The Bethlehem Years [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
In 1955, Mel Tormé, already a successful pop singer, signed to a new label, Bethlehem, that gave him complete artistic control, and he used it to completely redefine his career. According to The Independent, "As a singer, his name ranks in the top echelon along with Crosby and Sinatra, but he excelled them when it came to jazz stylings, particularly with the series of superb recordings he made with arranger Marty Paich starting in the mid-Fifties."

The Bethelehem Years is the first overview of Tormé groundbreaking jazz recordings, featuring arranger Paich, and it’s a collection no fan of jazz vocals should be without.

Tracks:

I Got It Bad, And That Ain't Good
How Long Has This Been Going On?
Lulu's Back In Town
The Lady Is A Tramp
Lullaby Of Birdland
Fascinating Rhythm
I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'
The Way You Look Tonight
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Something's Gotta Give
Can't Take That Away From Me
Just One Of Those Things
I'm Beginning To See The Light
It's Delovely
It's All Right With Me
Poor Little Extra Girl

Album Description

In 1955, Mel Tormé, already a successful pop singer, signed to a new label, Bethlehem, that gave him complete artistic control, and he used it to completely redefine his career. According to The Independent, "As a singer, his name ranks in the top echelon along with Crosby and Sinatra, but he excelled them when it came to jazz stylings, particularly with the series of superb recordings he made with arranger Marty Paich starting in the mid-Fifties."

The Bethelehem Years is the first overview of Tormé groundbreaking jazz recordings, featuring arranger Paich, and it's a collection no fan of jazz vocals should be without.

Customer Reviews:

Tuxedo Pressed.......2005-10-07

"The Bethlehem Years" is an excellent compilation covering the 1956-1958 period when Mel left the larger Capitol label for the artistic freedom offered by the smaller Bethlehem label. This Shout Factory release compiles tracks from each of these albums. The sound is crystal clear making the years melt away as Torme's inventive vocals grace the material. The first couple tracks are from "It's A Blue World" and are closer to the "velvet fog" vocals of Mel's previous era. Then Torme breaks out with the title track of "Lulu's Back In Town," sounding like Bobby Darin must have played the record repeatedly before recording "Mack the Knife." Marty Paich's arrangement has punch that backs Mel's blockbuster shotgun vocal, "I've gotta get my tuxedo pressed, got to sew a button on my vest 'cause tonight I've got to look my best for Lulu; I've got to find a few bucks somewhere, polish up my shoes & slick my hair, gotta get myself a boutonniere; You can tell all my bets, all my blondes & brunettes Mr. Otis regrets that he won't be around." It's stunning. This is followed by the Hart/Rodgers tune "The Lady Is A Tramp" with Red Mitchell's wild bass & Torme's teasing tongue, "She gets too hungry for dinner at eight, she loves the theatre but never comes late, she never bothers with people she hates." Another stunner! The Gershwin shuffle "Fascinating Rhythm" is another delight with Torme's vocals traversing the scales with dexterity. "I Got Plenty of Nuttin'" from "Porgy & Bess" has a sweet swing & sway groove. Torme's album celebrating the dancing of Fred Astaire offers several Gershwin gems, "Nice Work If You Can Get It" and "They Can't Take That Away From Me." There is a definite difference in sound quality on the live recording "Mel Torme @ the Crescendo," but the recording is clear and sparks from the live format on Duke Ellington's "I'm Beginning to See the Light." Cole Porter's "It's Delovely" and "It's All Right With Me" from the "Songs for Any Taste" LP read well. The CD concludes with a track from the "California Suite" LP, "Poor Little Extra Girl" that's a slow smooth weeper. "The Bethlehem Years" is an excellent compilation from one of Torme's most creative periods. Wow!

