Classic Decca Recordings Of Bob Crosby And His Orchestra & The Bob Cats (1936-1942)

A Forgotten Chapter of Jazz Legendary Decca Recordings Featuring Unparalleled Sound Quality At Mosaic we think it’s time to re-evaluate the contribution to jazz made by Crosby’s orchestra, with its unique approach to big band music and to his small group, which featured some of the most stunning soloists of the day. Our new set, “Classic Decca Recordings of Bob Crosby and His Orchestra and The Bob Cats (1936-1942)” should help set the record straight. It features 144 cuts on 6-CDs that reveal what made this band — and its members — so special. Just as startling is the quality of the transfers and restoration we were able to accomplish, exclusively for this release. As is typical of Mosaic projects, we’ve meticulously remastered this music. But this set in particular makes you feel like you are in the room with the band in front of you and not revisiting the music 80 years later. We can confidently promise you’ve never heard this music with such clarity, dynamism, and power. Description & Audio ClipsDiscography Classic Decca Recordings Of Bob Crosby And His Orchestra & The Bob Cats (1936-1942) Limited Edition Box Set (#283 – 6 CDs) BOB CROSBY WILL EARN YOUR DELIGHT Throughout his career in jazz, Bob Crosby was used to being dismissed. He even participated in the self-deprecating humor acknowledging the lopsided comparisons to his older brother Bing: “I’m the one with no hope,” he joked, referring to Bing’s many film collaborations with Bob Hope. Bob Crosby’s job fronting an orchestra and small band was to look good in a tuxedo, talk to the audience of dancers and diners, joke and tell stories, and sing a bit. He was good at his job. People liked him. The band members liked him. And if you were hearing him in a noisy supper club with a couple of conversations at your table, Bob even sounded like Bing. Unfortunately, that dismissive point of view has perpetuated today. And it’s a shame, because what is harder to dismiss about the Bob Crosby Orchestra and his small group, Bob Crosby’s Bob Cats, was the excellent music his organization produced. An unlikely start Bob Crosby loved leading a band, but the idea didn’t originate from him. The opportunity arose when members of the Ben Pollack Orchestra quit en masse over the orchestra leader’s obsession with a female singer none of them liked. Suddenly they needed a point man. In 1934, Bing was already an international star with the kind of gravity that could magnetize every satellite in his orbit, and the idea of Bob taking the helm was suggested. Bing’s kid brother had no musical training. Couldn’t read music. Had never held a baton in his life. In fact, he struggled at first to remember the tempos. Drummer Ray Bauduc reportedly told him, “Don’t worry about it. You just beat it off your way, and we’ll take it away from you right away.” Relying on his band mates proved to be a winning formula. The orchestra produced a sound that was unmatched in music, with arrangements that re-cast Dixieland-style energy in a big band framework, bringing excitement and freshness to the genre. The guys behind him were often singled out for praise by many of the best at the time. Both Mel Torme and Chick Webb were fans of drummer Bauduc. Trumpeter Billy Butterfield received admiring comments from Bobby Hackett, who called Butterfield “the best there is” and from Louis Armstrong himself, who said “he knows how to blow his horn right.” Clarinetist Irving Fazola was singled out by Glenn Miller: “Benny (Goodman) listened very closely when Faz was playing,” he said. As for the orchestra as a whole, Ellington called them “a band with an amazing amount of color… a truly gut-bucket band, capable of really getting down there,” and ranked the group among the orchestras of Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and Paul Whiteman. Enormously popular The public agreed. The recordings in this set span the years when Crosby went from success to success. After opening at New York’s Roseland, the band began a tour of one-nighters in the South. That led to radio broadcasts and long engagements in New York, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles. The pattern of radio performances (at one point, eleven in one week), long stays at clubs, restaurants, and hotels, occasional film appearances, and popular recordings continued. Their fame grew and grew. In 1940, Down Beat’s poll of swing bands placed only Benny Goodman’s and Glenn Miller’s bands higher. While the style they favored dated back to the 1920s, there was nothing old fashioned about the Crosby band. Even though a few core members traced their lineage back to the New Orleans style, placing that influence within an expanded ensemble was key to bringing distinction and personality to the band. The swing era is remembered often for the complexity of dense arrangements. Bob Crosby’s band chose to be more dynamic. The band’s reliably expert ensemble work was tasteful and tight, while still giving off an air of being relaxed. There was no doubt the cooperative spirit of the band members, who shared ownership, contributed to the fact that this 13-piece band could swing like a combo. Scholar and composer Gunther Schuller summed up what contributed to the band’s success; it was, he said, “a compromise: a blending of the new big-band sound of swing with the freedom and loose-textured spontaneity of small-groups Dixieland.” The stripped-down Bob Cats ensemble was an especially intuitive unit, able to solo over and around each other without stubbing toes. They are every bit as compelling as any other combo of the 1930s. It’s no wonder that after Crosby’s tenure, members of the ensemble performed for years as The World’s Greatest Jazz Band. Essential components included Butterfield’s and Yank Lawson’s power, the reliable Dixieland influence of Warren Smith’s trombone, Eddie Miller’s tenor saxophone, Fazola and Matty Matlock’s clarinets, and the highly personal, precise, and uncategorizable styles of pianists Joe Sullivan and Jess Stacy. In many instances, compositions and arrangements were by the band members themselves, writing specifically for the unique talent and configuration of the band. Masters of Their Craft The Brilliance of the Individual Artists By Michael Steinman Ray Bauduc, whose drumming was both elated and low-down, is a direct outgrowth of Baby Dodds and Zutty Singleton but with its own flavor. He reminds me a great deal of fellow New Orleanian Paul Barbarin backing Louis Armstrong. Mel Torme said that Bauduc “got this funky, chunky, warm, and resonant sound from his snare drum,” and Chick Webb admired his playing. He is not only the rhythmic heartbeat of these records; he is the band’s sonic foundation. Bob Haggart was a most trustworthy rhythm player, whether slapping the strings a la Wellman Braud or simply walking 4/4 in the best Walter Page manner, years before other white musicians fully incorporated the style. His sound was low and warm, his intonation flawless. Yank Lawson was truly incendiary. Drummer-scholar Hal Smith says that Yank’s particular rhythmic style, both relaxed and intense, is a phenomenon linked to other trumpeters of the American Southwest, noted for their “wide beat.” Yank’s ferocity was immediately recognizable, as was his use of mutes but what strikes me is his tone and attack. He has something urgent to tell us, he waggles an accusing finger at us. He could lead the charge, and I saw him do it in the Seventies. If Yank was fire, Billy Butterfield was molten gold. Talking with Dick Sudhalter, Bobby Hackett called Billy “the best there is.” His sound was