Waif's Home

This is an OKeh Records promotional catalog titled "The Blue Book of Blues," dating from 1927. The cover features an Art Deco-style illustration by an artist signed "TROY," depicting a man and woman in stylized dancing poses, printed in black on light blue paper. The text on the cover reads "OKeh RACE RECORDS" and "The BLUE BOOK of BLUES."

The interior pages constitute a listing catalog of OKeh Race Records releases, priced at 75 cents for 10-inch discs. Louis Armstrong figures prominently throughout. Pages 20 and 21 present listings for Clarence Williams, Jones' Jazz Wizards, George McClennon, and a dedicated section for Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five, accompanied by a portrait photograph captioned "LOUIS ARMSTRONG Exclusive OKeh Artist."

The promotional text reads: "There never was such a cornet artist as Louis Armstrong . . . and how that boy can conduct his Hot Five . . . his music puts new imps of rhythm in your dancing feet . . . you step this way . . . and that way . . . and a freer, wilder motion takes control of your dancing. Your sugar mama never seems so sweet as when she is in your arms and you are in motion to his hot-timed fox trots."

The Armstrong and His Hot Five titles listed include: BIG BUTTER AND EGG MAN FROM THE WEST (8423), SUNSET CAFE STOMP (8379), BIG FAT MA AND SKINNY PA (8318), GEORGIA GRIND (8320), COME BACK SWEET PAPA (8343), CORNET CHOP SUEY, DON'T FORGET TO MESS AROUND, I'M GONNA GITCHA (8357), DROPPING SHUCKS (8261), GUT BUCKET BLUES, YES! I'M IN THE BARREL (8300), HEEBIE JEEBIES, MUSKRAT RAMBLE (8447), YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU, IRISH BLACK BOTTOM (8436), SKID-DAT-DE-DAT, JAZZ LIPS.

Pages 22 continues the Armstrong and His Hot Five listings, including: THE KING OF THE ZULUS (8396), LONESOME BLUES, YOU'RE NEXT, and ORIENTAL STRUT.

These are followed by general Dance Records listings featuring various OKeh artists. Page 23 opens a Complete Alphabetical List of the label's Race Records catalog. Each entry includes catalog number, title, genre designation (typically Fox Trot or Dance), and ensemble or artist credits.