Average customer rating:

Fraudulent Release

The Bethlehem Years
John Coltrane
Manufacturer: Bethlehem Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000057HN
Release Date: 1994-09-09

Tracks:

Midriff
Ain't Life Grand
Tippin'
Pristine
Toro Valiente
Kiss of No Return
Late Date
Outer World
Not So Sleepy
Love and the Weather
If I'm Lucky
Turtle Walk

Tracks:

Oasis [#]
Midriff [Take 1][#]
Midriff [Take 2][#]
Kiss of No Return [Take 1][#]
Kiss of No Return [Take 5][#]
Outer World [Take 2][#]
Outer World [Take 5][#]
Toro Valiente [Take 1][#]
Ain't Life Grand [Take 2][#]
Ain't Life Grand [Take 4][#]
Pristine [Take 2][#]
Pristine [Take 6][#]
Pristine [Take 8][#]
Tippin' [Take 1][#]
Tippin' [Take 3][#]

Customer Reviews:

Fraudulent Release.......2007-05-31

The low score is for the nature of this ill-conceived and dishonest release, not the artist. Coltrane himself plays rather well here, but he is far from the featured artist. Despite the cd title, there were never any Bethlehem "years" at all. Coltrane simply sat in as a backup horn during a few sessions in the late fall of 1957 for other recording artists. He takes solos, but only a few. This is simply a good example of how record companies repackage older and forgotten material in a manner more likely to be scooped up by completists. The music in here is ok, but it's not Coltrane, and it's not worth the money.

Average customer rating:

Fraudulent Release
enjoyable big band recordings & a couple odds & ends.

The Bethlehem Years
John Coltrane
Manufacturer: Shout Factory
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Complete Mainstream 1958 Sessions
Complete Lee Kraft Sessions
East Coasting
Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall
The Avant-Garde

ASIN: B0009YNSB0
Release Date: 2005-08-02

Tracks:

Midriff
Ain't Life Grand
Tippin'
Pristine
El Toro Valiente
The Kiss Of No Return
Late Date
The Outer World
Not So Sleepy
Love And The Weather
If I'm Lucky
Turtle Walk

Tracks:

Oasis
Midriff Take 1
Midriff Take 2
The Kiss Of No Return Take 1
The Kiss Of No Return Take 5
The Outer World Take 2
The Outer World Take 5
El Toro Valiente Take 1
Ain't Life Grand Take 2
Ain't Life Grand Take 4
Pristine Take 2
Pristine Take 6
Pristine Take 8
Tippin' Take 1
Tippin' Take 3

Album Description

Bethlehem Records was a New York-based independent record label active in the 1950s and '60s. It boasted an impressive array of jazz talent, including Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Mel Tormé, Dexter Gordon, and many others. Shout! Factory is proud to be reissuing some of the key Bethlehem albums.

The Bethlehem Years is a compilation of sessions featuring tenor saxophone legend John Coltrane and made for the Bethlehem label in 1957. These little-heard recordings, which catch Trane just after he recorded the monumental album Blue Train, offer a revealing look at the sax player in large-group settings, as part of the Poll Winners group and Art Blakey's Big Band. Taken together, these underexposed recordings add to our understanding and enjoyment of one of the leading figures in modern jazz.

Customer Reviews:

Fraudulent Release.......2007-05-31

The low score is for the nature of this ill-conceived and dishonest release, not the artist. Coltrane himself plays rather well here, but as the above reviewer also noted, he is far from the featured artist. Despite the cd title, there were never any Bethlehem "years" at all. Coltrane simply sat in as a backup horn during a few sessions in the late fall of 1957 for other recording artists. He takes solos, but only a few. This is simply a good example of how record companies repackage older and forgotten material in a manner more likely to be scooped up by completists. The music in here is ok, but it's not Coltrane, and it's not worth the money.

enjoyable big band recordings & a couple odds & ends........2007-04-05

it's kind of misleading to present this music under john coltrane's name. these are actually a couple of recording dates from 1957 that john coltrane plays on, but does not lead. one of the sessions is an art blakey big band session (fine by me), and the other main session has donald byrd, oscar pettiford, and philly joe jones as members. all good, very likable stuff; but not really a coltrane set. if you are a jazz fan, i still recommend this music. it is fun stuff. people just might want to know its true nature before picking up a copy.