huge, his agility was marvelous: he sang on the horn. In 1948, Louis Armstrong told George T. Simon, “You know who’s real good? That’s Billy Butterfield. Ever hear what he played on that record Ella and I made together, that You Won’t Be Satisfied? Listen to it, man, that’s what I think is real good. He don’t fake a lot of little notes just because he can’t hold a long one. He knows how to blow his horn right.” A peerless lead player, a phenomenal ensemble player, dramatic and adaptable. Eddie Miller, another New Orleanian, was as courtly in manner as on his tenor saxophone; his colleagues in the Crosby band dubbed him “The Little Prince.” His tenor sound was seductive, yearning. Like his contemporary Bud Freeman, he offered an alternative to Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster. His true parallel is to Lester Young: cool but full of emotion. His ensemble lines are thrilling: he finds the right spot to be in that you didn’t know was there. On clarinet, he was fluid and gutty at once, always bringing his New Orleans sound. Matty Matlock  was so consistently fine that, Yogi-Berra style, he wasn’t always noticed. Like Haggart, he was in demand as an instrumentalist and arranger, so much so that he often put the clarinet in its case and wrote arrangements full-time. Unlike the more famous clarinetists of this era, he combined admirable fluidity with deep New Orleans flavors. Joe Sullivan, with deep roots in Chicago, came in and out of the band; first for a short stay in late 1936, with no commercial recordings, truncated because of a tuberculosis diagnosis. The Crosby band was part of two huge benefits to raise money for him, one in Chicago and the other in Hollywood (a segment of the Chicago was broadcast and can be heard on CD). Joe returned in 1939 and, happily, recorded with the band. Jess Stacy was marvelously subtle, stealing the listener’s attention from the musician he was accompanying. His playing is a paradox: he always seems to be leaning forward propulsively but he loved ruminative interludes; he is orchestral and translucent at the same time. He was happy playing with the Crosby band, having spent years with Benny Goodman who he said always gave him the impression that he should consider himself fortunate to be there. I am not alone in my admiration: Count Basie wrote of Jess in January 1942, “Jess won me over the first time I heard him, when he was with Benny Goodman at the Congress in Chicago. He has a distinctly original manner, a beautifully rhythmic touch and is just fine in ensembles as he is taking a solo. Right now Jess is with Bob Crosby’s band. In my opinion he will go down as one of the white immortals of the ivories.” Muggsy Spanier, who idolized King Oliver as a young man and never drifted from that path, was coming off his own success with his Ragtime Band when he joined the Crosby band for a time. He had his own strongly fixed style which enthusiasts always describe in pugilistic terms, appropriate for a man who boxed in his youth. Irving Fazola was an eccentric of the first order who had one of the most beautiful clarinet sounds imaginable; woody, dark, and expansive. Yet he could soar over an ensemble. When Fazola was in the 1937 Glenn Miller band, Miller told George T. Simon, “I sincerely believe that Faz is the only clarinet player with a chance these days. Shaw, Mince, and all of them play like Benny and they will not live long enough to cut him. Faz like Ole Man River jes’ keeps rollin’ along and doesn’t want to know from anyone. I doubt if he has heard more than a few Goodman records and up until Dallas had never met or heard Benny personally. Benny listened very closely when Faz was playing.” Mosaic Records The Definitive Presentation In addition to gathering mint American Decca 78s for our transfers, we’ve also been able to obtain Australian 78s, famous for their smoother and less brittle shellac than the American Decca releases. A handful of rare test pressings were also used as sources in addition to 10 never before issued alternate takes taken from the original metal parts at the Library of Congress (which now houses the Decca masters). As with many of our Mosaic sets that contain music from the 1920s to the 1950s captured on 78 rpm recordings, The Institute of Jazz Studies proved to be a great resource for most of the recordings we used in the transfer process. We also had access to the legendary record libraries of collector and historian Karl Pearson and Lloyd Rauch. Once at Swan Studios, engineer Nancy Conforti worked miracles by bringing the music signal out front of any surface noise by their use of over a dozen different sizes of styli to choose from to get the most music out of these precious grooves. Then the final stage where the restoration begins, cleaning up the sound captured on a digital signal, so that any noise is practically eliminated without losing any of the music. In addition to the music, our set includes as exclusive 32-page, deluxe booklet with an historical assessment of the band and track-by-track analysis by Jazz Lives archivist and writer Michael Steinman, an exhaustive discography of the set, and many rare photographs of the band. Michael Steinman, writer, archivist, videographer, fell under the spell of Louis Armstrong before he had his driver’s license. He has been published in many jazz periodicals, most recently The Syncopated Times; his liner notes appear in many CD issues. He is most proud of his online jazz blog, Jazz Lives created in February 2008, which features reviews, interviews, and his more than eight thousand videos of live performances here and abroad. We are delighted to re-introduce this long-overlooked treasure trove of music. As with every Mosaic package, our license to release this music is limited, and when we’ve sold them all it will never be available again. We urge you to order your copy today. Audio Clips Milenberg Joys January 27, 1942 Bob Crosby And The Orchestra: Bob Goodrich, Max Herman, Al King (tp), Floyd O’Brien, Elmer Smithers (tb), Hank D’Amico, Arthur Rando (cl, as), Matty Matlock (cl, as, arr), Eddie Miller (cl, ts, vcl), Gil Rodin (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d), Paul Weston (arr). This session aims at both “Dixieland” and “Swing” audiences, with three Henderson-related standards and three hot jazz classics. Milenberg Joys, arranged by Haggart, is a standout. The second chorus is a Bob Cats ensemble, before Matlock and outstanding Miller join in. https://www.mosaicrecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Milenberg-Joys_REF.mp3 Chain Gang February 17, 1942 Bob Crosby And The Orchestra: Yank Lawson, Max Herman, Lyman Vunk (tp), Floyd O’Brien, Elmer Smithers, Buddy Morrow (tb), Matty Matlock (cl), Art Mendelsohn, Arthur Rando (as), Eddie Miller (ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g, el-g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d), Phil Moore (arr). Haggart said of his Chain Gang, “I was getting into more complex harmonies at that point, trying out thicker textures . . . quite a departure from what I had been doing.” Chilton properly calls this a “tone poem,” moving from instrumental wailing to simulated rattling chains. The performance evokes a dark, oppressive scene, making great use of the extra time the 12” disc allowed. https://www.mosaicrecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Chain-Gang_REF.mp3 South Rampart Street Parade November 16, 1937 Bob Crosby And The Orchestra: Yank Lawson, Charlie Spivak, Billy Butterfield (tp), Ward Sillaway, Warren Smith (tb), Matty Matlock (cl, as, arr), Joe Kearns (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Bob