty Singleton (dm)
2- Sweet Georgia Brown (121845)
Joe Thomas, t Barney Bigard, cl Johnny Guarnieri, p Billy Taylor, b Cozy Cole, d
Claude Trenier And The Lamplighters All Stars
3- Young Man's Blues - pt.1 (121845) - Claude Trenier, voc
acc. by Barney Bigard, cl Eddie Beal, p Allan Reuss, g Red Callender, b Zutty Singleton, d
4- Young Man's Blues - pt.2 (121845) - do.
Wini Beatty And The Lamplighters All Stars
5- Wini's Blues (121845) - Wini Beatty, voc
acc. by Barney Bigard, cl Eddie Beal, p Allan Reuss, g Red Callender, b Zutty Singleton, d
6- My Complaint, Baby (121845) - do.
Wini Beatty And The Crystalette All Stars
7- Lazy River (12?45) Winny Beatty, v acc. by Barney Bigard, cl Eddie Beal, p Allan Reuss,
g Vic Dickenson, tb Red Callender, b Frank Carlson, d -
8- You Took My Man (12?45) - do.
Monette Moore And The Crystalette All Stars
9- Rockin' Chair (12?45) - Monette Moore, v acc. by Barney Bigard, cl Eddie Beal, p Allan
Reuss, g Red Callender, b Zutty Singleton, d
10 I Want A Little Boy (12?45) - do.
---
Kay Starr - Complete Lamplighter Recordings 1945-46 (no discografical info)
1. St. Louis Blues
2. I Cried for You
3. Sunday
4. Just About Right for Me
5. Stormy Weather
6. Who's Foolin' Who?
7. I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)
8. Sweet Lorraine
9. Stardust
10. After You've Gone
11. Frying Pan (A Blues Sketch)
12. All of Me
13. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
14. Where or When
15. Honeysuckle Rose
16. Riffin' the Scotch
17. Love Me or Leave Me
18. Sunday [Alternate Take]
----
You may wonder that some of the first recordings as accompaniement for vocalists Wini Beatty and Monette Moore are labeled as The Crystalette All Stars, but it's just another pseudonym for this all star ensemble.
---
I wonder, if some of you have paid access to Tom Lord's online discography? It would be a piece of cake to maintain a list of recordings feat. Allan Reuss using this resource, I believe. Next step would be to point out recordings where Mr. Reuss takes a solo, right?
Jo

[Eddie Lang]

I have recordings of Coleman Hawkins with Reuss on guitar that were reissued by Capitol in 1989, The Excel sheet only mentions six of the songs with no other detail.

Here is what I have:

1. April in Paris (Duke, Harburg) 2:54
2. Rifftide (Hawkins) 2:52
3. Stardust (Carmichael, Parish) 3:11
4. Stuffy (Hawkins) 3:00
5. Hollywood Stampede (Hawkins) 3:07
6. I'm Through With Love (Kahn, Livingston, Malneck) 3:11
7. What Is There to Say? (Duke, Harburg) 3:17
8. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (Barris, Koehler, Moll) 3:04
9. Too Much of a Good Thing (Hawkins) 2:50
10. Bean Soup (Hawkins) 3:04
11. Someone to Watch over Me (Gershwin, Gershwin) 2:46
12. It's the Talk of the Town (Livingston, Neiburg, Symes) 3:04
13. Isn't It Romantic? (Rodgers, Hart) 3:04
14. Bean-A-Re-Bop (Hawkins, Jones) 2:30
15. The Way You Look Tonight (Fields, Kern) 2:46
16. Phantomesque (Hawkins) 2:53

Tracks 1-4
Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax); Howard McGhee (trumpet); Sir Charles Thompson (piano); Allan Reuss (guitar); Oscar Pettiford (bass); Denzil Best (drums). Recorded in Los Angeles, February 23, 1945.

Tracks 5-8
Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax); Howard McGhee (trumpet); Vic Dickenson (trombone); Sir Charles Thompson (piano); Allan Reuss (guitar); Oscar Pettiford (bass); Denzil Best (drums). Recorded in Los Angeles, March 2, 1945.

