Chronological, Vol. 5 [Storyville]

Includes liner notes by Geoff Milne.
The Mills Brothers were the first black vocal group to have wide appeal to white audiences, and they charted an astounding 71 Top 40 hits during their four-decade recording career. Although they are best known for their smooth MOR hits from the 1940s, their most innovative and creative period was in the 1930s. Brothers Herbert, Donald, Harry, and John Mills Jr. were blessed with fine singing voices, but also had an uncanny ability to vocally mimic instruments, particularly horns, and their recordings from this time period are simply stunning vocal achievements. Their Chronological, Vol. 5 disc is the fifth in a series of six to chronologically cover the Mills Brothers' jazz years, and from the opening track, "Organ Grinder's Swing," it continually amazes. Five tracks with Louis Armstrong are included here (it takes some kind of confidence to mimic horns behind that guy) along with three different -- and equally delightful -- versions of Duke Ellington's "Caravan." ~ Steve Leggett