AMG Review of Chronological, Vol. 3

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

For the third of six JSP CD's, the Mills Brothers' complete recordings from a nine month period are reissued in chronological order for the first time. Other than a couple numbers from film soundtracks with singer-actor Dick Powell ("Out For No Good" and a hot version of "Lulu's Back In Town"), all 23 selections on this set find the Mills Brothers unaccompanied except for the use of a rhythm guitar. As usual for the group in this era, the four singers do a remarkable job of imitating instruments (particularly trumpet, trombone and bass) and their hotter numbers dominate. Highlights of Vol. 3 from JSP's essential series include "Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet," "Nagasaki," "Some Of These Days," "I've Found A New Baby" and a remake of "Tiger Rag."