Tracks 9-12
Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax); Howard McGhee (trumpet); Sir Charles Thompson (piano); Allan Reuss (guitar); John Simmons (bass); Denzil Best (drums). Recorded in Los Angeles, March 9, 1945.

Tracks 13-16
Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax); Howard Johnson (alto sax); Miles Davis (trumpet); Kai Winding (trombone); Hank Jones (piano); probably Curley Russell (bass); probably Max Roach (drums). Recorded in New York for Aladddin Records, June, 1947.

[oldane]

Allan Reuss was among the maybe two or three best rhythm guitarists of the swing era. Reuss was a protegé of George van Eps and took over Eps' chair in Benny Goodmans band. Goodman, who didn't have too much positive to say about anyone, admitted that he didn't think about how important Reuss had been for the band while he was there, but he realized it when he had left. Freddie Green took lessons from Allan Reuss before he joined the Basie band.

The maybe best known recording featuring Reuss is Pickin' for Patsy with Jack Teagardens Big Band:

78rpm: Pickin' For Patsy - Jack Teagarden and his Orchestra, 1939 - Brunswick 8401 - YouTube

And finally a question for Ton (the OP): In my youth a friend of mine drew my attention to a nice album by the fingerpicking Stefan Grossman which had a couple of tunes written by a certain Ton van B., among them one called "A Ton of Blues". Is that you, Ton?

[miariod]

I'm so glad that someone has, at last, begun a research work on Allan Reuss which is one of my guitar heroes. I don't think I can add very much to the informations already given here, I had some more line up infos about the Hawkins' sides but I see that yesterday 'Eddie Lang' has been faster (and more detailed) than me. I do have some things with Reuss on but nothing not already included here. Anyway, I'll try to search among my cds to see if something comes out. Great work, Reuss needs without doubt to be in the front line of great players, getting out of the status of 'cult' musician.

[TonVanBergeijk]

Thank you all guys for participating on this project. I never heard of the Tom Lord Discography. I'm touring and visiting family in law till early Januari, so from the second week of the new year I'll start uploading my collection and updating the excel and subscribing to Lord's Disco (what an appropriate name). I use rapidshare, but filesonic is also a possibilty. Both got ad- and disad-vantages. Enjoy the festive days!

[JoLa]

If you are looking for a last-minute x-mas present, a great option is the HEP cd feat. Corky Cocoran with Lamplighter All Stars 1945 (HEP CD 87)
Hep Records, jazz in depth from the 1930's to the present day.
Allan Reuss is featured on 9 of the 13 tracks and has a lengthy solo on Honeysuckle Rose that pays its dues to the famous 1937-solo by Dick McDonough with Fats Waller all stars (A Victor Jam Session). Unfortunately, the recording of Reuss' solo has the mic directed at the horns and bass, but you'll recognize a master whenever he or she touches the instrument, right?
Regarding Lord's online disco, you may consider the following: In Rust we trust,/ if the good Lord allows /his entry in the Allmighty's rost(er).
Happy Holidays to everybody here!
Jo

[TonVanBergeijk]

So far updated recording list: https://rapidshare.com/files/1480068...ss-111222.xlsx

[TonVanBergeijk]

Just noticed that I forgot to sort the new excel again by date (I've started putting the present date in the name, so you can check if you got the latest version) . I'm sure you can do that easily yourselves. Just recharged my rapidshare subscription but haven't got a clue how they transfer their rapids to my running account. Hope it goes automatically. From the week of the 9th of Januari I'll start uploading my A.R. recordings collection (all mp3), until then: merry christmas & a happy new year. Cheers! TvB

[Eddie Lang]

I found more in my collection. Sessions made for Keynote Records in 1946 where Reuss plays with the Arnold Ross Quintet and the Benny Carter Quintet.

1. The Moon Is Low
2. Stairway To The Stars
3. Bye Bye Blues
4. I Don’t Know Why I Love You Like I Do
5. Moonglow
6. Give Me Something To Remember You By
7. Lady Be Good
8. Deep Purple

Tracks 1 - 4 The Arnold Ross Quintet
Benny Carter (Alto Sax); Arnold Ross (Piano); Allan Reuss (Guitar); Artie Bernstein (Bass); Nick Fatool (Drums).
Tacks 5 - 8 The Benny Carter Quintet
Same as above except :- Sonny White (Piano).