Zurke (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d). It was one thing to arrange and play New Orleans and Chicago jazz compositions drawn from “old records” perhaps forgotten, another to create new music deeply in those idioms. South Rampart Street Parade is a multi-strain piece, full of variety, that can stand alongside the Original Dixieland Jazz Band and New Orleans Rhythm Kings classics. Many know this classic recording and can sing the solos, but its real depth lies in the textural-orchestral variety Haggart created. Its compositional density makes it the Crosby band’s New Orleans-flavored Harlem Air Shaft an orchestral evocation of a world, appropriate since Haggart cited Ellington as an influence. https://www.mosaicrecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/South-Rampart-Street-Parade-1937-Version_REF.mp3 The Love Nest September 25, 1939 Bob Crosby’s Bob Cats: Billy Butterfield (tp), Warren Smith (tb), Irving Fazola (cl), Eddie Miller (ts), Joe Sullivan (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b), Ray Bauduc (d). This alternate version of The Love Nest is an unexpected gift, since Decca was not known for pressing alternate versions of performances. Sullivan’s chorus is worthy of framing. The take was not accepted for release at the time but what a blessing we have this performance now. https://www.mosaicrecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/The-Love-Nest-A-Alternate-Take_REF.mp3 Limited Edition: 5000 (#283- 6 CDs) This set is strictly limited in its release and will someday be unavailable. Please don’t delay in ordering this comprehensive set of some of the music’s most reliably captivating artists. CLASSIC DECCA RECORDINGS OF BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA AND THE BOB CATS 1936-1942 DISC I 1. Christopher Columbus (-A) (A) 2:50 (L. Berry-A. Razaf) 2. Muskrat Ramble (B) 2:28 (Armstrong-Gilbert-Ory) 3. Dixieland Shuffle (B) 3:21 (Haggart-Lamare-Rodin-Matlock) 4. I Met My Waterloo (C) 2:57 (C. Boswell-N. Burton) 5. You Can Call It Swing (C) 3:19 (S. Cahn- S. Chaplan) 6. Pagan Love Song (D) 3:00 (N. Brown-A. Freed) 7. Come Back, Sweet Papa (D) 2:40 (R. Bauduc-B. Haggart) 8. Sugar Foot Strut (D) 3:20 (Myers-Pierce-Schwab) 9. Big Chief De Soto (E) 3:04 (Andy Razaf) 10. Savoy Blues (E) 3:12 (Edward Ory) 11. Woman On My Weary Mind (F) 3:21 (Gil Rodin) 12. Royal Garden Blues (F) 3:14 (S. Williams-C. Williams) 13. The Old Spinning Wheel (G) 3:04 (William J. Hill) 14. Gin Mill Blues (G) 3:28 (Joe Sullivan) 15. If I Had You (G) 3:22 (Campbell-Connelly-Shapiro) 16. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea (G) 3:21 (H. Arlen-T. Koehler) 17. Little Rock Getaway (H) 2:38 (Joe Sullivan) 18. Squeeze Me (H) 3:20 (T. Waller-C. Williams) 19. Vieni, Vieni (I) 3:01 (Konyn-Scotto-Vallee-Vantard) 20. Christopher Columbus (-B) (A) 2:50 (L. Berry-A. Razaf) 21. Vieni, Vieni (alt tk.) (I) 3:01 (Konyn-Scotto-Vallee-Vantard) DISC II 1. Stumbling (J) 3:15 (Zez Confrey) 2. Who’s Sorry Now? (J) 3:00 (Kalmar-Ruby-Snyder) 3. Coquette (J) 3:05 (Lombardo-Green-Kahn) 4. Fidgety Feet (J) 2:45 (Original Dixieland Jazz Band) 5. You’re Driving Me Crazy (J) 2:55 (Walter Donaldson) 6. Can’t We Be Friends? (J) 2:59 (P. James-K. Swift) 7. South Rampart Street Parade (matrix DLA 1090-A) (K) 3:38 (Bauduc-Haggart-Allen) 8. Dogtown Blues (K) 4:16 (Bob Haggart) 9. Just Strolling (K) 3:23 (Joe Sullivan) 10. Panama (K) 2 :46 (W. Tyers-C. Sigman) 11. Grand Terrace Rhythm (D Natural Blues) (L) 3:01 (Fletcher Henderson) 12. Wolverine Blues (L) 3:03 (Morton-B. Spikes-J. Spikes) 13. Yancey Special (M) 3:24 (M. Lewis-A. Razaf) 14. Louise, Louise (M) 3 :22 (Bauduc-Haggart-Lamare) 15. At The Jazz Band Ball (M) 3:12 (ODJB) 16. Milk Cow Blues (M) 3:15 (Kokomo Arnold) 17. Tea For Two (M) 3:23 (V. Youmans-I. Caesar) 18. March Of The Bob Cats (N) 2:39 (Bauduc-Crosby-Matlock-Fazola-Haggart-Lamare-Miller-Rodin) 19. Palesteena (N) 2:57 (C. Conrad-J. R. Robinson) 20. Slow Mood (N) 3:08 (Bob Haggart) 21. Big Foot Jump (N) 2:42 (Bob Zurke) 22. The Big Crash From China (N) 2:44 (Bob Zurke) 23. Five Point Blues (N) 3:09 (Yank Lawson) DISC III 1. I Hear You Talking (O) 2:36 (R. Bauduc-E. Miller) 2. Call Me A Taxi (O) 3:18 (R. Bauduc-E. Miller) 3. The Big Noise From Winnetka (O) 2:42 (Bauduc-Harragart-Rodin-Crosby) 4. Swingin’ At The Sugar Bowl (P) 3:14 (Crosby-Haggart-Lamare-Rodin) 5. I’m Prayin’ Humble (P) 3:19 (Bob Haggart) 6. I’m Free (What’s New) (P) 3:04 (J. Burke-B. Haggart) 7. Honky Tonk Train (P) 3:19 (Meade Lux Lewis) 8. Diga Diga Do (Part 1) (P) 2:57 (D. Fields- J. McHugh) 9. Diga Diga Do (Part 2) (P) 2:58 (D. Fields- J. McHugh) 10. My Inspiration (Q) 3:07 (B. Haggart-N. Lamare) 11. Summertime (R) 3:13 (G. Gershwin-D. Heyward) 12. Loopin’ The Loop (R) 3:00 (Nappy Lamare) 13. Skaters Waltz (In Swingtime) (S) 3:03 (Emil Waldteufel) 14. Stomp Off And Let’s Go (S) 3:23 (Elmer Schoebel) 15. Smokey Mary (S) 3:07 (Bauduc-Crosby-Haggart-Matlock) 16. South Rampart Street Parade (matrix 64930-A) (S) 3:38 (Bauduc-Haggart-Allen) 17. Song Of The Wanderer (S) 2:58 (Neil Moret) 18. Cherry (S) 3:21 (R. Gilbert-D. Redman) 19. Eye Opener (S) 3:11 (Matty Matlock) 20. Hindustan (T) 3:17 (O. Wallace-H. Weeks) 21. Mournin’ Blues (T) 3:05 (T. Sbarbaro-R. Robinson) 22. When The Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along (U) 2:36 (Harry M. Woods) 23. Them There Eyes (U) 3:19 (Pinkard-Tauber-Tracey) 24. Loopin’ The Loop (alt tk.) (R) 3:00 (Nappy Lamare) DISC IV 1. Rose Of Washington Square (V) 3:11 (J. Hanley-B. MacDonald) 2. Boogie Woogie Maxixe (W) 2 :42 (Gil Rodin) 3. The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise (W) 2:58 (E. Lockhart-E. Seitz) 4. Till We Meet Again (X) 3:11 (R. Whiting-R. Egan) 5. The Love Nest (matrix 66602) (X) 3:06 (L. Hirsch-O. Harbach) 6. Washington And Lee Swing (Y) 3:00 (Sheafe-Allen-Robbins) 7. Peruna (Y) 2:41 (traditional) 8. The Love Nest (matrix 66664) (Y) 3:06 (L. Hirsch-O. Harbach) 9. Feather Your Nest (-A) (Y) 3:00 (Kendis-Brockman-Johnson) 10. The Little Man Who Wasn’t There (Y) 3:09 (Adamson-Hanighen-Mearns) 11. High Society (Z) 2:55 (A.J. Piron-C. Williams) 12. Air Mail Stomp (Z) 3:19 (R. Bauduc-B. Haggart) 13. For Dancers Only (AA) 3:05 (Sy Oliver) 14. Angry (BB) 3:05 (H. Brunies-M. Brunies-Cassard-Mecum) 15. Complainin’ (BB) 2:59 (L. Roberts-A. Rogers) 16. Between 18th And 19th On Chestnut Street (CC) 3:06 (D. Rogers-W. Osborne) 17. Do You Ever Think Of Me? (DD) 3:02 (Burtnett-Kerr-Cooper) 18. Spain (DD) 3:10 (I. Jones-G. Kahn) 19. All By Myself (DD) 3:04 (Irving Berlin) 20. Jazz Me Blues (DD) 3:06 (Tom Delaney) 21. Rose Of Washington Square (alt tk.) (V) 3:11 (J. Hanley-B. MacDonald) 22. The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise (alt tk.) (W) 2:58 (E. Lockhart-E. Seitz) 23. Feather Your Nest (-B) (Y) 3:00 (Kendis-Brockman-Johnson) 24. For Dancers Only (alt tk.) (AA) 3:05 (Sy Oliver) 25. Spain (alt tk.) (DD) 3:10 (I. Jones-G. Kahn) DISC V 1. Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere (EE) 2:42 (Jess Stacy) 2. Where The Blue Of The Night Meets The Gold Of The Day (EE) 3:30 (Ahlert-Crosby-Turk) 3. Over The Waves (FF) 2:30 (Juventino Rosas) 4. Cecilia (FF) 3:11 (D. Dreyer-H. Ruby) 5. Ja Da (GG) 3:09 (Bob Carleton) 6. Shortnin’ Bread (-B) (GG) 3:18 (composer unknown) 7. Embraceable You (HH) 3:19 (G. Gershwin-I Gershwin) 8. Sympathy (HH) 2:55 (Friml-Harbach-Kahn-Forrest-Wright) 9. Cow Cow Blues (II) 3:09 (Charles Davenport) 10. Don’t Call Me Boy (JJ) 3:01 (Max Bennett) 11. The Mark Hop (KK) 3:03 (Bob Haggart) 12. Burnin’ The Candle At Both Ends (-A) (KK) 3:03 (Jess Stacy) 13. Juke Box Judy (LL) 3:00 (Hank D’Amico) 14. Big Tom (MM) 2:51 (R. Bauduc-B. Haggart) 15. It Was Only A Dream (NN) 3:02 (Big Bill Broonzy) 16. Elmer’s Tune (NN) 3:05 (Albrecht-Gallop-Jurgens) 17. Take It Easy (OO) 3:05 (Bob Haggart) 18. Vultee Special (PP) 3:11 (B. Crosby-G. Rodin) 19. Russian Sailor’s Dance (PP) 2:51 (Reinhold Gliere) 20. A Zoot Suit (For My Sunday Gal) (PP) 2:41 (R. Gilbert-B. O’ Brien) 21. Barrelhouse Bessie From Basin Street (PP) 3:10 (H. Magidson-J. Styne) 22. Brass Boogie (Pt. 1) (PP) 3:04 (Phil Moore) 23. Brass Boogie (Pt. 2) (PP) 2:48 (Phil Moore) 24. Shortnin’ Bread (-A) (GG) 3:18 (composer unknown) 25. The Mark Hop (alt tk.) (KK) 3:03 (Bob Haggart) 26. Burnin’ The Candle At Both Ends (alt tk.) (KK) 3:03 (Jess Stacy) DISC VI 1. Sugar Foot Stomp (QQ) 3:00 (K. Oliver-L. Armstrong) 2. King Porter Stomp (QQ) 2:49 (Jelly Roll Morton) 3. Jimtown Blues (QQ) 3:11 (F. Rose-C. Davis) 4. Eccentric (QQ) 3:00 (J. Russell Robinson) 5. Milenberg Joys (QQ) 3:19 (Morton-Mares-Rappolo-Melrose) 6. Original Dixieland One-Step (QQ) 3:13 (Crandall-Jordan-LaRocca-Robinson) 7. That Da Da Strain (RR) 2:58 (E. Dowell-M. Medina) 8. Sweethearts On Parade (RR) 2:44 (C. Lombardo-C. Newman) 9. It’s A Long Way To Tipperary (-A) (RR) 3:02 (J. Judge-H. Williams) 10. Tin Roof Blues (RR) 3:10 (Pollack-Brunies-Rappolo-Stitzel-Mares) 11. ‘Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (SS) 2:53 (H. Creamer-T. Layton) 12. Black Zephyr (TT) 3:04 (Phil Moore) 13. Blue Surreal (TT) 3:00 (Phil Moore) 14. Chain Gang (TT) 4:24 (Bob Haggart) 15. Ec-Stacy (TT) 4:25 (Jess Stacy) 16. The Marines Hymn (UU) 2:25 (L.Z. Phillips) 17. Anchors Aweigh (The Song Of The Navy) (UU) 2:51 (Zimmerman-Lotman-Savino) 18. Over There (UU) 2:55 (George M. Cohan) 19. Where Do We Go From Here? (VV) 2:36 (P. Wenrich-H. Johnson) 20. The Caissons Go Rolling Along (VV) 2:38 (Edmund Gruber) 21. Semper Paratus (VV) 2:27 (Francis Saltus Van Boskerck) 22. Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag And Smile, Smile, Smile! (WW) 3:06 (F. Powell-G. Asaf) 23. The Army Air Corps (WW) 2:51 (Robert Crawford) 24. It’s A Long Way To Tipperary (-B) (RR) 3:02 (J. Judge-H. Williams) 25. ‘Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (alt tk.) (SS) 2:53 (H. Creamer-T. Layton) /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// CLASSIC DECCA RECORDINGS OF BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA AND THE BOB CATS 1936-1942 For the purposes of this discography, only the first release of each matrix is listed. Unless noted, the releases are 78s. The following reference materials used for this discography came from The Decca Labels by Michel Ruppli (Greenwood Press, 1996); The Jazz Discography by Tom Lord (Lord Music Reference, Inc.); Jazz Records 1897-1942 (Fifth Edition) by Brian Rust (Storyville); Swing Era Scrapbook – The Teenage Diaries and Radio Logs of Bob Inman, 1936-1938 compiled by Ken Vail (Scarecrow Press); Stomp Off, Let’s Go! by John Chilton (Jazz Book Service); Jazz Record Book by C.E. Smith (Smith & Durrell). Additional information comes from Karl Pearson’s online research Bob Crosby and his Orchestra “The Best Dixieland Band In The Land” A Discography 1935-1942 and research from the producers. Abbreviations: (Aus) for Australia; (Can) for Canada; (E) for England; (G) for Germany. There are some titles that are known to exist but remain unissued. These are shown as unissued. _____________________________________________________________ (A) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Yank Lawson, Phil Hart (tp), Ward Sillaway, Artie Foster (tb), Gil Rodin, Matty Matlock (cl, as), Noni Bernardi (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Dean Kincaide (ts, arr), Gil Bowers (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d). NYC, March 19, 1936 60911-B Christopher Columbus (DK-arr) Dec 753 60911-A Christopher Columbus (DK-arr) – _____________________________________________________________ (B) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (A). NYC, April 13, 1936 61036-A Muskrat Ramble (BH-arr) Dec 825 61037-A Dixieland Shuffle (BH-arr) – _____________________________________________________________ (C) CONNIE BOSWELL ACCOMPANIED BY THE BOB CROSBY ORCHESTRA: Yank Lawson, Zeke Zarchy (tp), Ward Sillaway, Artie Foster (tb), Matty Matlock (cl, as), Gil Rodin, Noni Bernardi (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Dean Kincaide (ts), Gil Bowers (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b), Ray Bauduc (d), Connie Boswell (vcl). NYC, June 9, 1936 61150-A I Met My Waterloo (Down By The Beautiful Sea) (CB-vcl) Dec 829 61151-A You Can Call It Swing (CB-vcl) Dec 840 _____________________________________________________________ (D) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Yank Lawson, Andy Ferretti (tp), Ward Sillaway, Artie Foster (tb), Matty Matlock (cl, as, arr), Gil Rodin (cl, as), Noni Bernardi (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Dean Kincaide (ts, arr), Gil Bowers (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d). NYC, June 12, 1936 61162-A Pagan Love Song (MM-arr) Dec 896 61163-A Come Back Sweet Papa (BH-arr) – 61164-A Sugar Foot Strut (BH-arr) Dec 1094 Note: Some discographies list Zeke Zarchy in the trumpet section. _____________________________________________________________ (E) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (D) except Mark Bennett (tb) replaces Foster. NYC, June 16, 1936 61182-A Big Chief De Soto (head arr) Dec 841 61184-A Savoy Blues (BH-arr) Dec 1094 Note: Some pressings of Decca 841 as <SC>big chief de sota<XC>. _____________________________________________________________ (F) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (E). NYC, August 19, 1936 61216-A Woman On My Weary Mind (MM-arr) Dec 930 61217-A Royal Garden Blues (DK-arr) Dec 1850 _____________________________________________________________ (G) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Yank Lawson, Andy Ferretti (tp), Ward Sillaway, Mark Bennett (tb), Gil Rodin, Matty Matlock (cl, as), Noni Bernardi (as, fl), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Dean Kincaide (ts, fl, arr), Bob Zurke (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d), Bob Crosby (vcl). NYC, February 8, 1937 61589-A The Old Spinning Wheel (BH-arr) Dec 1196 61590-A Gin Mill Blues (DK-arr) Dec 1170 61591-A If I Had You (BC-vcl) (DK-arr) – 61592-A Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea (BH-arr) Dec 1196 _____________________________________________________________ (H) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Yank Lawson, Zeke Zarchy, Billy Butterfield (tp), Ward Sillaway, Warren Smith (tb), Matty Matlock (cl, as, arr), Joe Kearns (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Bob Zurke (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d), Dean Kincaide (arr). LA, November 5, 1937 DLA 1019-A Little Rock Getaway (MM, BH, DK-arr) Dec 1552 DLA 1020-A Squeeze Me (BH-arr) Dec 1962 _____________________________________________________________ (I) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (H). LA, November 9, 1937 DLA 1030-B Vieni Vieni (BH-arr) previously unissued DLA 1030-A Vieni Vieni (BH-arr) Dec 1552 _____________________________________________________________ (J) BOB CROSBY’S BOB CATS: Yank Lawson (tp), Warren Smith (tb), Matty Matlock (cl, arr), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Bob Zurke (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d). LA, November 13, 1937 DLA 1060-A Stumbling (BH-arr) Dec 1593 DLA 1061-A Who’s Sorry Now (MM-arr) Dec 1865 DLA 1062-A Coquette Dec 1756 DLA 1063-A Fidgety Feet Dec 1593 DLA 1064-A You’re Driving Me Crazy Dec 1680 DLA 1065-A Can’t We Be Friends? – Note: Decca 1756 incorrectly