Classic Jazz: Jazz Masters

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
18 remastered tracks from various artists including Nat King Cole Trio, Clifford Brown Quintet/Lou Donaldson, Herbie Hancock, Ella Fitzgerald, Mongo Santamaria & Miles Davis Quartet. 2002.

Tracks:

Paper Doll
Lazy River
You Always Hurt The One You Love
Till Then
Across The Alley From The Alamo
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
Someday (You'll Want Me To Want You)
Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You)
Be My Life's Companion
The Glow Worm
Standing On The Corner
Cab Driver

Amazon.com

It might not strike one listening to the music on this collection--smoothly crafted, perfectly harmonized pop often set to gently loping swing rhythms--that the Mills Brothers were actually outstanding pioneers of black music. Their close harmony work, based on the barbershop quartets of a previous era, were an innovation in '30s popular music, arguably laying the groundwork for '50s doo-wop and by extension even the music of the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync (but don't hold that against them!). This collection serves as a good introduction to the Mills Brothers' legacy, serving up a dozen of their infectious hits, a few of which ("Lazy River," "You Always Hurt the One You Love") still stand among the definitive renditions of the classic American songbook. And what other band has had a seven-decade career (their sons, nephews, and grandsons now filling the ranks), scoring Top 40 hits ("Paper Doll" and "Cab Driver") 46 years apart? --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Great Singers..........2006-09-01

The Mills brothers were a great singing group, but their style was heavily influenced by american culture, as opposed to say, the Ink Spots, whose style was totally original and arguably more influential. However, the Mills brothers are great harmonizers.

Fun music.......2002-08-31

This is a great CD to cheer yourself up with. The Mills Brothers are always good, and these songs are some of their best. Buy it and save it for those days when things feel bad...you will be whistling by the end.

"one of the oldest and long-lasting acts".......2000-04-14

Originally billed as "Four Boys and a Guitar", John Mills Sr. and is four sons John Jr., Herbert, Harry and Donald grew into one of the oldest and long-lasting acts in American popular music. His sons learned close harmony and the knack to immulate musical instruments with their voices and began broadcasting over Cincinnati radio stations in the late '20s.

In 1943 came one of their biggest hits - "PAPER DOLL" a sweet and intimate ballad stayed twelve weeks on top of the charts, sold six million records plus sheet music. The group made appearances in several films during the early '40s, and hit number one again in 1944 with "YOUR ALWAYS HURT THE ONE YOU LOVE". Another chart topper - "THE GLOW WORM" (1952) - plus additional hits with - "BE MY LIFE'S COMPANION" (1951) and "CAB DRIVER" (1967) which reached the charts, competing with rock n' roll groups such as The Beatles and of course "The King"-Elvis.

"The 20th Century Masters" presents another "The Millenium Collection" in an ongoing series featuring top artists and groups of our time in musical history. No other label has been more supportive of the talent and legacy that has made American Music the most popular in the world today.

Total Time: 34:26 on 12 Tracks/MCA Records - 088 112 228 2 (2000)

Almost Perfect.......2000-03-25

I would've given this collection five stars if it weren't for the last four songs. I'm something of a purist when it comes to the Mills Brothers and much prefer the "four boys and a guitar" style of their early work. On songs like "Paper Doll", and "Across the Alley from the Alamo" the brothers sound fantastic. Unfortunately, classics like "Glow Worm" are lost amidst the sound of the big band behind them. The version of "Cab Driver" on this album is apparently from their "country" period. I preferred earlier versions much more. The album is worth buying for the first seven songs alone, but look elsewhere if you want to hear the rest as they should be done.

20th Century Masters: The Best Of Louis Armstrong (Millennium Collection)

Average customer rating:

Hello, Louis! But man, they sure didn't give you enough time on this CD...
"What a Wonderful..." CD this is!
Dream a little dream with this CD
That one and only
Another disappointing CD in this series

20th Century Masters: The Best Of Louis Armstrong (Millennium Collection)
Louis Armstrong
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000I8LE
Release Date: 1999-03-09

Tracks:

What A Wonderful World
Hello Dolly!
Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Cabaret
That Lucky Old Sun
I Still Get Jealous
Blueberry Hill
A Kiss To Build A Dream On
Gone Fishin'
When It's Sleepy Time Down South