The Moon Is Low, Bye Bye Blues and I Don't Know Why are already in the spreadsheet. There is also Stairway To The Stars with Benny Carter on file with no details; perhaps it's the recording with Arnold Ross?

[Eddie Lang]

Louis Armstrong And His Hot Seven
September 6, 1946, Los Angeles, CA

I Want A Little Girl (Moll, Billy; Mencher, Murray) [master D6VB-2149] -- Victor 20-2612
Sugar (Pinkard, Maceo; Alexander, Edna; Mitchell, Sidney) [master D6VB-2150] -- Victor 40-0136
Blues For Yesterday (Carr, Les) [master D6VB-2151] -- Victor 20-2456
Blues In The South (Johnstone, William; Carr, Les) [master D6VB-2152] -- Victor 20-2456

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Dickenson, Vic (Trombone)
Bigard, Barney (Clarinet)
Beal, Charlie (Piano)
Reuss, Allan (Guitar)
Callender, Red (Bass)
Singleton, Zutty (Drums)

-------------------------

Louis Armstrong With Gordon Jenkins' Orchestra
February 6, 1951, Los Angeles, CA

You're Just In Love [master L6046] -- Decca 27481
Middleton, Velma (Vocal)
If [master L6047-8] -- Decca 27481
Big Butter And Egg Man (Venable, P.; Armstrong, Louis) [master L6048] -- Decca 27931
Middleton, Velma (Vocal)

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Griffin, Chris (Trumpet)
Ballard, Red (Trombone)
Songer, Wayne (Alto Saxophone)
Eckels, Dent (Tenor Saxophone)
LaVere, Charlie (Piano)
Reuss, Allan (Guitar)
Stephens, Phil (Bass)
Fatool, Nick (Drums)
Jenkins, Gordon (Conductor, Arranger)

-------------------------

Louis Armstrong With Gordon Jenkins' Orchestra
November 28, 1951, Los Angeles, CA

It's All In The Game (Sigman, Carl; Dawes, General Charles G.) [master L6550] -- Decca 27899
When It's Sleepy Time Down South (Rene, Leon; Rene, Otis; Muse, Clarence) [master L6551] -- Decca 27899
When It's Sleepy Time Down South (Rene, Leon; Rene, Otis; Muse, Clarence) [master L6551] -- Decca 27899
Jeannine (Shilkret; Gilbert) [master L6552] -- Decca 28076
Indian Love Call (Friml; Harbach; Hammerstein) [master L6553] -- Decca 28076

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Jenkins, Gordon (Arranger, Conductor)
Grifford, Charles (Trumpet)
Thow, George (Trumpet)
Hudso, Bruce Hudson (Trumpet)
Miller, Eddie (Tenor Saxophone)
Eckel, Dent Eckels (Tenor Saxophone)
LaVere, Charlie (Piano)
Reuss, Allan (Guitar)
Stephens, Phil (Bass)
Fatool, Nick (Drums)
Unknown personnel (Strings)

[TonVanBergeijk]

Thank you Salvatore M.!
Got all these Louis recordings, just didn't know A.R. was on them. Will add them to the excel-list and upload them in the new year.

[miariod]

Thank you Ton for this research and Happy New Year to you and the others. Still have to search, for now all I have by Reuss is already here.

[miariod]

Hi Ton

I have a vinyl titled 'Kings of swing' (MFP 1069). It contains two Krupa's recordings listed in your .xls (Jazz me blues; The last round up) which you don't seem to have. If so, just let me know how to send them. Beside, in a V-Discs collection there is a 'Wolverine blues' which could possibly be another beyond the one already present in your list (V-disc 724 B; New York 1939). Just let me know.
Cheers

[JoLa]

