Hittin' on All Six [Box set]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Hittin' on All Six is an extraordinary introduction to the early decades of jazz guitar--to its most distinguished players and its evolution as an instrument. Beginning with Lonnie Johnson and his transformation of blues guitar in 1927, it traces the guitar's progress to the heyday of bop, concluding with late-1940s performances by Billy Bauer and Jimmy Raney. Along the way, there are six-track portraits of the period's two greatest soloists. Django Reinhardt's sparkling acoustic is heard merging jazz and gypsy idioms, while Charlie Christian, father of modern electric lead playing, is heard with Benny Goodman, on his sole acoustic session with Edmond Hall, and in a live recording from Minton's Playhouse announcing the dawn of bop.

Along with using the most celebrated soloists, Hittin' on All Six includes the finest rhythm guitarists, like Freddie Green (an essential component of the Count Basie rhythm section), and technical innovators like Eddie Durham, responsible for first applying the amplified guitar to jazz. There's also a remarkable gallery of musicians who are little-known today, from once prominent guitarists, like Tiny Grimes and Mary Osborne, to the genuinely obscure, like Efferge Ware and Bus Etri. Highlights among the more obscure tracks include Teddy Bunn's 1941 solo feature "Blues Without Words" and John Collins's 1947 recording of "John's Delight" with Tadd Dameron.

The emphasis is on guitarists here, but the set may also introduce fans of the instrument to some of jazz's greatest figures. Lonnie Johnson appears with both Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, Eddie Lang is heard with Bix Beiderbecke, Teddy Bunn with Sidney Bechet, and Barney Kessel with Charlie Parker. While the set comes at a budget price, there's nothing budget about the content. The sound restoration on the early tracks is excellent, and the accompanying booklet is detailed and informative. This is an essential compilation for anyone interested in jazz guitar, a substantial introduction for neophytes with some hard-to-find delights to engage experienced listeners. --Stuart Broomer

Album Description
The ninth release in the ever more successful Proper Box series. This four CD set tells the story of the jazz guitar from New Orleans through to the bebop era and features 48 of the greatest jazz guitarists ever to pluck a string including Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Lonnie Johnson, Freddie Green, Barney Kessel and many more. 94 tracks, over four hours of music, 52 page fully illustrated booklet. 2000 release. 4 standard jewel cases housed in a heavy duty box which measures 5 x 6 x 2 inches approx..

Tracks:

Steppin' On The Blues - Lonnie Johnson
Wild Cat - Eddie Lang
For No Reason At All In C - Eddie Lang
Doin' Things - Eddie Lang
Savoy Blues - Lonnie Johnson
The Mooche - Lonnie Johnson L
Have To Change Keys (To Play These Blues) - Lonnie Johnson/Eddie Lang
Guitar Blues - Lonnie Johnson/Eddie Lang
I've Got The World On A String - Teddy Bunn
I'll Be Ready When The Great Day Comes - Teddy Bunn
Summertime - Teddy Bunn
Blues Without Words - Teddy Bunn
Lonesome Moments - John Trueheart
Somebody Loves Me - George Van Eps
At Sundown - George Van Eps
Dick Bernstein Ramble - Dick McDonough
Heat Wave - Carl Kress/Dick McDonugh
Swingin' At That Famous Door - Carmen Mastren
If I Could Be With You - Carmen Mastren
Nagasaki - Django Reinhardt
You're Driving Me Crazy - Django Reinhardt
Finesse (Night Wind) - Django Reinhardt
Nuages - Django Reinhardt
Manoir De Mes Reves - Django Reinhardt
For Sentimental Reasons - Django Reinhardt

Tracks:

Hittin' The Bottle - Eddie Durham
I Want A Little Girl - Eddie Durham
Alabamy Home - Bernard Addison
Blues In Disguise - Bernard Addison
Topsy - Freddie Green
Them There Eyes - Freddie Green
Gin, Gin - Le Trio Ferret
Floyd's Guitar Blues - Floyd Smith
Jeeper's Creepers - Oscar Aleman
I Got Rhythm - Oscar Aleman
Buck Jumpin' - Al Casey
Esquire Bounce - Al Casey
That's All - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Swing 42 - Jean 'Matlo' Ferret
Till Tom Special - Charlie Christian
Wholly Cats - Charlie Christian
Profoundly Blue - Charlie Christian
Solo Flight - Charlie Christian
Waiting For Benny - Charlie Christian
Swing To Bop - Charlie Christian
Rockin' With The Rockets - Efferge Ware
Blue Juice - Bus Etri

Tracks:

Reflections - Bus Etri
Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You - Oscar Moore
Body And Soul - Oscar Moore
Lament In Chords - Oscar Moore
Altitude - Irving Ashby
The Spinx - Irving Ashby
Top Hat Box - Irving Ashby
Nobody In Mind - Leonard Ware
Body And Soul - Tiny Grimes
Blue Harlem - Tiny Grimes
Hot In Harlem - Tiny Grimes
Bugle Call Rag - Les Paul
Moten Swing - Les Paul
Willie Weep For Me - Les Paul
Tempo's Boogie - Billy Mackel
Impromptu Ensemble No.1 - Eddie Condon
Cajun Love Song - Nappy Lamare
Blood On The Moon - Danny Barker
Blues A La Red - Remo Palmieri
Stompin' At The Savoy - Remo Palmieri
Stardust - Jimmy Shirley
What Is There To Say - Allan Ruess
The Moon Is Low - Allan Ruess

Tracks:

I Saw Stars - Dave Barbour
China Boy - Dave Barbour
Blue Lou - George Barnes
Lover Come Back To Me - George Barnes
The Grabtown Grapple - Barney Kessel
Relaxin' At Camarillo - Barney Kessel
Tight And Gay - Arvin Garrison
Night In Tunisia - Arvin Garrison
Minuet In Vout - Slim Gaillard
Doctor Keets - Bill De Arango
Spotlite - Mary Osborne
Allen's Alley - Mary Osborne
Blue Serge - Churck Wayne
Conception - Churck Wayne
Donna Lee - Barry Galbraith
Lament (Lament For Guitar) - Laurindo Almieda
Shirley Steps Out - Al Hendrickson
All The Things You Are - Herb Ellis
Swedish Pastry - Herb Ellis
Subconcious-Lee - Billy Bauer
Wow - Billy Bauer
John's Delight - John Collins
In A Pinch - Jimmy Raney
Extrovert - Jimmy Raney

Amazon.com

Hittin' on All Six is an extraordinary introduction to the early decades of jazz guitar--to its most distinguished players and its evolution as an instrument. Beginning with Lonnie Johnson and his transformation of blues guitar in 1927, it traces the guitar's progress to the heyday of bop, concluding with late-1940s performances by Billy Bauer and Jimmy Raney. Along the way, there are six-track portraits of the period's two greatest soloists. Django Reinhardt's sparkling acoustic is heard merging jazz and gypsy idioms, while Charlie Christian, father of modern electric lead playing, is heard with Benny Goodman, on his sole acoustic session with Edmond Hall, and in a live recording from Minton's Playhouse announcing the dawn of bop.

Along with using the most celebrated soloists, Hittin' on All Six includes the finest rhythm guitarists, like Freddie Green (an essential component of the Count Basie rhythm section), and technical innovators like Eddie Durham, responsible for first applying the amplified guitar to jazz. There's also a remarkable gallery of musicians who are little-known today, from once prominent guitarists, like Tiny Grimes and Mary Osborne, to the genuinely obscure, like Efferge Ware and Bus Etri. Highlights among the more obscure tracks include Teddy Bunn's 1941 solo feature "Blues Without Words" and John Collins's 1947 recording of "John's Delight" with Tadd Dameron.

Album Description

The ninth release in the ever more successful Proper Box series. This four CD set tells the story of the jazz guitar from New Orleans through to the bebop era and features 48 of the greatest jazz guitarists ever to pluck a string including Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Lonnie Johnson, Freddie Green, Barney Kessel and many more. 94 tracks, over four hours of music, 52 page fully illustrated booklet. 2000 release. 4 standard jewel cases housed in a heavy duty box which measures 5 x 6 x 2 inches approx..

Customer Reviews:

It is a bargain, but remastering could be better.......2001-12-02

To take on putting the greats of jazz guitar onto only 4 CDs is a daunting, if not ridiculous task. How can anyone choose what to put in and what not to? Thankfully, that didn't stop Proper Box from putting this little gem together. It is a small, very selective but comprehensive collection, bringing you from the start (Lonnie Johnson & Eddie Lang) in 1927 up through the 1940's. I have to say, though, that I am a little disappointed in the remastering because I have several of the earlier stuff on other CDs with a much better sound and speed. Not sure why they decided to go with this level of quality, espcially since their other collections don't have this problem. On the other hand, it is definitely acceptable. The music is still great and the musicians ... from Eddie Lang to Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Freddie Green, Barney Kessel etc. are incomparable. At this price, you really can't do better! And, if you play, it's an invaluable reference.

an amazing collection.......2000-12-28

There is an astonishing breadth and depth to this collection. All the styles of jazz guitar, US and European, with complete liner notes and personnel. A wonderful job of production. For the person who wants to listen to good music, this is an excellent purchase. For the person who wants to learn about jazz history and the role of the guitar, it's a must. If you have never heard Al Casey with Fats Waller on Buck Jumpin', do yourself a favor. It alone is worth the bargain price on this CD set.

Average customer rating:

Hittin on All Six
Various
Manufacturer: Musicrama/Koch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000DENVX
Release Date: 2001-01-30

Music:

Music

Music