Average customer rating:

Unexpected Gem

Veni, Veni, Emmanuel

Manufacturer: White Line
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classical Instrumental | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Classical Instrumental | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

The John Rutter Christmas Album
Christmas Carols from Tewkesbury Abbey
A Robert Shaw Christmas - Angels on High
Christmas Night: Carols of the Nativity
Christmas Star

ASIN: B0000030Z3
Release Date: 1996-10-15

Tracks:

Veni, Veni, Emmanuel
What Sweeter Music
Once In Royal David's City
The Angel Gabriel
Ding Dong Merrily On High
A Hymn To The Virgin
Noel Nouvelet
This Is The Truth Sent From Above
Sir Christhmas
Bethlehem Down
Wither's Rocking Hymn
Swete Was The Song The Virgin Soong
In Dulchi Jubilo
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
The Shepherd's Farewell
Lully, Lulla, Thou Little Tiny Child
Remember, O Thou Man
We Three Kings Of Orient Are
Adam Lay Y-Bounden
Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
O Come, All Ye Faithful
The Wexford Carol
New Year Carol
Benedicamus Domino

Customer Reviews:

Unexpected Gem.......2005-12-10

A few years ago I took a chance on buying this album from Amazon and I've been glad I did ever since. The Emmanuel College Choir is not as well known as some of the other Cambridge choirs but they are on a par with the best of them. This choir has both male and female singers. The sound is pure and the diction is crystal clear. The musical selections are wonderful and include many less familiar songs as well as the old favorites. The choir does a good job in moving from more reverent songs to joyous ones. It's hard to single out any work but "Bethlehem Down" and "The Shepherd's Farewell" are especially beautiful. There are also some very fine solos in some of the songs. If you're wondering if you should buy this album, do yourself a favor and do it!

Average customer rating:

A Must-Have Christmas CD

In Heavenly Peace

Manufacturer: Niedt Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B0002YXV0A
Release Date: 2004-09-01

Tracks:

Silent Night
Joy To The World
Away In A Manger
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
In The Bleak Midwinter I
Sleigh Ride
El Noi De La Mare
Our Great Savior
Gabriel's Message
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
See Amid The Winter's Snow
Greensleeves (What Child Is This?)
In The Bleak Midwinter II

Album Description

"In Heavenly Peace" contains some of the most moving and creative arrangements of Christmas music for solo guitar ever recorded. Guitarist Douglas Niedt devoted two years to researching the music, composing the arrangements, and recording them for your enjoyment. Listen and experience for yourself the wonder, joy, and profound glory of Christmas.

Customer Reviews:

A Must-Have Christmas CD.......2005-01-08

It's Christmas time, and envisioning lots of Christmas parties with music for background purposes, here's the five-tock entry. Also, for guitar aficionados, stop the Google search for the Andres Segovia Christmas Album. It doesn't exist. Here's the ticket, as Douglas Niedt has studied at the Juilliard School, as well as Segovia Master Classes, among many background studies that certainly lead to the culmination of In Heavenly Peace.

This solo guitarist's name is pronounced "neet"--or "neat"--which certainly suits perhaps the most beautiful classical guitar performances of Christmas songs assembled in one package. Entries include two versions of "In the Bleak Midwinter," "Silent Night," an upbeat version of "Sleigh Ride," "Greensleeves" ("What Child is This"), and "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring." All performances are incredibly well performed, as this project has been a labor of love for Niedt.

Almost as sweet as the recordings (it stands, performance-wise, in the same realm as Phil Keaggy, sans orchestra) in and of themselves is Niedt's extensive liner notes of "The Stories Behind the Carols" from "Silent Night" through the second rendition of "In the Bleak Midwinter." All are enjoyable. Anyone who sings in choirs or is a fan of Christmas music will drink in these notes and share Niedt's obvious heartfelt embracing of the music of Christmas.

The bottom line for Niedt's In Heavenly Peace is that this CD is a must-have for anyone who loves classical guitar. These performances are absolutely beautiful and nicely recorded. The only detraction from this recording is that Niedt didn't include enough surprising moments (loud pops and breaks, as in "Joy to the World") that keep this project, as a whole, from being subjected to December background music. Overall, In Heavenly Peace is very satisfying and a compliment to a most beautiful season of the year.