lists Irving Fazola as the clarinetist. _____________________________________________________________ (K) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Yank Lawson, Charlie Spivak, Billy Butterfield (tp), Ward Sillaway, Warren Smith (tb), Matty Matlock (cl, as, arr), Joe Kearns (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Bob Zurke (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d). LA, November 16, 1937 DLA 1090-A South Rampart Street Parade (BH-arr) Dec 15038 (12”) DLA 1091-A Dogtown Blues (BH-arr) – DLA 1093-B Just Strolling (BH-arr) unissued DLA 1093-A Just Strolling (BH-arr) Dec 1670 DLA 1094-A Panama (MM-arr) Dec 1615 Note: Some discographies list South Rampart Street Parade as having Deane Kincaide as a co-arranger along with Bob Haggart. A later issue, Decca 3340, lists Zeke Zarchy instead of Charlie Spivak. _____________________________________________________________ (L) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Yank Lawson, Charlie Spivak, Billy Butterfield (tp), Ward Sillaway, Warren Smith (tb), Matty Matlock (cl, as, arr), Joe Kearns (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Bob Zurke (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b), Ray Bauduc (d), Fletcher Henderson (arr). NYC, February 10, 1938 63271-A Grand Terrace Rhythm [D Natural Blues] (FH-arr) Dec 1725 63272-A Wolverine Blues (MM-arr) Dec 2032 Note: a later issue, Decca 3340, lists Zeke Zarchy and Yank Lawson only as the trumpet section. _____________________________________________________________ (M) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Charlie Spivak, Billy Butterfield, Yank Lawson (tp), Ward Sillaway, Warren Smith (tb), Irving Fazola (cl), Matty Matlock (cl, as), Joe Kearns (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts, vcl), Gil Rodin (ts), Bob Zurke (p, arr), Nappy Lamare (g, vcl), John Gilliland (b), Ray Bauduc (d), Bob Haggart, Dean Kincaide (arr). NYC, March 10, 1938 63386-A Yancey Special (DK-arr) Dec 1747 63387-A Louise, Louise (EM-vcl) (BH-arr) Dec 2032 63388-A At The Jazz Band Ball (BH-arr) Dec 1747 63389-A Milk Cow Blues (NL-vcl) (BH-arr) Dec 1962 63390-A Tea For Two (BZ-arr) Dec 1850 _____________________________________________________________ (N) BOB CROSBY’S BOB CATS: Yank Lawson (tp), Warren Smith (tb), Irving Fazola (cl), Eddie Miller (ts), Bob Zurke (p), Nappy Lamare (g, vcl), Haig Stephens (b), Ray Bauduc (d). labels list MM as cl and the rest as Faz – check again by listening and Chilton book. Ask Levinson. NYC, March 14, 1938 63423-A March Of The Bob Cats Dec 1865 63424-A Palesteena (NL-vcl) Dec 2011 63425-A Slow Mood – 63426-A Big Foot Jump Dec 2108 63427-A The Big Crash From China Dec 1756 63428-A Five Point Blues Dec 2108 Note: Slow Mood is also known as Lazy Mood and Atlantic City in Summertime. _____________________________________________________________ (O) FOUR OF THE BOB CATS: Eddie Miller (ts), Bob Zurke (p), Bob Haggart (b), Ray Bauduc (d). Chicago, October 14, 1938 91516-A I Hear You Talking Dec 2207 91517-A Call Me A Taxi – BOB HAGGART, String bass, whistling – RAY BAUDUC, drums. same session 91518-A The Big Noise From Winnetka Dec 2208 _____________________________________________________________ (P) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Zeke Zarchy, Sterling Bose, Billy Butterfield (tp), Ward Sillaway, Warren Smith (tb), Irving Fazola (cl, as), Matty Matlock (cl, as, arr), Joe Kearns (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Bob Zurke (p), Nappy Lamare (g, vcl), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d), Dean Kincaide (arr). Chicago, October 19, 1938 91533-A Swingin’ At The Sugar Bowl (NL-vcl) (MM-arr) Dec 2210 91534-A I’m Prayin’ Humble (BH-arr) – 91535-A I’m Free [What’s New] (BH-arr) Dec 2205 91536-A Honky Tonk Train (MM-arr) Dec 2208 91538-A Diga Diga Do (Part 1) (BH-arr) Dec 2275 91539-A Diga Diga Do (Part 2) (BH-arr) – Note: Both parts of Diga Digo Do are heard as one track on Disc III. _____________________________________________________________ (Q) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (P). Chicago, October 20, 1938 91543-A My Inspiration (BH-arr) Dec 2209 ____________________________________________________________ (R) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (P). Chicago, October 21, 1938 91550-A Summertime (DK-arr) Dec 2205 BOB CROSBY’S BOB CATS: Sterling Bose (tp), Warren Smith (tb), Irving Fazola (cl), Eddie Miller (ts), Bob Zurke (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b), Ray Bauduc (d). same session 91551-B Loopin’ The Loop previously unissued 91551-A Loopin’ The Loop Dec 2209 _____________________________________________________________ (S) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Zeke Zarchy, Sterling Bose, Billy Butterfield (tp), Jim Emert, Warren Smith (tb), Irving Fazola (cl, as), Jack Ferrier (cl, as), Matty Matlock (cl, as, arr), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Bob Zurke (p, arr), Nappy Lamare (g, vcl), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d), Matty Matlock (arr). NYC, January 23, 1939 64927-A Skaters’ Waltz (In Swingtime) (BH-arr) Dec 2282 64928-B Stomp Off And Let’s Go (BH-arr) -1 Dec 2379 64929-A Smokey Mary (BH-arr) Dec 2569 64930-A South Rampart Street Parade (BH-arr) – 64931-A Song Of The Wanderer (Where Shall I Go?) (MM-arr) Dec 2379 64932-A Cherry (NL-vcl) (MM-arr) Dec 2703 64933-A Eye Opener (MM, BZ-arr) Dec 2282 -1 vocal interjection by Nappy Lamare. Note: A later issue, Decca 3336, does not include Jack Ferrier. _____________________________________________________________ (T) BOB CROSBY’S BOB CATS: Billy Butterfield (tp), Warren Smith (tb), Irving Fazola (cl), Eddie Miller (ts), Bob Zurke (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d). NYC, February 6, 1939 64989-A Hindustan (BH-arr) Dec 2482 64991-A Mournin’ Blues – _____________________________________________________________ (U) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Zeke Zarchy, Bill Graham, Billy Butterfield (tp), Jim Emert, Warren Smith (tb), Irving Fazola (cl, as), Joe Kearns (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Bob Zurke (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d), Bob Crosby (vcl). Chicago, April 7, 1939 91695-A When The Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along (BH-arr) Dec 2537 91696-A Them There Eyes (BH-arr) – _____________________________________________________________ (V) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (U) except Floyd Bean (p) replaces Zurke and add Matty Matlock (arr). Chicago, April 19, 1939 91711-B Rose Of Washington Square (BC-vcl) (MM-arr) previously unissued 91711-A Rose Of Washington Square (BC-vcl) (MM-arr) Dec 2465 _____________________________________________________________ (W) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Billy Butterfield, Zeke Zarchy, Shorty Sherock (tp), Warren Smith, Ray Conniff (tb), Irving Fazola (cl), Joe Kearns, Bill Stegmeyer (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Joe Sullivan (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d), Matty Matlock (arr). NYC, August 29, 1939 66220-A Boogie Woogie Maxixe (MM-arr) Dec 2848 66222-B The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise (BH-arr) previously unissued 66222-A The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise (BH-arr) Dec 2734 _____________________________________________________________ (X) BOB CROSBY’S BOB CATS: Billy Butterfield (tp), Warren Smith (tb), Irving Fazola (cl), Eddie Miller (ts), Joe Sullivan (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b), Ray Bauduc (d). NYC, September 18, 1939 66601-A Till We Meet Again