Jazz history has produced few masters to rival the phenomenal technical mastery of William C. “Buster” Bailey (1902-1967). Given different social conditions he might have forged a career as a classical soloist, but it was as a superlative jazz performer that his long career (46 years!) almost traced the development of the form, from its earliest days right through to the Sixties. Retrospective’s Memphis Blues presents 47 remarkable examples of his artistry. From a 1924 track with Louis Armstrong and the Red Onion Jazz Babies, Bailey’s story is followed through his landmark tenures with Fletcher Henderson (Hocus Pocus) and John Kirby (St. Louis Blues), interspersed with his outstanding contributions to many other bands, such as those of Clarence Williams, Teddy Wilson, Lionel Hampton and, especially, Red Allen.

Tracklist:

CD 1
1. Dizzy Debutante
2. Afternoon In Africa
3. Santa Claus Blues 2.43
4. Jazzbo Brown From Memphis Town
5. Clarinet Marmalade
6. Yama Yama Blues
7. Church Street Sobbin’ Blues
8. Hocus Pocus
9. There’s A House In Harlem For Sale
10. Rug Cutters’ Swing
11. Wild Party
12. Call Of The Delta
13. Shanghai Shuffle
14. Stealin’ Apples
15. Blues In C Sharp Minor
16. Warming Up
17. They Can’t Take That Away From Me
18. More Than That
19. Rhythm, Rhythm
20. I Know That You Know
21. Sloe Jam Fizz
22. Planter’s Punch
23. Lorna Doone Shortbread
24. Chained To A Dream
25. Light Up
26. Man With A Horn Goes Berserk
27. I’m Cuttin’ Out

CD 2
1. Limehouse Blues
2. Am I Blue?
3. Should I?
4. April In Paris
5. The Blue Room
6. Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie
7. Eccentric
8. Can’t We Be Friends?
9. St. Louis Blues
10. 9:20 Special
11. You Can Depend On Me
12. Tin Roof Blues
13. How Come You Do Me Like You Do?
14. Hatton Avenue And Gayoso Street
15. Bear Wallow
16. Beale Street Blues
17. Sunday Parade
18. Memphis Blues
19. Chickasaw Bluff
20. Hot Water Bayou