Amazon.com

Louis Armstrong casts a long shadow over all of 20th-century American popular music, thanks in large part to the explosion of talent he displayed in the early part of his career--as an improvisational innovator, bandleader, and vocal stylist. By the time he cut most of the material included on this slight (less than 30-minute) set, he had comfortably settled into his popular persona, mugging and mopping his brow with a handkerchief. That's fine, of course, because Armstrong injects tremendous personality into even the most middle-of-the-road fare, such as "Hello Dolly," "What a Wonderful World," and "Gone Fishin'," a duet with Bing Crosby. Look elsewhere (for example, the budget priced JSP version of the Hot Fives and Sevens or any of Amazon.com's picks for his essential recordings) for the music that made him important. But these are songs that made him beloved. --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews:

Hello, Louis! But man, they sure didn't give you enough time on this CD..........2006-11-30

This CD boasts ten great hits of Louis Armstrong. The quality of the remastering and the sound is excellent; the liner notes offer a great essay about Louis' career and there are excellent photos of Louis Armstrong as well.

The CD starts with the beautiful classic "What A Wonderful World." I agree with the liner notes: only Louis Armstrong could sing this song and leave you with the unequivocal impression that our world really WAS a harmonious place in which to live. "Hello Dolly" is perhaps my favorite song on this CD because Armstrong handles this number with so much class. The song is certainly romantic and nostalgic; but Louis performs this song in an especially joyful way with a big band flavor that only Louis could do.

Other masterpieces on this album include the romantic "Dream A Little Dream Of Me;" the joyful "Cabaret;" "That Lucky Old Sun" and the classic ballad entitled "Blueberry Hill." There's even a splendid duet with Louis and Bing Crosby on "Gone Fishin'." Moreover, the CD ends beautifully with the song entitled "When It's Sleepy Time Down South."

The musical arrangements are wonderful throughout! Excellent!

Unfortunately, however, I am very disappointed that there are only ten relatively short tracks on this CD. The total running time is roughly 28 minutes--not even half an hour. The manufacturer certainly could have added at least two more songs to create a better value for customers. Therefore this will be a four star review instead of a five star review.

In short, this CD stands as an introduction to the great talents and sophistication of the late Louis Armstrong. I cannot call this a retrospective because none of Louis' work with his band mates called The Hot Fives and Sevens are on this CD. If you like this CD, I suggest you try the box set entitled The Hot Fives & Sevens, Satch Plays Fats: The Music of Fats Waller and The California Concerts which were recorded live during the 1950s.

Enjoy!

"What a Wonderful..." CD this is!.......2004-01-13

Louis Armstrong may not have had the smooth and refined voice of Bing Crosby, and he wasn't concerned about charting unexplored musical territory, but his warmth and sheer love of music made Satchmo one of America's musical legends. Although Armstrong will perhaps be best remembered as a great jazz trumpet player, he was also a wonderful vocalist whose gruff voice could draw listeners with its honesty and friendliness.

MCA's "The Best of Louis Armstrong" -- part of the label's 20th Century Masters -- The Millennium Collection -- is a seemingly modest 10-track selection of Armstrong's vocal-and-trumpet songs recorded over a 19-year period (1949-1968). Some are familiar to Broadway and movie buffs (Armstrong appeared in the film version of "Hello, Dolly!" starring Barbra Streisand, and "What a Wonderful World" is heard in Robin Williams' "Good Morning, Vietnam"). Other songs, such as "Blueberry Hill", may be associated with such singers as Fats Domino, but Satchmo takes them and makes them his own. Particularly appealing are his rendition of "Dream a Little Dream of Me" and "Gone Fishin' " (which features a vocal duet with another American musical legend, Bing Crosby).

This CD is great for any fan of jazz or popular vocal music, but it is especially valuable to new listeners who have yet to discover the legendary Satchmo's rich musical legacy. It's a great introduction to America's truly native musical form, and it's a worthy tribute to one of the country's best known (and best-loved) musical ambassadors.

Dream a little dream with this CD.......2003-09-13

The first time I heard Louis Armstrong's music was in the movie "The Five Pennies." I was watching it at home on a black-and-white TV set with my stepfather and when I heard Armstrong's trumpet playing I found myself paying closer attention to the Danny Kaye movie. Ever since then, when I hear the great "Satchmo," I smile and remember that first moment when I discovered my love of his jazz music.

The Best of Louis Armstrong, part of MCA's 20th Century Masters series, has a playing time of less than 30 minutes, yet its 10 memorable songs are captivating and hold me in their enchantment. Although I like all 10 songs, I'm particularly fond of "What a Wonderful World," "Dream a Little Dream of Me," "Blueberry Hill," "A Kiss to Build a Dream On," and especially the funny duet with Bing Crosby, "Gone Fishin'." The first four always put me in a romantic mindset, while "Gone Fishin' " brings back memories of never finding my dad at home because he had "gone fishin'."

