Hociel Thomas & Lillie Delk Christian   1925 - 1928 Document - DOCD-5448 Hociel Thomas (1925-1926) gambler`s dream - Sunshine baby - Adam and Eve had the blues - Put it where I can get it - Wash woman blues - I`ve stopped my man - Deep water blues - G`wan I told you - Listen to ma - Lonesome hours - Lillie Delk Christian (1926-1928) Lonesome and sorry - Baby o` mine (take a) - Baby o` mine (take b) - It all depends on you - Ain`t she sweet - My blue heaven - Who`s wonderful! Who`s marvellous? Miss Annabelle Lee - You`re a real sweetheart - Too busy! - Was it a dream? (waltz) - Last night I dreamed you kissed me - I can`t give you anything but love - Sweethearts on parade - Baby - I must have that man There’s a big contrast in styles and quality between Thomas and Christian. Both tried (and sometimes succeeded) to create a hybrid of jazz-blues-pop and both have benefited of the presence of Louis Armstrong’s cornet. The comparison ends here. Hocile Thomas comes from a family of musicians. Her father was a renowned pianist and her aunt was none other but Sippie Wallace. I wouldn’t be as tough as the liner notes but the truth is that even musicians like Armstrong can’t transform more than average material into great performance. And the fact that Thomas often sings in a key where she isn’t at ease doesn’t help. She often sounds tired and not very implicated. Lillie Delk Christian is more interesting vocally and her material is far superior (I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Ain’t She Sweet, I Must Have That Man). That’s probably explains why the band gives a better performance. Noone (clarinet) and St Cyr (guitar) enlivens the December 12th session featuring “My Blue Heaven” and “Miss Annabelle Lee” with gutsy accompaniment and fine solos. Armstrong appears six months later for the June 1928 session. This session features the best, “Too Busy” an uptempo number with Armstrong scatting, and the worst of Christian, “Was It A Dream” a waltz that doesn’t really give the Hot Four the possibility to express themselves. The last recordings lack a bit of swing in the vocal but is saved by a good rendition of “I Must Have That Man”. This selection is a nice addition to anyone who’s interested in Satchmo’s early years and work as a back up band. And despite some flaws and, let’s say it, the fact she isn’t a great vocalist, Lillie Delk Christian’s sides have a certain charm and are appealing enough for a curious listener. Fred "Virgil" Turgis