Virtually all of cornetist
Red Nichols' recordings for the Edison label are on this CD, nine selections plus nine alternate takes. Many of these performances are longer than usual because Edison put out quite a few 12" (as opposed to 10") 78s; eight of the performances are over four minutes in length.
Nichols is heard on two songs with the
Charleston Seven in 1924, on a pair of selections with the
California Ramblers (under the name of the
Golden Gate Orchestra), on three versions of "Pardon the Glove" with
Don Voorhees' Orchestra and featured during four songs (plus seven alternates!) with
Red & Miff's Stompers, a septet that includes trombonist
Miff Mole and
Jimmy Dorsey. The playing on such numbers as "Stampede," "Hurricane," and "Black Bottom Stomp" is excellent, but the large number of alternates makes this very complete set of greatest interest to
Nichols completists.