A great introduction to one of the finest of all jazz trumpeters. Henry 'Red' Allen (1908-1967) was described as the last great trumpeter to come out of New Orleans. A unique artist, he was, along with Louis Armstrong, the outstanding stylist of the 30s for his instrument, and won a high reputation as a close rival to Armstrong. His hard-hitting style really swung with an irresistibly fierce drive. He splayed his solos across bar-lines with the most sophisticated rhythmic command. At the same time he could create the most heartfelt blues and ballad performances (e.g. I Cover The Waterfront) – certainly one of jazz history's all-time greats.

'Ride, Red, Ride' undertakes the difficult task of distilling the finest from Allen's dazzling career onto two CDs. The final selection presents 44 true jazz masterpieces, spanning from his first important session in 1929 (It Should Be You) through to his glorious, late quartet recordings of 1962 (Biffly Blues).

A number of the many classics he produced alongside the great Coleman Hawkins are included, such as the wonderful Heartbreak Blues (on which his tone is described as “burning incandescently”). Allen is also featured in groups led by several of the other great names in jazz: King Oliver, James P Johnson, Lionel Hampton, Sidney Bechet, Jelly Roll Morton, Kid Ory and so on.

He plays too on a classic Billie Holiday number (The Mood That I’m In) and on Lucky Millinder’s frenzied tribute to him, Ride, Red, Ride, but Red Allen had a distinctive vocal style of his own, and can also be heard singing on several tracks (When My Dreamboat Comes Home).

Altogether a superb addition to Retrospective’s series of top jazz trumpeters.

Contents:
CD 1 (1929-1939)
Henry Red Allen & His New York Orchestra
1. It Should Be You
2. Feeling Drowsy
Luis Russell & His Orchestra
3. Jersey Lightning
4. Song Of The Swanee
5. Louisiana Swing
Henry Red Allen & His New York Orchestra
6. Dancing Dave
7. Singing Pretty Songs
8. Patrol Wagon Blues
King Oliver & His Orchestra
9. Stingaree Blues
The Billy Banks Orchestra
10. Bugle Call Rag
The Spike Hughes Negro Orchestra
11. Sweet Sorrow Blues
Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra
12. King Porter Stomp
13. Queer Notions
14. Night Life
15. Nagasaki
Coleman Hawkins & His Orchestra
16. Heartbreak Blues
Horace Henderson & His Orchestra
17. Ol’ Man River
Henry Red Allen & His Orchestra
18. Rug Cutters’ Swing
19. Rosetta
20. Body And Soul
The Mills Blue Rhythm Band
21. Ride, Red, Ride!
Henry Red Allen & His Orchestra
22. Algiers Stomp
23. When My Dreamboat Comes Home
Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra
24. The Mood That I’m In (With Billie Holiday)
James P. Johnson & His Orchestra
25. Swingin’ At The Lido

CD 2 (1939-1962)
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
1. I’m On My Way From You
Henry Red Allen & His Orchestra
2. Down In Jungle Town
Zutty Singleton & His Orchestra
3. Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble
Jelly Roll Morton & His Seven
4. Sweet Substitute
Sidney Bechet & His New Orleans Feetwarmers
5. Slippin’ And Slidin’
The Red Allen-Tony Parenti All Stars
6. The Blues
Henry Red Allen & His Orchestra
7. Love Is Just Around The Corner
8. Let Me Miss You, Baby
9. I Cover The Waterfront
10. Ain’t She Sweet?
11. I’ve Got The World On A String
Kid Ory & His Creole Jazz Band
12. In The Mood
13. Lazy River
14. I Got Rhythm
Henry Red Allen & His Orchestra
15. Ballin’ The Jack
Henry Red Allen & Quartet
16. Biffly Blues
17. I Ain’t Got Nobody
18. There’s A House In Harlem For Sale
Henry Red Allen & Charlie Shavers
19. Trumpet Conversation