Dec 2825 66602-A The Love Nest Dec (Au) Y5729 _____________________________________________________________ (Y) BOB CROSBY’S BOB CATS: Same as (X). NYC, September 25, 1939 66662-A Washington And Lee Swing Dec 2789 66663-A Peruna – 66664-A The Love Nest Dec 2825 66665-A Feather Your Nest Meritt 19 (LP) 66665-B Feather Your Nest Coral (E) CP110 (LP) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Billy Butterfield, Zeke Zarchy, Shorty Sherock (tp), Warren Smith, Ray Conniff (tb), Irving Fazola (cl), Joe Kearns, Bill Stegmeyer (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Joe Sullivan (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b), Ray Bauduc (d), Teddy Grace (vcl). Same session 66666-A The Little Man Who Wasn’t There (TG-vcl) Dec 2776 _____________________________________________________________ (Z) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Billy Butterfield, Zeke Zarchy, Shorty Sherock (tp), Warren Smith, Ray Conniff (tb), Irving Fazola (cl), Joe Kearns, Bill Stegmeyer (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Joe Sullivan (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d, arr). NYC, October 2, 1939 66701-A High Society (RB, BH-arr) Dec 2848 66702-A Air Mail Stomp Dec 2992 (AI lists Van Alexander as arranger on this – check further) _____________________________________________________________ (AA) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Billy Butterfield, Max Herman, Shorty Sherock (tp), Warren Smith, Ray Conniff (tb), Irving Fazola (cl), George Koenig, Bill Stegmeyer (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts, vcl), Gil Rodin (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g, vcl), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d), Teddy Grace (vcl). NYC, October 23, 1939 66793-B For Dancers Only (arr?) previously unissued 66793-A For Dancers Only (arr?) Dec 3138 _____________________________________________________________ (BB) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (AA). NYC, November 6, 1939 66831-A Angry (TG-vcl) (BH-arr) Dec 2839 66832-A Complainin’ (BH-arr) Dec 3233 _____________________________________________________________ (CC) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (AA). NYC, December 6, 1939 66939-A Between 18th And 19th On Chestnut Street (EM, NL-vcl) Dec 2935 _____________________________________________________________ (DD) BOB CROSBY’S BOB CATS: Billy Butterfield (tp), Warren Smith (tb), Irving Fazola (cl), Eddie Miller (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g, vcl), Bob Haggart (b), Ray Bauduc (d), Marion Mann (vcl). NYC, February 6, 1940 67172-A Do You Ever Think Of Me (NL-vcl) Dec 3040 67173-B Spain previously unissued 67173-A Spain Dec 3248 67174-A All By Myself (MM-vcl) – 67175-A Jazz Me Blues Dec 3040 _____________________________________________________________ (EE) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Billy Butterfield, Max Herman, Bob Peck (tp), Warren Smith, Ray Conniff (tb), Irving Fazola (cl), George Koenig, Bill Stegmeyer (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d), Bob Crosby (vcl), Matty Matlock (arr). Is it bari or b-cl on “Where The Blue…”? NYC, February 27, 1940 67232-A Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere (BH-arr) Dec 3451 67234-A Where The Blue Of The Night Meets The Gold Of The Day (BC-vcl) (MM-arr) Dec 3138 Note: Although recorded on February 27, 1940 with the matrix 67232, Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere was dubbed and released on August 27, 1940 with a new matrix number (67985). _____________________________________________________________ (FF) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (EE). NYC, March 18, 1940 67337-A Over The Waves (BH-arr) Dec 3091 67338-A Cecilia (BC-vcl) Dec 3090 _____________________________________________________________ (GG) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Billy Butterfield, Max Herman, Bob Peck (tp), Warren Smith, Ray Conniff (tb), Irving Fazola (cl), George Koenig, Bill Stegmeyer (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts, vcl), Gil Rodin (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, whistling, arr), Ray Bauduc (d), Matty Matlock (arr). NYC, March 26, 1940 67401-A Ja-Da (arr?) Dec 3233 67403-B Shortenin’ Bread (EM-vcl) (BH-arr) Dec 3271 67403-A Shortenin’ Bread (BH-arr) – _____________________________________________________________ (HH) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (GG). Check pics from this period to see who plays what in the reed section – b-cl and 2 cl heard on Embraceable and 3 cl on Sympathy. NYC, April 3, 1940 67473-A Embraceable You (BH-arr) Dec 3271 67475-A Sympathy (MM-arr) Dec 3154 _____________________________________________________________ (II) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Muggsy Spanier (cor), Max Herman, Al King (tp), Ray Conniff, Floyd O’Brien (tb), Hank D’Amico (cl), Matty Matlock (as, arr), Arthur Rando (as), Eddie Miller, Gil Rodin (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b), Ray Bauduc (d), Sammy Price (arr). LA, September 3, 1940 DLA 2108-B Cow Cow Blues (MM / SP-arr) unissued DLA 2108-A Cow Cow Blues (MM / SP-arr) Dec 3488 _____________________________________________________________ (JJ) BOB CROSBY’S BOB CATS: Muggsy Spanier (cor), Floyd O’Brien (tb), Hank D’Amico (cl), Eddie Miller (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g, vcl), Bob Haggart (b), Ray Bauduc (d). LA, September 10, 1940 DLA 2136-A Don’t Call Me Boy (NL, ens-vcl) Dec 3431 _____________________________________________________________ (KK) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Muggsy Spanier (cor), Max Herman, Al King (tp), Floyd O’Brien, Elmer Smithers (tb), Hank D’Amico (cl), Matty Matlock, Arthur Rando (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d). LA, December 16, 1940 DLA 2276-B The Mark Hop (BH-arr) previously unissued DLA 2276-A The Mark Hop (BH-arr) Dec 3694 DLA 2277-A Burnin’ The Candle At Both Ends (BH-arr) – DLA 2278-B Burnin’ The Candle At Both Ends (BH-arr) Swaggie (Aus) S1248 (LP) _____________________________________________________________ (LL) BOB CROSBY’S BOB CATS: Bob Goodrich (tp), Floyd O’Brien (tb), Hank D’Amico (cl), Eddie Miller (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b), Ray Bauduc (d). Chicago, March 29, 1941 93643-A Juke Box Judy Swaggie (Aus) 504 (CD) Note: Some discographies list a -B as being released on Halcyon (E) 136 (CD) and on Swaggie (Aus) 504 (CD). However, after comparing the metal part of -A to both of these CDs confirms that only -A exists. _____________________________________________________________ (MM) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Bob Goodrich, Max Herman, Al King (tp), Floyd O’Brien, Elmer Smithers (tb), Hank D’Amico, Arthur Rando (cl, as), Matty Matlock (cl, as, arr), Eddie Miller (cl, ts, vcl), Gil Rodin (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d), Paul Weston (arr). NYC, May 29, 1941 69273-A Big Tom (BH-arr) Dec 4403 _____________________________________________________________ (NN) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (MM). NYC, June 30, 1941 69449-A It Was Only A Dream (EM-vcl) (MM-arr) Dec 4137 69450-A Elmer’s Tune (PW-arr) Dec 3929 _____________________________________________________________ (OO) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Yank Lawson, Max Herman, Lyman Vunk (tp), Floyd O’Brien, Elmer Smithers, Buddy Morrow (tb), Matty Matlock (cl, arr), Art Mendelsohn, Arthur Rando (as), Eddie Miller (ts, vcl), Gil Rodin (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g, vcl), Bob Haggart (b, whistling, arr), Ray Bauduc (d), Buddy