John Fahey made two albums for the Reprise label early 1970s, the first one titled 'Of Rivers and Religion' and besides solo fingerpicking guitar pieces an orchestra is featured on three of the 8 tracks; personnel includes John Fahey (guitar); Chris Darrow (guitar, dobro, mandolin, fiddle); Nappy La Mare, Alan Reuse (banjo); Joanne Grauer (piano, calliope); Joe Darensbourgh (clarinet); Jack Feierman (trumpet); Ira Nepus (trombone); Joel Druckman (bass). The three tracks featuring Allan Reuss or Nappy LaMare on banjo are: Dixie Pig Bar B-Que Blues, Texas & Pacific Blues and Lord Have Mercy. - The second Reprise album from 1973 is titled 'After The Ball' and has 10 tracks, some of them again featuring an orchestra including John Fahey (guitar); Chris Darrow (guitar, fiddle); Peter Jameson (guitar); Alan Reuse (banjo, mandolin, ukulele); Joe Darensbourgh (clarinet); Johnny Rotella (alto saxophone); Jack Feierman (trumpet); Britt Woodman (trombone); Dick Cary (E-flat alto horn, piano); Joel Druckman (bass). Allan Reuss is featured on the following tracks: New Orleans Shuffle, Om Shanti Norris, I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free, Hawaiian Two-STep, Candy Man and After The Ball. - The 1975 Takoma album titled 'Old Fashioned Love' again features an orchestra on some of the tracks, personnel includes John Fahey (guitar); Bobby Bruce (vocals, violin); Jack Feierman (vocals, trumpet); Allan Reuss (guitar, banjo); Woody Mann (guitar); Joe Darensbourg (clarinet); John Rotella (saxophone, alto saxophone); Britt Woodman (trombone); Ira Westley (tuba); Dick Cary (piano); Nick Fatool (drums). Orchestra is featured on the following tracks: In A Persian Market, Old Fashioned Love, Boodle AM Shake and Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning - Allan Reuss plays banjo or rhythm guitar.
Jo

[JoLa]

The cdUniverse website CD Universe - Your Online Music Store has a cd discography of Allan Reuss, currently 250+ items are listed. Idle hours of research maybe could be cut down going through the list, at least it gives a hint where to find Allan Reuss on cd. Most items at the list have added some info of interest, however, you still need a detailed discography to point out single tracks featuring our man, of course.
Jo

[SHW]

Hi,

I am also interested in Allan Reuss and have a much messier spreadsheet, to which you are welcome if you want it. I would just have to figure out how to get it to you. I also have images of 3 pages (sadly non-musical, but including the cover shown) of the Allan Reuss Guitar Folio, which I saved when someone was selling one online a while back.

Interested?

SHW

[miariod]

here:

http://mthoenicke.magix.net/public/c...ctorsGuide.pdf

at page 4 some more Berigan's tracks

[TonVanBergeijk]

I haven't had time yet to include or react to all contributions and comments, but have uploaded my mp3-collection so far. All uploads start with: https://rapidshare.com/files/ followed by the codes below. All this stuff is pre-war and public domain, and maybe I'm paranoia but I've been told that complete downloadlinks are easily blocked, so I've split these addresses up, just to be on the safe side.
I've zipped everything into under 100Mb files, so they stay managable. Because of this the subfiles may look a little haphazardously arranged, but all tracks (almost 400) are there. Just put them in a playlist in iTunes and sort them either to artist (Goodman, Teddy Wilson etc.) or by title and you can crossref with the excel list I've got ready sofar. Files are the above mentioned upload address plus 2760707780/AllanReuss-01.zip , 2490414465/AllanReuss-02.zip , 3879086620/AllanReuss-03.zip , 612475662/AllanReuss-04.zip , 3084896808/AllanReuss-05.zip , 3216972710/AllanReuss-06.zip , 2284826317/AllanReuss-07.zip , 1034411564/AllanReuss-08.zip , 3948692479/AllanReuss-09.zip , 2398872554/AllanReuss-10.zip , 3696907168./AllanReuss-11.zip , 1723590963/AllanReuss-12.zip .
TvB

[TonVanBergeijk]

Thanks ever so much to all the above members who reacted and/or contributed so far. I've opened an email-address (allan<dot>reuss<at>gmail<dot>com) for communications between forum members so anyone can mail small files (let's say under 10Mb) or mail links using www.wetransfer.com to upload zipped files upto 2Gb. It's free, the link will only last 7 days or so, but then I should have time enough to sift out duplicates, update the excel-list and make a regular upload. Drawback is ofcourse when I'm on tour and can't react within a week; hotel internet connections aren't always as friendly as one's home one. Coming March might be a problem. Let's see how far we can get with this quest.
TvB