The sound quality of this recording is excellent, and I believe that this is a good introduction to Louis Armstrong's music for those who have not yet discovered him.

That one and only.......2003-03-09

Louis Armstrong has one of those voices that no matter what you are doing, when you hear him sing, you know its him. The distinctiveness and depth of his voice is undeniable. It is a good thing this is a CD and not an album, because it would be worn out by now if it were an album.

Another disappointing CD in this series.......2002-03-15

Louis Armstrong was one of the most important musicians of the 20th Century
To have a CD that showcases his contributions to the music world
that lasts less than 30 minutes is a travesty! Once again the "20th Century"
Collection series has launched a dud. DO NOT waste your money on this or
any other CD in the series. Take your time and browse through other
collections and get more Satchmo for your buck!

Average customer rating:

NONSTOP BRILLIANCE
Loudest and funniest!
Without a doubt the hottest white band from the 20's

The Coon-Sanders Nighthawks, Vol. 2
The Coon-Sanders Nighthawks
Manufacturer: Old Masters
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000005DZJ
Release Date: 1998-02-17

Tracks:

Sittin' Around
Everything's Gonna Be All Right
Deep Henderson
High Fever
My Baby Knows How
Brainstorm
I Need Lovin'
I Ain't Got Nobody
Roodles
Louder And Funnier
Slue Foot
Wabash Blues
Mine-All Mine
The Wail
Hallucinations
Stay Out Of The South
Is She My Girlfriend? (How-De-Ow-Dow)
Indian Cradle Song
Ready For The River
Oh! You Have No Idea
Too Busy!
Blazin'
Down Where The Sun Goes Down

Customer Reviews:

NONSTOP BRILLIANCE.......2003-10-02

The Coon-Sanders Nighthawks are one of those bands whose relative obscurity just doesn't make sense. Why they haven't remained an important chapter in early jazz is a mystery - and an unfair one at that. These arrangements are relentless, cutting edge stuff. The liner notes compare them to Ellington, which I figured, not having popped the disc in yet, was hyperbola, but no - these little tunes are brimming with novelty, subtlety, surprise and pure beauty, showcasing a band at the peak of their creative powers. The cream of the crop is Hallucinations, evidently so named because of its incredibly progressive, yet catchy structure.

I found Volume 1 considerably less interesting and would only recommend it to serious students of the era. But Volume 2 hits the ground running and only accelerates as the disc moves foreward. Buy this CD if you like early jazz OR dance orchestras from the late 20s aned early 30s. It'll blow your head off. And you'll wonder why no one else told you about it!

Loudest and funniest!.......2000-10-08

The Coon-Sanders Nighthawks captured the spirit of the Roaring 20s better than any other dance band. Their complete surviving recordings, give or take a few alternate "takes," have been reissued on four CDs on The Old Masters label. All four disks are excellent, but Volume Two is the best.

Covering the 1926-1928 period, this CD shows the band at the very top of its form. Eight of the 23 selections were composed by co-leader Joe Sanders, and more than half of the selections contain spirited "hot" vocals by Sanders and his partner Carleton Coon. Sanders wrote the band's arrangements.

This band played jazz, and played it with gusto and humor. Highlights include "Roodles," with a scat vocal by the two leaders, "Slue Foot," low-down and hot, and the remarkable "Louder and Funnier." The Nighthawks played pop standards such as "I Ain't Got Nobody" and "Wabash Blues" with the same verve that they gave to Sanders's original compositions.

If the Nighthawks weren't quite as hot as the great black orchestras of the era, they do not suffer by comparison either. Compare their version of "Deep Henderson" with King Oliver's, and their version of "Blazin'" (a Sanders original) with Fletcher Henderson's. The Coon-Sanders band holds its own against the competition.

Without a doubt the hottest white band from the 20's.......2000-10-05

The Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawks Orchestra was the hottest white dance band around in the 1920's, and they could hold their own against Bennie Moten, Fletcher Henderson, and even McKinney's Cotton Pickers. Both leaders(Coon & Sanders) sing and I don't mean those sappy songs, they sing hot(no dull vocal refrains here). highlights of this exellent disc are I Aint Got Nobody, Hallucinations, and Deep Henderson. Wonderful CD, all; four volumes are recommended, however Vols. 1 & 2 are most essential.