Baker, Phil Moore (arr). LA, September 17, 1941 DLA 2771-A Take It Easy (BH-arr) Dec 4137 _____________________________________________________________ (PP) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (OO). LA, January 20, 1942 DLA 2834-A Vultee Special (PM-arr) Dec 4397 DLA 2835-B Russian Sailors’ Dance (BB-arr) – DLA 2836-A A Zoot Suit (For My Sunday Gal) (NL-vcl) Dec 4169 DLA 2837-A Barrelhouse Bessie From Basin Street (EM-vcl) (MM-arr) – DLA 2838-A Brass Boogie – Part 1 (PM-arr) -1 Dec 18369 DLA 2839-A Brass Boogie – Part 2 (PM-arr) -1 – -1 omit reed section. Note : Matrix DLA 2835-B is a dub of -A. how do I know this? Does -A exist somewhere?? The label of Russian Sailors’ Dance attributes the arranging credit to both Gil Rodin and Bob Crosby. So where do I get Buddy Baker? Chilton? The original title of Brass Boogie was Straight Eight Boogie. Note: Both parts of Brass Boogie are heard as one track on Disc V. _____________________________________________________________ (QQ) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (OO). LA, January 27, 1942 DLA 2851-A Sugar Foot Stomp -1 (BH-arr) Dec 4390 DLA 2852-A King Porter Stomp (BH-arr) – DLA 2853-A Jimtown Blues (MM-arr) Dec 25475 DLA 2854-A Eccentric (MM-arr) Odeon (G) 286027 DLA 2855-A Milenberg Joys (BH-arr) Dec 25293 DLA 2856-A Original Dixieland One-Step (MM-arr) Dec 25475 -1 interjection by Nappy Lamare. _____________________________________________________________ (RR) BOB CROSBY’S BOB CATS: Yank Lawson (tp), Floyd O’Brien (tb), Matty Matlock (cl), Eddie Miller (ts, vcl), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g, vcl), Bob Haggart (b), Ray Bauduc (d). LA, January 29, 1942 DLA 2867-A That Da Da Strain Dec 25293 DLA 2868-A Sweethearts On Parade Dec 18355 DLA 2869-B It’s A Long Way To Tipperary Swaggie (Aus) 504 (CD) DLA 2869-A It’s A Long Way To Tipperary Dec 18355 DLA 2870-A Tin Roof Blues Br (E) 04003 Note: The label of Decca 25293 erroneously lists BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA with a full orchestra personnel. _____________________________________________________________ (SS) BOB CROSBY’S BOB CATS: Same as (RR). LA, February 5, 1942 DLA 2885-B ‘Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (NL, EM-vcl) previously unissued DLA 2885-A ‘Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (NL, EM-vcl) Dec 4403 _____________________________________________________________ (TT) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Yank Lawson, Max Herman, Lyman Vunk (tp), Floyd O’Brien, Elmer Smithers, Buddy Morrow (tb), Matty Matlock (cl), Art Mendelsohn, Arthur Rando (as), Eddie Miller (ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g, el-g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d), Phil Moore (arr). Who plays the anvil on Chain Gang? Not Bauduc LA, February 17, 1942 DLA 2907-A Black Zephyr (PM-arr) Dec 4415 DLA 2908-A Blue Surreal (PM-arr) – DLA 2909-A Chain Gang (BH-arr) Dec 15064 (12”) DLA 2910-A Ec Stacy (BH-arr) – _____________________________________________________________ (UU) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Yank Lawson, Max Herman, Lyman Vunk (tp), Pete Carpenter, Floyd O’Brien, Bruce Squires (tb), Matty Matlock (cl, arr), Ted Klein (as, bari), Arthur Rando (as), Eddie Miller (cl, ts), Gil Rodin (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Nappy Lamare (g), Bob Haggart (b, arr), Ray Bauduc (d). LA, July 13, 1942 L 3090-A The Marines’ Hymn (BH-arr) Dec 4385 L 3091-A Anchors Aweigh (The Song Of The Navy) (BH-arr) Dec 4395 L 3092-A Over There (BH-arr) Dec 4368 _____________________________________________________________ (VV) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (UU). LA, July 19, 1942 L 3109-A Where Do We Go From Here? (MM-arr) Dec 4385 L 3110-A The Caissons Go Rolling Along (Dedicated To The United States Field Artillery) (BH-arr) Dec 4395 L 3111-A Semper Paratus (Official U.S. Coast Guard March Song) (BH-arr) Dec 4374 _____________________________________________________________ (WW) BOB CROSBY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (UU). LA, July 20, 1942 L 3112-A Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag And Smile, Smile, Smile! (BH-arr) Dec 4368 L 3113-A The Army Air Corps (Official Song Of The United States Army Air Corps) (BH-arr) Dec 4374 _____________________________________________________________ Produced for release by Scott Wenzel and Patrick Goodhope Executive Producer: Fred Pustay 78 transfers: Nancy Conforti Metal part transfers: Bryan Hoffa Sound restoration and mastering by Nancy Conforti 24 bit technology was utilized at all stages of the production of this Mosaic release by Swan Studios www.swanstudios.nyc/swan-studios-nyc Design production: Beth and Philip Gruber Special Thanks: The Institute of Jazz Studies, Steven Lasker, the late Dan Morgenstern, Karl Pearson, Vincent Pelote, Lloyd Rauch, Scott Ravine of Universal Music and Michael Steinman. The alternate takes were provided by the Library of Congress with help from Claire Downey, Robert Friedrich, Eric Graf, Bryan Hoffa, Rebecca Jones and Patrick Midtlyng. Mosaic Records is especially indebted to Patrick Goodhope for his contribution, both physically and inspirationally, to the perception of this package. 78s provided by Patrick Goodhope, The Institute of Jazz Studies, Karl Pearson, Lloyd Rauch and Scott Wenzel. This compilation ©2025 Mosaic Records L.L.C., 425 Fairfield Ave, Suite 4211, Stamford, CT 06902. All rights reserved. Phone: 203-327-7111/Fax 203-323-3526/e-mail: [email protected]. Web site: www.mosaicrecords.com. Printed in the U.S.A. Producer’s notes: The vision of this set was to present a selection of mostly instrumental sides by the Bob Crosby Orchestra and his small group, the Bob Cats. We apologize for the omission of a good many vocal sides, even if there is a short solo that merits inclusion. Decca sessions with Bob Crosby in the role as a vocalist without his band are not included. Also not included are performances where the soloists are just stating the melody. ALBUM INDEX: 10″ 78s: Decca 32 (2205-2210) Bob Crosby – Bob Crosby Showcase LPs: Coral (E) CP110 Come On and Hear Bob Crosby and His Orchestra and the Bobcats Volume Two Meritt 19 Various Artists – Jazz Potpourri, Louis Armstrong Plus 20 Collector Items 1924-1940 Swaggie (Aus) S1248 Jess Stacy – The Jazz Makers CDs: Swaggie (Aus) 504 Bob Crosby’s Bob Cats – Volume Four 1941-1942 _____________________________________________________________ Sources: Below is a listing of the sources we have transferred for this set. Metal parts are noted as M; shellac test pressings are noted as ST; vinyl test pressings are noted as VT. (A) 60911-A Christopher Columbus M 60911-B Christopher Columbus Dec 753 _____________________________________________________________ (B) 61036-A Muskrat Ramble Dec 825 61037-A Dixieland Shuffle Dec 825 _____________________________________________________________ (C) 61150-A I Met My Waterloo Dec 829 61151-A You Can Call It Swing Dec 840 _____________________________________________________________ (D) 61162-A Pagan Love Song Dec (Aus) Y5355 61163-A Come Back, Sweet Papa Dec 3336 61164-A Sugar Foot Strut Dec 1094 _____________________________________________________________ (E) 61182-A Big Chief De Soto Dec 841 61184-A Savoy Blues Dec 1094 _____________________________________________________________ (F) 61216-A Woman On My Weary Mind Dec (Aus) Y5381 61217-A Royal Garden Blues Dec (Aus) Y5495 _____________________________________________________________ (G) 61589-A The Old Spinning Wheel Dec 1196 61590-A Gin Mill Blues Dec 1170 61591-A If I Had You Dec 1170 61592-A Between The Devil… Dec 