Olin Jenkins
The Phantom Tollbooth

Average customer rating:

A good memento of a time and place

Riverside Years 2
Frank Swann
Manufacturer: Gothic Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00007K26K
Release Date: 2003-01-07

Tracks:

Once In Royal David's City
Up! Good Christian
The Lord At First
The Holly & The Ivy
Unto Us Is Born A Son
Jesus Child
The Hunter
Mary's Lullaby
What Is This Fragrance
Come, Marie, Elisabette
O Come All Ye Faithful
To Bethlehem

Tracks:

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Puer Natus
Torches
Hush, My Dear
Lo, The Messiah
Mary Had A Baby
Shepards, Shake Off
Saw You Never
Noel We Sing
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Star Carol
Love Came Down At Christmas
Joy To The World
All Glory, Laud, And Honor
The Way To Jerusalem
Choral Variations On 'Ah, Holy Jesus'
O Vos Omnes
The Joyful Eastertide
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
Christ Our Passover

Tracks:

Praise To The Lord
The Lord's My Shepard
Ye Holy Angels Bright
Fairest Lord Jesus
Praise The Lord! Ye Heavens
Our God, Our Help
God That Madest Earth & Heaven
From All That Dwell
My Song Shall Be Alway
Come, Holy Ghost
There Is A Balm In Gilead
Let Us With A Gladsom Mind
Prologue To The 'Apostles'
Festival Te Deum
Evening Hymn

Customer Reviews:

A good memento of a time and place.......2005-09-21

As a young singer I participated in most of these recordings, so it's a bit hard to be objective. The most successful segments are those on the "Lessons and Carols" disc, recorded in May of 1981. John Walker's organ accompaniments are subtle and beautifully voiced; as a result the choral singing they accompany is consistent, beautifully blended and in tune. The readings, particularly the reading and prayer from William Sloane Coffin, are wonderful to hear again.

The rest, recorded in 1978 and 1979, are much less successful. There is much oversinging, even screaming, in the louder choral passages, the choral sound in general is "woofy", not very in tune and unblended, in the fashion of much choral singing of the time, and the organ playing of Swann and McDonald as accompaniment is consistently too loud, even ugly in tone. The only articulate and beautiful playing on these earlier recordings is that of the late organist and harpsichordist Jerry Brainard, and he participates in only two selections! These recordings were made with three microphones, a stereo pair at the front and one at the back for ambience, in the dry acoustic Riverside had at the time (it has since been "corrected" to a soupy overreverberance), so microphoning was not the problem. This is a good represntation of the way this sounded at the time, according to listeners in the congregation.

Also, as was true of the original LP releases, the stereo image on the earlier recordings is reversed: left is right and right is left. I'm surprised that this error was not caught and corrected in the digital transfer. Much of the analog tape noise has been eliminated, but there is still quite a bit of audio distortion in the louder portions. On my copy, the CD's had some trackinig difficulties, even on a new player.

Stu Williamson Plays - The Bethlehem Years

Average customer rating:

Stu Williamson Plays - The Bethlehem Years

Manufacturer: Fresh Sound
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000EUJKOS

Product Description

14 tracks recorded 1955 to 1966. 1. Lady Is A Tramp 2. Stu's Due Blues 3. The Things We Did Last Summer 4. Yardbird Suite 5. Autumn In New York 6. Just Friends 7. Pee Jay 8. Darn That Dream 9. Hongry Child 10. Big Red 11. Red Cross 12. Talk Of The Town 13. Oom's Tune 14. Rose Bud

Average customer rating:

The Bethlehem Years
John Coltrane
Manufacturer: Charly UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000241OH
Release Date: 1999-07-01

Tracks:

Midriff
Ain't Life Grand
Tippin'
Pristine
Toro Valiente
Kiss of No Return
Late Date
Outer World
Not So Sleepy
Love and the Weather
If I'm Lucky
Turtle Walk