1196 _____________________________________________________________ (H) DLA 1019-A Little Rock Getaway Dec 1552 DLA 1020-A Squeeze Me Dec (Aus) Y5974 _____________________________________________________________ (I) DLA 1030-B Vieni, Vieni M DLA 1030-A Vieni, Vieni Dec 1552 _____________________________________________________________ (J) DLA 1060-A Stumbling Dec (Aus) Y5617 DLA 1061-A Who’s Sorry Now? Dec 1865 DLA 1062-A Coquette Dec (Aus) X1545 DLA 1063-A Fidgety Feet Dec (Aus) Y5617 DLA 1064-A You’re Driving Me Crazy Dec (Aus) Y5908 DLA 1065-A Can’t We Be Friends? Dec (Aus) Y5908 _____________________________________________________________ (K) DLA 1090-A South Rampart Street Parade Dec (Aus) Z777 (12”) DLA 1091-A Dogtown Blues Dec (Aus) Z777 (12”) DLA 1093-A Just Strolling Dec 1670 DLA 1094-A Panama Dec (Aus) Y5974 _____________________________________________________________ (L) 63271-A Grand Terrace Rhythm Dec 1725 63272-A Wolverine Blues Dec (Aus) Y5381 _____________________________________________________________ (M) 63386-A Yancey Special Dec (Aus) Y5356 63387-A Louise, Louise Dec (Aus) Y5887 63388-A At The Jazz Band Ball Dec (Aus) Y5356 63389-A Milk Cow Blues Dec (Aus) Y5887 63390-A Tea For Two Dec (Aus) Y5495 _____________________________________________________________ (N) 63423-A March Of The Bob Cats Dec (Aus) Y5449 63424-A Palesteena Dec 2011 63425-A Slow Mood Dec (Aus) Y5307 63426-A Big Foot Jump Dec DL 8061 (LP) 63427-A The Big Crash From China Dec DL 8061 (LP) 63428-A Five Point Blues Dec (Aus) Y5330 _____________________________________________________________ (O) 91516-A I Hear You Talking Dec DL 8061 (LP) 91517-A Call Me A Taxi VT 91518-A The Big Noise From Winnetka Dec DL 8061 (LP) _____________________________________________________________ (P) 91533-A Swingin’ At The Sugar Bowl Dec (Aus) Y5367 91534-A I’m Prayin’ Humble Dec 2210 91535-A I’m Free Dec (Aus) Y5364 91536-A Honky Tonk Train Dec (Aus) Y5359 91538-A Diga Diga Do (Part 1) Dec (Aus) Y5467 91539-A Diga Diga Do (Part 2) Dec (Aus) Y5467 _____________________________________________________________ (Q) 91543-A My Inspiration Dec 2209 ____________________________________________________________ (R) 91550-A Summertime Dec (Aus) Y5364 91551-B Loopin’ The Loop M 91551-A Loopin’ The Loop Dec 2209 _____________________________________________________________ (S) 64927-A Skaters’ Waltz (In Swingtime) Dec (Aus) Y5446 64928-B Stomp Off And Let’s Go Dec (Aus) Y5433 64929-A Smokey Mary Dec (Aus) Y5449 64930-A South Rampart Street Parade Dec 2569 64931-A Song Of The Wanderer Dec (Aus) Y5433 64932-A Cherry Dec (Aus) Y5542 64933-A Eye Opener Dec 2282 _____________________________________________________________ (T) 64989-A Hindustan Dec (Aus) Y5648 64991-A Mournin’ Blues Dec DL 8061 (LP) _____________________________________________________________ (U) 91695-A When The Red, Red Robin Comes… Dec 2537 91696-A Them There Eyes Dec 2537 _____________________________________________________________ (V) 91711-B Rose Of Washington Square M 91711-A Rose Of Washington Square Dec 2464 _____________________________________________________________ (W) 66220-AA Boogie Woogie Maxixe Dec 2848 66222-A The World Is Waiting… Dec 2734 66222-B The World Is Waiting… M _____________________________________________________________ (X) 66601-A Till We Meet Again Dec (Aus) Y5729 66602-A The Love Nest Dec (Aus) Y5729 _____________________________________________________________ (Y) 66662-A Washington And Lee Swing Coral 60100 (vinyl) 66663-A Peruna Coral 60100 (vinyl) 66664-A The Love Nest Dec 2825 66665-A Feather Your Nest M 66665-B Feather Your Nest M 66666-A The Little Man Who… Dec 2776 _____________________________________________________________ (Z) 66701-A High Society Dec 2848 66702-A Air Mail Stomp Dec 2992 _____________________________________________________________ (AA) 66793-B For Dancers Only M 66793-A For Dancers Only Dec 3138 _____________________________________________________________ (BB) 66831-A Angry Dec 2839 66832-A Complainin’ Dec (Aus) Y5825 _____________________________________________________________ (CC) 66939-A Between 18th And 19th… Dec 2935 _____________________________________________________________ (DD) 67172-A Do You Ever Think Of Me? Dec 3040 67173-B Spain M 67173-A Spain Dec (Aus) Y5698 67174-A All By Myself Dec (Aus) Y5698 67175-A Jazz Me Blues Dec (Aus) Y6037 _____________________________________________________________ (EE) 67232-A Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere Dec 3451 67234-A Where The Blue Of The Night… Dec 3138 _____________________________________________________________ (FF) 67337-A Over The Waves Dec (Aus) Y5858 67338-A Cecilia Dec 3090 _____________________________________________________________ (GG) 67401-A Ja-Da Dec (Aus) Y5825 67403-B Shortenin’ Bread Dec 3271 67403-A Shortenin’ Bread M _____________________________________________________________ (HH) 67473-A Embraceable You Dec 3271 67475-A Sympathy Dec (Aus) Y5858 _____________________________________________________________ (II) DLA 2108-A Cow Cow Blues Dec 3488 _____________________________________________________________ (JJ) DLA 2136-A Don’t Call Me Boy Dec (Aus) Y5844 _____________________________________________________________ (KK) DLA 2276-B The Mark Hop M DLA 2276-A The Mark Hop Dec 3694 DLA 2277-A Burnin’ The Candle… Dec 3694 DLA 2278-B Burnin’ The Candle… Swaggie (Aus) S1248 (LP) _____________________________________________________________ (LL) 93643-A Juke Box Judy M _____________________________________________________________ (MM) 69273-A Big Tom Dec (Aus) Y6122 _____________________________________________________________ (NN) 69449-A It Was Only A Dream Dec (Aus) Y6122 69450-A Elmer’s Tune Dec 3929 _____________________________________________________________ (OO) DLA 2771-A Take It Easy Dec 4137 _____________________________________________________________ (PP) DLA 2834-A Vultee Special Dec 4397 DLA 2835-B Russian Sailor’s Dance Dec 4397 DLA 2836-A A Zoot Suit Dec 4169 DLA 2837-A Barrelhouse Bessie… Dec 4169 DLA 2838-A Brass Boogie (Pt. 1) Dec 18369 DLA 2839-A Brass Boogie (Pt. 2) Dec 18369 _____________________________________________________________ (QQ) DLA 2851-A Sugar Foot Stomp Dec 4390 DLA 2852-A King Porter Stomp Dec 4390 DLA 2853-A Jimtown Blues Dec 25475 DLA 2854-A Eccentric Coral 57089 (LP) DLA 2855-A Milenberg Joys Dec 25293 DLA 2856-A Original Dixieland One-Step Dec 25475 _____________________________________________________________ (RR) DLA 2867-A That Da Da Strain Dec 25293 DLA 2868-A Sweethearts On Parade Dec 18355 DLA 2869-A It’s A Long Way To Tipperary Dec 18355 DLA 2869-B It’s A Long Way To Tipperary Swaggie (Aus) 504 (CD) DLA 2870-A Tin Roof Blues Coral 57089 (LP) _____________________________________________________________ (SS) DLA 2885-B ‘Way Down Yonder… M DLA 2885-A ‘Way Down Yonder… Dec (Aus) Y6037 _____________________________________________________________ (TT) DLA 2907-A Black Zephyr Dec 4415 DLA 2908-A Blue Surreal ST DLA 2909-A Chain Gang Dec 15064 (12”) DLA 2910-A Ec Stacy Dec 15064 (12”) _____________________________________________________________ (UU) L 3090-A The Marines’ Hymn Dec 4385 L 3091-A Anchors Aweigh Dec 4395 L 3092-A Over There Dec 4368 _____________________________________________________________ (VV) L 3109-A Where Do We Go From Here? Dec 4385 L 3110-A The Caissons Go Rolling Along Dec 4395 L 3111-A Semper Paratus Dec 4374 _____________________________________________________________ (WW) L 3112-A Pack Up Your Troubles… Dec 4368 L 3113-AA The Army Air Corps Dec 4374 _____________________________________________________________