Tracks:

Oasis [#]
Midriff [Take 1][#]
Midriff [Take 2][#]
Kiss of No Return [Take 1][#]
Kiss of No Return [Take 5][#]
Outer World [Take 2][#]
Outer World [Take 5][#]
Toro Valiente [Take 1][#]
Ain't Life Grand [Take 2][#]
Ain't Life Grand [Take 4][#]
Pristine [Take 2][#]
Pristine [Take 6][#]
Pristine [Take 8][#]
Tippin' [Take 1][#]
Tippin' [Take 3][#]

Album Description

Digitally remastered 1998 reissue on Charly of 1992compilation on Bethlehem, a retrospective of his bestrecordings for the latter label in 1957, as a solo artist &with both Winner's Circle and Art Blakey's Big Band. DonaldByrd played in both of those grou

Average customer rating:

entertaining big band stuff.
Quite a find - great CD
Early Big Band Style Trane

The Bethlehem Years
John Coltrane
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00003Q5D1
Release Date: 2000-01-18

Tracks:

Midriff
Ain't Life Grand
Tippin'
Pristine
El Toro Valiente
The Kiss Of No Return
Late Date
The Outer World
Not So Sleepy
Love And The Weather
If I'm Lucky
Turtle Walk

Tracks:

Oasis (Unreleased)
Midriff (Take 1)
Midriff (Take 2)
The Kiss Of No Return (Take 1)
The Kiss Of No Return (Take 5)
The Outer World (Take 2)
The Outer World (Take 5)
El Toro Valiente (Take 1)
Ain't Life Grand (Take 2)
Ain't Life Grand (Take 4)
Pristine (Take 2)
Pristine (Take 6)
Pristine (Take 8)
Tippin' (Take 1)
Tippin' (Take 3)

Amazon.com

This pair of discs represents three separate December 1957 recording sessions, two of which were originally issued with Art Blakey as the leader of the rollicking big band. Today, Coltrane's name supersedes even Blakey's in the jazz pantheon. The third session is a quintet with Blakey, Donald Byrd, Walter Bishop Jr., and Wendell Marshall, the core of the big band. Disc Two boasts fifteen unreleased alternate takes, including a wobbly, uncredited "Oasis," replete with studio chatter. These dates mark a transitional period for Coltrane, coming on the heels of his first Miles Davis Quintet stint and at the cusp of his brief but legendary tenure with Thelonious Monk. Not quite at the sheets-of-sound period in his career, Monk still plays with an appealing urgency and energy, setting him apart from his mates. Though he doesn't solo on every track, his is the most compelling voice to step out from the ensemble into the spotlight. One quibble: there are no soloist credits listed, though it's certainly clear when Trane steps up to the mic. This package is good for historical purposes, well recorded and well executed, but it's not particularly essential to Coltrane's oeuvre. --Willard Jenkins

Customer Reviews:

entertaining big band stuff........2007-04-05

Quite a find - great CD.......2004-11-15

I'm a big Jazz and Coltrane fan, but had never heard of this CD. I stumbled upon it at the local record store, and after listening had to get it.

First of all, the title of the CD is a bit misleading; "The Bethlehem Sessions: Featuring John Coltrane" would probably be more apt. Although Coltrane is featured on many of the solos, he is really just a part of a larger band and the focus is not always on him. But what a band! The sound is fantastic on this CD, technically speaking, and the band are all in great form, playing as if they've been together for years. The sound is big band jazz which I don't particularly enjoy, but on this CD it works perfectly.
I have to say that I enjoy this CD immensely and will listen to it often in the future!

Early Big Band Style Trane.......2000-09-22

Coltrane actually only spent a couple months with the Bethlehem label in 1957, rendering the title of this double disker a little silly. Was it a marketing ploy? Oh well, this is John Coltrane in a not often heard setting: The big band orchestra.

Trane rarely gets time to really amaze, bogged down by the vast arrangements, but this is a unique period in the Trane discography. Definately not essential, but interesting after you have picked up His defining albums.

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